Update: the TED Discussion for June 2021 has been rescheduled from Sat June 19 to Saturday June 12 due to a conflict. Please make a note of the new date.

The League of Women Voters of New Castle County invites you to our monthly TED Discussion, held on third Saturdays via Zoom web conference. Please pre-register using the link provided.

The meeting format is to watch the TED Talk and then discuss the "Ideas Worth Sharing." Contact Kay Palmer for details.

June Topic - A better 911 response strategy?

Weekly we are hearing of awful events in which policing meets mental health emergencies. All too often the outcome is the needless loss of a life. Presenter, Leslie Herod, in her TED Talk: What If Mental Health Workers Respond to Emergency Calls”, offers a different solution to what currently exists in most cities. That is the co-responder model. This is a straightforward, research-backed approach that brings heart and humanity to criminal justice instead of the traditional fines, arrests, and killings. Join us for a discussion on this innovative approach that supports the people in 911 situations to get the best response for their needs.

Leslie Herod was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2016. She is the first LGBTQ+ African American to hold office in Colorado. As a state representative she has advocated for criminal justice reform, mental health, addiction, youth homelessness, civil rights protections, economic development and more.

Pre-register for this thought-provoking ZOOM presentation and discussion using the link provided.

More about our TED Discussions

The monthly TED Talk discussion continued through COVID 19 pandemic. Though the format changed from in person to Zoom discussion, it did not change the quality of the conversations. The virtual format made it easier for some to attend who may not have if it had meant traveling to a location.

In following the tradition of the discussion group, the Saturday morning discussion included a balance of issues currently under consideration in the Delaware legislature, LWV key focus areas, and current event interest areas. TED Talk presenters include former Vice President; Al Gore, first Special Presidential Envoy for Climate; John Kerry, and climate activist; Greta Thunberg as well as Gloria Steinem, Nisha Anand, and CNN contributor and Lead Supreme Court counsel; Neal Katyal. The original format continues with the group watching an inspiring, thought-provoking video from TED.com together, and then discussing what resonated with them.

The discussions are typically smaller groups which affords great discussions that can include everyone. A highlight was when six students from Padua Academy joined the conversation for the Gloria Steinem discussion at the suggestion of one of their teachers. It was a poignant moment to realize that they were only vaguely familiar with Gloria Steinem! It was great to have their perspective.

If you have suggestions for TED topics that you would be interested in, please pass your ideas along our moderator, Kay.