Featured chapter: CCL Chicago

CCL Chicago volunteers (l to r) Sumaya Mitchell, Dana Nehls, Samantha Centerbar, and Jenna Cohen

By Joe Tedino, CCL Chicago

The Chicago chapter of CCL hosted a public screening in March of the documentary “Join or Die,” which says joining a group is one of the keys to democracy.

The 2023 award-winning film focuses on the importance of joining a club and why “the fate of America depends on it,” according to the film’s producers, the siblings Rebecca and Pete Davis. The film distills into 99 minutes the research and concepts from the book Bowling Alone by political scientist Robert Putnam, who believes social capital is the basis of good government and good lives.

The CCL chapter-building event was hosted at the historic Davis Theater in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood. Mike Holler, a chapter leader, said the screening drew 85 attendees. Among them were Andy Miles, executive producer at progressive radio station WCPT 820 AM, and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, a Democrat representing Illinois’ 5th Congressional District.

Congressman Mike Quigley (l) with CCL members Mike Holler, Michelina Boehmer and Mike Zanillo

Congressman Quigley gave brief remarks before the lights went down and commended CCL for its advocacy, saying, “I respect so much of what you do, and those acts matter so much more now than ever.” He told a story of his high school days when his biology teacher gave him a book about the environment and mentored him for four years about why it matters. “He said, ‘Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot save the world. You can, and you have a moral responsibility to try.’”

A Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Quigley is a longtime member of the Sierra Club and champion of environmental causes. “Every year, I lead a delegation to a different national park showing them the effects of climate change on our national treasures,” Quigley said. Quigley has opened his office year after year to CCL members for climate policy discussions. He reiterated that openness to the group last month.

As he wrapped up his remarks before the film, Quigley recommended turning off the news from time to time and focus instead on things that bring joy. “We have to keep reminding ourselves why all this matters,” he said.

The documentary features interviews with Putnam, Hillary Clinton, former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg and former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. The film looks at the decline in membership in organizations across society – from the PTA to the Lions Club to bowling leagues – and suggests that democracy depends on people gathering in real life to talk and work together to solve problems. The film’s producers encourage civic organizations to host public screenings.

CCL Chicago’s volunteers span the city’s five Congressional districts. In the past 12 months, volunteers have made climate presentations to community organizations and schools, partnered with the Chicago Parks Department to help restore trails at Burnham Park, hosted a climate gaming event featuring the cooperative board game Daybreak about stopping climate change, and helped out monthly at the Pilsen Food Pantry – sorting, organizing, and distributing fresh food and other items to improve health and social outcomes for disadvantaged residents.