Civics 101 workshops coming to Grant County libraries
North Central Washington Libraries, which includes branches in Moses Lake, pictured, Ephrata, Mattawa, Royal City, George, Quincy and elsewhere in Grant County is hosting a series of civics seminars to help people understand how government functions in the U.S. and locally.
JOEL MARTIN/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
WENATCHEE — NCW Libraries will host “Civics 101,” a series of workshops to learn more about state, federal and local government, according to an announcement from NCW Libraries. The workshops are offered through the Washington Secretary of State’s Civics Engagement Program, according to Alicia O’Dell, adult programs coordinator for NCW Libraries.
“(It) focuses on rural communities, giving people kind of a refresher on the three different levels of government: federal, state and local,” O’Dell said. (It’s) … a refresher of how the government works, because it is complicated.”
These workshops will cover topics like how bills become laws, how the different branches of government work and relate to each other, and how to participate in the political process, according to the announcement.
The first installment will focus on the federal government and cover the three branches of government, the Constitution and legislative committees, according to the announcement. The second will tackle state politics, including how a bill becomes law and how the public can track and participate in the process.
The final session will look at local government.
“We're going to be focusing on the different forms and functions (of local governments), O’Dell said. “Talking about city and county councils, advisory boards, commissions. We're hoping to connect with one of the local auditors to help give us information as well.”
The interactive workshop will be held online. There is no cost, but registration is required as there are limited spaces available.
All three workshops will be facilitated by Michael Bowman with the Office of the Secretary of State’s Civic Engagement Program, according to the announcement. The Civic Engagement Program develops strategies, resources and programs that encourage disenfranchised, underserved, and marginalized communities’ participation in civic life throughout Washington.
The program is carefully non-partisan, O’Dell said.
“This is really just what it says, Civics 101,” she said. “This is adult education for anyone to come and learn without political leanings. I know that can be hard nowadays, but this really is just the facts.”
The program grew out of a group in Wenatchee that O’Dell was involved with called Braver Angels, she said, which facilitates dialogue between people of opposing political parties.
“What was coming out of these discussions was that missing foundation of, how does government actually work?” she said. “Myself, I had one civics class in high school, which was a while ago. It's super brief, so we forget. In order to do for people to know how to get involved, we’ve got to understand how these systems work.”
To participate, register at the links below. A Zoom link will be sent to participants at the time of the session.
The workshops:
Civics 101: Federal Government| Monday, Nov. 10, 6-7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/Civ101Federal
Civics 101: State Government| Monday, Nov. 17, 6-7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/Civ101State
Civics 101: Local Government| Monday, Nov. 24, 6-7:30 p.m. https://bit.ly/Civ101Local