The Pat Brown Institute’s Fall Civic Series is designed to build community, provide civic education, and inspire civic engagement. The events will be hosted on the campus of Cal State LA and online. The Series has three main components:
Workshops: Interactive experiences to develop communication and analytical skills.
Panels: Discussions with multiple viewpoints to unpack complex issues.
Public Art: Civic Engagement through creative expression.
The in-person events will create networking opportunities for students to connect with peers, local leaders, and community members. Panelists will include diverse stakeholders and experts. Community partners include the League of Women Voters of Greater LA, the LA County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, the Office of the City Clerk, the SELA Collaborative, Calo News, the Latino Media Collaborative, and more. Cal State LA partnerships extend across disciplines, including participation from the College of Arts and Letters, College of Education, College of Ethnic Studies, College of Natural and Social Sciences, College of Health and Human Services, and the Honors College. The Institute will also collaborate with the Associated Students, Inc., the Department of Television, Film & Media, The University Times, and student clubs like the Political Science Association and Gravitas Animation Society.
| Event 1 | Good Jobs: Pathways to Work That Matters | October 3, 2024 |
| Event 2 | Breaking Down the Ballot: Burritos & Ballot Measures | October 10, 2024 |
| Event 3 | Misinformation/Disinformation: Media Literacy | October 15, 2024 |
| Event 4 | Housing is a Human Right: A Call to Action | October 17, 2024 |
| Event 5 | Voter Fest 2024 | October 22, 2024 |
| Event 6 | Now What? Post-Election Convening | November 20, 2024 |
| Engagement Activity | PSA Challenge: A Call to Action | Deadline: October 13 at 11:59 PM PST |
EVENT DETAILS
Good Jobs: Pathways to Work That Matters
Good Jobs: Pathways to Work That Matters
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
Location: Los Angeles Room B & C, Student Union
Time: Panel and Breakout Sessions 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Reception 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
The series begins with an interactive workshop: “Work That Matters.” The panel and following networking event highlight jobs centered on the public good. The panel of Cal State LA alumni will represent careers in government, non-profits, journalism, advocacy, policy, education, and the environment. The panelists will provide first-hand experience in finding careers with meaning and purpose. After the panel, students will be guided through a series of power sessions with the professionals. The in-person event is an opportunity for students to connect with peers, local leaders, and community members.
* Refreshments will be provided.
Voter Education Week - Your Vote, Your Voice
Breaking down the Ballot: Burritos & Ballot Measures
Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Location: Los Angeles Room C, Student Union
Hungry for information? Join us for “Burritos & Ballot Measures.” While we unpack this year’s ballot initiatives, participants will enjoy burritos and beverages. To ensure a non-partisan lens, the Institute is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Greater LA (LWVGLA), CalMatters, and the LA City Clerk’s Office. The LWVGLA will provide key insight into local measures that will appear on the November ballot, CalMatters will look at statewide propositions, while the LA City Clerk’s Office will provide information on the voting process. During “Voter Education Week,” participants gain a deeper understanding of the voting process and ballot initiatives.
* Refreshments will be provided.
Dialogue and Democracy
As part of our “Dialogue and Democracy” theme, we’ll facilitate discussion on critical social issues, including the housing crisis and media literacy. The Institute will host two events centered on fostering dialogue and building connections. The gatherings will bring together community leaders and diverse stakeholders to discuss pressing social issues. Using a policy and history framework, we’ll highlight what happens when communities are disenfranchised or don’t engage because of barriers. The conversation will provide pathways for participation and partnership.
Misinformation/Disinformation: Media Literacy
Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Golden Eagle Ballroom 3 (hybrid option available)
Housing Is a Human Right: A Call to Action
Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Time: 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Voter Fest 2024 - The Art of Civic Engagement
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Cal State LA University-Student Union Plaza
The centerpiece of the Civic Series is Voter Fest 2024: The Art of Civic Engagement. This arts-focused festival encourages hands-on participation and underscores the power of voting. The festival will bring together campus organizations, student clubs, faculty from diverse departments, and community groups. The civic-themed activities will include games, a selfie station, and craft-making, like tote decorating, button-making, and an interactive “zine” activity. The Art of Civic Engagement includes three key projects: Zine Voter Guides, PSA Film Challenge, and a poster symposium, “Reimagine your Campus with the Center for Urban Ecology.”
* Refreshments will be provided.
The Future of Democracy: Coming HOme
Now What? Post Election Convening
Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Time: 4 p.m. – 5:15 p.m., Reception to follow
Location: ASU California Center, 1111 Broadway, LA 90015
Now What? Now that the votes are counted, we’ll convene to discuss the results of the November 2024 election. We’ll conclude the Civic Series with a post-election convening, “The Future of Democracy: Coming Home” in which we’ll spotlight outcomes at the local and state levels. We’ll look at key local ballot measures and the discussion will focus on ways to stay active and engaged closer to home. The panel will touch on the national election and will analyze how congressional races impact legislative control, but we’ll highlight local issues. The event will include a panel discussion and breakout sessions to explore the evolving landscape of democracy and policy impacts.
The Institute's 2024 Civic Series is sponsored by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation
