#CLDE17 Baltimore in Review

Our recent 2017 Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CLDE) Meeting in Baltimore, Md., brought together a great group of faculty, students, administrators, community partners and representatives from our national sponsor and partner organizations committed to advancing civic learning and democratic engagement through higher education.

Read on for highlights of our time together.

By The Numbers

608 participants (100 more than in 2016!) representing 181 colleges and universities as well as 52 other organizations.

• 161 Four-year Colleges and Universities (103 public; 38 private)
• 39 Community Colleges
• 1 international university
• 113 Students
• 19 Sponsors/Exhibitors

Program Overview

The full program is available for download here (pdf).

Pre-Conference highlights:

• The 2017 CLDE Meeting opened with nine pre-conference sessions that engaged participants in a variety of important civic learning and democratic engagement topics. Participants were invited to take part in one or both of a pair of popular Educational Testing Service (ETS)- sponsored Civic Engagement Assessment Pre-Conference Workshops focused on planning for institution-wide data collection and measuring civic outcomes during college, respectively.

• Other pre-conference workshops included a full-day Charting a Course on the Pathway to Civic Engagement: An Inventory and Action Plan for Engaged Campuses workshop for campus teams as well as a set of half-day workshops including: Measures That Matter: Regarding Engaged Scholarship In Tenure and Promotion; Dialogue and Democratic Deliberation: Moderator Training; Educating for the Democracy We Want, Not the One We Have; and Integrating Civic Responsibility into the Curriculum.
• The Student Pre-Conference Workshop was organized for students, by students. Led by the 2017 CLDE Student Intern Team (Amber Austin, sophomore, Tarrant County College (Texas.); Christina Melecio, sophomore, Winona State University (Minn.); and Tyler Ferrari, sophomore, Chapman University (Calif.)), the session introduced students to #CLDEStuds17 and provided a space to discuss issues focused on being an active participant in local and national communities, and introduced students tools to be effective activists in their communities.
• In being mindful of the city that CLDE17 took place, there were three opportunities to engage with the Baltimore community. Two walking tours (Westside of Downtown Baltimore and Baltimore “Untour”) led by University of Maryland Baltimore County faculty members Nicole King, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of American Studies and Joby Taylor, director, Peaceworker Program at The Shriver Center. Towson University supported an exploratory session by Bus (Right to the City – Curtis Bay: Community Engagement through a Mobile App) led by Nicole Fabricant, associate professor; and Matthew Durington and Samuel Collins, professors, department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice.

Some of the more than 130 students that participated in #CLDE17

Opening Plenary & First Day highlights:

• Participants had the opportunity to participate in two sponsored lunch sessions. The first, a 2017 Voter Engagement Symposium organized by our friends at TurboVote, provided an interactive symposium on what it takes to engaged student voters in not one, but all of their elections. The second lunch, sponsored by our friends at Roadtrip Nation, included a screening of their documentary film Beyond the Dream and included a panel discussion about undocumented immigrants and their higher education journeys.
• UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski, III welcomed participants to Baltimore and reminded us that the most important office in our democracy is that of citizen. Three CivEd talks then kicked off Thursday afternoon’s opening plenary session. These three, short, dynamic and fast-paced presentations by members of the civic learning and democratic engagement community  inspired and challenged our collective imagination and thinking. The talks were given by: Jane Coaston, political reporter, MTV News, Martín Carcasson, founder and director, Center for Public Deliberation, Colorado State University, and Eric Liu, CEO, Citizen University. Attendees also participated in a Sworn Again citizen ceremony lead by Eric Liu.
  

  Visual journalist Ellen Lovelidge’s depiction of the themes from Thursday’s plenary.

• Participants were each given a copy of Eric Liu’s new 2017 book You’re More Powerful Than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen and had the opportunity to have Eric sign their books during our networking reception. They were also able to learn from poster presenters and the campus showcase tables.

Friday highlights:

More than 50 participants volunteered as table moderators during Friday’s plenary (Photo credit: Greg Dohler

• Friday morning participants started their day with a Dialogue and Deliberation Forum: Safety and Justice: How Should Communities Reduce Violence? This session — offered in conjunction with our friends at the National Issues Forums Institute — explored the increasing violence in U.S. communities, law enforcement, and race and how this violence undermines national ideals of safety and justice for all citizens. Attendees used briefing materials prepared by the Kettering Foundation to participate in deliberations promoted by the National Issues Forums Institute and spent time considering the difficult choices the nation must face in order to make progress.  Over 50 CLDE attendees graciously volunteered to serve as table moderators to over 400 participants.  The forum concluded with a panel discussing the applications of these forums in classrooms, campuses, and communities, and discussed why this civic skill is so critical now more than ever before.  Panelists included:  Adam Thompson, junior, Winona State University (Minn.); John Dedrick, Vice-President, Kettering Foundation; Emily Bowling, Assistant Director of Student Leadership & Involvement for Civic Engagement and Sustainability, Oregon State University; and John J. Theis, Executive Director, Center for Civic Engagement, Lone Star College (Texas). Participants left the forum with a hands-on, interactive experience in deliberative democracy that can be applied across higher education.

Saturday highlights:

Our final plenary session on Saturday, June 10th, The Theory of Our Work – Today and Tomorrow: What’s Next?, focused on our emergent theory of change. Participants engaged in conversations about the emerging theory of change for our conference and work, based on elements from A Crucible Moment and on our four guiding questions. The guiding questions are:

1. Vision question: What are the key features of a thriving democracy we aspire to enact and support through our work?
2. Learning Outcomes question: What knowledge, skills, and dispositions do people need in order to help create and contribute to a thriving democracy?
3. Pedagogy question: How can we best foster the acquisition and development of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for a thriving democracy?
4. Strategy question: How can we build the institutional culture, infrastructure, and relationships needed to support learning that enables a thriving democracy?

Responses to each were given by: Manisha Vepa, undergraduate student, and David Hoffman, assistant director, student life, University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC); Sandy Rodriguez, director, ASUN Center for Student Engagement, University of Nevada, Reno; and Helen-Margaret Nasser, associate director, honors program, CUNY Kingsborough Community College (NY).

We considered what a thriving democracy looks like and higher education’s role in cultivating this democracy. View the full theory of change in the images below:

CLDE Theory of Change | 4 Questions | Front of Placemat

CLDE Theory of Change | Back of Placemat

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS

The 2017 CLDE Meeting in Baltimore, MD. could not have been a success without the continued support from our sponsors. They have shown an unwavering commitment to securing an effective method of fostering democracy. Our sponsors’ contributions were  instrumental in creating meaningful dialogue that helped set the agenda for future goals, initiatives and partnerships. We would like to thank the following:

ADP, TDC, and NASPA have deep admiration and gratitude for each organization and the support they provided to the 2017 CLDE Meeting. We look forward to future collaborations

CLDE 2018

We hope to see you in Anaheim, California, from June 6-9, 2018, for the next CLDE Meeting where we will continue our important work of preparing informed, engaged citizens for our democracy.

PowerPoints and other handouts from the meeting are available through the meeting’s mobile app. Please email sreynolds@naspa.org with any additional materials you’d like uploaded into the app.

Finally, to see more pictures from the meeting, visit the ADP Facebook Page (CLDE17 album); please send any photos you took to adp@aascu.org so that we can upload them to Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.

 

RSVP Now for Summer ADP/TDC Engage the Election 2016 Webinars

We’re excited to announce our 5^th and 6^th ADP/TDC Engage the Election 2016 webinars powered by icitizen. These webinars are open to faculty, staff, students and friends.

 

Webinar 5:  Student Empowerment through Civic Engagement

Thursday, July 28, 2016 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Eastern

 

Please join us for a webinar on Student Empowerment through Civic Engagement on Thursday, July 28^th, at 2 pm Eastern. During the program, John Locke, a former student body president at the University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) will introduce Walk 2 Vote, a student led, student executed, non-partisan political engagement program created by UHD students.  It has grown from a local/campus-based initiative to what is now a national movement. Learn how to host a #Walk2Vote campaign on your campus. Walk 2 Vote co-founder Locke will share the key components and philosophies that are important to successfully empower students to become politically engaged. He will also lead a discussion and share details of the Walk 2 Vote model including resource packets, contests, funding leads and marketing resources, opportunities to highlight your campus achievements and connections to organizations that will support your efforts.

Speaker:

John Locke, former Student Body President of the University of Houston-Downtown (Texas) and Co-Founder of Walk 2 Vote

RSVP TODAY!

 

Webinar 6: Voter Registration & Campus Technology: Engaging Student Voters by the Thousands
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 | 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. EST

Offered in partnership with TurboVote, this webinar will explore the research and subsequent implementation of an innovative (yet, easy!) voter engagement strategy: integrating voter registration and resources into campus IT infrastructure. The TurboVote team and their campus partners will share success stories and their personal experiences with engaging the necessary stakeholders and turning web-based student portals and pass-throughs into “online voter registration tables.” Just in time for this fall’s election, we invite you to join us in raising the voter engagement bar and institutionalizing your registration efforts so voting can fit the way students live.

Speakers:

Matt Tharp and Emily Giffin, TurboVote Partner Support Leads will be joined by TurboVote Campus Partners

RSVP TODAY!

 

 

 

What’s New with ADP? June 2016 Edition

What’s New with ADP? June 2016 Edition

Check out the latest ADP news and opportunities in our electronic monthly newsletter!

#CLDE16 in Review

More than 500 people representing 156 colleges and universities and 44 organizations participated in CLDE 2016 in Indianapolis, Ind. from June 1-4.

#CLDE16: Thank you to our Sponsors!

Thank You to our #CLDE16 Meeting Sponsors and Exhibitors!

