The Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics is asked to give presentations to service clubs, neighborhood associations, non-profit organizations, and other groups. The Director of the Mike Downs Center also writes a monthly column for the Indy Star. The files included on this page are the PowerPoint presentations given to some of those organizations and the Indy Star columns.

The PowerPoint presentations are formatted simply due to the varying backgrounds used by organizations. Also, the presentations are outlines and provide supplemental information to that being spoken. Please contact The Mike Downs Center (downsa@ipfw.edu or 260.481.6691) to request a presentation for your organization.

Presentations

• Right To Work Legislation in Indiana (PDF) - September 13, 2011
• Municipal Elections: Finding Out What Voters Think (PDF) - August 1, 2011
• Redistricting: Why Should I Care Where The Lines are Drawn? (PDF) - April 20,2011
• 2011 Primary Election Candidate Forum (PDF)  - April 11, 2011
• IMPACT Day of Service (PDF) - March 12, 2011
• So You Want to Change the Government? (PDF) - March 10, 2011
• Government 101: Local Governments Do That? (PDF) - January 20, 2011
• Now That the Presidential Election Is Over, Does Indiana Matter Anymore? (PDF) - October 31, 2010
• It’s Not Just Donkeys and Elephants Any More (PDF) - October 7, 2010
• The November 2010 Election (PDF) - September 17, 2010
• “I’m from the government and I’m here to help you.” (PDF) - September 16, 2010
• The Effects of a Three-Part Social Studies Module: A Faculty Research-Driven Community Outreach Model (PDF) - July 20, 2010
• The Use of Polling In Political Campaigns (PDF) - June 2, 2010
• Demolition: Good or Bad for Property Conditions and Values? (PDF) - April 16, 2010
• 2010 Primary Election Candidate Forum (PDF) - April 12, 2010
• Robert’s Rules of Order (PDF) - November 19, 2009
• Libraries and Indiana Politics (PDF) - October 19, 2009
• Should Old Houses Be Torn Down or Left Standing? (PDF) - October 6, 2009

Indy Star Opinion Editorials

• "When You Vote, Consider What Really Could Change" - October 23, 2011
• "Start Talking Politics" - September 23, 2011
• "Being First Can Matter" (PDF) - June 23, 2011
• "Out of Presidential Spotlight" (PDF) - May 27, 2011