Events

Sep
7
Mon
Henry George Day
Sep 7 @ 3:00 pm – 7:15 pm
One of the vignettes created by the late Evanston artist Bill Judson for an HGS booklet in the 1990s
One of the vignettes created by the late Evanston artist Bill Judson for an HGS booklet in the 1990s

We’ll gather in a rustic Evanston back yard [you get the exact address when you RSVP] to commemorate Henry George’s 174th birthday (actually he was born September 2, but that’s inconvenient for most working folks).  This year, we’re also celebrating a new team supporting School operations. In honor of which, and thanks to the generosity of HGS supporters past and present, everyone who’s completed any HGS course, ever, is welcome to attend without charge. Bring a significant other, or a friend who might find HGS or interest, also no charge.  And of course no charge for your minor dependents. We hope to see people who might have taken a course years ago and almost lost touch with us. Come by, meet the new team, and share your ideas.

There will be food, drink, a lot of conversation and maybe some productive argument about how to help our community understand how the economy works, the fundamental principles which can be harnessed to bring prosperity and freedom.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know by Friday September 4 whether you’ll be coming.  It would be great, but not required, if you can bring something to share.  Monetary donations are also extremely welcome, and can be made here, or by check to the School, or at the event.

Jan
19
Tue
Introduction to Progress & Poverty (classic version of the course begins) @ Henry George School #1207
Jan 19 @ 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

This session introduces Progress & Poverty, including an overview of what we cover in the course. Even if you don’t plan to take the full course, you can expect this introductory session to help you gain a new and useful perspective on today’s problems of wealth concentration, poverty, and lack of opportunity.

America in the 1870s faced increasing poverty, rising unemployment, rule by an elite and their corporations– many of the same problems we’re experiencing today.  Henry George described the cause of these problems and proposed a remedy which is even more applicable today than it was in his time. His book Progress & Poverty, perhaps the best-selling nonfiction book of the 19th century, presented his analysis and solution.

In this “classic” version of the course, students are encouraged to read the original 1879 text, and/or modern summaries and supplements, and to evaluate what George says against their own experience and understanding. You’ll gain a new understanding of how the economy works, which public policies promote liberty and prosperity, and which don’t.

Class meets every Tuesday, beginning 6:15PM on January 19, ending March 22.  More information about the course is here and here. Pre-registration is helpful but not required.

Apr
15
Fri
Introduction to Progress & Poverty @ Henry George School #1207
Apr 15 @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

In commemoration of “tax day,” the hypothetical due date for Federal and State personal income tax returns, we’ll discuss a sensible proposal by a man who understood the danger of an income tax: Henry George.  In this free introductory session, we’ll review the problems George saw in his time, and discuss how they persist today.  We’ll outline what he proposed to do about them, how his recommendations apply today, and provide an overview of the Progress & Poverty course.

The course continues on Friday afternoons thru May 20. Should  you choose to enroll, there will be a $25 registration fee.

Sep
5
Mon
Henry George Day
Sep 5 @ 3:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Peace
Another of the vignettes created for the School in the 1990s by the late Evanston artist Bill Judson

We’ll gather in a rustic south Evanston back yard [you get the exact address when you RSVP] to commemorate Henry George’s 177th birthday (actually he was born September 2, but that’s inconvenient for most working folks).  This year, we’re also celebrating, we hope, the School’s new location (yet to be determined at this writing).

Thanks to the generosity of HGS supporters past and present, everyone who’s completed any HGS course, ever, is welcome to attend without charge. Bring a significant other, or a friend who might find HGS of interest, also no charge.  And of course no charge for your minor dependents. We hope to see people who might have taken a course years ago and almost lost touch with us. Come by, meet some of the new students and graduates, as well as the volunteer staff.

There will be food, drink, a lot of conversation and maybe some productive discussion about how to help our community understand how the economy works, the fundamental principles which can be harnessed to bring prosperity and freedom.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know by Friday September 2 whether you’ll be coming.  It would be great, but not required, if you can bring something to share.  Monetary donations are also extremely welcome, and can be made here, or by check to the School, or at the event.

Nov
29
Tue
America’s #1 Problem: LOW WAGES @ Overflow Coffee Bar
Nov 29 @ 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

Between 1948 and 1973, Americans’ real wages rose almost as fast as their productivity. After 1973, productivity grew 147% but wages rose only 19%. This raises two questions:

(1) If workers getting less, who is getting more?

(2) Is there a way to restore the balance?

To solve the problem of poverty, and the many other problems that follow from it, ordinary workers need higher wages. George Menninger describes how to raise wages without interfering in the free market and without taking anyone’s earnings.

George Menninger is an instructor at the Henry George School of Chicago, and attendees at this free program will have the opportunity to sign up for his Progress & Poverty course.

