July 2, 2025

Does Nature Have a Purpose in Our Lives? Exploring Our Relationships to the Land

Oregonians have long struggled to balance cultural, political, and values-based differences tied to our use of land and resources. As we enter an age of accelerating environmental change and scarcity, it is important to understand what drives these differences. In this conversation we will explore our attitudes and assumptions about the purpose of the environment in our lives and consider how those attitudes and assumptions shape our perception of environmental issues and policies.

Register for this free online program.

10:00 a.m. Pacific, Virtual Event, statewide

July 22, 2025

Conversation Project: Can We Parent Together?

Like many aspects of life in the United States, parenting is increasingly done in isolation. American adults report spending 30 percent less time doing face-to-face socializing than they did twenty years ago. (Teenagers report spending almost 50 percent less time.) This conversation provides an opportunity for parents and caregivers to reflect on how we engage with friends and community and how social connectedness and community support affect parenting and caregiving. How does the presence or absence of extended family affect how we raise children? Can there be nontraditional extended families? Join Catherine Feeny to explore the conventions and norms that prevent us from building intimacy and experiencing mutual support and consider strategies for building connections to support families and others in our communities.

RSVP for this free online event.

4:00 p.m., Virtual Event, statewide

August 9, 2025

Conversation Project: Talking About Values Across Political Divides

“How can I be me without making it difficult for you to be you?” This question gets at the fundamental challenge of being in society together. We live in a contentious political world, and it’s difficult to talk about our deepest values and beliefs in safe, civil, and respectful ways. In 2021, the Pew Research Center found that nearly six in ten Americans felt that political conversations with those you disagree with are generally stressful and frustrating, as opposed to being interesting and informative. If we avoid such conversations, we lose opportunities to form a community with others that reflects our best selves. How can we learn to share our values in ways that bring us together rather than push us further apart?

2:00 p.m., Jacksonville Branch Library, Jacksonville

August 9, 2025

Conversation Project: Talking About Values Across Political Divides

“How can I be me without making it difficult for you to be you?” This question gets at the fundamental challenge of being in society together. We live in a contentious political world, and it’s difficult to talk about our deepest values and beliefs in safe, civil, and respectful ways. In 2021, the Pew Research Center found that nearly six in ten Americans felt that political conversations with those you disagree with are generally stressful and frustrating, as opposed to being interesting and informative. If we avoid such conversations, we lose opportunities to form a community with others that reflects our best selves. How can we learn to share our values in ways that bring us together rather than push us further apart?

2:00 p.m., Jacksonville Branch Library, Jacksonville

August 21, 2025

Talking About Gender: Learning, Unlearning, and Understanding

Do you remember the first time you were taught how to “be a man” or “act more ladylike”? Do you recall moments of permission where you got to break free from the pressures of your gender? Everyone experiences gender differently, which can cause confusion when the gender of others challenges our own understanding. By exploring our own histories with gender, we can open ourselves up to being curious about the experiences of others. In this conversation, participants will be invited to reflect on and share the ways gender was taught to them, moments they challenged gender expectations, and ways they live in their gender today.

RSVP for this free online conversation.

3:00 p.m., Virtual Event, statewide