[Schaumburger]

During my just completed visit to TV, I was able to attend the Civil Discourse Club meeting last Monday, and the Iowa Club meeting last Tuesday. Both meetings were well run and quite enjoyable. The Civil Discourse meeting was truly "civil" and informative. And at the Iowa Club meeting I met a villager from my home town of Dubuque -- what a small world this is. Kudos to these two clubs for making this wannabee feel welcome.

[BarryRX]

I haven't attended the civil discourse club for some time, but I agree with you. When I was there it was interesting, informative, and well run.

[cbg150]

Please describe the civil discourse club, I am intrigued. Do they have a website?

[blueash]

Civil discourse meets Mondays and alternates (generally) between Savannah and Colony Cottage. It has grown from a few dozen to overflow in the last 18 months. Each week a member, or rarely an outside "expert" presents a topic of political or news interest either verbally or with power point. Then there is about an hour of orderly comments from the peanut gallery. No name calling, separate your fact from opinion (not easy for some), no speeches, address the group, don't engage in debate with any speaker. It works well. Topics range from Obamacare to coal fired plants to Wikileaks to the "future" While the whole range of the spectrum attends, many members of this club are more Progressive than the general population. Carl and Peter with others keep it all civil. No website but there is a facebook page.. Civil Discourse Villages should get you to it easily.

[Schaumburger]

Originally Posted by cbg150

Please describe the civil discourse club, I am intrigued. Do they have a website?

If you can a copy of the weekly rec news, the club with topic and location info. is listed under "Civil Discourse Club." They alternate between meeting at Savannah Center and Colony Cottage. I believe the meetings are every Monday at 10:00 a.m. The meeting I went to last Monday was at Colony Cottage. It lasts for 90 minutes. First there was a presentation (about 20 minutes), then people got up to a microphone and give their opinion (about 2 minute time limit) or asked the presenter a question. Your must present your opinion in a civil way. Last Monday's meeting was crowded -- probably 80+ people in the room. I don't know if there are dues charged or not, but I didn't pay anything. Last week's topic was the budget deficit. Very interesting. I wish I could go again!

[cbg150]

It sounds absolutely wonderful! I will need to attend when I move to TV in 2013! Thanks for the tip on the FB page, blueash!