SF Politics 101

Learn how local politics work and the history that shaped San Francisco — brought to life with photos and narrative storytelling.

Ever wonder why San Francisco is the way it is?

Find out with Supervisor Joel Engardio’s SF Politics 101 presentation. It provides an entertaining look at the history that shaped San Francisco, while explaining how City Hall and local politics work.

Learn about San Francisco’s journey from the Gold Rush to tech backlash — and every twist in between. The presentation is brought to life with photos and narrative storytelling. It’s designed for all residents new and old who want to better understand the city they love.

Joel promises the hour will be as interesting as your Netflix show.

• Regular Presentation
  40-minute narrative presentation followed by 20-minute Q&A. Learn how local politics work and the history that shaped San Francisco, brought to life with photos and narrative storytelling.

  Offered Monthly
  6pm
  In-person at TogetherSF event space
  2505 Mariposa
  RSVP for dates in 2024
  

• Late Night Edition
  This has the same content as the regular presentation, just offered at a later time. Many parents have requested a late evening option to watch a webinar after their kids are in bed. All night owls are welcome.
  Offered Winter and Fall
  9pm
  Zoom-Only
  RSVP for dates in 2024

REVIEWS

• "An excellent primer on San Francisco's political and cultural history. I've lived here for 40 years and I learned a lot." — Jo L.

• "A great learning experience for someone new to the city." — Jyot C.

• "Fantastic speaker and a great opportunity to learn more about the city I call home." — Ciaran B.

• "Awesome presentation! What a great use of an hour.” — Sanjay J.

• "The webinar format lets busy moms and small business owners like myself participate in this excellent presentation.” — Ann W. 

• "Joel was fabulous! His presentation was clear, objective, and personable. He reduced complex issues to understandable terms!" — Martin L.

• "SF Politics 101 was the perfect way to build a base understanding of the city I love so that I can figure out how to best be involved in local politics." — Melissa S.

• "Really, really well-done. Thoughtful and balanced with good humor. Increasing rarity these days." — Diane E.P.

• "I appreciated the depth of knowledge, cogent presentation, and reasoned responses to questions.” — Jason J.

• “Joel is super knowledgeable, well prepared, very professional, and was unbiased when sharing his opinion. Much respect.” — Ravi B.

• "Huge praise for a clear explanation of San Francisco history, politics, and our shades of blue.” — Tim S.

• “Terrific presentation, highly recommended" — Cooper M.

• "Educational and interesting." — Kira G. 

• “Enjoyable and informative” — Levi A.

• "Every kid in San Francisco (future voter) should hear it!" — Claudia V.

• “It was a lot more interesting and entertaining than I expected!” — Amy T.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Newcomers and longtime residents alike find Joel Engardio’s presentation illuminating. It shines a light on a local government that manages to look opaque no matter how long you’ve lived here.

• All ages welcome, as young as middle school. When Joel gives the presentation to students, he encourages parents to attend because they will learn just as much.

PREVIOUS PRESENTATIONS

• UCSF (emergency medicine residents)

• UCSF (administrator staff conference)

• Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association

• Rotary Club of San Francisco

• San Francisco Association of Realtors

• Silicon Valley VC group

• United Democratic Club

• Eastern Neighborhoods Democratic Club

• Together SF

• Golden Gate Breakfast Club

• Presidio Knolls school (6th grade)

• French American International Middle School

• City College (English as Second Language class)

• Parents of San Francisco Cub Scout Troop 345

• Irish Immigration Pastoral Center

INSIGHTS
Supervisor Joel Engardio brings his insights as an elected city supervisor and a longtime journalist who covered City Hall. His news column in the San Francisco Examiner won many journalism awards. Joel also served on the boards of two of San Francisco’s largest Democratic clubs.

Joel offers SF Politics 101 for free. The goal is to educate "low information" voters who might be highly educated on national issues but don't understand how local politics work. People might want to change things in San Francisco, but they first need to understand how things work at City Hall — and that starts with knowing the history that shaped our city. Joel wants to provide a baseline education so people are better equipped to get involved locally.

As a journalist, Joel used storytelling to help people learn more about issues. Learn more about Joel’s background here.

Title
SF Politics 101

Running Time
40-minute slideshow followed by Q&A

Description
Ever wonder why San Francisco is the way it is?

Find out with Supervisor Joel Engardio’s SF Politics 101 presentation. It provides an entertaining look at the history that shaped San Francisco, while explaining how City Hall and local politics work.

Learn about San Francisco’s journey from the Gold Rush to tech backlash — and every twist in between. The presentation is brought to life with photos and narrative storytelling. It’s designed for all residents new and old who want to better understand the city they love.

Speaker Bio
Supervisor Joel Engardio believes San Francisco’s best days are ahead — if we are willing to address today's problems with equal doses of innovation and common sense. 

He is focused on getting the basics right: safer streets, better schools, more housing, and vibrant small businesses. He believes these are the foundations for a healthy city.

Supervisor Engardio represents District 4, which is best known as the Sunset. It has about 80,000 residents living west of 19th Avenue between Golden Gate Park and Lake Merced.

Supervisor Engardio moved to San Francisco in 1998 to take a job as a journalist. He wanted to advocate for people who don’t feel heard. He believes San Franciscans deserve an innovative city government that is fiscally responsible, free from corruption, and fully transparent.

Supervisor Engardio has won numerous journalism awards. He has worked for tech startups, public relations firms, and nonprofits including Out & Equal and the American Civil Liberties Union. He produced and directed an award-winning PBS documentary focused on First Amendment rights. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and a Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. 

Supervisor Engardio was raised by a single mom who cleaned houses for a living in Saginaw, Michigan. She didn’t have much money or education, but she taught her son how to get things done with the resources they had.

Supervisor Engardio’s husband Lionel Hsu was born in Taiwan. He grew up in poverty under Martial Law and became a software engineer in Silicon Valley. They have lived in their home near Stern Grove since 2014 and want to make sure the next generation has access to the San Francisco dream.

Supervisor Engardio served on the boards of two of San Francisco's largest political organizations: the Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ Democratic Club and the United Democratic Club. He also served as a member of the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee.

Supervisor Engardio hosts the popular “SF Politics 101” presentation each month where he educates residents about how they can be participants in creating our best San Francisco.

Links
Joel’s personal background.
Joel’s views on local issues.