The LWV Bellingham/Whatcom County is proud to co-sponsor, with WWU’s Munro Institute for Civic Education, a seminar on "Making the System Work", celebrating the legacy of Ralph Munro with lessons for citizenship, problem-solving, and policy in challenging times.
The 2025 keynote address, "Finding Common Purpose and Revitalizing our Faith in Democracy," will be given by Eric Liu, CEO and Co-Founder of Citizes University.
November 18
4:00pm Pre-event reception/book sales & signing
5:00pm Keynote Eric Liu
6:00pm-6:30pm Post-keynote wind-down/reception.
Viking Union Multi-Purpose Room, WWU
Eric Liu, CEO and Co-Founder of Citizen University, is a speaker and scholar of democracy. At a time when the cracks in our civic culture are all too apparent, and it is hard to know what to do, Eric Liu will offer an honest appraisal of the challenges we face and steps we can take to live into our own role and responsibility for sustaining democracy.
Liu’s keynote is entitled Finding our Common Purpose and Revitalizing our Faith in Democracy. Liu served as a White House speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and as the President’s deputy domestic policy adviser. He was later appointed by President Barack Obama to serve on the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. In 2020, Liu was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, where he serves on its Trust and is co-chair of its Our Common Purpose commission on democratic citizenship.
November 19
12:30pm Pre-panel reception (food available)
1:00pm-2:30pm Panel 1: Bridging Divides: Cross-Party Collaboration to Meet the State's Challenges
A lifelong Republican, Ralph Munro was beloved by Democrats and Republicans alike for his capacity to look beyond party and work across the aisle to address areas of common concern. But can public officials continue to work across parties when polarization is high? How can those in the minority gain power to shape policy decisions? And why, how, and when is it in the majority party’s interest to give the other party a voice? Experienced state leaders will discuss their experiences building power and sharing power at the state and federal levels to address critical challenges.
Panelists: Kim Wyman, former Secretary of State and President, ESI Consulting
Sam Reed, former Secretary of State
Denny Heck, Lieutenant Governor
3:00pm-4;30pm Panel 2: Local Action, Unlikely Partnerships, and Creative Solutions
While celebrated for high-profile progress in voter access, orca protection and refugee resettlement, less known are the many contributions Ralph Munro at the small scale, collaborating with volunteer groups and working with local government officials to identify critical needs and foster creative solutions to improve our lives and the community around us. This panel brings together both those who worked closely with Ralph and those who have taken up this mantle in new contexts, forging partnerships and working outside the box in small steps to get things done.
Panelists: Ed Wolfe, former Kitsap County Commissioner
Bob Barnes, Propagation Nation
Mitch Friedman, Conservation Northwest
Lucia Schmit, Snohomish Emergency Management Services
The event is free and open to the public. Limited complimentary parking will be available in Lots 9G and C on the south end of campus on both days. Guests with needs for accessible parking will find designated spaces in Lots 6V, 11G and other locations closer to the VU. You can find the most up to date information about the Fall Seminar (including parking) here.
Pre-registration is recommended (but not required) for those who plan to attend in person and required for those who wish to view the keynote remotely. Note that for technical reasons, all who pre-register (even those who plan to attend in person) will receive a zoom link.