The Commonwealth April/May 2020 by The Commonwealth Club of California

Commonwealth The

CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION

THE MAGAZINE OF THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA

APRIL / MAY 2020

STEPHEN & AYESHA CURRY

on Eating, Learning & Playing

Plus: Economic Forecast Trouble ahead?

$5.00; free for members | commonwealthclub.org

UPCOMING PROGRAMS Complete Guide

Nepal & Bhutan

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Brochure at commonwealthclub.org/travel

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Editors Desk

Two-month Calendar

The age of the coronavirus

April and May events at a glance

News and insights from the Club

Live and online programs for April and May 2020

A good start for children

The Commons

Ayesha & Steph Curry

Annual Economic Forecast Keith Hennessey and Christina Romer

on the cover: Ayesha Curry and Stephen Curry on the Commonwealth Club’s rooftop terrace.

Program Listings

Late Breaking Events Insight By Gloria Duffy Addressing elder abuse

on this page: Michelle Meow with Ayesha and Stephen Curry Photo by: James Meinerth

Photo by: James Meinerth

I just feel like everybody should be afforded the same chances—equal opportunity, the chance for a great education, safe spaces to play, and healthy, nutritious meals. It’s these fundamental things . . . but there [are] people that don’t have any of that. —AYESHA CURRY

April/May 2020 - Volume 114, No.2

APRIL/MAY 2020

EDITOR’S DESK

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PHOTOGRAPHERS

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ADVERTISING INFORMATION

John Zipperer, Vice President of Media & Editorial, (415) 597-6715 jzipperer@commonwealthclub.org The Commonwealth (ISSN 0010-3349) is published bimonthly (6 times a year) by The Commonwealth Club of California, 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105. Periodicals postage paid at San Francisco, CA. Subscription rate $34 per year included in annual membership dues.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Commonwealth, The Commonwealth Club of California, 110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94105 Tel: (415) 597-6700 E-mail: feedback@commonwealthclub.org EDITORIAL TRANSCRIPT POLICY

The Commonwealth magazine covers a range of programs in each issue. Program transcripts and question-and-answer sessions are routinely condensed due to space limitations. Hear full-length recordings online at commonwealthclub. org/watch-listen, podcasts on Google Play and Apple iTunes, or contact Club offices to buy a compact disc. Printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink.

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Photo expresswriters

The Club in the Coronavirus Era

n March, the Club paused its public events and soon extended that through at least April. Based on the guidance of health and political officials, we canceled or postponed all in-person events in San Francisco, Marin County and Silicon Valley, with future events to be evaluated in light of the evolving coronavirus situation. But we didn’t go completely dark. Far from it. While some programs were canceled or postponed, to be rescheduled in the summer or fall, other programs were offered virtually, either as livestream video, video conferences, or podcast-only. We have even been busy adding new events planned from the beginning to be online-only. As this issue of The Commonwealth goes to the printer, we don’t know what the situation will be like in May. You can see a full slate of speakers in this issue’s program listings. But we suggest you confirm a program’s status and presentation by checking our website (commonwealthclub.org), where we’ll keep you further updated. The Club has long been a leader at presenting programs in new ways. We were early to radio, podcasting, livestreaming, teleconferences, amd Zoom video conferencing. We have an excellent audio and video team, which is working seemingly around the clock to bring you new live-streamed events. So it is natural that we would look to

continue our mission of holding important community discussions digitally and virtually during this time. Please join us online! See our schedule at commonwealthclub.org/online. if you have already purchased tickets for an event that has been cancelled and would like to decline a refund and donate the ticket price to the Club, that would be greatly appreciated—because like many organizations, we are experiencing a serious loss of revenue. Our live-stream programs are presented free, and our private event rental income has also disappeared. So to donate your purchased ticket value to the Club, or to obtain a refund, email our guest services team at tickets@commonwealthclub.org. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we all do our best to protect our community. JOHN Z I P P E R E R VP, ME DIA & ED I T O RI AL

p.s.: there are additional ways you can help the Club during this crisis, such as renewing or extending your membership, or giving a gift membership to a friend or colleague, or making a donation. Info is at commonwealthclub.org/membership and commonwealthclub.org/donate. We look forward to seeing you again in-person after the crisis has passed.

TALK OF THE CLUB A Family Affair

Left: Rev. Amos Brown is well-known in San Francisco. Below: Conor Dougherty notes his family connection to the Club in his signed book for our library.

ew York Times journalist Conor Dougherty has been having a lot of people saying good things about his work; even former President Barack Obama retweeted Dougherty. Dougherty discussed his latest book, Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America, during a March 4 Commonwealth Club program. We, too, know what it’s like to have people saying nice things about us, because Dougherty’s father is the reason Conor wanted to speak here. It turns out that Dougherty père is a Club member. When Conor signed a copy of Golden Gates for the Club, he wrote “My parents have been coming here for years, so to be on your stage is a huge honor! I can’t thank you enough!”

Disenfranchised

n March 3, voters across California went to polling places either to drop off ballots or to vote on-site. This year, for the first time, The Commonwealth Club served as a polling site. All day long, voters visited our first-floor Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium to cast their ballots. That same day, The Commonwealth Club’s president and CEO, Dr. Gloria Duffy, met with Baroness Philippa Stroud, CEO of the Legatum Institute, a UK think tank. Stroud is also a life peer, an appointed member of the UK’s House of Lords. As she was given a look at American democracy in action, she commented that that was something she could not do: The rules state that “The fact that members of the House of Lords have a voice in Parliament makes it legitimate to deprive them of a right to have their voice also heard through their elected representative in the Commons.”

Finding a Neighbor Far Away

or the second year in a row, the Club organized a tour this March of important scenes of America’s Civil Rights Movement. On the first night of

Amos Brown photo by Pax Ahimsa Gethen

the trip, as the travelers gathered in the VIP lounge of their hotel to meet each other, there was “a finely dressed gentleman sitting and talking to some of our travelers—and he just sat and listened in,” according to one of the travelers. He was invited to introduce himself, and it turns out that “finely dressed gentleman” was none other than the Rev. Amos Brown, pastor of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco and president of the local NAACP. Brown, who was in Jackson, MS, stumping for a presidential candidate, said “I had no idea that The Commonwealth Club was doing something like this. I had to travel all the way back to Mississippi to find that diamond right in my back yard.”

Upward Bound

n early February, Occidental College in Los Angeles held a celebration of its Upward Bound program, honoring Dr. Marguerite Archie-Hudson and Commonwealth Club Board of Governors

member Dennis Collins, who launched the program. Occidental’s Upward Bound was established in 1966, and in its 55 years in existence, it has worked with more than 2,000 first-generation, low-income students in the Los Angeles area to help them improve their high school performance and guide them through college. Collins, the former president of The James Irvine Foundation, enjoyed the evening, hearing from people whose lives were changed by the Upward Bound program— including members of Congress, professors, psychiatrists, state legislators, and the chair of the University of California Board of Regents. Collins, who headed The James Irvine Foundation from 1986–2006, has also served as the founding headmaster of San Francisco University High School, principal of Emma Willard School, chair of the Occidental College Board of Trustees, and a senior vice president at Occidental. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020

LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB CLUB OFFICERS Board Chair Evelyn Dilsaver Vice Chair Martha C. Ryan Secretary Dr. Jaleh Daie Treasurer John R. Farmer President & CEO Dr. Gloria C. Duffy

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Robert E. Adams Willie Adams John F. Allen Scott Anderson Dan Ashley Massey J. Bambara Dr. Mary G. F. Bitterman** Harry E. Blount John L. Boland Charles M. Collins

Dennis Collins Kevin Collins LaDoris Cordell Susie Cranston Dr. Kerry P. Curtis Dorian Daley James Driscoll Lee Dutra Joseph I. Epstein* Jeffrey A. Farber Dr. Carol A. Fleming Leslie Saul Garvin Paul M. Ginsburg Hon. James C. Hormel Mary Huss Julie Kane Lata Krishnan John Leckrone Dr. Mary Marcy Lenny Mendonca Michelle Meow Anna W.M. Mok DJ Patil

Mauree Jane Perry Donald J. Pierce Bruce Raabe Skip Rhodes* Kausik Rajgopal Bill Ring Richard A. Rubin** George M. Scalise Charlotte Mailliard Shultz George D. Smith Jr. David Spencer Dr. Marc Spencer James Strother Hon. Tad Taube Marcel TenBerge Charles Travers Kimberly Twombly-Wu Don Wen Dr. Colleen B. Wilcox Brenda Wright Jed York Mark Zitter

ADVISORY BOARD Karin Helene Bauer Hon. William Bradley Dennise M. Carter Steven Falk Amy Gershoni Jacquelyn Hadley Heather Kitchen Amy McCombs Don J. McGrath Hon. William J. Perry Hon. Barbara Pivnicka Hon. Richard Pivnicka Ray Taliaferro Nancy Thompson

PAST BOARD CHAIRS & PRESIDENTS Dr. Mary G. F. Bitterman** J. Dennis Bonney* John Busterud* Maryles Casto** Hon. Ming Chin*

Mary B. Cranston** Joseph I. Epstein* Dr. Joseph R. Fink* William German* Rose Guilbault** Claude B. Hutchison Jr.* Dr. Julius Krevans* Anna W.M. Mok** Richard Otter* Joseph Perrelli* Toni Rembe* Victor J. Revenko* Skip Rhodes* Renée Rubin* Robert Saldich** Connie Shapiro* Nelson Weller* Judith Wilbur* Dennis Wu*

TALK OF THE CLUB

* Past President ** Past Chair † Deceased

Seen on the streets: In downtown San Francisco, you can still occasionally see an ad announcing our new waterfront home. Sometimes its a banner on a pole, or sometimes it’s a bus ad—showing we really get around. Photo by Mark Kirchner

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AYESHA

AND STEPHEN CURRY

A Good

Start

AYESHA CURRY Restaurateur; Chef; Author, The Seasoned Life; Host, "Fempire," Ellentube; CoFounder, Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation

STEPHEN CURRY Point Guard, Golden State Warriors; Founder, Unanimous Media; Co-Founder, Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation In conversation with

MICHELLE MEOW

Producer and Host, "The Michelle Meow Show" on Radio and KBCW/KPIX TV; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors

I would go to school and wouldn’t be able to get a lunch because the account was in a deficit. I just think that’s insane. –AYESHA CURRY

At left: Ayesha and Stephen Curry. Photos by James Meinerth

From the January 17, 2020, program in San Francisco, "Ayesha and Stephen Curry: The Commonwealth Club Equality Series," supported by Salesforce. MICHELLE MEOW: I’m really excited to talk about Eat. Learn. Play. You just started this foundation not too long ago—I think it’s less than a year—but you’ve already done some work, and the work is incredibly empowering. The one thing that I got from all that work that you’re thinking of doing and the vision that’s behind the foundation is that there’s a lot of love. So I thought while we get into this talk, [we should] start with the inspiration behind this foundation. And I imagine that it comes from a whole lot of love. AYESHA CURRY: Yeah. STEPHEN CURRY: For sure. I think we all have the ability to make an impact. We all are part of the community, no matter where we come from, what our background is, and I think Ayesha and I have been blessed [when we were growing up as kids] to be around families that put service and giv[ing] back in community as a priority. So we saw that example, and we had no idea what our life would be like at this point—obviously, her growing up in Toronto and [then] growing up in Charlotte, coming out here and being Bay Area residents for the last 11 years, and this is now our home. [Applause.] [I’m] very proud to say that—but [especialLeft to right: Michelle Meow, Ayesha Curry and Stephen Curry.

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ly] in terms of just the opportunity to create impact of our own and to hopefully make a difference on whatever level. That’s always been a part of our life, and I think we’ve done a lot of great things kind of individually as we’ve gone through the years. The inspiration behind Eat. Learn. Play. was taking our collective passions and interests and bringing [them] together, leveraging the amazing resources that we have, the community and the people that are of like mind, and really, really amplifying that impact while we have the chance to kind of springboard it now, and hopefully in the future it does amazing work. Like you said, it’s been an amazing ride so far. Less than a year, [and we’re] fully functioning and running, but it’s just been amazing to see the response and the stories of people that are in the community doing amazing work, that we get to help share their stories and lift up as well. It’s been awesome, and we obviously have a huge team around us that has helped make this a possibility for sure. [Applause.] AYESHA CURRY: I feel like I’ve said it time and time again, but I think the whole ethos and reasoning behind this is it truly does take a village to raise a child, and you hear it time and time again, and it’s fact. Sometimes people just don’t have that village there to support them. So really, the whole mindset behind Eat. Learn. Play. is to just be that village for people that need the

help, whoever that may be. MEOW: Let’s go into the three pillars: There’s Eat, and then there’s Learn; there’s Play. We’ll start with Eat and your work behind that vision. You talk a lot about food insecurity and how that impacts the youth of America. The numbers are really high, but in just California alone [it] is nearly 2 million children who experience food insecurity. In Alameda County, that translates to over 55,000 kids who experience food insecurity. [It’s] not every day that people wake up and think about hungry kids. When you think about some of the major issues that impact our society today, sometimes kids get looked over. AYESHA CURRY: Absolutely. It’s not because people don’t care. It’s because people don’t know, and so that’s why we’re so excited and honored to be able to share Eat. Learn. Play. with everybody and raise awareness for it, because it’s such a solvable issue. Put in simple fractions—so here in the Bay Area alone, one in four children from the Oakland public school system go to school hungry or have experienced hunger in some way, shape or form. That’s ridiculous. Before we even started Eat. Learn. Play., I was doing a ton of work with No Kid Hungry, trying to raise awareness for that, and it’s gotten better, but it hasn’t ended, and that’s devastating. So the goal here with Eat is to ensure that all of the kids are getting access to healthy nutrition so that they can thrive. That’s really the premise behind it. It’s partnering up with the people around us who are already

doing great things, because there are a ton of organizations out there doing amazing work. A lot of people just haven’t heard of them. It’s taking the strength that we have, joining forces with people and amplifying it. MEOW: There are a lot of foundations out there, and folks with the kind of platform that you have with foundations. But with Eat. Learn. Play., I love this vision that you have that it’s not just a linear solution that you’re thinking of—like raising money and then providing services, providing meals for kids. You’re actually thinking about it from tackling the issue, and then hopefully there’s a solution behind it. You need some policy changes as well. And I wasn’t sure if maybe one of you might even be thinking about running for office [Laughter, applause.], but I do know that there’s perhaps— AYESHA CURRY: That in theory sounds great, but he wants to keep his hair, and I would get in way too much trouble. MEOW: I don’t know, because— AYESHA CURRY: We’ll be silent leaders, make change behind the scenes. MEOW: You would win every election out there. But where I was going with that was that working and partnering with elected leaders is going to be a part of your vision. AYESHA CURRY: Absolutely. So, we actually already had the opportunity to partner with [California] First Lady [Jennifer Siebel] Newsom, and it’s been amazing—just advocating for change. The goal for me, as you

