Engage ICT

Citizens and voters face monumental choices on issues that will define our future, and there is a great need for broader understanding of how what happens at the polls affects you. That's why, in January of 2016, KMUW launched Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap.

These monthly community conversations feature a panel of local experts and topics that touch your daily life. Engage ICT events are free and open to all.

For our next event, we're partnering with 1A Across America to present Women in Politics.

1A's Joshua Johnson will guest host this conversation at the Crown Uptown Theatre on Tuesday, October 8, at 6:00 p.m.

Ways to Connect

Engage ICT: Mayoral Candidate Debate
Jordan Kirtley / KMUW

KMUW hosted a mayoral debate on Tuesday, Sept. 10, as part of Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap in partnership with the Wichita Eagle and the Kansas Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. 

Candidates Jeff Longwell and Brandon Whipple answered questions submitted by KMUW listeners, readers of the Wichita Eagle, and SPJ members.

The debate was broadcast live on KMUW 89.1-FM and streamed via Facebook Live. Watch the video here:

Democracy On Tap: Riverfront Legacy Master Plan

Torin Andersen / KMUW

The topic for Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap on August 13, 2019, was the Riverfront Legacy Master Plan. Wichita community organizations are developing a comprehensive vision and master plan for future development on the east bank of the Arkansas River, with a focus on the area south of Douglas Avenue to Kellogg and east to Main Street. We discussed what a Riverfront Legacy Master Plan could mean for surrounding communities and Wichita's future generations, and how community members can share their input.

Panelists:

Democracy On Tap: Vaccinations
Torin Andersen / KMUW

The topic for July's Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap was vaccinations, and not just measles and the flu. There are a lot more vaccines than you may realize, for people of all ages. Our panel of experts shared information about those various vaccines, and why so many children in public school don't have all their shots.

Panelists:

  • Dr. Gretchen Homan – KU School of Medicine Wichita
  • Dr. Sheri Tubach - Kansas Department of Health and Environment
  • Kimber Kasitz, BSN, RN – USD 259

Democracy On Tap: Waste Not, Want Not
Torin Andersen / KMUW

The topic for June's Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap discussion was Waste Not, Want Not. Our expert panel talked trash. Trash reduction, that is. We took a look as what we toss for the sake of convenience and alternatices for the different forms of waste we produce. 

Panelists:

Democracy On Tap: Climate Change And The Economics Of Environmentalism
Torin Andersen / KMUW

For our May Democracy on Tap event, we covered two related topics: climate change and the economics of environmentalism. We had a panel for each topic and a brief video break in between. The panelists were:

Climate Change

The Economics of Environmentalism

Democracy On Tap: Effective Ways To Reach Your Reps
Torin Andersen / KMUW

Your voice matters, but is your message reaching the right ears? On March 12, Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap presented a discussion on effective ways to raise your voice and reach your representatives. 

Panelists:

  • Janice Bradley, Local Activist
  • Dalton Glasscock, Sedgwick County Republican Party Chairman
  • Jessica Lucas, VP of Watkins Public Strategies
  • Lavonta Williams, Former City Councilmember

Here's the audio from the event:

 

Democracy On Tap: Education Funding
Jordan Kirtley / KMUW

The Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on the 2019 legislative session continued on February 12 at Roxy's Downtown with a discussion focused on education funding. A new governor could mean changes to education funding in Kansas. What implications could these changes have on area schools? We spoke with those who know.

Panelists:

  • Cory Gibson, Valley Center Public Schools superintendent
  • Celia Llopis-Jepsen, Kansas News Service reporter
  • Lynn Rogers, Kansas lieutenant governor
  • Susan Willis, Wichita Public Schools chief financial officer 

Democracy On Tap: Medicaid Expansion
Jordan Kirtley / KMUW

Our mini-series on the 2019 legislative session began on January 15, at the first Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap event of 2019. Our panelists discussed the topic of Medicaid expansion, including where Kansas now stands, how the topic will play out in Topeka and what major health care changes might be in store if expansion is approved.

Panelists:

  • Teresa Lovelady, HealthCore Clinic
  • Cindy Samuelson, Kansas Hospital Association
  • Tom Shine, KMUW
  • Sheldon Weisgrau, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas

Here's the audio of the event:

 

Here's the discussion that aired on Facebook Live:

Democracy On Tap: The Fate Of Century II
Jordan Kirtley / KMUW

On December 11, the Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on community building concluded with a conversation on the fate of Century II. Our panelists discussed the future of the iconic building and what's at stake.

Panelists:

 

  • Karla Fazio, Century II Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Mary Beth Jarvis, Century II Citizens Advisory Committee
  • Mitch Southerland, Music Theatre Wichita
  • Larry Weber, Century II Citizens Advisory Committee

Democracy On Tap: #Activism
Jordan Kirtley / KMUW

On November 13, the Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap mini-series on community building continued with a conversation on #Activism. Our panelists discussed social media activism, its trends and effectiveness.

Panelists:

  • Shea Blevins
  • Diana Hartman
  • Madeline McCullough
  • Joseph Shepard

Here's the audio of the event:

 

Here's the video of the event that aired on Facebook live:

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