MEDIA ALERT

50th Anniversary Logo AZTH 

 

SPECIAL PRESENTERS, ACTION-INSPIRED DIALOGUE, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AND PERFORMANCES WILL INSPIRE ENGAGEMENT TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND STATE

Special Announcement from the AZ Department of Education at the

Sept. 13 Forum on Civic Engagement


Contact: Rhonda Bannard, 602.370.3560

(September 6, 2012 - Phoenix, AZ)  -- Valley residents have an opportunity to interact with more than 30 organizations, be inspired by rapid-fire actionable ideas and step up to the microphone to share their own ideas while encouraging others to join in their cause at the Thursday, Sept. 13 Forum on Civic Engagement - part of the Arizona Town Hall's 50th Anniversary celebration.

 

Students and youth play a key role in the idea sharing, as well as the entertainment and inspiration-packed evening. In fact, key ideas and recommendations on education and civics are one of the four topics in focus, including a special announcement from Superintendent of Public Instruction, John Huppenthal. Each topic will also incorporate insights from a student.

 

An Expo packed with useful information kicks off the evening at 5 p.m., followed by inspiration through special performances by Childsplay, a professional theatre group for young audiences, students inviting the audience to make pledges to support their communities and conversations covering Politics and Government Systems, Civil Discourse and Personal Responsibility in addition to the Education/Civics topic.

 

For nearly 50 years, the Arizona Town Hall has convened individuals of diverse perspectives twice annually to deal with the important issues of the state's viability and livability. Each major Town Hall is followed up with dozens of mini-Town Halls throughout the state. This Forum is a special post-Town Hall gathering to commemorate the five decades of the organization's mission to champion civil discourse, consensus dialogue and creating solutions.

 

The Forum is made possible through a special partnership with the Arizona Department of Education, along with dozens of other civic groups interested in advancing the engagement of Arizona citizens.

 

More than 15 speakers will help ignite the dialogue, including: Arizona Representative Rick Gray (R) from the West Valley; a student who started an anti-bullying program at her middle school; a Rock the Vote Southwest advocate; the League of Women Voters; and other voices from education and business.

 

WHO: Arizona Town Hall, Arizona Department of Education and more than 30 partnering organizations

 

WHAT:  Forum on Civic Engagement including an action Expo featuring a variety of organizations that will help with voter registration, volunteer opportunities, training on civil discourse and other ways to engage. Students and schools are invited to participate.

 

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13; EXPO 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.; PROGRAM 6:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

 

WHERE: Central High School, Auditorium, 4525 N Central Ave., Phoenix (Central Ave and Campbell light rail stop)

 

COST: Free, Registration encouraged at www.aztownhall.org/Forum

 

PARTNERS Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Arizona Association of University Women, Arizona Citizens for the Arts, Arizona Democratic Party, Arizona Department of Education, Arizona Humanities Council, Arizona Latino Research Enterprise, Arizona Libertarian Party, Arizona Students' Association, ASU School of Public Affairs, Center for Civic Participation, Center for the Future of Arizona, Chicanos Por La Causa, Childsplay, Citizenship Counts, Ear Candy, Expect More Arizona, Gangplank/View from Above, Goldwater Institute, Governor's Commission on Service & Volunteerism, League of Arizona Cities and Towns, League of Women Voters of Arizona, Local First Arizona, ONE Community, PAFCO Education Fund, Phoenix Union School District, Real Arizona Coalition, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, The O'Connor House, Valle del Sol and Valley Leadership

 

SPONSORING PARTNERS: APS, Arizona Diamondbacks, DMB, and SRP, as well as other supporters Cox Communications, The Arizona Republic, Bank of America and Snell & Wilmer

 

MEDIA: Rhonda Bannard at 602.370.3560 or [email protected] 

 

About the Arizona Town Hall

Arizona Town Hall is a private, statewide nonprofit organization that has been a catalyst for civic action and the advancement of issues important to Arizonans.  2012 marks the organization's Golden Anniversary of convening diverse Arizonans to and using civil discourse to develop solutions to the state's most pressing issues.  The organization's signature events include large, statewide Town Halls held in the spring and fall, while multiple smaller Community Outreach Programs add diverse perspectives to the solutions each Town Hall develops.  The organization also works with government and business entities interested in using the Town Hall system to find common ground and bring solutions to challenges they may be facing.

 

The Arizona Town Hall is a membership organization with individual, corporate and professional members from all across the state, spanning the five decades of the organization's existence. Additional information regarding Arizona Town Hall can be found online.

 

 
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