guys know, Eat is really my laser focus, and so just ending child hunger. It’s a national issue, and it’s really the goal to get out there and advocate for policy change. So that is a goal of mine. We’re inching our way toward it. STEPHEN CURRY: Tell them about the school breakfast program. AYESHA CURRY: Yeah. The goal is to start here in the Bay Area, ensuring that every child gets to go to school and have a breakfast program or a lunch program, free of charge, and then scale that out nationally. But it’s insane to me that that is not already happening here. You look at other places like Europe—these children are getting the most amazing lunches; test scores are great. Everything is better when your child is fed some sort of nutritious meal to start out their day. It really is the beginning means to a happy, healthy, thriving life. I feel like it starts there, personally. MEOW: It’s kind of wild to think about kids going to school, and they’re already in debt. They can’t pay for their school lunches. How does that happen? AYESHA CURRY: I actually experienced that as a youngin’ growing up. I would go to school and wouldn’t be able to get a lunch because the account was in a deficit. I just think that’s insane. It shouldn’t be the case. MEOW: And that’s why we have Eat. Learn. Play., and we’re excited about the work that you’re going to do, that you already are doing. A lot of times when we’re out there, we’re volunteering, we’re giving back, we’re doing it because it comes from the heart. Maybe we don’t even think about one person we help, five people that we helped—that we’re

making such a huge impact. But for you, both of you, do you ever think about how tremendous of an impact you’re making, not just on one kid, but like the entire Bay Area and beyond? STEPHEN CURRY: Yes. I think in terms of just our experience, being here in the Bay Area, just the people that I get to interact with on and off the court, in the arena, in the community—all the stuff that the Warriors do in the community, trying to reach out and create that connection. You hear so many amazing stories of kids that are super, super talented, have amazing vision and potential, but the opportunity is . . . they’re staring off at it in a distance, and it’s like they’re almost looking at the Salesforce tower, and it seems like it’s a hundred miles away—might as well be, because the opportunity isn’t there. We had the opportunity to go to the East Oakland Boxing Academy over the holidays and be around motivated kids that found a safe place to go to after school to kind of invest in themselves. There’s so many great people that are investing in the youth as well, but just think about if they just had a simple opportunity to get to that next level—like Ayesha mentioned—going to school and being fed so that they can be attentive and focused and energized in class. Then that leads to a safe place to play after school, where it’s not just being a part of sports—we know how much sports can teach us about ourselves and building confidence and community—but you’re actively playing and you’re getting a benefit from that. And then on the back end you think about their educational journey from whatever age through college completion.

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There’s the total formula of creating healthy, happy childhoods and lives. I think in terms of just where we are right now, the thousand kids that came to our launch event, right in downtown Oakland at Lake Merritt, and you just think about what impact they can have on the world. I know it sounds kind of clichéd, but whatever we can do to give them just even a step on the ladder—that will go a long way. We all can feel good about our impact and our involvement in that process and giving back, because we all have people in our lives—the reason that we’re all in this room—we had people in our lives that looked out for us in some way, shape or form. Like Ayesha said, we can be that village, and it’s very rewarding and impactful, and I think it’s the most selfless thing any of us can do as we go about our lives. MEOW: You mentioned the East Oakland Boxing Association, and I watched that [video] clip. It involves Ellen [DeGeneres], of course—America’s favorite lesbian on TV [laughter]; I was quite jealous that you got to partner with Ellen. Anyway, the truck . . . it was part of her holiday giveaway. So watching that truck with her and her cool suit and the Santa hat, and you pull up with the truck and all these toys, and these kids, and the look on their faces, and then watching both your interactions—I’m not a stalker or anything, but I do look at some of your videos on your Instagram—and it’s almost like you’re the same that you are with your kids with a lot of these kids that you meet out there. I’d love to hear what you’re hearing from kids directly. STEPHEN CURRY: I think the most consistent thing you hear is that, especially the kids in Oakland, there’s such a connection to anybody who shows up where they are and meets them where they are, with whatever resource, nugget of wisdom, just a grain of care and love. You mentioned that word

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before, and that’s a real thing. You take the most extreme example of . . . I don’t even know how much money was in that truck, about [the] products and stuff that we were able to give to those kids and hopefully change lives in that process, but I think just the act of going to where they are and seeing them and making them feel special and cared about and that there’s people out there fighting for them on a daily basis—I don’t think they get that message very often. So that’s the impact of it. Beyond the material things and the opportunity, it’s mostly just the encouragement that we’re human, we matter, and there are people out there that are looking out for our best interest, and I think there’s an appreciation for that. That’s the most rewarding thing that keeps the truck going down the highway, for lack of a better term. I think for us, that’s huge. AYESHA CURRY: Yeah. Just like we all want to be heard in here, the kids want to be heard as well. It’s so crazy to me because watching the show, I’m sure some people were like, “Oh, it’s a truck full of iPads. Great.” I think it’s less what you hear and more what you see. So, you see these tears in a child’s eyes and then you realize, “Oh, it’s not because of the iPad.” Well, it’s a little bit because of the iPad. But now this child has access to an endless amount of educational apps and games that are going to help them further their education while they’re at East Oakland Boxing Association. It’s just going to open their minds and worlds to an endless amount of possibilities. I think that there’s power in that, that something like an iPad could possibly change the next few steps of a child’s life. MEOW: That leads me to the second pillar, which is Learn. You already have done a couple of things that are really great and amazing, such as helping kids fill out their college applications for their first time. We’ve

talked a little bit about that before, but let’s talk about the Learn part and your commitment to youths continuing their education. AYESHA CURRY: I think I’ll share these stats with you: 12 percent of Oakland public school students graduate [college] within six years of graduating high school. That’s insane—only 12 percent—and so clearly there’s a lack of quality education and resources for children that just need an extra push. I’ll let you talk a little bit about what’s out there and who we’ve been partnering up with. STEPHEN CURRY: I think, like you said, that number is staggering, but in terms of this part of the child’s journey, it’s extremely important. We all know that. For us, it’s a learning process in terms of how we really want to create an impact. Right now, [our focus has] been around college applications, access and further support once they get into college. There [are] two organizations that we’ve worked with in the past year: College Track and EOYDC, the East Oakland Youth Development Center. Both have [the] infrastructure to support kids as they go through the process to do their applications, and some support to even enter college, and then again, that support system and that work to be able to see them through that process. Because college is a whole big world in and of its own, and you need that support, not just to get there but to get through it. So those two organizations are near and dear to the Eat. Learn. Play. team, and it’s been amazing. We went to College Track, to their offices right in downtown Oakland, and watched about probably a little under a hundred new college applicants, second-generation college applicants, that were submitting their application that day. I’ll tell you what—the energy in the room, it made me want to go back to school. [Laughter.] All the applications are going in, and they’re all

doing it at the same time. Then they kind of go up and they hit this button, and they say, “I’ve completed my process.” They basically shout out to the whole room what they just accomplished. And it’s a celebration. AYESHA CURRY: —and where they were going to be going [to school]. STEPHEN CURRY: It’s a celebration in terms of how big of a step that is and how they’re not taking it for granted. They’re going to take that opportunity and run with it. For us, it’s just about learning about how to really make an impact in that space and partnering with the right organizations and groups that are in the community, attached to these kids, and support them how we can. MEOW: You mentioned Oakland and a lot of stats around Oakland, so it’s obvious that you have a lot of love and care for Oakland specifically. It’s obvious, even for someone like me, who was just reading about it, that Oakland feels like an extended family to both of you. Let’s talk about why Oakland is so important. AYESHA CURRY: Absolutely. STEPHEN CURRY: Well, we got to drive a parade bus down Broadway three times. [Laughter and applause.] AYESHA CURRY: But that’s not why. STEPHEN CURRY: Humble brag. Humble brag. I had to throw that in there. Warriors, we need a little uplift right now. It’s been good. It’s been good. We’ll be back. It’s our adoptive home. We were just babies coming out here. I think I was 21 when I got drafted [to the Warriors], and Ayesha was 20, and we didn’t have any kids yet. We were just setting up life on our own. Oakland adopted us. And [it’s] not just [in] what we do on the court or what Ayesha has done in her business, but there’s just a culture and an energy and a realness about Oakland that resonated with us really, really, really well.

I think everywhere we go, I’ve heard those connections—people just want to know a little bit about you and just support you and celebrate you. We want to do that for this city that supported us for these last 11 years. This is where we’ve raised our kids so far. I think it’s been an amazing journey just coming from North Carolina to out here and understanding what Oakland’s really about. That’s a big jump, and for us, we wouldn’t have it any other way. So, for us to have any opportunity to give back to the city that has given us so much, it means a lot. [Applause.] MEOW: Ayesha, you want to add something? AYESHA CURRY: Sure. I think for me, [Oakland’s] where I became a mom. We have three children now, and it’s really where, once I became a mom, I started to notice— STEPHEN CURRY: I thought she was— AYESHA CURRY: [to Stephen]—Oh, you thought she was . . . no, I think she’s in the [green room behind the stage]. Our oldest is here; she begged us to come. You kind of tend to turn a blind eye to the things that are going on right in front of your face until you become a parent, and then your world opens up, and you’re like, “Oh my goodness.” I think for me, wanting to start our foundation in Oakland was because that’s where I noticed the need firsthand. And once our oldest got to the age to go to school, that’s when I started becoming aware of the void that was around her—and that the stats at the time were one in six children across the country were going to school hungry. I was like, “That could be the person she’s sitting next to in class. That’s ridiculous. How do we change this?” I’ll never forget our Jack London Square

apartment—I just realized the void. As a parent, you don’t want to see any child in that situation. So the seed was planted, and I needed to make an impact and make change. I don’t want my daughter growing up and having children and having to think about that. I don’t want anybody having to deal with that. It’s something that’s so solvable, so why not start there? Why not start now? STEPHEN CURRY: The last thing I’ll add to that is just the people that we’ve met that are, again, in a community doing [the work]—the team and just the sense of responsibility and accountability for taking care of the community. There’s so many powerful, special people—some in this room. I always talk about Regina Jackson from EOYDC, who’s my favorite person just in terms of when you talk to her and you sense the passion about, like Ayesha said, the need that’s there and how she can go about attacking it, and just the success stories that come out of her program. It’s really easy to get motivated and excited about how special the Bay Area is, but Oakland especially. MEOW: I agree. I mean you’re both putting Oakland on the map today, in terms of highlighting the issues that we really need to be talking about, and a lot of the issues are national. We’re not immune to homelessness or the crisis that we’re experiencing with displacement, gentrification and these things that impact communities of color. We really have a strong community here of people who are digging in and taking care of our communities and doing great work. Talking about some of the great people that you met—let’s talk about the people that you want to partner with, some other folks that you are continuing to partner with and the organizations that

APRIL/MAY 2020

deserve to tell their stories. AYESHA CURRY: Absolutely. Do you want to take this one? STEPHEN CURRY: I think the power in what Eat. Learn. Play. is and how we want to represent it is the power of the collective. We want to get into programming; we want to get into policy change, but our investment in organizations that are doing amazing work and, kind of what you spoke on, it’s about awareness. There’s an ability for us to be able to have the megaphone out and talk about the groups that we’ve talked about before. Our ability to raise awareness on the issues that are at hand, of people that are doing amazing work and where money and time and resources can make a true instrumental change is what we’re about. I was thinking about a launch event I mentioned and working with the Oakland Parks and Rec group and their talent camps that they have over the course of the summer. We have almost a thousand kids that are at our launch event. They’re all a part of the talent camps, and being able to support them and provide scholarships to have kids just be able to have access to Eat. Learn. Play. programming through those talent camps over the summer, which are really trying times for kids at that developmental age when you’re not in school and your parents are struggling to figure out exactly how to keep the kids engaged and to keep them safe over the course of those summer months. Those opportunities are going to continue

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

to influence every kid’s chance to be successful. So I think that process of identifying and vetting out those organizations is what the power and the team that we have [that does the work], and then the networking and the ability to be in the community and hear from the people that are in touch with where the needs are. So that’ll be an ongoing conversation and an understanding, and [I’m] really proud of what we’ve done in less than a year. That gives me and Ayesha and our group a whole other level of excitement about what’s to come for sure. MEOW: You talked about your children and you wanting them to grow up in a different world, and I think we all want that for the next generation. But what would a more equal and just world look like for you if you were planning out the future, not just for your own kids, but all the kids out there? AYESHA CURRY: I just feel like everybody should be afforded the same chances—equal opportunity, the chance to a great education, safe spaces to play, and healthy, nutritious meals. It’s these fundamental things, and it sounds so silly when you say them out loud, but it’s not, and there [are] people that don’t have any of that. For me, it would look like every child, no matter what, we ensure that they have access to all of those things so that we’re not . . . It’s 2020. There’s no reason to leave it to luck for people when we’re able change it for them. [Applause.]

AUDIENCE MEMBER: When are you coming back? STEPHEN CURRY: Oh, not the basketball question. AYESHA CURRY: Not that question. STEPHEN CURRY: Very soon. Very soon. MEOW: A lot of people wanted to ask about your return and how you’re doing. How’s the wrist? STEPHEN CURRY: It’s been an interesting year all the way around, to say the least. Obviously we’ve been on an amazing five-year journey and three championships to speak of. There’s a lot of excitement about the move to San Francisco this year and how amazing Chase Center is—and it is amazing, if you haven’t been; it’s something to see, and we’re building that atmosphere that we’re accustomed to in terms of what Dub Nation is. So right now it’s obviously different. [There are] a lot of injuries—myself, Klay [Thompson]and a lot of young guys. But we’re building. And it’s going to be exciting to kind of see where the next 4- to 5-year run takes us. So this will be fine. I’m hopefully back in March at some point to get on the floor and get back out there where my team is killing me to be out. But a little mental and physical rest and recovery after this last five years—I’ll take advantage of it for sure. So yeah, it’s been weird, but I’ll get back. AYESHA CURRY: I’d like to say things can’t bloom without a little rain. A little never hurt.

