[FRESNO PACIFIC UNIVERSITY] — At a time when many Americans are lamenting the state of U.S. democracy, dozens of English- and Spanish-speaking Central Valley residents gathered in solidarity to study timeless lessons on confronting tyranny.

Organizers from three states traveled in to help train more than 70 Central Valley IAF institutional members and guests during a two-day civic leadership training held October 10–11. The training drew from one of America’s most pivotal founding documents: The Declaration of Independence.

Friday evening opened with breakout reading groups discussing chapters from Harvard professor and historian Danielle Allen’s acclaimed book Our Declaration. A role-playing exercise surfaced the challenges of consensus-building and group power dynamics, sparking rigorous discussion and personal reflection.

Saturday’s sessions built on these themes, offering both philosophically grounding and practical tools for organizing within one’s own institution.

The weekend culminated in the unveiling of a region-wide house meeting campaign—what Central Valley IAF leaders are calling the Pathway to Power—as the next major step toward a Founding Convention on May 3, 2026.

To learn more about future trainings and how to participate in upcoming house meeting conversations, please contact Associate Organizer Kristine Hadeed at kristine dot hadeed at gmail dot com.