As part of your #CLDE16 experience be sure to connect with our meeting sponsors and exhibitors in the Marriott Ballroom Foyer during the hours of registration.  You can also, connect with them during 2016 CLDE Meeting Opening Reception on Thursday, June 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Marriott Foyer Ballroom and throughout the entire meeting as they attend, participate in, and present sessions.

 

The All In Campus Democracy Challenge recognizes post-secondary campuses committed to improving democratic engagement and honors those achieving significant student voting participation rates.

For more information visit http://www.allinchallenge.org/

 

Ask Big Questions partners with universities to train students as facilitators who help their peers engage in conversation about vital questions across lines of difference. Since 2011, Ask Big Questions has trained over 1,000 students, faculty and staff at over 100 colleges and universities in North America. Through workshops, partnership programs, and accessible and usable resources, students develop the skills and habits to hold conversations characterized by trust, respect, and deep listening. Ask Big Questions empowers students to use these tools and techniques in their personal and professional lives, and helps university leaders create stronger campus communities, where all students are seen, heard, valued, and connected.

For more information visit http://askbigquestions.org/

 

Campus Vote Project help campuses institutionalize reforms that empower students with the information they need to register and vote.

For more information visit http://campusvoteproject.org/

 

 

Circle K International (CKI) is the premier collegiate and university community service, leadership development, and friendship organization in the world. With nearly 14,000 members on more than 500 campuses in 17 nations, CKI is making a positive impact on the world every day. CKI blends community service and leadership training with the opportunity to meet other college students around the world. Circle K Clubs are self-governing, electing officers, conducting meetings, and determining service projects.

For more information visit http://www.circlek.org/home.aspx

 

Eco Promotional Products, Inc. (EPP) is the only totally “green”, full line promotional products company in the Ad Specialties Industry (ASI). We are dedicated to sustainability, supplying environmentally responsible merchandise and respecting our natural resources. We help our customers project their brand and environmental goals while reducing landfill usage.

For more information visit https://ecopromotionsonline.com/

 

Empowrd Apps is a comprehensive, simple to use technology platform that facilitates all aspects of a value-centered two-way collaboration amongst leaders. Organic and/or elected leaders as well as those they represent can benefit from Empowrd. We are the only platform that provides a holistic approach towards facilitating every aspect of what it means to be a successful leader. Education, campaigning, operational tools, and brand management are all fluidly intertwined. Empowrd University is a component of Empowrd Apps that is especially designed for college and university campuses to make coordinating campus events, emergency alerting, staying in touch with alumni, Having direct contact with elected officials that impact your campus experience, and so much more easier than ever!

For more information visit http://www.empowrd.com/

 

ETS is a team of education experts, researchers and assessment developers who believe that, through learning, people can improve their situations in life and make incredible contributions to the world. We also believe that by designing our assessments with industry-leading insight, rigorous research and a commitment to quality, we can advance equity and help education and workplace communities make informed decisions about people and programs. Above all else, we are passionate about our mission, which serves as both a north star for our strategy and a pulse-check for everything we do. All of our programs and services are evaluated based on how well they help us achieve this purpose. Our Mission: To advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research and related services. Our products and services measure knowledge and skills, promote learning and performance, and support education and professional development for all people worldwide.

For more information visit https://www.ets.org/

 

GivePulse is a database and management platform to track, measure and report all community engagement, experiential and scholarship activities of students, faculty, staff and alum. Using our analytics and tracking platform, along with its management applications, scholars and decision makers are able to determine student success, community impact, and how to move the need in addressing social issues.

For more information visit https://www.givepulse.com/

 

icitizen is a civic engagement app that connects people with their communities around civic issues to promote meaningful change. Just by tapping their finger, students can use the platform to connect with the news, issues, organizations, and representatives that affect them both on and off of campus. Meanwhile, higher ed institutions can use it to communicate directly with students, find out what they care most about and track the impact of their education on their students’ development as civic leaders.

For more information visit www.icitizen.com/

 

Indiana Campus Compact is a partnership among 35 Indiana colleges and universities, representing 60 campuses, dedicated to preparing college students to advance the public good in their communities. Indiana Campus Compact is an affiliate of National Campus Compact, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

For more information visit http://indianacampuscompact.org/overview/

 

Lyon Software is the world leader in community benefit and engagement software.  Through our exceptional product and personalized training, support and customer service, we work hand-in-hand with heath care facilities, colleges and universities, businesses and other community organizations to report their tremendous impact on the populations they serve.  Our secure, web hosted application provides a streamlined process for collecting, tracking and reporting how your institution is giving back to your community.  We proudly serve over 2,000 organizations with CBISA™, and we have been providing this excellent service for more than 30 years.  Our promise at Lyon Software, and our passionate commitment, is to continue to provide the best possible community benefit software and service.

For more information visit www.lyonsoftware.com

 

TurboVote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that helps students engage successfully in their democracy. Institutions nationwide use TurboVote to strategically – and easily – promote and monitor voter engagement. Through TurboVote, students can register to vote, request an absentee ballot, and receive reminders with important election information, dates and deadlines.

For more information visit www.turbovote.org