ECONOMIC FORECAST THE YEAR IN MONEY KEITH HENNESSEY Lecturer in Economics, Stanford University School of Business; Senior White House Economic Adviser to President George W. Bush

CHRISTINA ROMER Professor of Economics, UC Berkeley; Chair, Council of Economic Advisers for President Barack Obama In conversation with

EVELYN DILSAVER

Chair, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors; Former Executive Vice President, Charles Schwab; Former President and CEO, Charles Schwab Investmentâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Moderator

Left to right: Evelyn Dilsaver, Keith Hennessey and Christina Romer. Photos by Ed Ritger

From the January 24, 2020, program in San Francisco, “ Ke i t h H e n n e s s e y a n d Chr is tina Romer : B ank of America/Merrill Lynch Walter E. Hoadley Annual Economic Forecast.” EVELYN DILSAVER: I’d love to hear from both of you, both internationally and domestically, how do you see the economy? Are you pessimistic or optimistic about the next year? CHRISTINA ROMER: The headline [news] about the U.S. economy is certainly very good. The unemployment rate is at about a 50-year low; inflation as well is contained. In that sense, we’re certainly doing well. Of course shocks may come right now. It doesn’t look like there’s any immediate threat to [those] stable, good economic conditions. [Editor’s note: This event took place before the coronavirus and oil markets disrupted world stock markets in March.] In that sense, I’m optimistic about the short run. I am concerned about the long-run health of the American economy. There’s where we’ve had very slow productivity growth, [and] low business investment that doesn’t bode well for what’s going to be happening over the future. We know we’re having high and rising inequality, and that is not just a social problem and a democratic problem, but it is an economic problem in the sense of the lack of opportunity for a large part of our population. It’s going to be bad for our long-term growth as a society. We’re not using

the potential of all of our people. I’m exceedingly worried about climate change and the fact that we’re not only not dealing with it, if anything, we’re going backwards in some of our policies. I think that is really a deep threat to the U.S. economy over the longer term. I’m very worried about the deficits. The big picture is I find myself in this very uncomfortable position of being relatively optimistic about the near term, but relatively pessimistic about longer-term issues. That’s just so not what as Americans we are used to, or we should be feeling. I’d say a lot of the world, especially other advanced economies, are limping along much more than we are. They’re stable, but they’re certainly not strong, so that is a threat to them. It’s a threat to the world economy. I think the bigger issue [is that] the geopolitical risks no doubt have gone up. While things look fairly stable now, that can change pretty quickly if we’ve got major trouble in the Middle East, if that trade war erupts again, all of that is certainly a threat not just to us but to the world. KEITH HENNESSEY: Yeah, [I am] optimistic about where we are now, and I’d say optimistic and hopeful about where we can go in the future. If you look at the big-picture macro indicators of where things are right now, you’re pretty close to where you’d want to be in an ideal situation. Unemployment rate is very low. Labor force participation is coming back up. Combine those two, you get the employment-to-population ratio, which is I think 61 percent. It is climbing. We’re getting into great numbers. Wages are rising, wages are rising for people at the

bottom. Inflation seems to be right about where the target is. So all of your high-level macro indicators are somewhere between good and great and ideal, which means that if you’re just taking a snapshot of where things are now—I’m thinking back to when we were in policy roles, these are the kinds of numbers you’d love to have when you’re in a policymaking role and you’d love to go tell the boss, “Hey, look at these numbers.” Looking forward, yes there are risks, yes there’s uncertainty, but there are always risks and there is always uncertainty. Let’s not rely too heavily on anyone’s macro forecast, especially if they tell you they’re certain that things have fundamentally changed and they know that things are going to shift in the future. I’m just pessimistic about the ability of any forecasters to see into the future. The reality is most macro forecasters take a ruler and a pencil and they draw a straight line and say, “But there might be shocks.” So there might be shocks. The shocks that would concern me are going to be policy shocks, domestic and global. I’m particularly concerned with domestic policy shocks. Hopefully we’ve all adjusted our expectations to expect a higher level of policy volatility, or at least political volatility. The reality is that, except in a few areas, policy hasn’t been moving very drastically, at least not from a macro or micro sense. We’ve had a few changes. We’ve had changes on the China trade front, but frankly in a lot of areas, micro-economic policy and several important macro-economic policies are stuck, which I find frustrating. My focus would be medium- to long-term. I look on these not so much as problems, but as opportunities for us to make things even better. We can raise future wages, and raise future productivity growth if the government doesn’t borrow as much, if we address the medium-term spending trends in our old-age entitlement programs, if we invest more in physical and human capital in the public and private sector and if we make our economy more productive by lowering some of these barriers to allow businesses and individuals to adjust. The keyword is flexibility. We need a more flexible economy. We need to stop putting barriers in that are keeping people from adapting. In the long run, you have to look at the world is changing, the structure of the world is changing with a rising superpower.

I think it is easy to get sucked into U.S.-versus-China or the different dimensions to that relationship. From my standpoint, the best thing we can do in terms of that superpower relationship and whatever tensions or conflicts we have there is to get our own house in order, because there’s a lot of room for improvement with our domestic policy, which can strengthen us as we’re interacting with the rest of the world. DILSAVER: Have we run out of monetary tools at the [Federal Reserve] if a recession were to hit? Does that mean our interest rates will go to zero or negative like some of the other countries have done? ROMER: What’s certainly true with policy—and interest rates [are] actually very low—we don’t have as much room for conventional monetary policy. Currently, our federal funds rate, which is the interest rate the Fed really targets, is at roughly 1.5 percent. You don’t have a lot of room to take that down. Some countries can take it a little bit negative. You can’t take it a lot negative. We haven’t run out of the ability to use monetary policy. We did cut interest rates over the last year. Things were looking a little shaky and they got better. I think it still is a tool. It still works. We don’t have as much of that conventional tool that we used to have, and most of the projections are we’re not going to quickly go back to where normal interest rates are 4 percent or 5 percent. Ben Bernanke, the former Fed chair, just gave a speech at the American Economic Association talking about that, “Don’t worry, the Fed has other tools.” We do know they have various kinds of unconventional monetary policy, whether it’s making promises of saying, “Promise, we’ll keep interest rates low” or maybe intervening in the market and trying to push down some longer-term interest rates. The trouble is those are unconventional tools. We don’t really understand them. We think they work. We don’t know. I’m pretty sure they don’t work as well as just cutting interest rates. We’re certainly in a world of diminished monetary tools, which just adds to, you don’t want to be in a world of diminished fiscal tools at the same time. HENNESSEY: Yeah. We’re closer to that zero level. [I] agree with everything Christie said. There are other tools that the Fed has. Bernanke’s speech I think is absolutely worth reading. On the list of opportunities to make

policy better, the idea of new ways for the Fed to goose the economy even more is very low on my list. Frankly, it’s a frustration of mine that policymakers in particular in Congress spend so much of their time criticizing the Fed for what they think the Fed should be doing when Congress’s job is to fix fiscal policy, trade policy, tax policy, regulatory policy. Guys, stick to your own knitting, fix that, and then I’m confident that the Fed will have more room and we’ll have a stronger economy where you’ll have less concern about whether or not you need additional tools here. DILSAVER: Talk about the trade deficit. What’s the impact that the trade deficit has on our economy and our ability to have a strong economy moving forward? ROMER: Actually, the trade deficit is—it’s silly that we’ve gotten obsessed with it. We talked earlier about the overall state of the economy, and the unemployment rate is low. We’re probably pretty close, if not at or even a little bit beyond full employment. So it’s not as though the trade deficit is somehow holding us back. I think fundamentally it’s just a reflection of the fact that we are a low-saving country. We’re running big budget deficits, and the rest of the world has a lot more savings, so they’re wanting to buy a bunch of our assets; that’s affecting our exchange rate. I think people have gotten obsessed about the trade deficit and it’s really not what’s driving the rest of the economy. What we should be thinking about are what Keith described as the fundamentals. How do we get productivity up? How do we make sure that workers across the income distribution are seeing productivity change or seeing their

wages go up? How do we make businesses want to invest? Not only is the overall trade deficit not terribly important, the bilateral trade deficit, our trade deficit with a particular country—that’s just a complete red herring that takes us— HENNESSEY: You beat me to that point. ROMER: Go ahead pick up on it. HENNESSEY: I just agree 100 percent with everything Christie just said here. One of the problems with the trade deficit as a measure is sometimes when good things happen that we should feel good about, the trade deficit will increase. Sometimes the trade deficit is increasing because bad things are happening. So saying “The trade deficit is increasing” doesn’t tell me anything useful unless I know why. The amount that we save of our national income is absolutely going to influence the trade deficit, but I’m going to look at national savings, not at the trade deficit. Christie said it, which is the only thing less useful than the overall trade deficit is the idea of a bilateral trade deficit. Was it Samuelson who [said] the line about, “I have a permanent bilateral trade deficit with my barber. He’s never bought anything from me in my life,” but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. [Laughter.] DILSAVER: So the China trade issues you don’t really worry about? HENNESSEY: No, I didn’t say that. I said there’s a specific metric that I wouldn’t use to measure it here. The U.S.-China trade relationship I think of differently from how I think of how the U.S. trades with the E.U. or African countries or Latin America, because here the U.S.-China trade relationship is a subset of a broader set of issues between U.S. and China—North Korea, Uighur Muslims, APRIL/MAY 2020

rising superpower, South China Sea, all of those things. Then, frankly, also China is different in terms of how they’re behaving on the trade stage. So I sound like I am a radical free trader on U.S.–E.U., U.S.–Latin America, on all of those trade issues. I sound a little different when I’m talking about U.S.–China, because it’s part of a different mindset and because they’re behaving differently. DILSAVER: I serve on a board of an international company. We had a lot of business coming from China, and a lot of our business now is moving to Vietnam and Cambodia. I don’t think people realize that China is investing in the infrastructures of those countries so that at some point in time you are going to end up dealing with them. Do you have comments around the trade deal with China? ROMER: The analogy that came to mind is when you’ve been beating yourself over the head for a while, when you stop, it feels really good. I think part of what’s been going on, we’ve just had so much uproar and so much counterproductive tit-for-tats on trade with China. So it’s a great relief that maybe we’re making some progress and that things are simmering down. There’s still a lot to be worked out, but it would be a great relief if we could stop this very counterproductive fight with China over trade. DILSAVER: Let’s talk about how we keep our economy strong. Two big components to that of course are labor participation and productivity. So you’ve mentioned earlier we have a slowing productivity growth. How do we keep it strong? ROMER: If we had the answer to that, we would be able to solve basically all of the world’s problems, right? The thing I think is probably the most frustrating thing to economists is to look to a very poor country, and you wish you had the answer to how do you get your labor productivity up. That’s the [big] question. We do have some things that we are pretty sure work. For example, the government in some ways needs to get out of the way of the true inventors of the world. It’s not just, “Let’s get rid of all regulations.” It’s creating policy stability, creating institutions that put a good base for private investment, private entrepreneurship. So I’m 100 percent behind that, but there are things the government can do. There are things that the government is uniquely able to do.

THE COMMONWEALTH

For example, investment in basic scientific research. No one company is going to do that. You can’t get a patent on some really big scientific idea. So that’s a natural place for the government to be solving a market failure. Individuals invest in their education, but as a society, there’s a reason for all of us to do that because it’s good for everyone. Then I think I’d put infrastructure on the list. You can have some private infrastructure, but by and large, that is a social good and it is best provided by the government for everyone, because everyone benefits from it. HENNESSEY: You need more capital and you need to create the opportunity for more productivity growth. Yes on the infrastructure, yes on the public infrastructure; but for me, I have a 2-by-2 grid in my head: public physical infrastructure, public human capital spending, private capital spending and private human capital spending. Most of our telecom infrastructure is in fact privately owned. The server farms are all privately owned. I think we need to have policies allowing for and encouraging both. Housing, kind of a big issue in this area, right? Most of that is privately built. What we need to do is we need to have policies in place that allow more public infrastructure to be built in less than a decade. Get out of the way so that the private investors who want to create the private investment in the private capital can do so. There’s a solution to the housing problem: Allow people to build more housing. Allow people to put in more telecommunications infrastructure. Allow that capital spending

to happen. Get it so that whatever appeals process you have, it’s a one-time appeals process with a limit of timeframe. It’s absurd that it takes longer to build a mile of subway track in the U.S. than in France. That’s absolutely insane. Then don’t get in the way of people when they want to voluntarily transact. If you want to employ me for six bucks an hour to wash your car, and I want to work for that $6, we should be able to do that. Now, when you preclude us from being able to do that, what you’re doing is you’re closing out the people who are the least employable in society. So people who have prison records, people for whom English is not a first language, people who are teenagers who are first trying to get their job skills, you are saying, “No, we’re not going to allow you to get on that first rung of the ladder of employment to learn those basic job skills, to learn how to show up at work and do a responsible job and learn how to be a good employee. We’re crowding them out.” Similarly, licensing reform. The idea of state policymakers basically saying, “You can’t do this job, you can’t do this job.” Let’s be blunt: Those licensing policies are usually designed by the incumbents who want to protect themselves from competition from others. So the keywords for that productivity growth [are] capital and flexibility. If you have the policies to create the capital and infrastructure, and you allow the economy to be flexible and to adapt and adjust, you’re going to get the productivity growth and you’re going to get the income growth.

The Commonwealth Club of California organizes nearly 500 programs every year on politics, the arts, scinece, media, literature, business, social issues and sports. Programs are held throughout the Bay Area in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Marin County, and the East Bay.

