CALM-Gov: Civic leadership for social justice (4wks)

Core Program Pillars:

1. Civic Education Through a Justice Lens

• History of civil rights, social movements, and power structures
• Systems of government, law, and policy-making
• Equity in public services (education, health, housing, justice)
• Understanding structural racism, economic injustice, and intersectionality

2. Equity-Centered Leadership Development

• Leading with values, humility, and lived experience
• Emotional intelligence, inclusive facilitation, and ethical decision-making
• Public speaking and storytelling for change
• Community-based research and participatory practices

3. Policy, Advocacy & Systems Change

• How to read, write, and critique policy
• Engaging with local government and institutions
• Tools for advocacy: petitions, campaigns, testimony, lobbying
• Participatory budgeting, mutual aid, and community-driven governance

4. Community Organizing & Coalition Building

• Power mapping and stakeholder analysis
• Base-building, mobilization, and movement strategy
• Working across lines of difference: race, class, ability, gender, and culture
• Anti-oppression frameworks and conflict resolution

5. Action & Impact

• Design and lead a Justice Leadership Project
  (e.g., policy campaign, community event, civic education series, advocacy toolkit)
• Present findings and outcomes to peers, partners, or public audiences
• Build an ongoing support and accountability network