2017-2018 Common Read Learning Activites

For background on Local Business and the Chamber of Commerce, read the following sections in Out of Chaos: 

1. Paul Hadley  (pp. 81-89)
2. Ruth Schwickert  (pp. 130)
3. Lee Snilsberg  (pp. 151)

A.  Using the internet, find a definition of the term Chamber of Commerce.  

1. What is a Chamber of Commerce?  
2. What is the mission of the Mankato Chamber of Commerce which is now known as Greater Mankato Growth?
3. Many new businesses have opened in Mankato recently.  If you owned a business in Mankato, would you join a Chamber of Commerce? Why or why not? 

B.  How do you think businesses today would react to a protest of 6,000 students in the streets? And how would they be impacted? Would some business establishments be able to weather a forced store closing better than others?  Please explain. 

C.  On pages 87-89 of Paul Hadley's segment, he listed problems students faced in Mankato. Many of the problems listed involved housing issues, but also how they were treated by the business community. 

1. Which of these housing issues, if any, do students face today?
2. Which of the business issues do students face today? 

D. Today, many student housing issues have been addressed by local laws and policies. Go to Renter Rights and Responsibilities on the City of Mankato website to learn what your rights are as a student renter in the city.

1.  List some things landlords are responsible for providing.  
2. What are listed as responsibilities of the tenant? 

E.  There were people in Mankato who were not in support of the protest.  List some of the reason why they did not support the demonstrations.