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APRIL/MAY 2020

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1 pm Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg: Solutions to the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond FE

noon Spring Rain: Author and Comic’s Artist Andy Warner FE 2 pm Prime TV Time: What to Watch While Sheltering in Place FE 6 pm Tamim Ansary: Separate Histories with a Common Future FE

10 am COVID-19 and Climate: Implications for Public Health FE noon COVID-19 and the LGBTQI Community FE noon COVID-19: Emerging Tests, Vaccines and Cures FE

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noon The Michelle Meow Show FE 5 pm Fossil Fuels in the Ground and in Your Portfolio FE

noon Author John Scalzi FE

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5:15 Blinding 4 pmp.m. Catastrophe: Flash of the Dialogues onObvious 6:30 p.m. Ben Storytelling and the FranklinMoment— Circles FM Present 6:30 1: p.m. Part The Book of Changemakers: Exodus FE Movement Leaders 6 pm Kitty Ferguson: on Civil Rights in an Stephen Hawking’s Uncivil TimeHears FM Biographer 7:45Music p.m. The Future the of the of America’s Spheres FE Political

6 pm National Poetry Month

6 pm Alice in the Wonderland of Golden Gate Park 6:30 pm The Instagram Story, with Bloomberg’s Sarah Frier FE

noon The Science of 10 a.m. Chinatown Happiness During Walking Tour COVID-19 FE 6:30 p.m. Sallie Krawcheck: The 4 pm Hospitals, Power ofand Women, Doctors Insurers WorkCOVID-19: and Wallet Face 7 p.m. Gopi Reports fromKallayil: the Brain,FE Body and Field Consciousness

noon Relieving Social Isolation Among Seniors FE

6 pm Saving the City: Remaking the American Metropolis

noon Shaid Buttar: Challenging Nancy Pelosi FE

noon The Michelle Meow Show FE

CORONAVIRUS NOTICE The Commonwealth Club postponed or converted to online events all of our April 2020 programs. A decision about May is TBD. Therefore, please note that all programs are subject to change. Find the latest updates to our programming—including new additions—at commonwealthclub.org/online.

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noon Kaiser Family Foundation’s Drew Altman: Health Care in the Coronavirus Era FE 5:15 pm National Alliance on Mental Illness

6:30 pm Socrates Café

6:30 pm Alex Kantrowitz

2 pm San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour 6 pm The Asian Art Museum: Adapting to Cultural Audiences in the 21st Century 6:30 pm Preventing Childhood Trauma

6 pm A Manifesto in Leadership for a Moral Revolution 6:30 pm David Frum

10 am Chinatown Walking Tour 6:30 pm Willie Brown: Annual Commonwealth Club Lecture

6:30 pm A Middle East Forum Discussion 6 pm Man of Tomorrow: The Relentless Life of Jerry Brown 6:30 pm Leslie Blodgett: Dream Big, Work Harder

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2 pm Commonwealth Club Weekly Tour FE 6 pm Dr. Mary Marcy and Dr. Lande Ajose 6:30 pm Crossing Borders

2 pm Commonwealth Club Weekly Tour FE 1 pm Jill Wine Banks

5:15 pm Authentic You from the Inside Out

2 pm Commonwealth Club Weekly Tour FE 6 pm Barton Gellman: Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State

noon Chronicle Food Critic Soleil HO 5:15 pm Poachers, Game Wardens and 150 Years of California Wildfires and Wildlife Law Enforcement 6:30 pm Imperfect Circles

noon The Michelle Meow Show FE 6 pm Jason Valadão, M.D.: Unlocking your Best Productivity

noon The Michelle Meow Show FE 6:30 pm Deborah Gruenfeld: Acting with Power 6 pm Common Space Forum

5:30 pm Commonweealth Club Spring Member Party

6:30 pm Week to Week Political Roundtable and Social Hour

noon Trump and the Middle East 2020 7 pm Being a Better Man with Michael Ian Black

APRIL/MAY 2020

CLUB PROGRAMMING SPOTLIGHTS Climate One

Climate One offers a forum for candid discussion among climate scientists, policymakers, activists and concerned citizens. By gathering inspiring, credible and compelling information, it provides an essential resource to changemakers looking to make a difference. Climate One has brought together game-changing speakers, such as Dan Akerson, chairman and CEO of General Motors, Monsanto Chief Technology Officer Robert Fraley, Center for Food Safety Executive Director Andrew Kimbrell, artist Ai Weiwei, and Dr. Jane Goodall. Climate One is about building bridges and finding common ground.

Inforum An Innovation Lab at The Commonwealth Club

The Inforum division of The Commonwealth Club produces Bay Area events where attendees meet thought leaders in entertainment, tech, food, design, pop culture and politics, and where the audience is often just as inspiring as the thought leaders. Inforum produces individually curated events designed to provide attendees with cutting-edge content and a hands-on educational experience. Its programs include headline interviews, monthly happy hours, public forums, debate discussion groups and post-program socials.

Marin Conversations

Marin Conversations pairs fascinating people for discussions about important topics. In 2019, the Marin Conversation Series is being supported by a major new grant from the Marin Community Foundation (MCF). The support from MCF, along with existing support from Relevant Wealth Advisors and other funders, is enabling the Commonwealth Club to increase the reach, impact and diversity of its Marin programs throughout the year.

Member-Led Forums

Member-led Forums (MLFs) are a volunteer-driven division of Commonwealth Club programming. These diverse and timely programs cover a wide range of topics on an ongoing basis throughout the year. They range from large events to intimate discussions with speakers, from art shows and restaurant visits to book discussion groups. MLFs are volunteer-run, organized by Club members who coordinate programs within specific areas of interest.

Michelle Meow Show at The Commonwealth Club

In 2018, The Commonwealth Club and Michelle Meow teamed up to expand and broaden the Club’s programming of interest to LGBTQ audiences. Each Thursday at noon, Michelle records her “Michelle Meow Show” radio program at the Club, co-hosted by John Zipperer, the Club’s host of its Week to Week Politics Roundtable programs. Join us in-person for upcoming “Michelle Meow Show”s and meet some of the most interesting, intriguing and often controversial people in the LGBTQ community.

Sillicon Valley

Join us for our great programs taking place in the South Bay. Featuring a wide variety of topics, we bring you headliners and fascinating speakers who explore the issues and personalities that are of interest to Silicon Valley—and the nation.

Week to Week Political Roundtable

Since 2012, the Club’s Week to Week Political Roundtable program has brought together audiences and political reporters and academics for a lively, intelligent and fun discussion of recent political news. Panelists with a range of views discuss local, state and national political events and people, explaining the background and impact of the day’s news. Before each program, enjoy a social hour for some relaxing conversation with others who share your interest in politics.

On the Road to Freedom: Native American Voices Understanding the Civil Rights North Dakota, South Dakota & Colorado Movement October 4 - 12, 2020 With Discussion Leader Dakota Wind Goodhouse

Bismarck l Fort Yatesl Keystone l Denver l Del Norte l Ignacio

Discussion Leader Dakota Wind Goodhouse

Dakota is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and a Native American Studies instructor at the United Tribes Technical College, a Native American owned and operated college. He has his M.A in History from North Dakota State University and B.A. in Theology from the University of Mary. Dakota runs The First Scout blog which focuses on Lakota issues and traditional moon counts. Previously Dakota was an interpreter at the State Heritage Center and Museum in Bismarck. He is both Yanktonai and Húŋkphapȟa Lakȟóta, and was raised in Fort Yates on the Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.

What to Expect Please note that our itinerary involves some time driving from city to city, as well as, a fair amount of walking around the sites including some stairs and uneven terrain. Most days have an early-morning start and include a full day’s schedule of activities. Participants must be in good health and able to keep up with an active group. Drive times average is between 3-4 hours per day, sometimes over winding roads. The longest day of driving is 7 hours total with stops for touring along the way. In October the temperatures in the region average in the 55- 65’s (°F) during the day, and 35- 45’s (°F) in the evenings. This program will be covering topics that include violence, and that may be difficult for children. Therefore, we do not recommend this program for people under 16.

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA

KEYSTONE, SOUTH DAKOTA

Independent arrivals into Bismarck. and to the Radisson Hotel Bismarck. Meet at 3:00 with our group to depart for an afternoon visit to the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum. Our discussion leader Dakota Wind Goodhouse will guides us through the museum. End the afternoon meeting with Danielle Ta’Sheena Finn, a citizen of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and an acclaimed activist and artist. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner with fellow travelers. Radisson Hotel D

Today begins with a visit to Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. The reconstructed ‘On-ASlant Indian Village’ provides an excellent introduction to the earth-lodges of the Mandan Indians who occupied this site. Continue driving along Highway 1806, the Standing Rock National Native American Scenic Byway, an 86-mile route that climbs up and down the Missouri River, past buffalo herds and eagle’s nests. History comes alive on this journey where the great Lakota spiritual leader Sitting Bull lived and died.

Sunday, October 4

BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA Monday, October 5

Depart the hotel and drive to Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, a National Parks Service site, which preserves the historic and archaeological remnants of bands of Hidatsa, Northern Plains Indians. This area was once a major trading and agricultural area. Continue on to the Double Ditch Indian Village, a large earth-lodge community inhabited by the Mandan Indians for nearly 300 years, and once a center of trade between the Mandans, their nomadic neighbors, and later, Euro-American traders. End the afternoon meeting with Emma Doll, a Native American who set up the Five Nations Arts Organization, a resource to artists and collectors of Native American art in the region. Also meeting the group will be Cheryl Kary, co-founder of the Sacred Pipe Resource Center (SPRC) which was founded by a group of residents of the Bismarck-Mandan area who are committed to the mission of maintaining a home-away-from-home for off-reservation Native Americans living in the area. Radisson Hotel B,L,D

Tuesday, October 6

Enter the Standing Rock Reservation, home to the Lakota and Dakota people. Meet with Rev. John Floberg, who is deeply committed to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. With the endorsement of the national Episcopal Church, Floberg provided supplies to campers and hosted protestors in his church. Continue on to nearby Fort Yates, the main town of Standing Rock and enjoy a locally cooked lunch at the Community Center. After lunch, visit the original burial site of Sitting Bull who was assassinated on the western part of the reservation. End the afternoon visiting the Standing Rock Tribal Council Offices which were designed following authentic Native American architectural elements. Drive about three hours to our Keystone hotel, tucked deep in the Black Hills. Dinner at our hotel. K Bar S Lodge B,L,D

KEYSTONE, SOUTH DAKOTA Wednesday, October 7

This morning meet with Sequoia Crosswhite, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He is an accomplished musician, grass dancer and historian, as well as an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe and a descendant of Chief War Eagle and Chief Swift Cloud. Drive just over an hour to the inspiring Thunder Valley Community Center. A Lakota run grass roots center with goals to “create models of change that will overpower intergenerational poverty and build momentum towards regional equity.” Head towards the town of Pine Ridge stop-

For additional information or to make a reservation, contact Commonwealth Club Travel Telephone: (415) 597-6720 — Email: Travel@commonwealthclub.org

ping at the site of the Massacre of Wounded Knee in 1890. The “battle” was actually a massacre where hundreds of unarmed Lakota women, children, and men, were shot and killed by U.S. troops. Stop in at the Oglala Tribe Justice Center which houses courtrooms, a short term correctional holding facility, offices for law enforcement and justice officials. Funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the facility is the first of its kind to blend traditional tribal justice concepts with a technologically advanced design. End the afternoon meeting with artist Joe Pulliam Buffalo Dreamer whose work is in the permanent collection of the National Museum of the American Indian. Pulliam has dedicated his art to preserving Lakota culture. K Bar S Lodge B,L

DENVER, COLORADO Thursday, October 8

Accompanied by Sequoia Crosswhite spend the morning visiting the Badlands National Park and stopping at the Wind Cave National Park, an important spot in the Emergence Story. Continue to Denver making a stop in Boulder to meet with the Native American Rights Fund (NARF). NARF has provided legal assistance to Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals who might otherwise have gone without adequate representation involving tribal sovereignty, treaty rights and natural resource protection. Continue to Denver and checkin to our hotel. Enjoy dinner on your own. Downtown Renaissance Hotel B,L

DEL NORTE, COLORADO Friday, October 9

Depart the hotel and meet with Darius Smith director of the Denver Anti-Discrimination Office where he investigates, conducts administrative hearings and mediates civil rights discrimination complaints. Darius also serves as the American Indian Liaison to the Denver American Indian Commission that advocates for social and cultural awareness to promote economic and political equality. After lunch, drive through spectacular landscapes stopping at the Great Sand Dunes National Park, home to the highest sand dunes in

North America. The mountains, forests, and dunes in the park are sacred to the Apache, Navajo, Ute, and Pueblo Indians. Drive on to Del Norte and the Windsor Hotel, one of Colorado’s oldest hotels. Windsor Hotel B,L,D

IGNACIO, COLORADO Saturday, October 10

This morning drive about two hours to Chimney Rock, an intimate, off-the-beaten path archaeological site located at the southern edge of the San Juan Mountains. The site was home to the ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians. Enjoy lunch nearby before driving to Durango and the Native American Center (NAC). The center provides academic, cultural, social, and transitional support for undergraduate Native American students. Continue on to Ignacio and the Sky Ute Casino Resort, located on the Southern Ute Reservation. The oldest continuous residents of Colorado are the Ute Indians. End the afternoon with a discussion focusing on the social and economic impact of Indian gaming. Gaming has had a significant positive economic impact on the Native American community, yet is not without its detractors. We’ll hear from tribal experts on the economic and political realities. Sky Ute Casino Resort B,L

IGNACIO, COLORADO Sunday, October 11

This morning visit the Southern Ute Cultural Center and meet with Linda Baker, director of the Southern Ute Cultural Center. Owned and operated by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to preserve and promote Ute culture. Here we will also meet with Edward Box III, Culture Director of the Preservation Department.

Tour Price Per Person: $4,895 Single Supplement: $880 Based on minimum of 15 travelers Maximum 28 travelers, not including staff.

Tour Price includes: • Accommodations and meals as per itinerary • All sightseeing in an air-conditioned coach • Bottled water on the bus • All entrances and events as listed • Discussion Leader to accompany the group • Pre-departure materials and reading list • The services of a professional tour manager to accompany the group • Gratuities

Does not include: • Airfare to Bismarck and back from Ignacio/Durango • Alcoholic beverages except for wine and beer at welcome and farewell events • Excess luggage charges • Trip Insurance • Items of a purely personal nature

Meet with the staff at the Southern Ute Drum, the tribe’s biweekly community newspaper. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. Sky Ute Casino Resort B,L,D

DEPART

Monday, October 12

Independently transfer to the Durango– La Plata County Airport for flights home. B, Itinerary is subject to change

The Commonwealth Club (CST# 2096889-40) and Distant Horizons, (CST #2046776-40) are California Seller of Travel and a participant in the California Travel Restitution Fund

Native American Voices North Dakota, South Dakota & Colorado

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The Commonwealth Club (CWC) has contracted with Distant Horizons (DH) to organize this tour.

Medical Information: Participation in this program requires that you be in good health. It is essential that persons with any medical problems and related dietary restrictions make them known to us well before departure.

