The ELL Concept

Thomas Jefferson believed education was a key to the success of a Democracy. He was concerned that an uneducated electorate stood to lose the promises of freedom. Because ELL Club Members continually express how this experience has opened their eyes, I know that “We, the People” have not fully heeded Jefferson’s warning. The Nation is hungry to learn. Folks routinely blame our elementary and secondary education system. But, I assume our children are learning as much as my generation did in the 50s and 60s. And, even if that is not true, I believe Jefferson was more concerned that we continually work throughout our lives to gain the knowledge necessary to govern ourselves. We are 300,000,000 strong and growing. How can “We, the People” meet Jefferson’s challenge?

The ELL Concept brings Five Components into a uniquely American winning combination:

1. Hometown Lawyer-Moderators. Lawyers in their communities study ELL material and meet once per month with citizens. ELL requires each lawyer to give back to their community by providing this service free of charge to the public. Although a commitment, it is not too much to ask of the profession. To date, all Lawyer-Moderators are passionate about being a part of the ELL movement. I am betting ELL can find a Lawyer-Moderator in every community where citizens want to learn.
2. Hometown Benefactors of Freedom. Local businesses finance the materials and services of ELL. I have found all of our sponsors to be more excited about helping to educate Americans than they are about reaping the benefits of “advertising.”
3. Hometown Facilities. Our Clubs meet in churches, libraries, universities, city halls and businesses “free of charge.” They are happy to be a part of this grand vision.
4. Hometown Americans. Of course, if citizens do not respond to Jefferson’s challenge and he was right, this Country would likely be in great danger. But Americans have responded favorably in every community where ELL has spawned a Club. All ELL Club material, services, educational film, guest speakers, coffee and cookies are provided free of charge to the public. And Americans willingly respond by spending valuable time reading Supreme Court Opinions and attending monthly meetings.
5. Our home base prepares educational material, provides binders and monthly handouts to each Club and creates new Clubs on an ongoing basis.