Bill Howe, founder of the Citizen Project at SAGE, will present Bridging Divides: The Pursuit of Common Goals. Together, we will explore the causes and degree of today’s political polarization, and how it creates policy gridlock, undermines democratic institutions, and strains personal relationships. Bill will also outline social science research on how individuals and organizations can work across differences so communities can move forward in a productive way and solve problems.

SAGE (So All Generations Emerge) is an Oregon-based nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to helping future generations thrive. Among its initiatives, the Citizen Project offers events that support people working together across divides to pursue shared goals and build stronger communities.

This session offers a timely look at strategies for fostering collaboration in an increasingly divided world.

The Rotary Club of Wilsonville meets weekly Thursdays at noon to carry out its purpose of providing service and fellowship to members and the Wilsonville community. Guests are welcome. Lunch is available off the menu; please arrive and order by 11:45 a.m. if you are ordering lunch. For more information, email president@wilsonvillerotary.com.

Official bio:

Bill Howe serves on the board of SAGE (Senior Advocates for Generational Equity), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization that engages older adults in causes benefiting younger and future generations. He is also the founder of the SAGE Citizen Project, which offers events designed to inspire and support people in working across political and other differences to solve problems. In addition to his work with SAGE, Bill has practiced family law for nearly 50 years and has devoted significant time to family court reform. He is a highly accomplished attorney who served as Vice-Chair of Oregon’s Statewide Family Law Advisory Committee from 1998 through 2020, an appointment made by several Chief Justices over the years.