Civics in Action (CivAc) is a leadership and professional communication initiative of the Claremont Colleges Debate Union, centered at Claremont McKenna College. The program is designed to teach core communication and organizational skills for effective club, organization, and project management, including persuasive speaking (extemporaneous address, roundtable discussion, town hall meeting, multimedia presentation), argumentation and critical thinking, and essay writing. In addition, CivAc organizes training seminars and workshops, sponsors social and political advocacy programs, hosts academic conferences, and coordinates networking events for students and career professionals.

College and secondary school students are invited to participate in CivAc; guests are welcome for most events. Programming is conducted in partnership with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and educational institutions.

This year’s programs begin in November 2015 and continue through Summer 2016. Major events include a Conference on Nuclear Politics, Healthy Eating Initiative, Student Club/Organization Management Initiative, FirstReporters! Project, and trainings and small-scale leadership and community action projects for new participants.