Reservations: A $1,000 per person deposit, along with a completed and signed Reservation Form, will reserve a place for participants on this program. The balance of the trip is due 90 days prior to departure and must be paid by check. Cancellation and Refund Policy: Notification of cancellation must be received in writing. At the time we receive your written cancellation, the following penalties will apply: •91 days or more prior to departure: $500 per person •90-30 days to departure: 50% of fare •29-1 days prior to departure: 100% fare The tour can also be cancelled due to low enrollment. Neither CWC nor DH accepts liability for cancellation penalties related to domestic or international airline tickets purchased in conjunction with the tour. Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance: We strongly advise that all travelers purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance as coverage against a covered unforeseen emergency that may force you to cancel or leave trip while it is in progress. A brochure

Itinerary Changes & Trip Delay: This itinerary is based on information available at the time of printing (January 2020) and is subject to change. We reserve the right to change a program’s dates, staff, itineraries, or accommodations as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed, or the itinerary changed, due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, airline schedules, government intervention, sickness or other contingency for which CWC or DH or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays or changes is not included. The minimum group size of this departure is 20 paying participants, should the number of participants fall below this number, a small group surcharge and/or revised staffing will apply. Limitations of Liability: CWC and DH its Owners, Agents, and Employees act only as the agent for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected with this program (“other providers”), and the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective

services. CWC and DH shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against CWC/DH for any such loss, damage, injury, or death. By registering for the trip, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. CWC/ DH shall not be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the departure city. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the traveler. Reasonable changes in the itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well-being of the passengers. The Commonwealth Club (CST# 2096889-40). Distant Horizons, (CST #2046776-40)

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Dr. Margaret Hamburg 4/1

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 FORMER FDA COMMISSIONER DR. MARGARET HAMBURG: SOLUTIONS TO THE COVID-19 CRISIS AND BEYOND

Margaret Hamburg, M.D., FDA Commissioner under President Obama, 2009–15; Former Health Commissioner, New York City In Conversation with Dr. Gloria Duffy, President and CEO, The Commonwealth Club

Few individuals are as uniquely qualified to provide insight about the coronavirus pandemic as physician Dr. Margaret Hamburg. She is the past commissioner of Public Health for New York City and also the past commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, having served as the chief U.S. official responsible for approving new drugs. She also sits on the board of the organization Ending Pandemics. Dr. Hamburg will be in conversation from Washington, D.C. with Dr. Gloria Duffy, president and CEO of The Commonwealth Club. They will cover the prospects and timing for drug treatments for the coronavirus, how the virus and policies to stop its spread will affect New York, who predicted a pandemic and what advice they gave, and how the coronavirus spread and lessons to learn to prevent future pandemics.

LIVE STREAM • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM • Location: online • Time: noon program • Notes: This program is generously supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and a collaborative of local funders and donors. We are grateful for their support and hope others will follow their example to support the Club during these uncertain times.

THURSDAY, APRIL 2 SPRING RAIN: AUTHOR AND COMICS ARTIST ANDY WARNER

Andy Warner, Comics Artist and Author, Spring Rain, This Land Is My Land and Brief

Histories of Everyday Objects; Contributing Editor, @thenib; Instructor, the Animation Workshop (Denmark) and Stanford University; Twitter @andycomics Michelle Meow, Producer and Host, “The Michelle Meow Show”; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors—Co-Host John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable; Vice President of Media & Editorial, The Commonwealth Club—Co-Host

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, shelter-at-home orders and social distancing practices, The Commonwealth Club postponed or converted to online events all of our April 2020 programs. A decision about May 2020 programming will be made in the near future, based on the advice of health officials and political leaders. Therefore, please note that all programs are subject to change. Find the most recent updates to our programming—including new additions—at commonwealthclub.org/online. Also, most of our online programs are presented free; however, we welcome any support you can provide during this crisis: commonwealthclub.org/ covid19support

@tvbarnagain Inkoo Kang, TV Critic, The Hollywood Reporter; Twitter @inkookang Michael Snyder, Print and Broadcast Pop Culture Journalist, “Michael Snyder’s Culture Blast,” GABnet.net, Roku, Spotify and YouTube. Twitter @cultureblaster John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable—Host

Thanks to the general shut-down and shelter-inplace orders, you’re home— In 2005, Andy Warner now what? went to Beirut, Lebanon, We’re talking with three for a semester studying litTV and media critics about erature. Just 21 years old the television shows and and having recently broken movies that are worth your up with his girlfriend, Wartime. What classic movies ner immersed himself in should you watch? Where the vibrant and diverse city, can you find them? Which quickly befriending a group TV series are worth binge of LGBT students. Amid viewing? What programs their friendships, studying have you overlooked but now have the time to and partying, they also witnessed political as- discover and enjoy? sassinations and bombings once again eruptJoin us for a fun and informative program to ing in Beirut. As the city descended into vi- help us all get through these tough times. olence, Warner felt his grasp on reality slowly LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: 2 p.m. beginning to slip as he dealt with past traumas program and anxiety over his future. Join us for a conversation with Warner about his experiences in TAMIM ANSARY: SEPARATE Beirut and his creative life since. HISTORIES WITH A COMMON LIVE STREAM • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM • Location: online • Time: noon program

FUTURE

Tamim Ansary, Author, The Invention of Yesterday: A 50,000-Year History of Human CulPRIME TV TIME: WHAT TO WATCH ture, Conflict, and Connection and Destiny WHILE SHELTERING IN PLACE Disrupted: A History of the World Through Aaron Barnhart, TV Critic, PrimeTimer; Islamic Eyes Former TV Critic, Kansas City Star; Author, In Conversation With George Hammond, AuHunker-Down TV and Tasteland; Twitter thor, Conversations With Socrates

Join us virtually for a conversation with Tamim Ansary about the patterns he sees in ancient civilizations and in current cultures derived from those historical developments. The four major rivers along which large-scale human civilizations began—the Nile, the Tigris– Euphrates, the Indus and the Huang He— each had characteristic traits that contributed to the underlying cultural assumptions our ancestors made about the nature of reality. Being who we are, mainly concerned with the world as seen through our own culture’s eyes, for most of recorded history each major civilization has seen the other civilizations as

Prime TV Time: What to Watch While Sheltering in Place 4/2

APRIL/MAY 2020

Ken Kelley—COVID-19: Emerging Tests, Vaccines and Cures 4/3

peripheral players on this planet. Ansary shows how we have always been interconnected but that the speed at which that takes place in the 21st century has made many issues worldwide concerns requiring consensus on solutions, including climate change and the spread of deadly viruses. Ansary wants us to understand, in time, that each human civilization we have created mostly has points of similarity with every other civilization in our pursuit of happiness and that it is the points of cultural divergence that are truly peripheral. LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: 6 p.m. program

FRIDAY, APRIL 3 COVID-19 AND THE LGBTQI COMMUNITY

Sean Cahill, Ph.D., Director of Health Policy Research, Fenway Institute; Affiliate Associate Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Northeastern University; Adjunct Associate Professor of the Practice in Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health; Author, “Coronavirus, COVID-19, and Considerations for People Living with HIV and LGBTQIA+ People,” Fenway Institute, March 2020 Roger Doughty, President, Horizons Foundation Kenneth Mayer, M.D., Medical Research Director and Co-Chair, The Fenway Institute; Professor of Medicine, Harvard School of Public Health; Director of HIV Prevention Research and Attending Physician, Beth Israel Lahey Health; Adjunct Professor of Medicine and Community Health, Brown University Scott Nass, M.D., M.P.A., F.A.A.F.P., A.A.H.I.V.S., Program Director, Eisenhower Family Medicine Residency, Rancho Mirage, California; President, GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Healthy Equality; Senior Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity Michelle Meow, Producer and Host, “The Michelle Meow Show,” KBCW TV and TuneIn; Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors—Co-Host John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable; Vice President of Media & Editorial, The Commonwealth Club—Co-Host

Three leading experts will share where we are today, where we are headed, and what it will take to get us there.

LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: noon program • Notes: This program is generously supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and a collaborative of local funders and donors; we are grateful for their support and hope others will follow their example to support the Club during these uncertain times; in association with The Zetema Project

MONDAY, APRIL 6 CATASTROPHE: DIALOGUES ON STORYTELLING AND THE PRESENT nity, and submit your questions for our speak- MOMENT—PART 1: THE BOOK OF ers on our YouTube livestream. EXODUS. LIVE STREAM • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM •

Ronald Hendel, Norma and Sam Dabby Professor of Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies, University of California, Berkeley; Author, The COVID-19: EMERGING TESTS, Book of Genesis: A Biography and How Old Is the Hebrew Bible? VACCINES AND CURES Mark McClellan, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Matthew Zapruder, Associate Professor, Business, Medicine and Policy, Duke Univer- Saint Mary’s College of California; Author, sity; Former Director, Food and Drug Admin- Come On All You Ghosts and Father’s Day istration; Former Director, Center for MediThe catastrophic, overwhelming challenges care & Medicaid Services we are facing globally are manifesting locally— Ken Kelley, Biotech Executive; Former Se- week by week, day by day, hour by hour. Cities nior Advisor on Pandemic Preparedness and are besieged. Economies are failing. Friends are Vaccine Research, the Department of Health dying. As the human toll creeps ever higher, and Human Services and the National Instiit begins to feel as though our very humanitutes of Health ty lies in the balance. How can we preserve it? Greg Burel, President, Hamilton Grace, LLC; Former Director, U.S. Strategic National Although the scale of the COVID-19 disaster is unprecedented, it is worth recalling that this Stockpile Mark Zitter, Founder and Chair, The Zetema is not the first time that human societies have faced catastrophic collapse. What can we learn Project   Location: online • Time: noon program

As the coronavirus spreads rapidly through the population, the United States is racing to provide test kits, develop a vaccine and find treatments. Meanwhile, we’re running dangerously low on supplies, ranging from ventilators and test reagents to gowns and N95 masks. When will we have the test kits we need? Can we develop a vaccine and identify treatments in time to contain the pandemic? Will we have enough ventilators to save patients and sufficient equipment to protect our providers?

The vulnerability of certain populations to the coronavirus COVID-19 has been well publicized—everyone knows seniors and people with asthma, diabetes and certain other conditions are in the most danger from the virus. But less well-known is the virus’ impact on LGBTQI communities. Join us for a discussion with experts about how this virulent disease impacts this commu-

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

Kitty Ferguson 4/6

from those who have come before us? The Commonwealth Club and UC Berkeley’s Townsend Center for the Humanities invite you to take part in Catastrophe: Dialogues on Storytelling and the Present Moment, a series of conversations that will examine catastrophe and the essential role that stories play in helping us to face and survive catastrophe. Bringing together (remotely, of course) internationally known humanities scholars from UC Berkeley and prominent figures from the Bay Area arts community, this series is an opportunity to share knowledge and renew hope by discussing literary accounts of catastrophic change, ranging from Ancient Egypt to Bronze Age Troy and from Imperial Rome to colonial America. Please join Townsend Center scholar Ron Hendel and poet Matthew Zapruder to discuss the Book of Exodus. Ron and Matthew will look at and listen to the poetry at work in the Exodus account of the collapse of pha-

IMPORTANT NOTICE raoh’s Canaanite empire and the subsequent rise of Israel. Their conversation will bring the power of that poetry and the cultural memories embedded within it to bear on the precarious nature of our present moment. LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: 4 p.m. program

KITTY FERGUSON: STEPHEN HAWKING’S BIOGRAPHER HEARS THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES

Kitty Ferguson, Professional Musician, Author, Stephen Hawking: A Life Well Lived and The Music of Pythagoras In Conversation With George Hammond, Author, Conversations With Socrates

nesses and entire industries have effectively shut down overnight, citizens have been asked to stay at home and limit social interaction as long as they can, and essential workers are risking their health every day on the frontlines of this global crisis. Negative emotions like fear, stress, anxiety and depression are inevitable and can overwhelm even the most optimistic of people. What can we do to nurture our happiness during these unprecedented times? Dr. Dacher Keltner joins INFORUM to answer that question. Dr. Keltner is the professor behind the popular course “The Science of Happiness” at UC Berkeley and is the founding director of the Greater Good Science Center where he blends scientific research with human empathy to create a healthier society. Kelter will share stories, tips and resources to help listeners cope with issues like talking to your children about COVID-19, finding connection while social distancing, managing financial stress and much more. We will learn not only how to survive during this time of unrest, but how, together, we can thrive in it.

Join us virtually for a Monday Night Philosophy conversation with Kitty Ferguson about the life and scientific theories of Stephen Hawking, whom she first met in 1988. That encounter began her mid-life transition from being a professional singer, music teacher and Juilliard graduate to an explainer of difficult scientific concepts and Hawking’s biographer. We will also discuss her nine other books, which she wrote in the clearest possible manLIVE STREAM • INFORUM PROGRAM • Locaner, translating from the “language” of mathe- tion: online • Time: noon program • Notes: maticians, scientists, and other experts into the This program is generously supported by the language of the rest of us, without dumbing Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and a collaborative down the ideas. There is nothing more Py- of local funders and donors. We are grateful for thagorean than that combination of clarity, their support and hope others will follow their theoretical science and music, and Ferguson’s example to support the Club during these unchildhood and family life, even more than her certain times. formal education, prepared her well for mergCOVID-19 PROGRAM ing all three talents. LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: 6 p.m. program • MLF: Humanties • Program organizers: George Hammond

Speakers TBA

TUESDAY, APRIL 7 THE SCIENCE OF HAPPINESS DURING COVID-19

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 RELIEVING SOCIAL ISOLATION AMONG SENIORS

Dacher Keltner, Ph.D, Founding Director, Greater Good Science Center; Professor of Psychology, University of California Berkeley; Host, “The Science of Happiness” Podcast

See website for event details

LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: TBA

Patrick Arbore, Ed.D., Director and Founder, Elderly Suicide Prevention and Grief Related Services at Institute on Aging and the Friendship Line The COVID-19 pandemic has affected al- John Blazek, M.S., J.D., Chief Development Ofmost every facet of human life. Schools, busi- ficer, On Lok; Executive Director, 30th Street

Senior Center Emma Davis, MFT, Director of Programming, Rhoda Goldman Plaza Andy Gaines, Executive Director, Ashby Village Katie Hafner, Journalist; Author—Moderator

Through the adept facilitation of journalist Katie Hafner, the audience will hear directly from four expert panelists from four key service organizations that are helping to connect older adults at risk of social isolation. Village organizations, assisted living communities, phone line support services and senior centers are facing new challenges to support and connect at-risk older adults and disabled people in this time of social distancing and self-quarantine. Each of the four types of organizations is different. Learning how all four are working from different angles to meet the challenge of social isolation posed by this epidemic will give a sense of what is possible—and hopefully will generate ideas to open even more avenues for socialization. To bring it all together, Commonwealth Club president and CEO Dr. Gloria Duffy will give us her family’s firsthand perspective of living with her aging mother who suddenly finds herself separated from the groups and activities that would routinely bring connection and variety to her life. LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: noon program • Notes: This program is generously supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and a collaborative of local funders and donors; we are grateful for their support and hope others will follow their example to support the Club during these uncertain times

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 SHAHID BUTTAR: CHALLENGING NANCY PELOSI

Shahid Buttar, Candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives, CA D–12; Former Director of Grassroots Advocacy, Electronic Frontier Foundation Michelle Meow, Host, “The Michelle Meow Show” (Radio and KBCW TV) John Zipperer, Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable—Co-Host

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is one of the most powerful politicians in the country, and she regularly wins reelection with more than 70 percent of the vote. But in 2018, Shahid Buttar garnered more votes than any other candidate who has challenged her from the left. He is running again in 2020, and he’ll join us to explain why he thinks he’s the candidate APRIL/MAY 2020

Robert Hirst: Editing Mark Twain’s Papers 4/9

to replace Pelosi in Congress.

