This site is for projects connected to the teaching and training work of Tom Tresser.
The URL = www.tomtresserteaching.com.
“As a Lecturer of Political Science at Saint Xavier University, I am always looking for new ways to get students excited about politics and participation…Tom came up with “Civic Engagement 101” to challenge participants to think about civics as action involving knowledge, passion, and courage. The workshop got participants excited about the taking the next steps – towards action. I would encourage anyone interested in increasing civic engagement in their community to partner with Tom and the CivicLab.” – Elizabeth Alejo, Lecturer, Political Science, St. Xavier University
If you would like Tom to deliver one of these workshops for your school or organization, please email him at tom at tresser dot com. He can also customize new civic trainings for you. He has delivered over 300 training and workshop experiences for thousands of folks!
“Public Money 101” – How to understand, track, and change the flow of public dollars. Get a handle on your city’s finances and know where your money goes (and doesn’t go). Train your people to be Public Budget Activists!
“Public 101 – We Need MORE Public!” – The very concept of “public” has been intentionally debased in America over the past 50 years. This workshop lifts up the fundamental aspects of public and makes the case for defending and extending America’s public stuff.
“Chicago 101 – Why Are Chicago’s Civics SO Toxic?” – What are the basics for preparing to organize and win in a city dominated by the Democratic Machine for 75 years? You will learn about the geographic and political history of Chicago from the 1800’s through the present day. Who, exactly, is Ed Burke? The past is prologue. Learn Chicago’s past in order to change her future.
“Community Organizing 101 – How Do the Powerless Get Power?” – Did you know Chicago is the home of modern community organizing? Learn the basic skills and mindsets of a community change maker. This will be a highly interactive and hands-on session as you construct a Power Matrix for the campaign for a real campaign active in Chicago. How do the powerless get power?
“Grassroots Campaigning 101 – How To Win For Justice In Chicago” – Learn the basic steps toward putting together a principled grassroots campaign for change and justice. We will go over the basics of preparing a campaign to run for local office. How to think about the ground game and “behind the scenes” work that must be done before the campaign begins. Attendees will analyze the election prospects of their own aldermen based on election results from 2019.
“TIF 101 – Organizing For Economic Justice” – Did you know that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts stole over
$684 million in property taxes out of our communities in 2019? How does this secretive program impact our city? How can you organize around these harms? Learn from the TIF Illumination Project – we’ve done 80 TIF community presentations since 2013 (
www.tifreports.com)! Listen to this brief interview from WGN’s “Outside the Loop” program that discusses this work and the workshop:
https://soundcloud.com/civiclab/wgn-interview-4-20-19
“Chicago Budget 101 – Chicago Is FAR From Broke” – How big is the Chicago budget? How can organizers and activists approach their work grounded in a fundamental understanding of Chicago’s finances? This workshop is based on the research done for the book “Chicago Is Not Broke.” We’ve done 66 public meetings around this book (
www.wearenotbroke.org).
“Privatization 101 – They Want OUR Stuff!” – What is behind the push to transfer public assets and services into private hands? Who are the key players in this push? What are the public consequences of such deals as the 75 year lease of Chicago’s parking meters? How does this trend fit into global politics? What are activists doing about privatization in America and abroad?
You will need permission to access the research and education resources housed here. Please contact us: tim@tresser.com.
