Workplace Policy Programs

The Citizens League's members-only Workplace Policy Programs are a great way for employees or clients to participate in and learn about public policy questions affecting Minnesotans. These interactive, participant-driven workshops and presentations by noted speakers are popular among Citizens League member businesses and nonprofits. The programs are:

  • Timely. What policy issues are people already talking or asking about?
  • Interactive. Our workshops and presentations allow for significant audience participation.
  • Brief. Programs begin and end on time. One hour. At lunch, or any time during the workday.
  • Constructive. People learn more about, and see their role in addressing, public issues.

What people are saying:
"I love that they are non-partisan and help those of us who are partisan have openings into true dialogue."
"I found the session mentally invigorating (learned new stuff!) and I REALLY enjoyed the lively discussion with co-workers. Helped me see lots of different sides of a question."

Opportunities in 2013: Choose your sessions

Civics, policy and politics

  • Active Citizenship: Quantum Civics Why are we 'stuck' when it comes to policy and civic leadership? Learn about a new approach to policymaking that recognizes a role for everyone.
  • A View beyond Party Lines: We bring in members of the print and broadcast media, or public affairs professionals, to discuss partisanship, policymaking, and election trends.
  • Constitutional Amendments: The biggest news in Minnesota during the 2012 election centered around constitutional amendments on voting and marriage. Putting aside the debate on each issue, what does it mean to legislate through constitutional amendments?
  • Impartial Justice: The top requirement of Minnesota's judges is to be impartial and interpret the law, but our current system of electing judges puts this impartiality at risk. We'll talk about a proposed new approach to judicial selection.

Demographics

  • Facts Unfiltered: Hear the background behind some of the most talked-about topics in Minnesota: education, fiscal matters, health, the economy. What really matters as we plan for our state's future?
  • The Graying of Minnesota: We'll discuss what the increase in Minnesota's (and the nation's) aging population means for our policies and individual decisions around workforce development, long-term care financing, and end-of-life decision making.
  • Facts Unfiltered: Hear the facts - stripped of partisan rhetoric - surrounding this year's most talked-about issues.

Education

  • Immigrant Students and Higher Education: What unique challenges do immigrant students face in funding higher education, and what solutions could we consider? How do educational opportunities affect our state's future productivity?
  • K-12: How has Minnesota led the nation on K-12 education innovation in the past decades, and what policy choices face our system of education today? How is education financed in Minnesota?
  • Reframing Post-Secondary Education: Learn how the Citizens League is working to change a system oriented toward credits and degrees to one oriented toward learning, and its implications for our workforce.

Environment and infrastructure

  • Envisioning our Electrical Future: What could Minnesota's electrical system look like in 30 years? What are ideal characteristics of this system, and how do we achieve them?
  • "There's an App for that?" As impairment of lakes and rivers now comes from multiple sources, how must water governance evolve? Can pollution and invasive species be managed via smartphones?
  • How do you get to work? State transportation leaders discuss transportation modes and trends

Taxes, budgeting and the economy

  • Common Cents: Budget Balancing or Tax Reform: What values and priorities should our elected officials consider as they deal with short- and long-term solutions to fix our state budget crises?
  • Tax Expenditures: How might this overlooked category solve our state's recurring budget crises?

Health and human capacity

  • Pathways to Prosperity in Minnesota: In what ways can Minnesota's approaches to public assistance be changed to support prosperity rather than react to poverty?
  • Health Care Reforms: What are the implications in Minnesota of the Affordable Care Act's passage? What can citizens expect to see?

We can also work with you to bring in speakers on other topics of interest to you and your employees.

Participating companies have included the following:

Allina, Allianz, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota, Capella University, Ecolab, General Mills, GovDelivery, HealthPartners, Jefferson Bus Lines, Medica, Medtronic, Securian, St. Jude Medical, SuperValu, Target, Thomson Reuters, Thrivent Financial, Travelers, UCare Minnesota, U.S. Bancorp, Weber Shandwick, and Wells Fargo.

Contact Dani Fisher, Director of Advancement at 651-289-1077 or dfisher@citizensleague.org to plan your sessions.