Join In: Film, Conversation, and Community Connections

The Clearview Library District will host Join In: An Afternoon of Film, Conversation, and Community on Saturday, November 15, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Windsor Community Recreation Center’s Evergreen Room, 250 11th St., Windsor. The event will feature a screening of the award-winning documentary Join or Die, a virtual Q&A with the filmmakers, and a "Join Fair" where community groups and clubs can connect with potential members.

As part of the Join or Die national road show, this program is designed to spark local conversations about civic life and community engagement. Directed by Rebecca and Pete Davis, the film follows Harvard professor Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking book Bowling Alone revealed the decades-long decline of community connections in America. Through stories of civic renewal and commentary from national leaders, the film explores urgent questions about democracy, belonging, and what can be done to rebuild trust and connection.

Following the screening, attendees will take part in a live virtual Q&A with the directors before moving into the Join Fair. This fair invites community members to stop by, meet local groups, and explore opportunities to get involved. From long-standing service organizations to book clubs, hobby groups, and sports leagues, the Join Fair provides a space for organizations to share their stories and welcome new members.

Local clubs, hobby groups, and service organizations for adults are encouraged to participate. Would your group like to be part of the Join Fair? Please complete this short form by Friday, October 10, 2025.

Courtney Harris, Clearview Library District’s Adult Services Manager, highlighted the library’s role in convening the event: “Public libraries are conveners. Part of our very mission is to create opportunities for people from all walks of life to learn and grow together. Our goal with this event is to highlight the importance of those connections and to create a space rooted in reciprocity where community members can come together to strengthen their relationships with each other and with the community as a whole.”

The film’s message reinforces the value of such gatherings. Decades of social science research show steep declines in civic participation, including a 50% drop in club meeting attendance and a 40% decline in public meeting participation between the 1970s and 1990s. Join or Die pairs those findings with real-world examples of groups revitalizing civic life, from neighborhood bowling leagues to grassroots advocacy networks.

Casey Lansinger-Pierce, Clearview Library District’s Head of Public Services, emphasized how the Join Fair connects research to reality: “Community is built on the connections we make with one another, and those connections are more important than ever. At the Join In Fair, we are helping the Clearview community discover new ways to connect, introducing people to friendships, networks, and experiences they might never have imagined. We cannot wait to see these connections come to fruition.”

Event Schedule:

• Join or Die Film Screening: 1:00 p.m.
• Virtual Q&A with the Directors: 3:00 p.m.
• Join Fair: 3:30 p.m.

Registration is encouraged but not required. Space is limited, and attendees are advised to arrive early to secure seats.

For more information, visit the event listing, or to inquire about club participation, please contact Rebecca at rebecca@clearviewlibrary.org.