Established 1936 – John A. Collins, President

EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON, GRAND RAPIDS DOWNTOWN

Big E's Sports Grille

710 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2025 – 7:00 AM

Explore the civic education landscape and learn how you can contribute more to the present and future of civic education from pre-kindergarten through graduation from high school. Our presenter, Ellen Zwarensteyn is the Executive Director of Michigan Center for Civic Education. The Center has as its focus such programs as We The People, Mock Trial, MiVoice Mi Vote, Project Community, Civic Dialogue, and much more.

It is increasingly obvious that our citizens are sadly lacking in civic education and understanding the workings of our Constitution.

2026 is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Did you know that the current annual federal investment in civic education is $0.05, while that for stem-based education is $56?

Invocation: Eric Nelson
Introduction: Lody Zwarensteyn

1. “Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
2. "The more teens are exposed to high-quality civics education in high school, the more likely they are to be engaged in community service and voting as young adults."
   ~ National Association of State Boards of Education

3. “We cannot sustain a democratic republic with a citizenry that is completely uninformed about, and basically estranged from, our Constitution and our institutions.” ~ Douglas Ginsburg, Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit