To both new friends and dear old friends:
As we begin our 16th year of building civic trust between people who don't look or think alike, there is no question the mission we set out to accomplish is more critical than ever. We are more convinced than in our entire history that how people like us in hometowns like this one respond to our cascading crises of faith and trust in each other isn't just a one-off. It will lead the way back to a stable future that embraces all our differences as a people—across color, creed and ideology. More experts are coming around to our enduring belief that the solutions will be bottom-up and community-based.
This year we're so proud to be bringing you incredible thinkers and doers—to light our way. We are thrilled to announce our fall digital lineup—and stay tuned for our big (drumroll) announcements of our 16th Dinner at the Square and God Squad seasons! We can't wait to see you.
—Team Village Square
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Zombies, Curiosity + Enchantment: Our "UNUM: Democracy Reignited" Digital Series continues, in partnership with Florida Humanities.
Welcome to the second year of “Unum, Democracy Reignited,” a multi-year series of programs exploring the past, present and future of the American idea — as it exists on paper, in the hearts of our people, and as it manifests in our lives. With each new season, we’ll bring you a series of digital programs from important thinkers that both capture the Zeitgeist of America’s public conversation and seek to transform and transcend it — toward a more perfect union. We hope you'll make plans right now to join us for each one (wearing your PJ's and fluffiest slippers, because how else does one dress when saving a republic). Find the full series of programs online here.
 How to Have Better Political Conversations (or "Ending This Zombie Apocalypse")
SEPTEMBER 15 @ 7PM ET |
Register here.
Stanford University professor of psychology (and movie buff) Dr. Robb Willer thinks our current civic environment looks a lot like a zombie apocalypse movie. As director of the Polarization and Social Change Lab Willer has specific wisdom and very doable advice on tackling the challenge (zombie-hunting attire not provided). Meet Robb and (civic superhero facilitator) Kristin Hansen and Register here.
Mónica Guzmán: "I've Never Thought of It That Way"
OCT 27 @ 7PM ET | Register here.
We'll just let Mónica Guzmán speak for herself: ‘The way you show people that they matter is aiming your curiosity at them. Ask yourself “what kinds of people do I talk about, but never with?” Whoever is underrepresented in your life will be overrepresented in your imagination.’ Now you know that Monica is someone you're going to have to meet. Register here.
 Chloé Valdary: The Theory of Enchantment
DEC 1 @ 7PM ET | Register here.
Chloé Valdary has met the moment of history we find ourselves occupying in a refreshing way that's full of humanity, hope and promise—one that swims upstream against the prevailing currents. She teaches people to fight bigotry by reaching for humanity where we see bigotry (and understanding our own humanity while we're at it). She calls her full-hearted approach to tackling racism "The Theory of Enchantment." We can't wait to hear more and it wouldn't be the same if you're not there too: Register here.
This series is made possible through the generous support and partnership with Florida Humanities. Find them online here.
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IN THE NEWS: Vanessa Rowse and Leon Kung join The Village Square
We are thrilled to have Vanessa Rowse joining The Village Square as our new Executive Director. Vanessa has been with the organization since January 2020, since she leaped right into starting The Village Square's podcast: Village SquareCast. Over the past two-and-a-half years, Vanessa has provided insight after insight during our programs for our listeners and has interviewed some fascinating people (Liz Joyner, Alex Workman, and Clay Jenkinson, to name a few...). We know you'll see how special she is after spending some time with her this season at our programs.
Leon Kung is joining us as Director of Operations, and we are delighted to have him onboard. He brings sharp analytical thinking, loads of leadership experience, and a passion for bridging civic divides that is sure to elevate The Village Square even further in our local community. He can't wait to meet each of you as we work together to build civic trust in our hometown.
Vanessa and Leon are leading our small non-profit to continue bringing you all the programs that you know and love, as well as some new ideas to broaden our reach even wider and engage as many of our community members as possible. If you would like to connect with Vanessa and Leon, you can email them at vanessa@villagesquare.us and leon@villagesquare.us.
Liz Joyner, our devoted Founder + President, has been working tirelessly over the past year to bring The Village Square to communities around the country. If you are interested in speaking with her about national programs, you can email her at liz@villagesquare.us.
Our Village Square team can't wait to see you this season!
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#100Coffees to Save Democracy
"There is incredible value in being known”
—Alex Workman, the brain behind hosting #100Coffees
The Village Square is bringing civic engagement right to your doorstep (metaphorically)! Here's your chance to engage with your neighbors 1:1 within a framework designed to bridge divides and maybe even save our democracy.
That's right! You can be a part of making Tallahassee a better place by engaging in a conversation with one of our coffee hosts (meet all 25+ of them here, page down). They've each committed to drinking coffee to build relationships across political, racial, and religious lines. So where do you come in?! Click on the "SIGN-UP" link at the top of our #100Coffees page, tell us something about yourself, and then we'll match you with coffee hosts who differ from you in some way.
This season, we hope you'll join us for coffee.
So what's the back story? Last year Alex Workman made it his goal to talk with 100 new people. If you haven't met Alex, he's a talented photographer—and the list of community projects he and wife Chelsea have launched is long and fascinating. Alex quickly surpassed the goal he named the project after—he had a whopping 163 conversations! (You can see some of the faces of his coffee mates above.)
The Village Square was inspired by this project, one that gets right to the heart of The Village Square's mission to build civic trust between people who don't look or think alike. We got so excited about what could happen inside one hometown (afflicted by the same-old, same-old angry divisions that we see way too much of these days) if we just start having coffee with people we don't normally hang with. So we sweet-talked Alex and—tada—we're now officially multiplying #100Coffees x 25, and inviting you to join in.
Want to know more about the OG coffee host, Alex? Our own Vanessa Rowse interviewed Alex on Village SquareCast here.
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The Village Square is HIRING! Does being a part of saving democracy sound like just your kind of job? Read on!
Help make pigs fly by joining our small and mighty team. We are considering part-time and full-time applicants to assist with program coordination and administrative tasks. The position will be tailored to the strengths of the employee and the needs of the organization, and tasks may include:
- planning, executing, and marketing events;
- administrative and bookkeeping duties; and
- donor and member coordination.
We offer flexibility by allowing for both in-person or remote working, as well as an event schedule that aligns with the school year. Learn more and apply here.
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Consider donating to help support our mission to build community, foster dialogue, encourage disagreement, and increase empathy.
Support civility as we fly into our new season! | Become a member or upgrade today!
We've been working hard all year long here at The Village Square (for the past 16 years, in fact!) to ensure that our community remains focused on building bridges, connecting with one another, and choosing human kindness over divisiveness. We need your support to keep advancing this important mission.
Did you know...?
Your tax-deductible donation of $76 a year makes you a member! And we offer some special Member Perks as a token of our gratitude. Learn more and join or renew your membership here.
Already a Member?
Consider upgrading your membership with a gift to support our new season and receive added perks, including some comp dinner tickets and more!
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