You can sign up for this free event thru Eventbrite, or RSVP directly by email.

 

Jan
6
Fri
Progress & Poverty course begins @ Overflow Coffee Bar
Jan 6 @ 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

If you want to understand the underlying causes of persistent poverty in America, you’ll benefit from this course. This is the “modern” version, based on Bob Drake’s “Abridged for Modern Readers” edit of Henry George’s original book. As always, the first class session is entirely free, but if you decide to enroll in the course we request a $25 fee to help cover costs. Veteran HGS instructor Bob Jene will help you understand not only the causes of economic stagnation, but a workable remedy.

This course will meet for six consecutive Friday’s beginning January 6.  Our space at Overflow Coffee Bar is directly served by CTA routes 62 and 29, and a reasonable walk from Red, Green, and Orange Line Roosevelt station, as well as Metra Electric’s Museum Campus and 18th Street stops.

Mar
1
Wed
America’s #1 Problem: LOW WAGES @ Green Briar Park
Mar 1 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Between 1948 and 1973, Americans’ real wages rose almost as fast as their productivity. After 1973, productivity grew 147% but wages rose only 19%. This raises two questions:

(1) If workers getting less, who is getting more?

(2) Is there a way to restore the balance?

To solve the problem of poverty, and the many other problems that follow from it, ordinary workers need higher wages. George Menninger describes how to raise wages without interfering in the free market and without taking anyone’s earnings.

George Menninger is an instructor at the Henry George School of Chicago, and attendees at this free program will have the opportunity to sign up for his Progress & Poverty course.

No  reservation is required, but you can let us know  by email that you’re coming.

Mar
14
Tue
America’s #1 Problem: LOW WAGES @ Overflow Coffee Bar
Mar 14 @ 6:15 pm – 8:15 pm

Between 1948 and 1973, Americans’ real wages rose almost as fast as their productivity. After 1973, productivity grew 147% but wages rose only 19%. This raises two questions:

(1) If workers getting less, who is getting more?

(2) Is there a way to restore the balance?

To solve the problem of poverty, and the many other problems that follow from it, ordinary workers need higher wages. George Menninger describes how to raise wages without interfering in the free market and without taking anyone’s earnings.

George Menninger is an instructor at the Henry George School of Chicago, and attendees at this free program will have the opportunity to sign up for his Progress & Poverty course.

No  reservation is required, but you can let us know  by email that you’re coming.

Sep
4
Mon
Henry George Day
Sep 4 @ 3:00 pm – 7:15 pm
Thinking inside the box outside. Image credit: Frits Ahlefeldt (cc)

We’ll gather in a rundown south Evanston back yard [you get the exact address when you RSVP; be assured it is half a mile to publc transportation.] to commemorate Henry George’s 178th birthday (actually he was born September 2, but by tradition we use Labor Day).  This year, we’re also celebrating our transition to a virtual school using multiple locations, no longer paying monthly rent to a landlord.

Thanks to the generosity of HGS supporters past and present, everyone who’s completed any HGS course, ever, is welcome to attend without charge. Bring a significant other, or a friend who might find HGS of interest, also no charge.  And of course no charge for your minor dependents. We hope to see people who might have taken a course years ago and almost lost touch with us. Come by, meet some of the new students and graduates, as well as the volunteer staff.

There will be food, drink, a lot of conversation and maybe some productive discussion about how to help our community understand how the economy works, the fundamental principles which can be harnessed to bring prosperity and freedom.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let us know by Friday September 1 whether you’ll be coming.  It would be great, but not required, if you can bring something to share.  Monetary donations are also extremely welcome, and can be made here, or by check to the School, or at the event.

Oct
10
Tue
Introducing Progress & Poverty @ Signature Office
Oct 10 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Photo credit: Jason Tester Guerrilla Futures (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Yes, it is possible to end poverty in America — or any independent nation — by recognizing a clear and logical distinction between private property and community property. Not just the poor, but everyone would have the opportunity to earn a decent living and enjoy better quality of life. Henry George, a prominent American philosopher and economist of the late 19th century, was the most prominent advocate of this reform. His book on the subject, Progress & Poverty, was probably the best-selling nonfiction work of his time, sparked a movement which brought prosperity to several American communities and foreign countries.

Introducing Progress & Poverty is a program by the Henry George School of Chicago, outlining the principles George advocated, how and why they work, and their potential for solving today’s problems in this city and elsewhere.  This program will next be presented on Tuesday, October 10, 6PM to 8PM in the Chicago loop. Attendance is without charge or obligation.  An extended course is also available for those interested.

We regret that due to management practices at the building, we must require pre-registration by email or phone (312 450-2906). If you are interested in the topic but this date and location don’t fit your schedule, please sign up for our announcement list. Also note that the program will be repeated in Edgewater on Sunday afternoon, October 29.