Whitburn Center
2026 CommUnity Conference: Civic Health in Wisconsin and Beyond
Monday, April 27th, 2026
UW Oshkosh, Reeve Memorial Union
748 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI 54901
About the Event
The CommUnity Conference is a day-long conference for dialogue and learning about Civic Engagement and Civic Health in Wisconsin, hosted in Oshkosh by the Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research at UW-Oshkosh as part of its Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust (WisACT) project.
This is the first event of this kind and includes a collaboration with the UW-Madison Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies on some of the day’s activities. The conference brings together expert speakers, leaders from national nonprofits, students, scholars, and community members.
Follow this link to learn more about the main event: https://commnsknowledge.wisc.edu/community-conference/
Agenda
8:30-9:00 AM: Registration (Reeve Ballroom 227)
9:00-9:20 AM: Opening and Welcome with Coffee and Pastries (Reeve Ballroom 227)
9:20-10:35 AM: Morning Session 1:
- 1A: The Carter Center Workshop, Part 1 – “Youth Engagement, Generational Polarization, and Mental Health” – Led by Tochi Ezeokonkwo (Reeve 212)
Learn more about Session 1A
Staff from the Strengthening Trust and Resilience (STAR) program at The Carter Center — a nonprofit founded by President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn over 40 years ago to resolve conflicts, advance democracy, protect human rights, prevent disease, and improve mental health and support for caregivers in over 90 countries (including to address conflict and threats to democracy in the U.S. since 2020, funding and supporting WisACT since 2024) — will lead a workshop designed to help participants understand and deal with intergenerational political polarization and its impact upon the mental health of younger people. - 1B: “How Elections Work in Wisconsin” Panel (Reeve 221)
Learn more about Session 1B
In this session, a bi-partisan panel from the Democracy Defense Project will explain the nuts and bolts of election administration in Wisconsin and offer practical legislative fixes to address factors that reduce faith in election processes. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how elections work, and how trust in Wisconsin’s electoral process can be improved.
Panelists for Session 1B Include :
Tochi Ezeokonkwo
The Carter Center
Tom Barrett
Former Milwaukee Mayor
Scott Klug
Former Republican Congressman
- 2A: The Carter Center Workshop, Part 2 – “Learning From ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland” panel and healing & dialogue circles – Facilitated by Tochi Ezeokonkwo (Reeve 212)
Learn more about Session 2A
Five members of WisACT’s new Community Resilience Team participated in “Political and Religious Healing in a Contested Space: A Learning and Planning Retreat” hosted by Rethinking Conflict and The Carter Center (TCC) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from March 21-28, 2026. Several of the participants will serve as panelists for a discussion about their experiences and how what they learned applies to the Wisconsin case, moderated by STAR team staff from TCC. They will then facilitate a dialogue and healing circle related to political and religious conflict. - 2B: “Community Resilience During an Immigration Crisis” Panel – Moderated by Juan Garcia Oyervides, Assistant Professor of Spanish and Director of Chicana/o & Latinx Studies Program (Reeve 221)
Learn more about Session 2B
A panel comprised of leaders of public and nonprofit organizations will discuss the facts about, experiences with, and local approaches to addressing the federal government’s ongoing law enforcement operations targeting immigrants to the U.S.
WisACT participants in Belfast conference, at reception with UK officials at Hillsborough Castle, King Charles’s residence in Northern Ireland
Panelists for Session 2B Include:
Gordon Hintz
Winnebago County Executive
Dr. Chu May Paing
Executive Director of the Winnebago Area Literacy Council
Dr. Bryan Davis
Oshkosh Area School District Superintendent
Moderator: Dr. Juan Garcia Oyervides
Assistant Professor of Spanish and Director of Chicana/o & Latinx Studies Program
12:15-1:55 PM: Lunch and Keynote (Reeve Ballroom 227)
- “Local to Global: Flash Talks on Local and Regional Programming + Reflections from Global Colleagues.” Stream from UW Madison
- 3A: “Governance Models: Different Approaches to Public and Nonprofit Board Governance” Panel (Reeve 212)
Learn more about Session 3A
In this session, a panel of public and nonprofit governance researchers and practitioners will explain different models of board governance. Specifically, panelists will discuss the pros and cons of legacy models like policy governance, and the viability of emerging models focused on community participation. Attendees will leave with an understanding of how governing board operates, and how they can better represent the communities they serve. - 3B: Youth Civic Engagement through Environmental Issues – Interactive Roundtables (Reeve 221)
Learn more about Session 3B
Join students from UWO and Lakeland University and our partner, Root Change, to explore youth civic engagement through the Wisconsin Labs for Environment and Democracy (WiLEAD) Program. Over the course of the semester, student teams have been conducting “lean experiments” on campus and in the community to test approaches to addressing polarizing environmental issues. In this first session, you’ll dive into the issues that students worked on, including road salt, invasive species, water quality, food waste, regenerative agriculture, and indigenous medicinal gardens, and how they chose to engage with the community around their topic.
3:20-4:30 PM: Afternoon Session 2:
- 4A: “Know Your Rights and How to Support Immigrants” Workshop – Presented by Molly Smiltneek, Immigration Attorney (Reeve 212)
Learn more about Session 4A
Led by immigration attorney Molly Smiltneek, JD, this session will provide practical information about individual rights, ways to respond safely and responsibly, and how neighbors can stand alongside immigrant families with knowledge and compassion. - 4B: Change Levers for Democracy, Civic Engagement, and Environmental Issues – Interactive Roundtables (Reeve 221)
Learn more about Session 4B
Building on session 3B, students from UWO and Lakeland University and our partner, Root Change, will host topical conversations on change levers for advancing environmental issues and democratic processes. Using student projects from WiLEAD as starting examples, roundtable discussions will explore themes such as bridging, narrative change, and behavior change. We invite participants to bring their own stories and examples of the table topics, beyond the student examples. Attendance at the first session is not mandatory, but will help to provide more background of the student projects.
Please Note: Y-ACT posters will be on display all day in the ballroom and Y-ACT Fellows will be at their posters during the breaks.
5:30 PM: Social Hour with WisACT Awards at Beckets, 2 Jackson St. Oshkosh, WI 54901
Please nominate a person or organization for our first WisACT award here!
Molly Smiltneek
Immigration Attorney
Parking will be free across the street from Reeve Memorial Union in lot 15.
Hosted by the Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research in partnership with the UW Madison Center for Community & Nonprofit Studies and the Wisconsin Alliance for Civic Trust (WisACT). Co-sponsored by the Center for Civic and Community Engagement.
Conference admission costs are being generously covered by sponsors.