Less than 5 min Archives

Public Programs Manager – Civic Skills

Brianna Klein: Public Programs Manager, Seward Park Audubon Center, explains her role as the public programs manager at Seward Park Audubon Center. By promoting a lecture series, guided nature walks, and ecological restoration, she showcases how to become ecologically literate. By encouraging others to see birding as a part of ecological literacy, Brianna helps build thriving communities, especially for those who have historically been left out of the conversation.

Institutional Mission – Civic Skills

Bob Davidson: Former Director, Seattle Aquarium, explains how centering institutions around a clear mission though a process of listening and discovering can offer immense value to the community. At the Seattle Aquarium, the mission of “inspiring marine conservation” became the lens in which the institution developed and impacted our region, and sparked the campaign to develop the new Ocean Pavillion at the center of the Seattle Waterfront.

Planting a Garden – Civic Skills

Marshall Davidson: History Teacher, Charles Wright Academy, showcases how planting a garden empowers people to be observant of the world around them. He explains how planting a garden increases community pride and connection between oneself and the environment. When involved in gardening, one has to be curious which is a skill that can be transferred into all aspects of life.

Poetry – Civic Skills

Rena Priest: Former Washington State Poet Laureate (2021-2023), member of the Lummi Nation, explores how poetry gives us access to another person’s point of view and why this awareness is so important to community life. As she explains, “the more access you have to different points of view, the greater your vision—the broader your vision.” Speaking directly to how this function of poetry translates into action, she explains the importance of being able to see into the hearts of others to best understand what they want and why while simultaneously knowing what you want and why.

Running a Campaign – Civic Skills

Chirag Vedullapalli: Campaign Manager for Representative Adam Smith, explains what a political campaign is and why it is important. By being involved in a campaign, Vedullapalli helps someone who has a candidate deliver on their promises to the community. He explains that through hard work, an individual can have their ideas heard and learn how to work together with people we disagree with.

Union Bargaining – Civic Skills

Nico Montanero: UFCW 3000 Union Bargainer and Researcher, explains what a union contractor and negotiator is and what skills are necessary to be effective in that role. Building relationships in the present, creating protections for the future, and recognizing the commonalities of workers are what Montanero considers as imperative for making effective change in their work. Montanero speaks to the importance of empowerment and mobilization together in today’s world.

Supporting Small Businesses – Civic Skills

Chris Maykut, Small Business Advocate, Phinney Neighborhood Association, introduces us to the work he does supporting small local businesses in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge and Greenwood neighborhoods. Maykut explains how his role demands highly effective communication and a willingness to put oneself out there, whether it’s a business owner’s bravery in bringing their idea to the world or his work initiating contact and forging a community of mutuality and support.

The Law – Civic Skills

Rich Lumley: Attorney, Smith Alling PS, showcases how critical thinking is imperative to the practice of the law. Critical thinking is connected to research, writing, and negotiating which come into play during his work. Lumley also discusses empathy and why that is important in an adversarial system. He encourages people to spend time with people who are different from themselves to have a better understanding of how to approach situations.

Landscape Organizing – Civic Skills

Dakota Keene: Partner, Mithun, talks about her work shaping public space to make people feel welcome to gather and learn. Citing her work at the National Nordic Museum, she stresses the importance of taking the time to observe, listen to a diversity of opinion, and collaborate to design dynamic “third places” that build community and serve our region.

Connection to Place – Civic Skills

Sheryl Harmer: Author and Artist, highlights the skills of empathy and perspective taking. This helps someone connect to different people and places. Using an example from the Seattle Art Museum, she explains how she has learned about her own self and emotions by examining the art of others. This connection to social and emotional learning, she believes, is essential to a functioning democracy.