Election 2008: Environmental Policy Forum

In this first-of-its-kind session organized by Liz Gottlieb, members the AP Environmental Science classes will present and debate the environmental policies of John McCain and Barack Obama and answer questions from the audience. If you saw the lunch and learn sessions, you know already how well-informed these students are – if not, come to the session and learn all you need to know about the environmental angle on the election in November!

California’s Low Carbon Future: A Challenge for Our Democracy

This session recreates a symposium David Crane organized about “California’s Low-Carbon Future” earlier thisyear and will feature prominent experts in the field discussing the environmental, economic, and political benefits and challenges related to carbon emissions in California.

Featured panelists include:

• David Crane, Special Advisor for Jobs and Economic Growth, CA Office of the Governor
• Robyn Allen, (MA ’03), Executive Director, Vehicle Design Summit Project

Keynote Address: Orville Schell

Orville Schell, Director of the Center on US-China Relations at the Asia Society and award-winning author and
journalist, will discuss the issues facing the United States this November. Through the lenses of the historical roots
of our democracy, the role the media should play to keep it healthy, and how the rest of the world sees the U.S.,
Schell will reflect on the upcoming election and its potential impact on our future as national and global citizens.

Counting the Votes: Securing Election Integrity

This session – organized by Celeste Brooks and Kim Martin – will examine an essential facet of any functional democracy: counting the votes. Through a brief excerpt of the documentary film Stealing America: Vote by Vote and then discussion and Q and A with the panelists, students can learn more about the challenges facing those whose job it is to make sure everyone gets to vote – and then getting the numbers right. The Open Voting Consortium will also provide a working model of one of their prototype electronic voting machines for students to try after the session.

Featured panelists include:

• Elaine Ginnold, Marin County Registrar of Voters
• Alan Dechert, President and CEO, Open Voting Consortium
• Dan Ashby, Co-Founder and Director, Election Defense Alliance
• Dorothy Fadiman, Emmy award-winning producer and director of Stealing America: Vote by Vote

The Polaris Project: Democracy and the Fight Against Human Trafficking

In this session, the Founder/Directors of the Polaris Project will discuss their organization its mission, and ways that students can get involved in their efforts and help protect the rights of others. As their website explains, “Polaris Project's vision is for a world without slavery. Named after the North Star that guided slaves towards freedom along the Underground Railroad, Polaris Project has been providing a comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking and modern-day slavery since 2002.

Featured presenters:

• Katherine Chon, President and Co-founder of the Polaris Project
•  Bradley Myles, Deputy Director of the Polaris Project

Election 2008: Proposition 8 and Marriage Equality

Proposition 8 is a proposed Constitutional amendment that would seek to revoke the right of same-sex couples to marry in California. Organized by Sanjai Moses and moderated by Mary Collie, this panel brings together supporters and opponents of Prop 8 to discuss the issues and take questions from the audience.

Featured Panelists:

• Bill May, Chairman, Catholics for the Common Good
• Melanie Rowen, Staff Attorney, National Center for Lesbian Rights
• Mark Leno, Assemblyman and State Senate Candidate
• Cyrus Johnson, Co-chair, Catholics for the Protection of Marriage

Youth and the American Dream: Shining Promise or Fading Ideal?

In this first-of-its-kind session, Bob Schleeter and his writing partner of 25 years, Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, will examine the continued accessibility of the American Dream. Through a combination of discussion and performance of songs from their show “The Spirit Warrior’s Dream” – which will feature professionals and students from the MA music program – Bob and Ricardo will lead the audience in an exploration of democratic values and the potential futures of democratic society.

Featured Presenters:

• Ricardo Pitts-Wiley, Founder and Artistic Director, Mixed Magic Theater
• Bob Schleeter, Marin Academy Music Department

The Economy in Crisis: The Future of Our Democracy

This panel – which originated in a suggestion by Joe Harvey and Trustee/Parent Paula Reynolds – will seek to shed some light on the financial crisis our nation currently faces. Tom Steyer – Founder and Manager of one of the world’s most successful hedge funds – will engage in discussion with Paula and other economic experts in an effort to help us all make sense of our economic past, present and future.