Watch the video for "Grassroots Campaigning 101" Workshop 

We can do our popular civic workshops for your organization via Zoom!
Email: info@civiclab.us

  • "Civic Engagement in a Time of Isolation" - The times call for more participation in public life, not less. How can we do justice, do civic work, and fight for equity and the well-being of our neighbors in a time of isolation? This webinar experience will address this issue and participants will join small groups to explore, share, and - hopefully - laugh! We will share insights around isolation, resilience, effectiveness, tool building, and more. Attendees will have access to resources and references via a dedicated web space. We did the workshop on June 13, 2020 and you can view the resources from that session here: https://www.civiclab.us/civic-isolation. How do we stay healthy and powerful in times of fear and isolation?
  • "Public 101" - The very notion of Public has been intentionally degraded in America for over 50 years. Get a grounding in this essential ingredient for our democracy and economy. We need #MorePublic !
  • "Chicago 101" - How did Chicago's civics get SO toxic? Did you know that Chicago is America's MOST corrupt city? We cover Chicago's geo-politics from before the white man got here right up to the history of the Chicago Machine. You must know Chicago's history in order to change it's future.
  • "White Privilege 101" - You know you have it, right? How to talk about and contextualize personal and civic identity. Our master trainer has been doing this work for over ten years for hundreds of students, activists, and educators. Before you change the world, you must change yourself.
  • "Chicago Budget 101" - Chicago's budget is (A) $5 billion, (B) $7 billion, (C) $10 billion, (D) $20 billion ?? If you don't know the answer cold, then you need this workshop. We explain how the city's budget really works and give attendees a powerful frame for approaching civic budgets. Follow the money or you can be chumped REALLY easily!
  • "Chicago Is Not Broke 101" - What have over 6,500 people learned from over 65 public meetings since our grassroots sensation "Chicago Is Not Broke. Funding the City We Deserve" was published in 2016? We describe $5 BILLION in sustainable, progressive budget solution for Chicago. Expand your civic imagination - don't settle for crumb!
  • "Community Organizing 101" - You know Chicago is the home of modern community organizing, right? What, exactly, does an organizer do and what makes for a great organizer? The trainers have over 60 years combined experience in this work and we can help you build your organizing skills. How do the powerless get power?
  • "Grassroots Campaigning 101" - You know what the Left sucks at? Governing, that's what. In order to govern, you have to WIN an election. We believe anyone reading this can and should run for local office (OK, maybe not everyone - but certainly HELP someone run)! This is one of our most popular offerings. 18 people who have taken our training have run for office and a few have won! How do you run a grassroots campaign based on justice and equity?
  • "TIF 101 - Organizing for Economic Justice" - This session explains how Tax Increment Financing districts evolved and work in Chicago. We cover the public policy insults they offer to our communities and the organizing opportunities they present to us. We will also look at TIF organizing from other cities. At the end of 2018, there was $X billion sitting in TIF accounts?
"In the age of Trump and neo-liberal attempts to privatize and monetize all levels of government, it's becoming more and more important for our communities to organize and become engaged. The CivicLab's Power Institute lays the groundwork for exactly that. They have designed a curriculum for individual empowerment by arming participants with the power of knowledge of local history, policy, community organizing and political campaigning. I would wholeheartedly recommend Civiclab's Power Institute for any aspiring or established organizer looking to bring real change and empowerment to their communities." Ruth Maciulis (Co-Director of the Pilsen Alliance when the CivicLab presented their cycle of 4 "Civics 101" workshops at their site on 18th Street, November 2019)
We  did an intensive workshop on Chicago political history and the budget for the Chicago Avodah Social Justice Fellows. Attendees said "I learned more Chicago history and politics in two hours with Tom and Jonathan than I learned in months of living in this city." "I loved this workshop! I learned more about Chicago in one night than had learned in three years living here." "Fantastic!"

OUR WORKSHOPS ARE TW0 HOURS LONG AND DELIVERED VIA ZOOM. WE OFFER REASONABLE RATES FOR ORGANIZATIONS, HOUSES OF WORSHIP, AND GROUPS OF FRIENDS/COLLEAGUES!
Sign up to get news of our upcoming workshops. We can bring these sessions to YOUR organization!
Contact us at info@civiclab.us.
The CivicLab (c) is a Chicago based Black-led 501 c 3 nonprofit "do tank" for social justice. Consider investing in our work. Sign up for our email list.