Join us on December 4th for a special community conversation about how we can talk—and work—together, even when we don’t agree.
Our national and state politics are so polarized that constructive problem-solving is often impossible. This fuels frustration and deepens the sense of division. Too often, we forget that each of us has the power to shape a different story. This event will focus on how we got here and, more importantly, how we can build trust, listen with respect, and find common ground. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to promote civil dialogue and strengthen community relationships.
Panelists Jack Miller, Rebecca Tweed, and Wendy Willis are experienced in civic engagement. They will explore this issue and share their views on the state of political discourse in Oregon and nationwide. They’ll also have suggestions about how to have productive conversations across political lines.
Doors open at 4:45 p.m. Event begins at 5:00 p.m.
Space is limited.
Click Here to Register.
Meet our Panelists:
Rebecca Tweed
President of Tweed Strategies, Rebecca Tweed is a top political strategist in Oregon and has worked on more than 90 political campaigns for local government, legislative and statewide candidates, plus county and statewide ballot measures. She is a regular contributor to KGW News in Portland providing political and electoral analysis. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Oregon State University Legislative Scholars Advisory Committee and is an advisory board member at the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics at the University of Oregon.
Wendy Willis
Wendy is the founding director of Oregon’s Kitchen Table, a statewide engagement program of the National Policy Consensus Center, designed to give every Oregonian an opportunity to participate in the decisions that affect them. Before joining NPCC, Wendy was the Executive Director for City Club of Portland. She has also served as an Assistant Public Defender for the District of Oregon and a law clerk to Chief Justice Wallace P. Carson, Jr., of the Oregon Supreme Court. Wendy is the author of two books of poems, a book of essays, and the co-author of a textbook on collaborative governance. Another textbook – Kitchen Table Democracy – is forthcoming, and another book of poems is underway. You can also read Wendy’s episodic column, “Democracy Pie,” at The Fulcrum. Wendy graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown Law Center and holds a bachelor’s degree from Willamette University and an M.F.A. from the Rainier Writing Workshop at Pacific Lutheran University.
Jack Miller
Dr. Jack Miller is an author, professor, speaker, and podcaster who has been teaching and writing about politics for more than 30 years. He teaches American politics and political philosophy in the Hatfield School of Government at Portland State University and is the host and producer of three podcasts: The Pothole Problem, which examines ways of looking at the world to cultivate a less frustrating and more satisfying relationship with politics; Two Ring Circus, a podcast about Congress; and Applied Political Philosophy, which explores political reform. His two novels — 1994, a novel of politics (2019) and Invisible Empire (2020) — explore enduring political dynamics through the lens of historical fiction. His third novel, The Silent Majority, is planned for release. Video lectures and public performances are available on his YouTube channel.
Bill Howe (event moderator)
Bill Howe has practiced law for 50 years, which includes over 25 years devoted exclusively to family law with Gevurtz Menashe in Portland, Oregon. Bill has also devoted significant time to family court reform. He has been appointed by two Governors and several Chief Justices thru the years to lead family law and court reform efforts. Bill currently serves on the Board of SAGE and was instrumental in launching the SAGE Citizen Project.
Jeff Gudman (event commentator)
Jeff serves as Treasurer of SAGE. Jeff was also a two term (8 years) Lake Oswego city councilor. Jeff is a lifelong Oregon resident (except for time at Pomona College and graduate school at the Wharton School of Business). He has been and continues to be actively engaged in a variety of non-profits and government organizations and stays active in the business community.