Cochrane IDEAS is inviting people to celebrate 15 years of discussion and the sharing of views, which will take place Friday, Sept. 12 at St. Andrew’s United Church, starting at 7 p.m.
Admission is free, but donations are welcome to cover the rental costs.
Andy Marshall is one of the coordinators with IDEAS. He said the club is an informal discussion group that will take on just about any topic.
“We are a safe place for people to offer their views. There are no correct answers or views on matters,” he said.
The celebration will be a chance to acknowledge some of the people who helped found IDEAS in 2000.
Speakers include Derek Dunwoody, former minister at All Saints Anglican Church in Cochrane who now resides in Victoria B.C., Warren Harbeck author of weekly column in the Cochrane Eagle called ‘Coffee with Warren’, David Sweeney who has been the coordinator for IDEAS since 2005 and Brooks Tower who was the first speaker at the first IDEAS session in 2000.
Marshall said that throughout their history, club topics that have been discussed are very diverse and include social, political, creative and gender issues.
He also added that audiences have varied from 15 to more than 80 people in the past decade and a half.
Marshall said they have been able to continue the club because people in Cochrane possess a desire to have an open forum like the IDEAS club.
“People have an appetite for a forum where people can offer their views in an environment of respect and openness. To have open discussion and the opportunity to talk about matters that are important to people is important,” he said.
For more information or to be added to the IDEAS email list contact [email protected] or call 403-932-6580.
