O’CONNOR HOUSE PATRONS CIRCLE

  

 

 

 

The O’Connor House Patrons Circle seeks to gather individuals to support and sustain the mission and vision of O’Connor House to promote civic action through civil talk.

Patrons Circle Members receive benefits including invitations to the Distinguished Speakers Series and the Arizona Issues & Answers Forum. These events provide unique opportunities to hear national or  international speakers address topics for our time and promote balanced discussion and understanding of critical issues facing our state and nation.  Together, they set a precedent for a statesmanlike approach to policy issues.

 

Click here--> JOIN O'Connor House PATRONS CIRCLE TODAY!

The Distinguished Speakers Series

Will include prominent national and international leaders to address relevant topics and perspectives. The series will be videotaped, archived and shared through venues including educational seminars and webcasts, providing valuable information to expanded audiences and students.

2012 featured Distinguished Speakers:

        

            Saturday, April 28:  President Mikhail Gorbachev                            

           

           President Gorbachev, known for his policies that gave the people of the Soviet Union greater freedom, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1990 for his contributions to the peace process, dissolution of the totalitarian Soviet state and the end of the Cold War between the United States and the USSR.  Once a leader in the Communist Party, Gorbachev introduced perestroika, his policy to stimulate a stagnant Soviet economy and glasnost, which enabled his country’s citizens to enjoy more freedoms.  Gorbachev spoke on global leadership at the Arizona Biltmore to an audience of approximately 1,000.  Opening remarks were provided by US Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; Chairman and CEO of the Center of the Future of Arizona, Lattie Coor; and Ambassador Barbara Barrett, who also was the primary force behind getting our speakers.

 

Wednesday, March 7:  Author David McCullough                                       

           David McCullough, who has been writing novels since the 1960s, won the Pulitzer Prize for his biographies, Truman, in 1993 and John Adams, in 2002.  Recognized for his mastery of the art of history, he was bestowed with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor that is possible for a civilian in the United States, in 2006. McCullough has also received some 40 honorary degrees from colleges and universities. McCullough served as keynote speaker during a luncheon titled “History as a Source of Strength” at the Sheraton Phoenix to a sell-out crowd of 600.  After the lecture, Hugh Downs moderated a discussion between Justice Sandy Day O'Connor and David McCullough, with questions from the audience.

     

                 

The Issues & Answers Forum

Will bring together prominent national and local experts, researchers and lawmakers to discuss current and critical issues facing Arizona.  It will facilitate civil, fact-based discussions for a better informed citizenry.

2012 Issues & Answers Forum:

          Wednesday, May 9: "Open Primaries"

    O’Connor House partnered with the Morrison Institute for Public Policy on the first  “Issues and Answers Forum”on open primary elections at Burton Barr Library in Phoenix.  Sue Clark Johnson, OCH Board Chair of the Policy Committee, organized the panel discussion, which featured Steve Peace, architect of the successful California initiative; Richard Winger, a founder of Coalition on Free and Open Elections and publisher of Ballot Access News and Arizona leaders representing both sides ofthe issue; Grady Gammage Jr., one of the Arizona initiative's authors; and Alan Maguire, of The Maguire Company, an independent management analysis andpublic policy consulting firm specializing in economic forecasting.  

    More than 200 joined the lively discussion moderated by Michael Grant and opened by Justice O’Connor.  Morrison Institute completed a background research paper on the topic (to view the paper, click here). The Arizona Republic also published an editorial that highlighted the forum (to read the editorial, click here).

 

 

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Membership Benefits:

$1,000 Individual or Couple Level:

  • Invitation to O’Connor House Patrons Circle Receptions
  • Invitation to the Distinguished Speakers Series
  • Invitation to the AZ Issues & Answers Spring Forum

$2,500 Corporate Level:

  • Invitation to O’Connor House Patrons Circle Receptions
  • Invitation to the Distinguished Speakers Series
  • Invitation to the AZ Issues & Answers Spring Forum
  • Name and/or Logo on Invitations and Website

$10,000 Major Event Sponsor:

  • Choice of Major Single event sponsorship for either Distinguished Speakers Series and VIP Reception OR O'Connor House Issues and Answers Forum.
  • Invitation to the Distinguished Speakers Series & VIP Receptions
  • Name and/or Logo on invitations and information for the Distinguished Speakers OR Arizona Issues and Answers Form.

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$25,000 Presenting Season Sponsor:

  • Name and or Logo on all Patrons Circle Distinguished Speakers Series event materials, signage and website information.
  • Invitations and seating for the Distinguished Speakers Series & VIP Receptions.
  • Recognition, signage and VIP seating at the Distinguished Speakers Series and VIP Receptions as well as Arizona Issues & Answers Forum.

Get Involved

We invite you to join O'Connor House Patrons Circle by making a tax deductible donation today.

To join by making a donation online:

Please CLICK HERE and make sure to select that you want to join the Patrons Circle.

To join by making a donation by phone:

Call us 480-921-2430

To join by making a donation by mail:

1. Make check payable to:

        O'Connor House

2. Send to:

          O'Connor House

          4455 East Camelback Road

          Suite A215

          Phoenix, AZ 85018

3. Please include your name, company (optional), address, phone number and e-mail address.

For more information:

Please call 602-730-3300 or e-mail Sarah E. Suggs at sarah@oconnorhouse.org