Spokane
City Forum
 

2008-2009 Spokane City Forum Speaker Line Up

Wednesday, September 17th, 2008
Dr. Gary Chamberlain, Seattle University Professor & Ethicist
“Water Wars – The Global Water Crisis”
As the Spokane River’s future is being contemplated, water rights are becoming a much debated topic. In the Spokane City Forum Season Opener, Ethicist and Seattle University Professor Dr. Gary Chamberlain will examine questions of ethics and religion and their application to issues of water and conservation. Chamberlain will provide an international overview to the global water crisis as well as speak about the local issues facing Washington State.
Dr. Chamberlain has taught in the Theology and Religious Studies department of Seattle University since 1979. An author and speaker, Chamberlain has lectured both nationally and published nearly fifty articles on subjects pertaining to water rights, ethics and religious issues. His latest book, “Troubled Waters: Religion, Ethics and the Global Water Crisis”, (Roman & Littlefield, 2007), examines questions of ethics and religion and their application to issues of water and conservation.
 

Wednesday, October 15, 2008
William Gates, Sr. Co-Chair Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
“Building Public Will for High Quality Education in America”Bill Gates, Sr. is the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A successful and prominent attorney, Gates has served as trustee, officer and volunteer for more than two dozen Northwest organizations, including the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce and King County United Way. He also has been a strong advocate for education for many years, chairing the Seattle Public School Levy Campaign in 1971 and serving as a member of the University of Washington’s Board of Regents since 1997. He currently serves with Governor Christine Gregoire as co-chair of the board of Thrive by Five Washington, the state’s public-private partnership for early learning.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Mary Verner, Spokane City Mayor
“Ideas For a Vibrant Spokane Economy”
Like many cities across the country, Spokane is challenged with trying to maintain and grow our local economy during these tough economic times. Mayor Verner will discuss three elements that may not have been given sufficient attention previously: the expanding youth art and music scene, growing “green” businesses, and increased potential for international trade. Mary Verner was sworn in as the 43rd Mayor of the City of Spokane on Nov. 27, 2007. Before being elected to the top post at the City, Mayor Verner served on the Spokane City Council for four years, representing Council District 2, south of the Spokane River. Mayor Verner also served as Executive Director of the Upper Columbia United Tribes, which serves the five federally, recognized Indian Tribes with reservations in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.
 

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Dan Baumgarten, Executive Director Spokane-based Community-Minded Enterprises
“Building Economic Resilience and Community Sustainability”
With more than 10 years of experience as Executive Director of Spokane-based Community Minded Enterprises, Dan Baumgarten has significant experience building collaborative partnerships for growth in the community. His initiatives span the fields of economic development, early learning, healthcare access and alternative energy. Drawing from international partnerships, he and his staff have implemented innovative solutions which promote the role of community as the key catalyst for transforming the world. He will discuss how community-first orientation can bring renewal and hope in the face of a troubled economy as well as suggest immediate steps to propel economic resilience and community sustainability.
 

Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Rig Riggins YMCA, President & CEO
Monica Walters, YWCA Executive Director
“Your (New) Y”
For over a century, both the YMCA and the YWCA have been transforming lives in Spokane. Building on their rich history, both organizations are now investing in Spokane’s future by creating a collaboration that will be the first of its kind in the nation. In 2009, the YMCA/YWCA will open a joint central facility at 930 N. Monroe along with a new YMCA Northside facility. The YMCA’s Rig Riggins and the YWCA’s Monica Walters will give us a sneak preview of the new buildings as well as discuss the non-profits’ unique partnership that leverages the strengths and visions of both organizations while creating an unparalleled network of services that build healthy opportunities for everyone.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Father Greg Boyle, Founder & CEO of Homeboy Industries
“TATTOOS ON THE HEART: Lessons From the Barrio”
Father Boyle has worked tirelessly to provide love and support for kids whose homes are so emotionally impoverished or destructive that they join gangs in search of a surrogate family. He believes that community involvement is essential to bring about change and he emphasizes the importance of not giving up hope. Father Boyle will share stories about his work and the young people he works with. Father Boyle, born and raised in Los Angeles, is a nationally renowned speaker. He has given commencement addresses at numerous prestigious universities, as well as spoken at Conferences for Teachers, Social Workers, Criminal Justice Workers and others, about the importance of adult attention, guidance and unconditional love in preventing youth from joining gangs.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Bobbe J. Bridge, Washington State Supreme Court Justice, Center for Children & Youth Justice Board President
“Improving the Juvenile Justice System”
Justice Bobbe J. Bridge has devoted her life to improving the administration of justice for children and families. Her efforts have gained renown throughout Washington and the nation. Justice Bridge’s latest endeavor, the Center for Children & Youth Justice, has a focused mission to reform the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. In May 2006, the Center was selected by the MacArthur Foundation as the lead entity for implementing its ‘Models for Change’ reform initiative in the State of Washington.
Justice Bridge will enlighten us to the current standing of juveniles in our justice system and also share what the Center for Children & Youth Justice is doing to change these statistics in Washington and become the benchmark for reform other States will follow in the future.