Henry George School of Social Science Chicago Illinois – Page 6

Celebrate Henry George Day with us on Sept 5, new mailing list, and HGS at NCSL

Jim Frederiksen, Al Katzenberger, and David Harrell work the booth at NCSL, August 9, 2016. HGS photo by Chuck Metalitz

We still don’t now where the School is moving (expect classes to be in several locations), but that doesn’t keep us from progressing with smart revenue ideas, our traditional Henry George Day observance, and a much improved mailing list.

ITEM 1: Henry George Day. As is our custom, we celebrate the first Monday in September as Henry George Day, gathering in a rustic Evanston back yard for food and drink, conversation, and a chance to meet other Georgists. Everyone who has ever completed any Henry George School course is welcome, and should feel free to bring a significant other and/or minor dependent(s). THERE IS NO CHARGE. It’s great if you can bring a dish to share, or money to contribute toward expenses, but neither is required.

What is required is that you let us know you’re coming, preferably by email to info@hgchicago.org no later than ~~Friday September 2~~ noon Sunday September 4. You’ll get a response including the street address (which is near bus routes 97, 49B, 215, and a mile from Howard Red Line terminal.) Festivities start around 3PM (which is when we get some shade in the yard) and conclude at dusk or later.

ITEM 2: Join our new email list. Unlike the haphazard emails we’ve sent before, this is to be an organized endeavor, with a somewhat automated process for joining and leaving. You can join the list by clicking here, filling out your name and email address. This will generate a confirmation email; when you respond to that you’ll be on the list.

The list will carry messages about class schedules and other events, no more than one message per week. If you have any trouble getting on [or off] the list, let us know

ITEM 3: Useful things we have been doing. The photo shows Jim Frederiksen (wearing a tie, of course), Al Katzenberger (back to camera), and David Harrell (on the right, behind the table) explaining land value tax to attendees at the National Council of State Legislatures conference earlier this month. Public Revenue Education Council, of which Al is the chief, has done this work for twenty years, aided by local Georgists around the country. Jim is a surgeon and medical researcher who was formerly on the HGS Board until his relocation to North Carolina. David is a current HGS Board member. Adam Kerman, John Kelly, and Bob Jene also helped out during the three-day conference. In 2017 the conference will be in Boston, and volunteers are needed.

Henry George School seeks new location; can you help?

image credit: Louis Vest (cc) via flickr

We were notified recently that the old building at 30 E Adams where we have been based for the past three years is being remodeled, apparently into apartments. So our classroom/office space needs a new location. We currently have about 720 square feet, but could squeeze that down a bit if it makes a space affordable. We do need access and HVAC evenings and Saturdays, safe pedestrian and transit connections (preferably but not necessarily near the Chicago loop).

We think our current and prior landlords would concur that we are a reliable tenant and good neighbor. If you know of space available (or have space you would like to rent), Let us know

Another read for the PEBC, and Intro to P&P this Friday

Political Economy Book Club convenor Bob Matter has announced the next book, which will be discussed Wednesday, June 1. And our next section of Progress & Poverty begins with an introductory session this Friday. Even tho it’s the traditional (not actual) “tax day,” the focus will be on Henry George’s goal: extirpation of poverty.

Read Democracy in America– and more videos at the Henry George School

Tocqueville toured North America in 1831, but he didn't come to Chicago. Ft. Dearborn in 1831 from Wikimedia. — Tocqueville toured North America in 1831. Had he come to what is now Chicago, he would have seen Fort Dearborn.

Political Economy Book Club convenor Bob Matter reminds us to start reading Democracy in America volume 1, in order to participate in the PEBC discussion Tuesday, March 29, 6 to 8 PM. Or, if you don’t care to read it, you can listen to a free audiobook version.

Democracy in America is arguably a great work of modern democratic literature, a highly engaging and thought-provoking text that markedly stands at right angles to the dull-witted science of politics that is today dominant in the American academy, and elsewhere.

— John Keane

More info about the Book Club, including free text and audio downloads, is here.

No preparation at all is needed for this Saturday (February 20 2016)’s Georgist Video Festival, comprising shorts (and extracts from longer works) by Georgist and nonGeorgist luminaries including Fred Harrison, Paul Justus, and Paula Gloria. These videos do not presuppose any familiarity with political economy as we teach it, and require only an interest in the problems Henry George addressed: Why, despite the great increase in productive power, does the problem of poverty worsen? And what could be the remedy?

