“Civic Saturdays” are beginning in Naturita, brought to the community by Stephanie Malcom, of Nucla, a teacher of 15 years now working for West End Public Schools District. The upcoming civics gatherings, for which Malcom has been trained through Civic University, is something she believes in. Civic University is a nonprofit started by Eric Liu, and its goal, according to Malcom, is building a culture of powerful, responsible citizenship.
Malcom told the San Miguel Basin Forum she’s honored to participate in the process.
She’ll be facilitating — or catalyzing, she said — the first few Civic Saturdays and then “seeing where it goes.” The Naturita Community Library is offering the space, and Malcom is grateful for the staff’s support.
“Our library in Naturita is amazing — all the things they do,” she said.
The first Civic Saturday event is Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon. Then, those who attend can expect topic questions to be presented. Malcom said the structure also includes opening remarks and greetings. The focus is always on a civic scripture though, and the first will be the “Declaration of Principles” from the Colorado Cooperative Company, the local ditch board. And, the group will discuss what “civic faith” is.
Malcom said there will also be a question: “What are we grateful for around here?”
She’s been living in the West End for only year, but has fallen in love with the area. She admitted she’s now under “The Spell of the Tabeguache,” a reference to an old book that the Rimrocker Historical Society has for sale, written about the Nucla area by one of the first settlers. Malcom is curious to hear others’ responses to that question.
Essentially, the invitation, and intention, is that people from diverse backgrounds can come together and talk about democracy. Malcom said those that catalyze the civic faith meetings believe that “democracy is never done.”
The Forum asked if the Civic Saturdays could establish a connecting point or common ground for people in the community. Malcom agreed that’s possible.
Malcom holds a masters degree in curriculum and instruction, in the field of education. Additionally, more than 20 years ago, she worked as an Americorp fellow in the rural Midwest for the purpose of fostering economic development. She loved bringing people together in that work too, she said.
In general, Malcom likes to work on solutions to problems and “seeing what people want and need to continue to build amazing community,” she said.
All ages are welcome at the Civic Saturdays. Malcom said it’s completely appropriate for children to attend. Some refreshments will be served. She added that people can attend as many as they wish, and they can still come, even if they miss the first few Saturdays of the four-week series.
In past Civic Saturdays that she’s been a part of, there have been opportunities for music and poetry too.
Anyone with questions is welcome to email her at stephanie.malcolm.91@gmail.com. She also said calling is fine too, and she can be reached at 308-737-1305.
