Friday, July 31st, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Almaden Country Day School
In an era of increasing disconnection, how do we help students find their voice and their agency? Join us for an immersive experience co-hosted by Sphere and the National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC), designed specifically for educators ready to move beyond the classroom and into the community.
Keynote Speaker
![Pete Davis Headshot]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1778101238/almaden/sbyqbti5w6vnqnfbj0cn/PeteDavisHeadshot.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1778101238/almaden/sbyqbti5w6vnqnfbj0cn/PeteDavisHeadshot.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1778101238/almaden/sbyqbti5w6vnqnfbj0cn/PeteDavisHeadshot.jpg","width":713}])
Pete Davis
We are thrilled to welcome Pete Davis, a dedicated civic advocate, author of Dedicated: The Case for Commitment in an Age of Infinite Browsing, and co-creator of the acclaimed documentary Join or Die. A former student of legendary sociologist Robert Putnam, Pete has spent his career translating the science of "social capital" into actionable change.
As the co-founder of the Democracy Policy Network, Pete is at the forefront of deepening our democratic roots. He will be with us all day, moving from the keynote stage into our interactive sessions to help us transform students from passive observers into the active "joiners" our communities need.
Why You Should Be There
This isn't another static workshop. It’s a dynamic Think Tank designed to bridge the gap between civic discourse and student action. You will learn to build programming that leverages the "positive brain", using service, community, and relationships to hardwire leadership into the student experience.
Conference Details
Date: Friday, July 31st, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Almaden Country Day School - Fisher Event Center, 6835 Trinidad Drive, San Jose, California 95120
Who: Educators, Aspiring Youth Leaders (current 8th graders and up), and Community Organizations
What: See tentative itinerary below. Breakfast and lunch provided.
Conference Fees:
Educators and Community Leaders: $75
Students (8th grade and up): Free
Presenters: Free, please contact Sara Sobkoviak if you would like to present
Registration is now closed. Please contact Sara Sobkoviak with any questions.
Our Speakers
What to Expect
- Keynote Pete Davis: We are thrilled to welcome Pete Davis, author of Dedicated and co-creator of the acclaimed documentary Join or Die, as our keynote speaker. More than just a guest, Pete will be with us all day, moving from the main stage into our breakout sessions and Think Tank to help you apply the "philosophy of joining" to your school culture.
- Youth-Led Insight: Work directly alongside youth leaders. Don’t just hear about them; be inspired by them and learn how to foster genuine educator-student partnerships.
- Actionable Frameworks: Walk away with concrete strategies to integrate civic engagement into your curriculum through the lens of relationship-building and service-learning.
- A New Network: Lean into a community of like-minded educators and national organizations ready to support your mission long after the symposium ends.
Step out of the silo and into the circle. Join us to rediscover the power of civic discourse and equip your students with the tools to lead, connect, and thrive. Your community is waiting. Let’s build it together!
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Tentative Schedule
(subject to change)
I. Registration and Breakfast (8:30 AM - 9:00 AM)
- Intentional Mingle - Meet & Greet
- Breakfast is provided
II. Opening Session (9:00 AM - 9:45 AM)
- Welcome - Sara Sobkoviak, Director of Auxiliary Programs, and Jane Murphy, Head of Middle School, at Almaden Country Day School
- Opening Key Note Speaker - Pete Davis, author of Dedicated and co-creator of the acclaimed documentary Join or Die
- Amy Meuers (NYLC): Elevating Youth Voice for Real Change
5-MINUTE TRANSITION
III. Lightning Talks (9:50 AM - 10:45 AM)
Short Presentations by Various Speakers at Various Table Stations
- Focus on innovative practices and success stories in youth engagement through service
- Youth Presenters share their perspective and experiences
15-MINUTE COFFEE/TEA BREAK
A special thank you to our sponsor, Sipbie Caffe, for keeping our guests energized with a premium coffee experience throughout the event.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Neni Girl's Kusina for providing a wonderful selection of freshly baked muffins, banana bread, and coffee cake.
IV. Split Plenary (11 - 11:30 AM)
- Educator Focus - Overcoming Polarization: Challenges and Opportunities
- Led by Sphere Education Initiatives - John Snoad, Senior Manager
- Youth Focus -Unlocking Your Power to Lead
- Led by NYLC - Amy Meuers, Executive Director
V. Introduce Think Tank Collaborative (11:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Think Tanks -
- PreAssembled Think Tank Groups - Educators, Youth, and Community Partners
- Topic Exploration: Identifying key landscapes and topics related to youth engagement based on survey responses
- Discussion on the logistics of building a community of support
VI. Lunch and Networking (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)
- Lunch Break - Catered Lunch
- Opportunity for informal networking among educators and community partners
VII. Inspiring Youth Keynote + Discussion Panel (1:00 PM - 1:45 PM)
- Youth Keynote - Proposed Topic Based on Survey Responses
- Youth Panel Discussion -
- Reflection on experiences, hopes, and challenges faced by youth in service engagement
- Opportunities for participants to ask questions and engage with the panel
- Audience Q&A
- Short Film on Youth Leadership & Civic Action
VII. Organizational + Educator + Youth-Led Workshops (1:55 - 2:40 PM) - Attendees Choose Their Workshop
- Example Workshop 1: Building Community Partnerships - Community Org. Led
- Strategies for collaboration with community partners to enhance youth engagement
- Understanding the needs, challenges, and goals of the community
- Example Workshop 2: Building Leadership Opportunities Through Student Learning - Educator Led
- Strategies to empower students to express ideas, lead discussions, and contribute to classroom and school decisions
- Designing programs, lessons, and projects that naturally require students to take initiative, make decisions, and collaborate
- Building systems like student councils, committees, or “lead roles” within classroom activities
- Example Workshop 3: Inspiring Leader Student-Led Workshop - Pending Survey Results
- Exploring personal values, identity, and what matters to you
- Understanding different leadership styles (you don’t have to be loud to lead)
- Practicing speaking up, storytelling, and advocating for issues you care about
VII. Think Tank Challenge (2:45 PM - 3:30 PM)
- Focused Think Tanks ReUnite
- Revisit Think Tank Challenges from morning sessions
- Share insights from their morning discussions, afternoon workshops, and previous experiences to brainstorm solutions to address the challenge.
- Groups will then share their takeaways on what they were able to accomplish and create together as a group
VIII. Closing Session (3:30 PM - 4:00 PM)
- Collaboration, Connection, Going Forward
- Reflections on the day’s learning and commitments for action
- Closing Statement
A special thank you to our sponsor, Sipbie Caffe, for keeping our guests energized with a premium coffee experience throughout the event.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Neni Girl's Kusina for providing a wonderful selection of freshly baked muffins, banana bread, and coffee cake in the morning and cookies in the afternoon.