Specifics about the Saturday afternoon Video Festival are here.

Both events are entirely free of charge, tho donations to help fund rent and refreshments are welcome.

Take one hour to improve your understanding of economic fundamentals

Get a firm grounding at the Henry George School (image credit: Ingrid Metalitz)

You can learn the basic concepts of political economy in about an hour. George Menninger, one of our instructors who has used the principles we teach to build his personal fortune, will cover this on Thursday, February 11, in the scope of his “Introduction to Progress & Poverty” session. You might not want to enroll in the five-session course, but as a citizen, worker or student, and taxpayer you need to understand the basics that George will make accessible. Take a look at what you will and won’t learn in this course, and stop by our classroom (30 E. Adams St, #1207) at 6PM on Thursday to find out what we have to say.

It’s free, there’s no obligation, and some light refreshments will be available. For information call 312 450 2906 or email us.

How you can join the 1% in 2016

image credit: The Simple Good (cc) via flickr

We guess that less than 1% of people understand the main cause of poverty, which remedies might work and which can’t, and why. Our mission is to increase that number, and we’d like to welcome you to the group.

The basic Progress & Poverty course provides the information you need. This term we’ll have a Tuesday section, starting January 19, and a Thursday section starting February 11. For each, you’re welcome to attend the first session without obligation. If you choose to enroll, the fee is only $25 for the entire course and it can be waived in exchange for labor. A summary of what you will learn and what you won’t learn is here, course description here, schedule here. Pre-registration is optional.

Questions? Just email us or phone 312 450 2906.

“Nothing will fully interest men unless it also interests women.”

– Henry George

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Georgist Video Festival! Tuesday!

Fed Harrison — Fred Harrison in Revolution, Danish Style

As previously announced, we’re screening a bunch of the best and most interesting videos presenting Georgist messages. Not all by Georgists, but all saying things people need to know if they’re to figure out where the economy is, where it’s going and why. We’ll be there for four hours, 5 to 9 PM Tuesday December 8, but you’re welcome to stop by our space at 30 E Adams #1207 for as long (or brief) a time as you find convenient. Free and open to everybody. A bit more information is on the events page.

Progress & Poverty starts September 29 — and more new staff at HGS!

A flood of new (and reconfigured) blood at the Henry George School left us a bit disorganized regarding this web site, but the Fall schedule has now been posted. If you haven’t taken Progress & Poverty, September 29 is an excellent time to start. If you have taken it, why not continue with our Economic Science course, which begins September 24. Additional happenings will be placed on the events list as plans get settled.

In addition to the new staff (Sue Walton and Edward Miller) reported earlier, on September 14 the Board elected Adam Kerman as our new Secretary, and Bob Matter as Treasurer. Both these volunteers are knowledgeable in matters of political economy, and have taken substantially all courses offered at the School, and both have real-world experience in keeping small organizations operating smoothly.

Summer: Some classes and our annual picnic

As customary, our summer term features a reduced class schedule, a tour and a couple of presentations, with the traditional Henry George Day celebration on Labor Day. Some of us will be attending the Council of Georgist Organizations conference in Michigan August 4-9.

Our Progress & Poverty course begins August 18, with The Other Law of Moses starting September 4. Both courses are open to everyone interested, with no prerequisites, at a fee of only $25 total. Here‘s the full class schedule. The various events, including Henry George Day, are (or will soon be) listed here.

We do still produce a printed schedule. Let us know if you’d like to receive a copy by postal mail.

Staffing changes

With the scheduled retirement of longtime Administrative Director (and longer-time active Georgist) Bob Jene, the HGS Board last night (May 20) accepted the joint proposal from Sue Walton and Edward Miller to staff the School. Edward will take the title of “Administrative Director,” serve as on-site staff at our office/classroom, focusing on publicity, events, classes, esthetic and culinary upgrades, as well as computer support. Sue, as “Operations Manager,” will handle financial and operational records, reporting requirements, and related matters.

Sue is a longtime activist in Georgist work, managing the annual CGO conference and working with Common Ground USA. Edward, a computer programmer by trade, is a Georgist voice in social media, technical lead in everything electronic, and recently began as an HGS instructor.

Bob Jene intends to remain active with the School as an instructor, presenter, and commentator.

Sue and Edward plan to phase into their new roles during June, with Bob’s retirement at the end of that month.

[Henry George School photos by Chuck Metalitz]

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