91´«Ã½

CHICAGO - Rich Harwood, described as “one of the great thinkers in American public life,” is the featured speaker in 91´«Ã½ President Molly Raphael’s President's Program at 91´«Ã½ Midwinter Meeting from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 22. Over the past 20 years, Harwood has become a leading national authority on improving America’s communities, raising standards of political conduct and re-engaging citizens on today’s most complex and controversial public issues. He is the president and founder of – a catalytic nonprofit dedicated to helping people imagine and act for the public good, putting innovative practices to use on the ground.

Harwood’s unique voice encourages people to “make good on their urge to do good” and make a difference using the “turn outward” approach – a guide to making public life more hope-filled. He has inspired thousands of people to step forward and take action rooted in their community, staying true to themselves. Harwood is an expert contributor on media outlets including MSNBC, NPR, The Christian Science Monitor, CNN's Inside Politics, The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, Special Report with Brit Hume, C-SPAN and many others. He is also the author of "Hope Unraveled: The People’s Retreat and Our Way Back" (2005), "Make Hope Real: How We Can Accelerate Change for the Public Good" (2008) and numerous studies, articles and essays chronicling vital issues of our time. His most recent written work is "Why We’re Here: The Powerful Impact of Public Broadcasters When They Turn Outward," is being published and distributed in spring 2011. You can follow Harwood on Twitter and

is in Dallas, Jan. 20-24, 2012. We encourage you to so you don’t miss out on this chance to join the conversation as you enrich your career and your library.