Seattle Speaks

Tonight's the night! We're excited for our Seattle Speaks conversation on Seattle Public Schools.

We're no longer taking pre-registrations for this event. You're welcome to take your chances at the door - but you can also watch from home!

Seattle Channel will be broadcasting the event live on your television (Cable 21) and online. As you're following the action from home, you'll be able to respond to the same poll questions as our in-studio audience on the website, as well as submit your comments. We'll be calculating your responses and reading your opinions on air!

Why not make a night of it? We've heard word from a few people who've talked about inviting a few friends over and having a watch party. Here are some ways you can participate remotely:

1. Submit comments via the Seattle Channel's Seattle Speaks website. Tonight, when the program is live, we'll be asking you to answer the same poll questions we're asking our in-studio audience, and reporting on those results.
   
2. You can also submit your comments via Facebook and Twitter! We'll be monitoring these social media platforms and passing your (clean, conscise) comments on to Seattle Channel's online correspondent. She'll be reading comments on the air. Seattle Channel: Facebook and Twitter | CityClub: Facebook fan page and Twitter

From the looks of our registration list, lots of you are excited about our upcoming Seattle Speaks program on Seattle Public Schools (a partnership with Seattle Channel) on February 10. (If you're not already registered, did we mention it's free? Learn more & sign up here.)

To get you all ready and rarin' to go, here are some relevant links:

• Transcription of SEA President Olga Addae's speech at the August 18, 2010 board meeting
• Seattle School District Excellence Update
• Seattle Council PTSA Value Statements
• Video of Kay Smith-Blum speaking at the March 3, 2010 Seattle Public School Board meeting

Have other resources you think we should share? Let us know in the comments!

Don't forget: if you can't attend in person, share your thoughts in advance or during the program--

1. Take our online pre-poll!
2. Submit comments via the Seattle Channel's Seattle Speaks website.
3. During the program, watch live from home and comment on our Facebook fan page or via Twitter!
4. ...or Seattle Channel's Facebook and Twitter if you prefer!
   

If you missed our Seattle Speaks program on Initiative 1098, it's available for streaming now - but you can also watch it on your television! Here are the upcoming opportunities:

Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 6:30 a.m.
Thursday, October 21, 2010 - 6:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Friday, October 22, 2010 - 12:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 24, 2010 - 3:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 - 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, October 28, 2010 - 6:00 a.m.
Friday, October 29, 2010 - 5:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 31, 2010 - 4:30 a.m

The Seattle Channel has also uploaded all of the comments submitted during the program - you can read them all and chime in with your thoughts on their Seattle Speaks page.

Tickets are sold out for our in-studio audience, but you can still participate in our Seattle Speaks conversation about Initiative 1098.

The program will be broadcast live online and on television - visit the Seattle Channel's Seattle Speaks website or tune in to Comcast Cable 21 or Broadstripe Channel 21. Via the website, you'll be able to take the polls online along with the studio audience, and send in your feedback.

We'll be monitoring online messages throughout the show. Ways to let us know your thoughts:

• Tune in to the live program and take the polls along with our studio audience at SeattleChannel.org
• Email the Seattle Channel at contact (at) seattlechannel.org with your comments
  
• CityClub's Facebook and Twitter
• Seattle Channel's Facebook and Twitter
  

If you want to give your question or comment the best chance of getting on-air, make sure it is coherent and expletive-free!

In the past, people have hosted Seattle Speaks watch parties - if you are planning one, attending one, or have heard of one, let us know! We'd be happy to spread the word if you're looking to expand your party.

You can still register for Seattle Speaks here.

We've been pretty quiet on the blog front this week - our Community Matters Campaign launches next week! I assure you, however, I never forgot about CityBlog. Here's a brief update with what we're working on:

• Yesterday was our Health Care Series event "Global Health: The Local Impact". Click here for our Twitter feed from the event, and stay tuned for video from Seattle Channel!
• Today we've got our heads down, working hard and very excited about next week's conversation with David Gregory, moderator of "Meet the Press". Tickets are still available, so don't be shy: share on your Facebook page or Twitter stream, send to your neighbors, register away!
  
• Can you believe it's almost time for our next Seattle Speaks program? On September 30th with tackle "Income Tax in Washington State?" - you can click the link to register or just for more information. Don't forget to take our poll and let us know your thoughts on I-1098!
• We just announced two more of our Community Matters campaign programs: "Education Series: Repaving the Road to Higher Education" and "Environment & Sustainability Series: Energy We Can Trust?" Panels are being finalized as we speak!

Many, many exciting things going on at CityClub - and more to be announced next week! Stay tuned, and we'll see you at an event soon!

On Friday (September 10), Crosscut published an article titled "Income tax measure: Is it about public trust?"

For us, it was a CityClub double whammy, relevant to two things we have going on right now: first, our September 31 Seattle Speaks event "Income Tax for Washington State?" (this event is free!) and second, our 2010 Community Matters Campaign theme of public trust. (Take our public trust poll!)

It's a really interesting read, and there's a lot going on in the comments. Click over to Crosscut for the full article!

Do you think the current Washington State tax system is fair? Does Washington State need new tax revenue to fund current services adequately? What is your top priority for government spending? Do you support Initiative 1098?

These are the questions you'll find on our poll - and the questions we'll be discussing on Thursday, September 30th during our next (free!) Seattle Speaks program, "Income Tax in Washington State?"

So far we have confirmed for the conversation: William H. Gates Sr. and Matt McIlwain, Managing Director of Madrona Venture Group. More to come!

Check it out:

This fall Washington State voters will be asked to approve a state income tax on top earners. Initiative 1098 would impose an income tax on couples earning more than $400,000, and individuals earning more than $200,000 a year. The estimated $1 billion generated annually would be restricted by law to education and public health services. Proponents say this funding is needed to maintain the integrity of vital services, while opponents argue it opens the door for more taxation and hurts small businesses.

And more about Seattle Speaks:

Join us for Seattle Speaks: Income Tax in Washington State either at Town Hall or online. Audience members will participate with instant polling devices. Online viewers can also take the polls and voice opinions via emails, Twitter and Facebook.  

Did I mention this event is FREE to attend? We do, however, require advance registration, so click here to sign up! Town Hall is only so big, so don't miss out.

(And don't forget to take the poll! Weigh in on this important issue!)