Badger Club History
By Jack Briggs and Kirk Williamson
Rev. June 26, 2024
It was Dec. 13, 2007, when Kennewick police chief Marc Harden and his wife, Deena, invited Tri-City Herald editorial-page editor Matt Taylor and his wife, Bonnie, to dinner to talk about the formation of a group in the Tri-Cities to discuss matters political, social and, on occasion, just plain fun.
All had experienced such a group in Florida where Tiger Bay Clubs were located in major cities. These clubs began to be founded in the late 1960s or early 1970s and most were modeled after the famous National Press Club in Washington DC, presenting the views of decision-makers and providing a forum for public discourse and debate on politics, people and issues affecting our lives, our community, and our world.
They wrote letters to some 16 people of diverse backgrounds suggesting the formation of what they named a Coyote Club – a community forum for civil discourse – open to everyone.
The format was decided as 60 or 90-minute luncheon (though occasionally dinner) meetings, half devoted to speakers on matters of civic and political importance to the area, and the other half to questions from the audience who were encouraged to “badger” – respectfully – the speakers. Members are encouraged to be “tenacious when seeking information but retaining a sense of humor and civility.”
Fittingly, the name was changed to Columbia Basin Badger Club. Anyone could attend. Only members could ask questions.
The first forum was June 27, 2008. Speakers were two candidates running for state superintendent of public education. Since then, there have been discussions on everything from Death with Dignity to lack of irrigation water storage; from drugs, gangs, crime rates and moving the Benton County seat to privacy, prison reform, and political comedy; from homelessness and addiction to the Middle East situation from a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who was a past Tri-City Herald reporter.
The club had approximately 160 members from all Tri-City communities, governed by a board of about 14 members also from most communities. Forums are attended by an average of 80 people.
In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was tightening its grip and in-person meetings were strongly discouraged by public health officials. The Club's first virtual forum was June 18 and featured Gen. James Mattis. The four-star Marine General and former Secretary of Defense spoke on "Leadership in a Time of Crisis." More than 1100 registered from around the world.
By 2024, the Badger Club was ready for its first in-person forum. There could be no one more appropriate than Gen. Mattis, whose topic was "America in a Dangerous World." There were more than 400 in attendance the evening of June18, 2024.
Since turning to the world of virtual forums, the Badger Club has had notable speakers live from Ukraine, Japan, France, the U.K., New Zealand, Canada, and across the United States. It would not be possible to present these speakers had it been necessary to bring them to the Tri-Cities.
Please join us for education and fun.