LIVE STREAM • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM • Location: online • Time: noon program

ROBERT HIRST: EDITING MARK TWAIN’S PAPERS

Robert Hirst, General Editor, Mark Twain Project; Curator, Mark Twain Papers In conversation with George Hammond, Author, Conversations With Socrates

Join us virtually for a conversation with Robert Hirst about the millions of words Mark Twain wrote—but left behind for Hirst and his team to organize. The Mark Twain Project at UC Berkeley’s Bancroft Library started with a core collection transferred in 1949 to UC Berkeley by Clara, Mark Twain’s sole surviving daughter. For the last four decades, the ever-growing archive of original and photocopied documents, unpublished manuscripts and thousands of letters, as well as the editorial project to create a digital record of everything Mark Twain wrote, have both been under Hirst’s direction. That project included publishing Mark Twain’s complete autobiography in 2010, 100 years after he died—a century’s wait required by Twain’s desire to save his heirs from being lynched. Hear a great storyteller tell great stories about one of America’s greatest authors. LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: 6 p.m. program • MLF: Humanities • Program organizer: George Hammond

THURSDAY, APRIL 16 FOSSIL FUELS IN THE GROUND AND IN YOUR PORTFOLIO

Lori Keith, Portfolio Manager, Parnassus Investments.

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

Lori Keith 4/16

Join us for an online conversation with one of the biggest names in science fiction—bestselling author John Scalzi. He has entertained millions of fans with his hugely popular Old Man’s War series of books and other novels, earned himself two Hugo awards, and regularly engages and occasionally enrages the science fiction world with his lively blog on whatever. scalzi.com. His new novel, The Last Emperox, caps off his Interdependency trilogy that began with The Collapsing Empire and The Consuming Fire. In this final volume, Emperox Grayland must pull out all of the stops to save as much of humanity from the collapsing network that unites human worlds; she is opposed by forces who want to destroy her and could end up Catherine Reheis-Boyd, President, Western destroying human civilization in the process. States Petroleum Association Don’t miss this discussion with the witty, Anne Simpson, Director, Board Governance outspoken and talented John Scalzi. & Strategy, CalPERS LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: noon Greg Dalton, Founder and Host, Climate One

When institutional investors divest from fossil fuel companies does it have more than symbolic impact? Universities, pension funds and other asset managers have hopped on the divest–invest bandwagon. Critics say selling fossil fuel stocks just makes them cheaper for others to buy and doesn’t affect the financial health of oil and gas companies. Supporters say it’s a moral move that also makes financial sense because burning all the carbon on the balance sheets of listed energy companies will destroy human civilization as we know it. What’s the bottom line on divestment? What should you do with your portfolio? Join a conversation about financing the transition to a cleaner economy with Lori Keith, portfolio manager at Parnassus Investments, Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president of the Western States Petroleum Association, and Anne Simpson, director of board governance & strategy at CalPERS. LIVE STREAM • CLIMATE ONE PROGRAM • Location: online • Time: noon program • Notes: This program is generously sponsored by Bank of the West

FRIDAY, APRIL 17 AUTHOR JOHN SCALZI: THE LAST EMPEROX

program

MONDAY, APRIL 20 THE INSTAGRAM STORY, WITH BLOOMBERG’S SARAH FRIER

Sarah Frier, Technology Reporter, Bloomberg; Author, No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram Molly Wood, Host and Senior Editor, “Marketplace Tech”; Co-Host, “Make Me Smart with Kai and Molly”—Moderator

In a short 10 years, Instagram has grown from a simple idea for sharing photos to an application with more than 1 billion monthly users and company growth that has surpassed many other tech giants. At the same time, this exponential success has been accompanied by a dramatic acquisition by Facebook in 2012 and the Instagram co-founders stepping down in 2018. Award-winning technology reporter Sarah Frier helps bring some clarity to the mysteries surrounding the tech giant. She’ll share stories taken from the Instagram influencers and celebrities who have helped drive the app to such rapid growth, the employees and executives who watched from behind the scenes, and the Instagram founders who give insight into the growth and change of the service. Join INFORUM as Frier draws from her expertise in technology to navigate through this diverse cast of sources to paint a picture of how Instagram evolved to shape the online experience and dramatically change how millions of people engage with society.

John Scalzi, Author, The Last Emperox, Old Man’s War, Lock In, Fuzzy Nation, and Redshirts; Twitter @scalzi John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable; Vice President of Media & Editorial, The Commonwealth Club—Moderator LIVE STREAM • INFORUM PROGRAM • Loca-

IMPORTANT NOTICE

John Scalzi 4/17

community, and have your questions ready. See commonwealthclub.org/mms.

LIVE STREAM • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM • Location: online • Time: noon program

MONDAY, MAY 4 KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION’S DREW ALTMAN: HEALTH CARE IN THE CORONAVIRUS ERA

tion: online • Time: 6 p.m. program • Notes: Frier photo by Jeff Singer

THURSDAY, APRIL 30 THE MICHELLE MEOW SHOW

Speaker TBA Michelle Meow, Producer and Host, “The Michelle Meow Show” (Radio and KBCW TV)— Co-Host John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable—Co-Host

Join us for a taping of Michelle Meow’s long-running radio show. Meet fascinating and often controversial people discussing important issues of interest to the LGBTQ

Drew Altman, Ph.D., President and CEO, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation In Conversation with Mark Zitter, Chair, the Zetema Project

structures, streets and public squares. Hear about the famous architects who influenced the rebuilding of San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake. Discover hardto-find rooftop gardens, art deco lobbies, unique open spaces and historic landmarks. It’s a tour for locals, with hidden gems you can only find on foot!

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: Galleria Park Hotel, 191 Sutter St., San Francisco • Time: 1:45 p.m. check-in, 2–4:30 p.m. walk • Notes: The tour involves walking up and down stairs but covers less than one mile of walking in the Financial District; the tour operates rain or shine; limited to 20 participants; tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at check-in; walks with fewer than six participants will be canceled (you will receive notification of this at least three days in advance)

American health care has seen dramatic changes over the past decade. Obamacare reduced the number of uninsured, but rising prices and deductibles have made care unaffordable for many. Medicaid has become the nation’s largest payer. Now the coronavirus pandemic is challenging the health-care system in unprecedented ways. How will the health-care system—and THE ASIAN ART MUSEUM: ADAPTING American voters—respond? TO CULTURAL AUDIENCES IN THE LIVE STREAM • Location: online • Time: noon program

21ST CENTURY

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

In a smaller, more interconnected world defined by accessible travel and immediate communications, what is the current and future role for museums in presenting a curated cultural experience? San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum has many audiences, and those audiences are changing. What might have made for a blockbuster art exhibit a few years ago is no longer a sure bet. Jay Xu will speak to the changing needs and expectations of arts audiences in the Bay Area and around the globe. Learn about short- and long-term strategies for connecting with all kinds of culture consumers, and get a sneak peek at the Asian Art Museum’s upcoming exhibitions and transformed visitor experience. Hear about the vision for the role of the Asian Art Museum in the 21st century.

Gigi R. Crowder, Executive Director, NAMI Contra Costa; Former Ethnic Services Manager, Alameda County Behavioral Health Services

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 4:45 p.m. check-in, 5:15 p.m. program • MLF: Psychology • Program organizer: Patrick O’Reilly

TUESDAY, MAY 5 S.F. ARCHITECTURE TOUR

Explore San Francisco’s Financial District with historian Rick Evans and learn the history and stories behind some of our city’s remarkable Sarah Frier 4/20

Jay Xu, Ph.D., Barbara Bass Bakar Director and CEO, the Asian Art Museum

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6 p.m. program • MLF: Asia-Pacific Affairs • Program organizer: Lillian Nakagawa, Jim Brown APRIL/MAY 2020

IMPORTANT NOTICE

DESTINATION HEALTH: PREVENTING CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

the future of health, featuring in-depth conversations on the challenges to physical, mental, and social health

Tony Hopson Sr., President and CEO, Self Enhancement Inc. Margaret Laws, President and CEO, HopeLab WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 Tom Insel, M.D., Mental Health Czar, State of California; Former Executive Director, Nation- COMMONWEALTH al Institute of Mental Health CLUB WEEKLY TOUR Amit Paley, CEO and Executive Director, The Every Wednesday at 2 Trevor Project p.m., we’re giving members Jayne O’Donnell, Health Care Reporter, USA and nonmembers behindToday—Moderator

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control, more than 60 percent of children in the United States experience at least one traumatic experience while growing up and almost 1 in 6 experience four or more. These traumatic experiences include abuse, household dysfunction, neglect, and other distressing events. Research shows that trauma has an impact on the developing brain, setting the stage for future mental and physical health risks, such as alcoholism and drug abuse, heart and lung disease, depression, suicidal behavior, and stroke. How can community support systems make an impact? What research and school-based resources build resiliency for children and drive positive outcomes? Join a diverse panel of subject matter experts as they discuss the role of communities, schools, and families in eliminating this health crisis. Together, we will explore new ways of breaking inter-generational cycles of childhood trauma. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in; 6:30 p.m. program • Notes: This is the third event in Kaiser Permanente’s yearlong Thought Leadership series on

cadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program

CROSSING BORDERS: HOW WILL TODAY’S POLICIES OF EXCLUSION RESHAPE THE FUTURE OF CALIFORNIA AND THE BAY AREA?

the-scenes tours of our home at 110 The Embarcadero. See website for panelists Join us for a complimentary On January 25, 2019, the tour of our beautiful headU.S. Department of Homequarters on San Francisco’s land Security announced a waterfront. new policy called Migrant At our state-of-the-art Protection Protocols, collogathering space, which feaquially known as “Remain tures a rooftop terrace with in Mexico,” which in its first unobstructed views of the 10 months banished over Bay Bridge and San Francis56,000 asylum seekers to co Bay, you can learn about Mexico for the duration of our storied history and the their immigration proceedmany amenities of being a ings. In 2020, the Trump Club member. administration set the lowContact our front desk for additional tour dates and for other infor- est cap on refugee admissions since the United States Refugee Act of 1980 and expanded the mation. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embar- so-called Muslim ban to include six additional cadero, Osher Lobby, San Francisco • Time: 1:45 countries across Africa and Asia. p.m. check-in, 2–3 p.m. tour Join us to learn: What are the newest challenges faced by immigrants and asylum seekDR. MARY MARCY AND DR. LANDE ers? How are individuals and organizations in AJOSE: SUSTAINABILITY, STUDENT the Bay Area successfully defending the rights of immigrants and refugees? And what can we SUCCESS AND THE FUTURE OF do to create a welcoming, equitable and incluHIGHER EDUCATION Mary Marcy, Ph.D., President, Dominican sive region for newcomers? University of California; Author, The Small Come hear from a panel of community, College Imperative: Models for Sustain- legal and policy experts in conversation with able Futures immigrant leaders who advocate for the just In Conversation with Lande Ajose, Ph.D., Setreatment of refugees and immigrants in our nior Policy Adviser for Higher Education for country. Governor Gavin Newsom

With costs rising, traditional college student populations shrinking and pundits predicting that huge numbers of colleges will close in the next few decades, small colleges cannot afford to pretend that business as usual can sustain them. What role will they continue to play, and what will generally be the future of higher education given the challenges colleges face, with escalating costs and student success in the balance? Come for an engaging conversation between two seasoned experts.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program • Notes: This event is the latest in The Commonwealth Club and San Francisco Foundation’s series on People, Place and Power

THURSDAY, MAY 7 CHRONICLE FOOD CRITIC SOLEIL HO: FOODIE WITH AN AGENDA

Soleil Ho, Restaurant Critic, San Francisco Chronicle; Twitter @Hooleil Michelle Meow, Producer and Host, “The Michelle Meow Show” (Radio and KBCW TV); SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embar- Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Gov-

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

Dr. Mary Marcy: Sustainability, Student Success and the Future of Higher Education 5/6

Poachers, Game Wardens and more . . . 4/7

ernors—Co-Host John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to IMPERFECT CIRCLES John Zipperer, Host, Week to Week Political George Hammond, Author, Conversations Week; Vice President of Media and Editorial, Roundtable; Vice President of Media & Edi- with Socrates and Rational Idealism—Mod- The Commonwealth Club—Moderator/Host torial, The Commonwealth Club—Co-Host  erator We will discuss the biggest, most contro-

The San Francisco Chronicle entered a new era of restaurant criticism in 2019 when longtime critic Michael Bauer retired and was succeeded by Soleil Ho. Quick to set herself apart from her predecessor, Ho freely mixes thoughts on racism, cultural appropriation and other hot-button topics into her reviews. Join us for a conversation with a young— and controversial—voice in the Bay Area’s boisterous food culture. SAN FRANCISCO • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Max Thelen Boardroom, San Francisco • Time: 11:30 a.m. check-in, noon program

POACHERS, GAME WARDENS AND 150 YEARS OF CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES AND WILDLIFE LAW ENFORCEMENT

Capt. Patrick Foy, Law Enforcement Division, California Department of Fish and Wildlife

