Get Involved – CivicLab

CivicLab Launches First Crowdfunding Project!

Do you want EVERYONE to get Illuminated? If you do, will you please make an investment in our first crowdfunding campaign? The TIF Illumination Project is seeking to raise $15,000 to produce five twenty minute videos on all aspects of the TIF Program in Chicago. Even if you live outside of Chicago you can pitch in because the basic truths and abuses we document here are applicable across the USA as 47 states have Tax Increment Financing Programs. Learn more and invest here.

We will use these funds to pay the videographers and to support the ongoing operations of the CivicLab. We’ll be posting updates and script outlines on the TIF Reports web site on this page.

“Running For Local Office” Workshop 9/13

Sell Tickets through Eventbrite

CivicLab Profiled In Progress Illinois

The CivicLab was profiled in the June 27th edition of Progress Illinois.

“July marks one year since the CivicLab, a non-profit organization, opened its “democracy design studio” in the West Loop of Chicago.

Looking ahead, one of the CivicLab’s co-founders says big plans are in the pipeline for year two of the co-working space, which is dedicated to collaboration, education and innovation for social change and civic engagement.

Seven organizations focused on issues such as housing justice, voter registration and health care are currently working out of the CivicLab’s storefront, located at 114 N. Aberdeen St.

Other activists, designers, educators and tech experts also gather and do research at the space, which is housed in a rehabbed 1890s firehouse that sits across the street from Harpo Studios, where “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was previously filmed.

In addition to offering a place where people can collaborate, the CivicLab hosts educational workshops and is behind the volunteer-based TIF Illumination Project, which is working to promote transparency around Chicago’s controversial tax increment financing (TIF) program.” [read the full article]

Workshop on Servant-Leadership

“Leadership 101 – Introduction To Servant-Leadership”

@ The CivicLab, Wednesday, June 25. 7-8:30pm
114 N. Aberdeen Street

What is leadership? For people and organizations focused on social change and civic engagement, what makes for great leaders? How can we BE better leaders and help bring along more of them?

This workshop will cover the basics of one leadership model, Servant-Leadership. How can you both serve and lead at the same time? How can you train yourself to be a better Servant-Leader? Who are some great servant-leaders working in Chicago right now?

We’ll be covering the “Seven Pillars” of Servant-Leadership as developed and laid out by the Greenleaf Cener for Servant Leadership (https://greenleaf.org/)

CivicLab co-founder Tom Tresser (http://www.tresser.com/) will present this workshop.

The fee for this workshop is $10. The CivicLab is America’s only volunteer-run co-working space dedicated to collaboration, education and innovation for social justice and civic engagement. 100% of the revenue from this workshop will go to operating the space. The short URL for this event = http://leadership-6-25-14.eventbrite.com/

“Commons 101” Workshop @ The Lab 5/27

What is the Commons and why should you care? Tom Tresser, who calls himself a Public Defender, will break it all down at this interactive workshop on May 27 at 7pm at the CivicLab. Only $10 (we are 100% volunteer run and all the revenue from this workshop goes to support the operation of the CivicLab, Chicago’s only co-working space dedicated to social justice and civic engagement). Register here.

Learn How To Grow Your Own Food @ The CivicLab

What are these folks doing? They are learning how to grow their own food from master gardener Karen Roothan. Here they are drafting garden plots. Sign up here – https://grow-your-own-food.eventbrite.com.

Candidates Meeting @ The Lab

Full House For Campaign Training

The amazing Kitty Kurth and Kevin Lampe give democracy training all over the world. This morning they are at the CivicLab giving a workshop on how to run for local office. We have people from all over the city here seeking civic knowledge. Some will run and others plan on helping others to run.

Some comments from attendees: “Thanks to all!! It was an honor to work with such a talented smart and committed people!” said Kevin. “Awesome day!” said Greg. “I learned a lot today. Thanks!” said Bruce. AnnMarie said “Thank you. Great day. Lots of things to implement.” Sam said “Thanks for a wonderful day! Onwards all!” Michael said “Thank you CivicLab. Kitty and Kevin’s class was intriguing, captivating and extremely informative. The environment for questioning was open and comfortable. The discussion provided experience based education. The Lampes have much to share. It was an honor to be in the same room with the Lampes. The attending classmates were also talented.” “Thanks so much for a great class!” said John.

CivicLab Launches Next Civic Illumination

On February 1 ten volunteer researchers braved the blankets of snow falling on Chicago to gather at the CivicLab to launch the next phase our our Civic Illumination work. We are now looking at the New Market Tax Credit Program and hedge fund activities in Chicago. This six minute video introduces the work and the reason for undertaking it. To get more details or to volunteer, contact Tom Tresser at tom@civiclab.us.

Adult Asthma Symposium @ The CivicLab

This is a free event for the community!

Category: Get Involved

CivicLab Launches First Crowdfunding Project!

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“Running For Local Office” Workshop 9/13

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CivicLab Profiled In Progress Illinois

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Workshop on Servant-Leadership

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“Commons 101” Workshop @ The Lab 5/27

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Learn How To Grow Your Own Food @ The CivicLab

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Candidates Meeting @ The Lab

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Full House For Campaign Training

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CivicLab Launches Next Civic Illumination

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Adult Asthma Symposium @ The CivicLab

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