Pacific Index

McCall Center aims to address civic polarization with their annual summit

   The timing could not be any better: As political divisions deepen across the country, the second annual Spirit of Civic Engagement Summit, takes place on Saturday, March 15. The theme? “Civic Engagement in Polarizing Times.” Bringing together a diverse group—leaders, students, faculty, staff, and alumni—the summit aims to guide the conversation, foster dialogue on how to bridge political and social divides, and to provide tools to help attendees engage in action.

   “When selecting this year’s theme,” explained Morgan Knapp, Program Manager of Applied and Experiential Learning at the McCall Center for Civic Engagement (MCEE), “we aimed for something topical and engaging, an issue that sparks interest and encourages meaningful conversations. Our goal is for attendees to leave inspired and eager to apply those insights in their communities.” Knapps adds, “Polarization is something we can intentionally work to overcome, and much of that starts in our own communities and relationships.”

   The event will begin with a keynote by Emily McLain, Director of Public Affairs and Professional Excellence at the Oregon Education Association. “We aimed for local speakers, and Emily, a Forest Grove alum, has done remarkable work in Oregon politics and organizing, making her an ideal choice,” says Knapps. “The attendees are deeply invested in our education system—students, faculty, staff, and long-time community partners. We wanted someone who could discuss polarization and its impact on education, which is especially relevant to our audience.”

   The summit will also feature four breakout sessions, with attendees choosing one per session. Local and metro voices have been selected to lead the discussions. Jason Damron, Pacific University faculty, will offer a session on constructing a personal “toolbox” for civic engagement. A panel featuring Forest Grove Mayor Malynda Wenzel and City Councilor Officers Angel Falconer and Brian Shimmel, will explore, “The First Step: Navigating Polarization in Our Own Communities.” From Corvallis, Delfine Defrank, OSU Community Engagement and Leadership Coordinator, will lead a session on dialogue as a tool for community connection, joined by five OSU student facilitators. The final workshop will focus on personal storytelling, led by Kevin Truong, a Sundance-supported filmmaker and Oregon Humanities Community Storytelling fellow. 

   The theme for this year’s conference resonates for senior Victoria Patnaude, who attended last year’s summit. “The 2024 presidential election caused tension in both our local and national communities,” she notes, adding her excitement about  the breakout sessions. “The MCCE brings together diverse community leaders to discuss the theme from different perspectives. These experiences have deepened my understanding of civic responsibilities and allowed me to connect with others passionate about creating positive change.”

   In addition to the sessions, the McCall Center will announce the 2025 Bevin McCarthy Spirit of Civic Engagement Award, an award recognizing individuals, programs, or organizations for exceptional contributions to civic engagement over the past year. The award ceremony is a key part of the summit, honoring those who have made significant impacts on their communities.          

   The event is designed to foster a small, collaborative environment. Although the summit is by invitation only, it is more accessible than it might seem. “We do strategic outreach to faculty and staff involved in civic engagement,” Knapps explained, “but we also promote the event through e-news, allowing people to nominate others or themselves. This helps us keep the event small (around 60 people) and ensures attendees are engaged, passionate, and ready to contribute to the conversation.” 

   Looking ahead, the McCall Center is already thinking about next year’s summit. “Whether or not students attend this year, we’d love to hear ideas for next year’s theme,” said Knapps. “Please email the McCall Center with suggestions, and we’ll see if we can make it happen.” The world is rapidly changing, and this event serves as a call to action to strengthen our community through civic engagement. As we look to the future, the summit encourages everyone to consider how they can be part of the solution.