Since 1871, when the first California game warden was sworn in here in San Francisco, game wardens have kept several iconic California species from going extinct: bighorn sheep, antelope, elk and sturgeon. Capt. Patrick Foy will describe how game wardens, fire fighters and agencies together defend against damages and threats to our natural resources, land and homes across our state, deserts, mountains, rivers and 200 miles out to sea, defending people right here in San Francisco.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6 p.m. program • MLF: Environment & Natural Resources • Program organizer: Ann Clark

Are you a person who never tires of talking or thinking about philosophical, scientific or religious theories? Are you interested in psychological insights, or attempts at such insights, into human life? There are many who would insist that being realistic about human life means you should ignore such fundamental questions—starting around the time the ink dries on your diploma. But it is unrealistic to ignore the fundamental explanatory concepts that underlie each successful human civilization; these concepts sometimes help and sometimes hinder us in our pursuit of happiness. Such profound questions are naturally provoked simply by living an alert life. There are millions of realistic people, of all ages and walks of life, who also find it impossible to delegate to one infallible authority or another the task of providing all the answers to such questions. Life is not totally chaotic, even though it looks that way sometimes. Therefore, it’s helpful to be aware of any subtle patterns to our experiences. Rejoin the continuing conversation of human civilization—this time at The Commonwealth Club. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Max Thelen Boardroom, San Francisco • Time: 6:15 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program • MLF: Humanities • Program organizer: George Hammond

FRIDAY, MAY 8 WEEK TO WEEK POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE AND SOCIAL HOUR 5/8/20

Panelists TBA

versial and surprising political issues of the day with expert commentary by panelists who are smart, are civil and have a good sense of humor. Our panelists will provide informative and engaging commentary on political and other major news, and we’ll have audience discussion of the week’s events and our live news quiz! Join us for our pre-program members social hour, open to all attendees. SAN FRANCISCO • WEEK TO WEEK PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in and social hour, 6:30 p.m. program • Notes: Each attendee receives two free tickets for a glass of wine or soft drink during our social hour

MONDAY, MAY 11 SOCRATES CAFÉ

One Monday evening of every month the Humanities Forum sponsors Socrates Café at The Commonwealth Club. Each meeting is devoted to the discussion of a philosophical topic chosen at that meeting. The group’s facilitator, John Nyquist, invites participants to suggest topics, which are then voted on. The person who proposed the most popular topic is asked to briefly explain why she or he considers that topic interesting and important. An open discussion follows, and the meeting ends with a summary of the various perspectives participants expressed. Everyone is welcome to attend. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Max Thelen Boardroom, San Francisco • Time: 6 p.m. check-in, 6:30–8 p.m. program • APRIL/MAY 2020

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Jacqueline Novogratz 5/12

shown that about a third of the electorate refuses to abandon Donald Trump, no matter what he does. Frum argues that those voters aren’t looking for policy wins; they’re seeking cultural revenge. Join us as Frum looks at the causes of our national fragmentation and lays out a plan to restore a democracy at home.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: Marines’ Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street, San Francisco• Time: 5:30 p.m. checkin, 6:30 p.m. Program, 7:30 p.m. book signing • Notes: Photo by Michael Bennett MLF: Humanities • Program organizer: George Hammond

Kress

WED., MAY 13 TUESDAY, MAY 12 COMMONWEALTH A MANIFESTO IN LEADERSHIP FOR A CLUB WEEKLY TOUR MORAL REVOLUTION Every Wednesday at 2

Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO, Acumen; Author, Manifesto for a Moral Revolution: Practices to Build a Better World

p.m., we’re giving members and nonmembers behindthe-scenes tours of our home at 110 The Embarcadero. Join us for a complimentary tour of our beautiful headquarters on San Francisco’s waterfront. At our state-of-the-art gathering space, which features a rooftop terrace with unobstructed views of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco Bay, you can learn about our storied history and the many amenities of being a Club member.

Acumen CEO Jacqueline Novogratz’s work began when she left Wall Street to open Rwanda’s first microfinance institution. This experience inspired her to start Acumen, bringing business acumen to international partnerships. She brings an essential look at leadership ideas for everyone who wants to do good in this world. Her book Manifesto for a Moral Revolution: SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The EmbarPractices to Build a Better World delivers her cadero, Osher Lobby, San Francisco • Time: 1:45 insights in overcoming difficulties and the p.m. check-in, 2–3 p.m. tour mindset needed to rise above them, whether ascending the corporate ladder or bringing so- JILL WINE BANKS Jill Wine Banks, Legal Analyst, MSNBC; Aular energy to rural villages. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6 p.m. program, 7 p.m. book signing • MLF: Business & Leadership • Program organizer: Elizabeth Carney

DAVID FRUM

David Frum, Senior Editor, The Atlantic; Author, Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

parts—and prevailed.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 11 a.m. checkin, noon program, 1 p.m. book signing • Notes: Part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation; photo by Julie Kaplan Photography

THURSDAY, MAY 14

THE MICHELLE MEOW SHOW

Speaker TBA Michelle Meow, Host, “The Michelle Meow Show” (Radio and KBCW TV); Member, Commonwealth Club Board of Governors—Co-Host John Zipperer, Host, Week to Week Political Roundtable—Co-Host

Join us for a taping of Michelle Meow’s long-running radio show at The Commonwealth Club of California. Meet fascinating and often controversial people discussing important issues of interest to the LGBTQ community, and have your questions ready. See this week’s speaker details at commonwealthclub.org/mms.

SAN FRANCISCO • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Max Thelen Boardroom, San Francisco • Time: 11:30 a.m. check-in, noon program

thor, The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President

Obstruction of justice, the specter of impeachment, sexism at work, shocking revelations: Jill Wine-Banks takes us inside her trial by fire as a Watergate prosecutor. It was a time, much like today, when Americans feared for the future of their democracy, and women stood up for equal treatment. At the crossroads of the Watergate scandal and the women’s movement was a young lawyer barely 30 years old and the only woman on the team that prosecuted the highest-ranking White House officials. Called “the mini-skirted lawyer” by the press, she fought to receive the respect accorded her male counter-

Jill Wine-Banks 5/13

For current prices, call 415.597.6705 or go to commonwealthclub.org

JASON VALADÃO, M.D.: UNLOCKING YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY

BEING A BETTER MAN WITH MICHAEL IAN BLACK

Jason Valadão, M.D., Physician, U.S. Navy; Personal Growth Coach; Author, Exceptional Every Day: An Empowering Process to Unlock Your Why and Transform Your Life

Jason Valadão has overcome numerous challenges—serving in the U.S. Navy as a flight officer during operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and currently as a doctor of family and sports medicine; teaching and mentoring at several universities, including in the department of naval science at UC Berkeley (where he also spent three years as a faculty fellow and volunteer with the football team’s coaching staff and earned a master’s degree in education); and surviving cancer. His passion for leadership and personal growth led Valadão to become a certified coach, speaker and trainer, mentoring people on their journeys toward personal growth and development. Come hear his inspirational story and his tips for how he says we all can unlock our best productivity. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. book signing • Note: This program is part of the Club’s series on Ethics and Accountability, underwritten by the Travers Family Foundation

FRIDAY, MAY 15 TRUMP AND THE MIDDLE EAST 2020

Eran Kaplan, Ph.D., Rhoda and Richard Goldman Professor in Israel Studies, San Francisco State University Banafsheh Keynoush, Ph.D. Author, Saudi Arabia and Iran Eddy Simonian, International Relations Graduate, University of San Francisco Jonathan Curiel, Journalist—Moderator

tech reporter as he reveals the inner workings of Amazon, Facebook, Google, Apple and Microsoft, whowing how to compete with the Michael Ian Black, Comedian; Actor; Writer Michael Ian Black has spanned almost every tech titans using their own playbook. area of entertainment—comedy, acting, writ- SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embaring, directing. In these areas, Black has shown cadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Franthe world his incredible range, in witty perfor- cisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. promances such as the satirical comedy Wet Hot gram, 7:30 p.m. book signing American Summer, strong stand-up acts such TUESDAY, MAY 19 as “Very Famous” and “I Am a Wonderful Man,” and a range of heart-warming children’s CHINATOWN WALKING TOUR Enjoy a Commonwealth Club neighborbooks. Now Michael Ian Black ventures down a hood adventure. Join Rick Evans for a memnew road in his book A Better Man: A (Mostly orable midday walk and discover the history Serious) Letter to My Son, structured as a letter and mysteries of Chinatown. Explore colorful to his son before he goes off to college. Black stresses love and care in response to a culture of masculinity and challenges the assumptions that have pervaded society’s gender expectations. He draws on his past experiences and bares his thoughts in a work that stands uniquely in touch with how we can structure societal change. Join us to hear more about the next piece in Black’s wide-reaching career as he weaves together advice and comedy to reach parents, as well as those simply looking to learn how we can change our societal presumptions of gender and relationships. SAN FRANCISCO • INFORUM PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 6 p.m. check-in, 7 p.m. program • Notes: This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation

MONDAY, MAY 18 ALEX KANTROWITZ

Alex Kantrowitz, Senior Technology Reporter, BuzzFeed News; Author, Always Day One: How the Tech Titans Plan to Stay on Top Forever; Twitter @Kantrowitz In Conversation with Sukhinder Singh This is the fourth annual panel about how Cassidy, President, StubHub; Twitter the Trump presidency is affecting the Middle @sukhindersingh

East. Some experts still believe that Trump is destabilizing the region with his impulsive decisions, dangerous rhetoric and actions, while others believe that he is making America safer. Our distinguished panel of Middle East experts will continue the conversation. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 11:30 a.m. check-in, noon program • MLF: Middle East • Program organizer: Celia Menczel

At Amazon, “day one” is code for inventing like a startup, with little regard for legacy. Day two is, in Jeff Bezos’s own words, “stasis, followed by irrelevance, followed by excruciating, painful decline, followed by death.” Most companies today are set up for day two. They build advantages and defend them fiercely, rather than invent the future. But Amazon and fellow tech titans Facebook, Google and Microsoft are operating in day one: They prioritize reinvention over tradition and collaboration over ownership. Join us for a conversation with an acclaimed

Jason Valadão, M.D.: Unlocking Your Best Productivity 5/14

APRIL/MAY 2020 APRIL/MAY 2020

alleys and side streets. Visit a Taoist temple, an herbal store, the site of the first public school in the state and the famous Fortune Cookie Factory.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: Starbucks, 359 Grant Ave., San Francisco (corner of Grant and Bush, near Chinatown Gate) • Time: 9:45 a.m. check-in, 10–12:30 p.m. walk • Notes: The temple visit requires walking up three flights of stairs; the tour operates rain or shine; limited to 12 participants; tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at check-in; walks with fewer than six participants will be canceled (you will receive notification of this at least three

style. The face of aging for women is changing and the options are limitless. Let us help you begin a journey toward being more confident, authentic and fulfilled!

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 4:45 p.m. check-in, 5:15 p.m. program • MLF: Grownups • Program organizer: Denise Michaud

THURSDAY, MAY 21 THE MICHELLE MEOW SHOW

Speaker TBA Michelle Meow, Producer and Host, “The days in advance) Michelle Meow Show” (Radio and KBCW TV); Member, Commonwealth Club Board of GovWILLIE BROWN: ANNUAL ernors—Co-Host John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to COMMONWEALTH CLUB LECTURE Willie Brown, Former Mayor, San Francisco; Week Political Roundtable; Vice President of Media & Editorial, The Commonwealth Former Speaker, California State Assembly Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Club—Co-Host

will give his annual lecture on national and regional political trends in 2020. A two-term mayor of San Francisco, legendary speaker of the California State Assembly and widely regarded as one of the most influential African-American politicians of the late 20th century, Brown has been at the center of California politics, government and civic life for five decades. Come hear his thoughts as we head toward the presidential election.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check in, 6:30 p.m. program • Notes: Members only program plus guest

WEDNESDAY, MAY 20 AUTHENTIC YOU FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Stephanie O’Dell, Fashion Stylist and Brand Adviser/Consultant, Celebratethegray.com Julia Lucia Raina, CPCC, Transformational Coach, LiveAligned.net

In midlife, women can experience many transitions. Whether in your 50s or beyond, how can you empower yourself to take control of the next phase of your journey? How can you let go of society’s fearful, outdated messages about aging and move forward with confidence and ease into the most powerful time of your life? It all begins with authenticity. What’s most important to you now? Does your style express who you are on the inside? We will show you some empowering tools for discovering the values that drive your decisions and understanding the stories that influence your perception of your shape and

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

long-running radio show at The Commonwealth Club of California. Meet fascinating and often controversial people discussing important issues of interest to the LGBTQ community, and have your questions ready. See this week’s speaker details at commonwealthclub.org/mms. SAN FRANCISCO • MICHELLE MEOW PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Max Thelen Boardroom, San Francisco • Time: 11:30 a.m. check-in, noon program

DEBORAH GRUENFELD: ACTING WITH POWER

Deborah Gruenfeld, The Joseph McDonald Professor and Professor of Organizational Behavior, Stanford Graduate School of Business

Grounded in more than two decades’ worth of scientific research and inspired by the popular class of the same name at Stanford’s GradJoin us for a taping of Michelle Meow’s uate School of Business, Acting with Power offers a new and eye-opening paradigm that overturns everything many people thought they knew about the nature of power.   Although many people may feel powerless sometimes, Gruenfeld says we have more power than we tend to believe. That’s because power exists in every relationship, by virtue of the roles we play in others’ lives. But it isn’t a function of status or hierarchy. Rather, it’s about how much we are needed, and the degree to which we fulfill our responsibilities. Power isn’t a tool for self-enhancement or a resource for personal consumption. It’s a part you play in someone else’s story. SAN FRANCISCO • INFORUM PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. book signing

COMMON SPACE FORUM

Miri Miller, Co-Host, Common Space Forum Tobias Snyder, Co-Host, Common Space Forum James Xiao, Co-Host, Common Space Forum

This program is for all curious members of society who are eager for civil peer-to-peer discussion but are concerned with the lack of such conversation in our busy everyday lives. Every third Thursday of the month, the Common Space Forum offers an open debate for you and your peers to talk through topics that range from automation’s effects on the job market to climate change. Here’s how it works: Before the event, members elect a single news topic to focus on. Then Wille Brown: Annual Commonwealth Club Lecture 5/19

For current prices, call 415.597.6705 or go to commonwealthclub.org

the moderators will send out relevant materials, including podcasts, news articles, short videos and an easy-to-read fact sheet with the bare necessities. So even if you are unfamiliar with the topic, you can quickly be brought up to speed and join the conversation. The goal is to have an informal but informative discussion where anyone can speak and everyone will listen. Bring your curiosity, your ideas and the desire to talk about anything but the daily travails of pop entertainers. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Max Thelen Boardroom, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6–7:45 p.m. program • MLF: Humanities • Program organizer: George Hammond • Notes To be added to the mailing list, subscribe at commonspaceforum. com/contact

TUESDAY, MAY 26 MIDDLE EAST FORUM DISCUSSION

The Middle East Forum Discussion group, which primarily covers the Middle East, North Africa and Afghanistan, has been meeting for over 12 years. We do not debate. We discuss political and cultural subjects in a civil atmosphere with respect for others and their opinions. Those interested in contributing to our

conversation and learning more about the regions we cover are encouraged to attend.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Max Thelen Boardroom, San Francisco • Time: 4:30 p.m. check-in, 5 p.m. program • MLF: Middle East • Program organizer: Celia Menczel

MAN OF TOMORROW: THE RELENTLESS LIFE OF JERRY BROWN

Jim Newton, Continuing Lecturer, Department of Communication, UCLA; Author, Man of Tomorrow

IMPORTANT NOTICE Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, shelter-at-home orders and social distancing practices, The Commonwealth Club postponed or converted to online events all of our April 2020 programs. A decision about May 2020 programming will be made in the near future, based on the advice of health officials and political leaders. Therefore, please note that all programs are subject to change. Find the most recent updates to our programming—including new additions—at commonwealthclub.org/online. Also, most of our online programs are presented free; however, we welcome any support you can provide during this crisis: commonwealthclub.org/ covid19support

sightedness and pragmatism helped restore the California economy, balance the state budget, combat climate change and defend immigrants’ rights. Newton reveals the blueprint of Jerry Brown’s offbeat risk-taking: equal parts fiscal conservatism and social progressivism. Newton also reveals other sides of Brown, whose defeat on the national stage did nothing to diminish the scale of his political, intellectual and spiritual ambitions, and whose legacy demonstrates how politics might once again be effective in the future.

