Covington-Mandeville Branch
a platinum branch!

Great Decisions

2007 Great Decisions Book
click to visit the
US Foreign Policy web page

The Great Decisions discussions series is an eight-week program offered by the United States Foreign Policy Association. The Covington-Mandeville branch has sponsored these discussions for any interested members of the community since 1973 thanks to Charlene Sanders, the originator of our local program.

A background book (costing $15) is prepared by the National Foreign Policy Association. This book discusses the historical background, the various options and ramifications of these options, as well as optional additional reading/websites for more information for each of the eight topics.

Charlene Sanders sits in the middle of a group of AAUW members
holding some of the many GD books used through the years.
Charlene Sanders with members
holding years of GD books

At the end of each very active discussion, participants fill out the enclosed opinion poll which is sent to the Foreign Policy Association for data compilation. This program allows ordinary citizens an opportunity to have input into foreign policy decisions of our government.

The Introduction to the Great Decisions 2001 book acknowledges the contribution of organizations such as the American Association of University Women, "which have contributed significantly in raising the level of public interest in and understanding of foreign affairs. The public-opinion elite also serves as a source of new and creative ideas for policy makers and as informed critics of prevailing policy."

Sessions

Our branch offers two sessions of Great Decisions on eight consecutive Mondays, with the exception of national Holidays and Mardi Gras. The afternoon session will begin at 2:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall of Madisonville Presbyterian Church, 701 Pine Street in Madisonville. Minta Dietrich is the leader of the afternoon session. The evening session will start at 7:15 PM at the Covington Public Library. Eileen deHaro is the leader of the evening session.