Here’s how:
1. Tell us your ideas

We already have a lot of our own ideas about how to bring together a strong community where constructive disagreement is the lifeblood of democracy (in the great tradition of the founding of our country). But your ideas will be the ones that will make the difference between whether we succeed or fail. Submit your ideas to policysolutionsinstitute@spcollege.edu and everything (that is civil)  will be read with an open mind.

2. Brush up on your civility

The Village Square is a nervy group of liberals and conservatives who believe that civil dialogue, disagreement and discernment of fact make for a good conversation, a good country (and a good time). We’d like you to come on in and pull up a chair. But it is a dedication to civility that makes strong disagreement constructive in building countries and communities (yellers don’t actually ever convince anyone). We think we’re on firm ground here as our very own first president George Washington wrote 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour In Company and Conversation. For example:

69th If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own Opinion.

86th In Disputes, be not So Desireous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion.

9th Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it.

3. Join

Help us make our goal of 300 memberships, a support level that will sustain us. A $68 tax-deductible donation makes you part of what we’re calling “the 68% solution.” Our strange number refers to the 68.2% of a population that is within one standard deviation of the mean. This approach considers the more challenging engagement between the political left and right critical to creating intelligent solutions. 68% solutions are more durable solutions that transcend ideology, discourage political gutterball, outlast the next election cycle and create a strong foundation on which to build lasting results.

Memberships come with discounted ticket prices for dinner events and a year-long 10% off discount at our four very civil restaurant partners: Alfano’s Italian Restaurant, Bascom’s Chop House, Cassis American Brasserie & Marguerite’s Catering & Cafe’.

4. Attend our events…

…and bring your friends. “We the People” needs – uh “we the people” to show up. Be a part of getting the buzz going. We have different programs for different preferences. Here’s a sampling: Dinner at the Square: The cornerstone of the Village Square, our quaterly dinner series. We pick a new topic for each dinner forum and welcome diverse opinions and philosophies that are civilly expressed and are respectful of the country’s history and founding prinicples of democracy.   Get an update on a current local or state issue straight from the horse’s mouth while you have dinner and a discussion across the aisle. It’s a tough job, but we are nothing if not stunningly self-sacrificing. The Insitute also hosts several relaxed forums open to the public at no charge tackling local and state issues in a non-partisan format. There will be events for everyone, every budget, no budget at all… (we’ll treat you as often as we can).

5. Stay in touch: Subscribe to our Newsletter or join our Facebook & Twitter groups

How in the world will you be able to hang out with us if you don’t know where to go? Our newsletter means you get the info, we save the stamp. How smart is that? Subscribe HERE. If you don’t want to miss the latest breaking news & posts.  ‘Like’ the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions on Facebook and begin following us on Twitter #PoliSol.

6. Learn more about us.

Read this stirring true story of our founding HERE (queue up birds singing).

7. Check out our blog!

We’re always blogging about topical issues, read our blog HERE.

8. Volunteer your talent

We need moderators, panelists on many different topics, photographers, bloggers, drivers, greeters and even windows to put our event posters in. Whatever your particular talent, a small contribution of your time can yield big results, please contact us at policysolutionsinstitute@spcollege.edu and let us know how you could help!

9. Invite us to come speak to your group or organization.

We’ll fill you in on the Institute, the Village Square, our upcoming programs, how you can get involved and why it is so important.