Governor Jerry Brown is no ordinary politician. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: Much like the state of Cal110 The Embarcadero, Toni ifornia over which he govRembe Rock Auditorium, San erned, he is eclectic, brilFrancisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. liant, unpredictable and check-in, 6 p.m. program, 7 sometimes weird. Newton p.m. book signing • MLF: Huexplains how Jerry Brown manities • Program organizextended but still radically altered the legacy of er: George Hammond his father, Governor Pat Brown. In his 16 years as governor (from 1975–1983 and 2011– LESLIE BLODGETT: 2019), Jerry Brown’s blend of compassion, far- DREAM BIG, WORK HARDER Leslie Blodgett, Author, Pretty Good Advice

The New York Times called Leslie Blodgett the “queen of beauty” and the most influential lone woman to impact the beauty industry since Estée Lauder. Blodgett’s story is anything but ordinary. As the CEO of BareMinerals, she reinvented how beauty was sold by tapping into the power of community before the idea of social media existed. In 2006, Blodgett took the company public in one of the largest cosmetic IPOs of the decade, and in 2010, the company was acquired for $1.8 billion.     Join INFORUM for a conversation with Blodgett as she dishes on leading with humor, why wearing blush and reading obituaries are two of the most optimistic things you can do, and why you owe it to your co-workers not to be boring. SAN FRANCISCO • INFORUM PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. checkin, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. book signing

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 COMMONWEALTH CLUB WEEKLY TOUR

Every Wednesday at 2 p.m., we’re giving

Authentic You from the Inside Out 5/20

For current prices, call 415.597.6705 or go to

members and nonmembers behind-the-scenes tours of our home at 110 The Embarcadero. Join us for a complimentary tour of our beautiful headquarters on San Francisco’s waterfront. At our state-of-the-art gathering space, which features a rooftop terrace with unobstructed views of the Bay Bridge and San Francisco Bay, you can learn about our storied history and the many amenities of being a Club member. SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Osher Lobby, San Francisco • Time: 1:45 p.m. check-in, 2–3 p.m. tour

BARTON GELLMAN: EDWARD SNOWDEN AND THE AMERICAN SURVEILLANCE STATE

Barton Gellman, Investigative Reporter; Writer, The Washington Post; Author, Dark Mirror: Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State

While a reporter at The Washington Post, Barton Gellman was one of three journalists Edward Snowden picked to review the vast and explosive archive of highly classified files revealing the extent of the American government’s access to our every communication. Those three shared the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for their work. But that was only the beginning for Gellman. He went on to dig deeper into U.S. surveillance practices and Snowden’s own complicated history. As he sought the truth,

Barton was harassed with legal threats, government investigations and foreign intelligence agencies intent on stealing his files. Come for a detailed look at Edward Snowden as well as Gellman’s own cloak-anddagger experience of being surveilled by unknown adversaries.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Toni Rembe Rock Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6 p.m. program • Notes: This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation; Gellman photo by Robin Davis Miller

TUESDAY, JUNE 2 WEEK TO WEEK POLITICAL ROUNDTABLE AND SOCIAL HOUR 6/2/20

commonwealthclub.org

day with expert commentary by panelists who are smart, are civil and have a good sense of humor. Our panelists will provide informative and engaging commentary on political and other major news, and we’ll have audience discussion of the week’s events and our live news quiz! Come early for our pre-program members social hour (all attendees welcome).

SAN FRANCISCO • WEEK TO WEEK PROGRAM • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in and social hour, 6:30 p.m. program • Notes: Each attendee receives two free tickets for a glass of wine or soft drink during our social hour

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

Panelists TBA John Zipperer, Producer and Host, Week to ALL THAT GLITTERS CLOSING Week; Vice President of Media and Editorial, RECEPTION Phillip Hua, Artist The Commonwealth Club—Moderator/Host

Please join us for the closing reception of Join us as we discuss the biggest, most controversial and surprising political issues of the Philip Hua’s exhibition “All that Glitters.” The artist will discuss the nature of his works as it relates to our natural environment and the economy. His photomontages interweave images of nature celebrated against a backdrop of stock indexes from financial newspapers. The relationship between nature and finance raises questions: What do we value? What do we prioritize? What are willing to sacrifice for one or the other? The artist asserts, “I want viewers to be lured by the beauty of nature and ensnared by the conscience of conservation.” SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Farmer Gallery, San Francisco • Time: 5–7 p.m. program • MLF: Arts • Program organizers: Robert Melton, Lynn Curtis

LATE-BREAKING EVENT SUZANNE NOSSEL

Suzanne Nossel, CEO, PEN America; Author, Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All

See back cover for description.

SAN FRANCISCO • Location: 110 The Embarcadero, Taube Family Auditorium, San Francisco • Time: 5:30 p.m. check-in, 6:30 p.m. program, 7:30 p.m. book signing

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

Barton Gellman 5/27

For current prices, call 415.597.6705 or go to commonwealthclub.org

The Commonwealth Club was made for times like this. Since 1903, the Club has helped inform the community and helped form plans for dealing with crises of every kind. World War I • The Spanish Flu epidemic The Great Depression • World War II • Watergate 9/11 • The Great Recession • COVID-19 We connect people with the experts and the facts so that we can solve problems. Together. ••• With the loss of ticket revenue and private event rentals, The Commonwealth Club needs your help to ensure we can continue to play a vital role in this crisis. Please consider a donation of any size: commonwealthclub.org/covid19support ••• And engage with us online—follow us share our videos and event posts with your friends and family. youtube.com/commonwealthclub facebook/thecommonwealthclub Twitter.com/cwclub instagram.com/cwclub ••• Stay connected with each other and with The Commonwealth Club. We thank you for your suppport.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER APRIL/MAY 2019 2020

INSIGHT Elder Financial Abuse Growing Despite Protections Dr. Gloria C. Duffy, President and CEO

n December, The Commonwealth Club, with the San Francisco Bar Association and California Judges’ Association, assembled a distinguished panel to address how judicial elections are affecting the independence of the California judiciary. Moderated by retired Santa Clara County Judge LaDoris Cordell, this forum shed light on a difficult legal topic, and the podcast has been listened to widely. Another topic of concern with the legal system is the status of protections to defend seniors who are being subjected to financial or other elder abuse. Over the past two decades, California has made important progress in recognizing elder abuse as an intolerable violation of human rights. Partly as a result of three legislative bills my friend Steve Riess wrote in 2007 and 2008—CA SBs 611, 1140 and 1136—a framework has been established in both civil and criminal law to stop elder financial abuse. Mechanisms now in use include elder financial abuse restraining orders, conservatorships, forensic accountings, guardians ad litem for elders and other protections for vulnerable seniors. But increasingly, this system is subject to delays, objections and legal machinations that undermine the protections the legislature has adopted and that California courts are trying to implement for seniors. A result of the financial abuse laws is that more law firms now offer to represent clients on elder financial abuse. If some family members, including financial abusers themselves, don’t agree with the legal steps being taken to protect a senior, they can hire legal counsel to fight the protections, adding to the abuse by actually charging the assets of the senior for the legal costs of their opposition. Trial lawyers have gotten involved in representing those who oppose efforts to protect the elderly, sometimes treating these cases like typical contract or tort disputes. Some of these attorneys, irrespective of the vital issues around protecting vulnerable seniors, may prolong cases for years, running up legal costs of hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars, which the senior being protected often must pay. This has led to the egregious situation that seniors subjected to financial abuse can be further abused through the very process designed to protect them. What if, even though elder abuse is illegal and by law must be stopped, families or others trying to stop elder financial abuse decide not to use the legal process to protect abused seniors, because the senior stands to lose more through seeking legal protections than through the financial abuse itself? One thing legislation should not do is be counterproductive to its intent. Judges currently have only a few mechanisms to deal with this situation. Some jurisdictions have had elder courts that allowed

THE COMMO N WE AL TH

specialized focus on elder abuse cases. Almost 20 years ago, Alameda County Judge Julie Conger founded the first elder court in the nation, and a decade ago, now-retired Judge Joyce Cram founded an elder court in Contra Costa County. Judges can dismiss attorneys who are not acting in the interest of the Photo courtesy of Gloria Duffy protected seniors but are dissipating their estates through specious filings and large legal fees. Judge Cram practiced this approach, when she was on the bench, as has Judge Donna Petre of Yolo County. But as the elder financial abuse issue has receded from public sight, the judicial mechanisms to protect seniors have weakened. The elder courts no longer exist. Judges are rarely able to dismiss attorneys. It is clear that additional tools and approaches are needed. Because the issue in these cases is elder financial abuse, should parties opposing or attempting to disrupt conservatorships or other protections be able to dissipate the victim’s funds to pay for their legal opposition? Should attorneys be required to be admitted to practice before courts in the elder law field only based on certain qualifications and ethics screening? Are new legislative measures needed to strengthen the legal protections for seniors? Do elder financial abuse cases belong in the criminal justice system, rather than in civil court? There is clearly a behavioral health aspect to these cases, since family members or other parties involved in financial or other abuse may suffer from mental illness. Should there be behavioral health courts to handle protections for abused seniors, or should these cases involve behavioral health evaluations? To help address this situation, we are collecting information about cases where the courts are not able to stop the financial abuse of seniors because of the way the legal system is responding. We will look at best practices, identify judges and families who have been able to take effective actions to stop the ongoing financial abuse of seniors and make their strategies more widely known. And we will open a discussion about needed reforms. If you know of a case like this, or if you have expertise or concerns and would like to be part of this project, please write me at padubato@ commonwealthclub.org or call at 415-597-6721.

Chile TOTA L S O L A R E C L I P S E DECEMBER 8-16, 2020

• Travel with David Baron, journalist, science reporter, and author of the award-winning book, “American Eclipse” which follows the 1878 eclipse that crossed the US Wild West. • Explore Santiago and Valparaiso. See Volcan Villarrica, and soak in the healing mineralrich hot springs of the Termas de Huife. • Experience the total solar eclipse in one of Chile’s most stunning regions – laden with lakes and volcanos. • Enjoy three nights at our comfortable tented camp directly in the “path of totality” of the total solar eclipse. An optional post -trip extension to Patagonia is available.

Brochure at commonwealthclub.org/travel

| 415.597.6720

travel@commonwealthclub.org CST: 2096889-40

To purchase tickets:

The Commonwealth Club of California

visit commonwealthclub.org or call (415) 597-6705 or call (800) 847-7730

P.O. Box 194210 San Francisco, CA 94119

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TUESDAY, MAY 12

Details on page 32

FRIDAY, MAY 15

MICHAEL IAN BLACK

DAVID FRUM

Comedian; Actor; Writer

Senior Editor, The Atlantic; Author, Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy

Michael Ian Black has spanned almost every area of entertainment—comedy, acting, writing, directing. In these areas, Black has shown the world his incredible range, in witty performances such as the satirical comedy Wet Hot American Summer, strong stand-up acts such as “Very Famous” and “I Am a Wonderful Man,” and a range of heart-warming children’s books.

David Frum says President Donald Trump has undermined America’s democratic traditions. At every step, he was aided by Republicans who have given up on winning power the democratic way. Polls have repeatedly shown that about a third of the electorate refuses to abandon Donald Trump, no matter what he does. Frum argues that those voters aren’t looking for policy wins; they’re seeking cultural revenge. Join us as Frum looks at the causes of our national fragmentation and lays out a plan to restore a democracy at home.

THURSDAY, MAY 14

Details on page 36

SUZANNE NOSSEL

CEO, PEN America; Author, Dare to Speak: Defending Free Speech for All

At a time when free speech is often pitted against other progressive axioms— namely diversity and equality—Suzanne Nossel argues that the drive to create a more inclusive society need not, and must not, compromise robust protections for free speech. Nossel warns against the increasingly fashionable embrace of expanded government and corporate controls over speech, warning that such strictures can reinforce the marginalization of lesserheard voices. She argues that creating an open market of ideas demands aggressive steps to remedy exclusion and ensure equal participation.

Details on page 33

Join us to hear more about the next piece in Black’s wide-reaching career as he weaves together advice and comedy to reach parents, as well as those simply looking to learn how we can change our societal presumptions of gender and relationships. TUESDAY, MAY 19

Details on page 34

WILLIE BROWN

Former Mayor, San Francisco; Former Speaker, California State Assembly

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown will give his annual lecture on national and regional political trends in 2020. Come hear his thoughts as we head toward the presidential election.