38 | SUNRAYS JUNE 2014
ONLINE:
SCTXCA.ORG
I
t is better to debate a question without
settling it than settle a questionwithout
debating it.” The quote from French
writer Joseph Joubert could be the motto
of one of the newest chartered clubs in
Sun City Texas: the Current Issues Club.
On a recent spring morning, about 35
club members showed up in the George-
town Room at the Cowan Creek Amenity
Center to listen closely to a research pre-
sentation developed and written by two
members, and to offer their perspectives
on the issue of “What’s REALLY impor-
tant for Texas and the U.S. regarding
immigration reform.”
Founder Karen Bishop, a retired high
school reading specialist, was concerned
that residents she knew didn’t feel com-
fortable discussing contentious issues
in social settings with neighbors, and
wanted a forum where facts could be
presented and different perspectives
could be offered in a respectful way—
and in an environment that felt safe for
participants. Her efforts, and those of
others, led to the chartering of the new
club in January 2014.
Courtesy rules have been developed
and are restated and enforced at each
monthly forum. These rules require that
participants wishing to speak raise their
hands and be called upon by a modera-
tor, and that they constrain their com-
ments to two minutes. Past topics have
included: “Minimum vs. living wage,”
“Water conservation in Georgetown,”
and “National security and privacy.”
Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are be-
ing formed to continue the discussion
between formal meetings among inter-
ested members.
Club President Lou Snead, a retired min-
ister from Austin, worked with Karen
to launch the club because he strongly
believes that “we need to bridge the huge
ideological divide we have in the U.S.”
He hopes the club will “build awareness
and strengthen understanding of issues.”
Program evaluation forms are distrib-
uted after each session, and participants
are asked to rate how well they gained a
deeper understanding of the issue, what
went well, how the program could be
improved, and what future topic ideas
should be considered.
Lou points to some of the feedback, such
as “Great conversation!” and “I haven’t
thought about it that way,” as indica-
tions that the club is indeed on track in
fulfilling its mission. He sees the overall
goal as really quite simple: “To make us
better citizens.”
For more information on the club, con-
tact Karen Bishop at kbishopCIC@gmail.
com or see their monthly article in the
Chartered Clubs section on page 100.
“
The Current Issues Club
is Making a Difference
By Sandy Nielsen
No Debate
About It.
Karen Bishop, founder of the Current Issues Club, with Club President Lou Snead.
PHOTO BY MAGGI JONES
