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This exercise fits well near the launch of a Can We Talk? unit or initiative. It's a good way for students to get to know each other better while practicing the skills of active listening. It's also a relatively low-stress way for students to begin experiencing dialogue. Also, if you plan on using the lesson plan that digs into active listening, more explicitly teaches the skills and habits involved, this exercise is good preparation for that.

Harrisburg, PA – The Committee of Seventy applauds Governor Wolf for the Executive Order he issued today creating the Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission. Furthermore, we are honored that the Governor asked our President and CEO, David Thornburgh to, chair this important group.

The Committee of Seventy released a statement in response to news of a second court order regarding the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. This action follows up on their December directive for the Sheriff’s Office to address staffing issues that have caused unsafe conditions in our criminal justice system.

Civic Learning Week brings together students, educators, policymakers, and leaders in the public and private sectors to highlight and further energize the movement for civic education in states. The Committee of Seventy and PA Civics are excited to be part of this national effort to prioritize civic education in order to sustain and strengthen our constitutional democracy.

HARRISBURG, PA – The bipartisan Pennsylvania Redistricting Reform Commission released a final report today with recommendations to improve the process of creating legislative district boundaries. Governor Wolf signed an executive order last year creating the commission to explore ways Pennsylvania could curb gerrymandering and make redistricting fairer and nonpartisan.

HARRISBURG, PA – The Committee of Seventy applauds the Wolf administration’s order to issue a bond to cover the long-term investment in safe, secure voting systems. Counties around the state have taken responsible steps over the past year to procure new voting machines with voter-verified paper trails. Such equipment is essential to protect the integrity of our elections, and our local governments deserve this financial support for doing their part.

(Philadelphia, PA) More than 950 high-school students from 22 high schools in Philadelphia and Montgomery County are participating in Committee of Seventy’s expanded Election Ambassador Corps trainings this spring. That’s more than a 50% increase from the number who participated last fall. The students prepared to serve as Election Ambassadors more than 1,000 polling places near their homes on Pennsylvania’s Primary Day, April 26.

Suggested pacing and order for Can We Talk? exercises

The 17-member Philadelphia City Council has a major role in the everyday lives of city residents. With Council districts being redrawn, now is the time to ensure residents can engage directly in the map-making process.

The Democracy Agenda for Philadelphia outlines the actions needed by our next mayor and City Council to ensure a more representative and ethical city government—a more democratic city government responsive to voters, that protects the public interest, and that engages communities on key decisions shaping their future.