Course aims to hold politicians accountable

Talking to elected officials is easy, but having meaningful conversations with them can be more difficult.

Jan Farrar, secretary for the Cape Girardeau County Tea Party and Missouri coordinator for the Center for Self-Governance, said taking a course in self-governance can help people bridge that gap.

"The main goal is to teach citizens how to exercise their civic authority," she said of the classes. "Under the Constitution, we are bound to hold our elected officials accountable. They're our proxy vote. They work for us."

A level 1 course in self-governance will be offered at the Cape Girardeau Public Library on Saturday. Farrar said the class serves as an introduction, providing some history of the Constitution and laying the groundwork for future classes. The program goes to level 5, after which students graduate.

Farrar is one of the six members of the program's first graduating class. She and other members of the Cape Girardeau County Tea Party also were instrumental in bringing the program, provided through the Center for Self-Governance in Tennessee, to Missouri. The program now is offered in 14 states, with more states on a waiting list until more instructors are available.

"It's a great problem to have, growing so fast," she said.

When people take a level 1 course, she said many are surprised at what they learn just about American history. Students also learn that sending emails and making phone calls to elected officials is fine, but being able to engage in conversation and build relationships with them is more productive for everyone.

People might want to reach out to their local representatives, but don't know how to engage them successfully. Farrar said self-governance classes give people the tools to answer those "how" questions.

"It's not just another good presentation to go to, not just another complaint session, not just another speaker; we actually give people the tools," she said.

Farrar said anyone interested in taking the course can just show up Saturday morning, but strongly recommends visiting the Center for Self-Governance website to register. The class is interactive with "homework," so students are asked to bring paper and pencils.

Registration is $40 and may be completed at tncsg.org. The course begins at 9 a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. Those with additional questions may contact Farrar at 979-0067 or jfarrar@tncsg.org.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

711 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.