Flipping through a guide on Utah's legislative process Saturday, Teresa Tavares pointed to a chart on how a bill becomes a law.

It's something Tavares, adult English as a Second Language coordinator for the Provo School District, said she can use to teach her students.

"We want them to get acquainted with the government system," said Tavares, one of about 100 people who attended a civic participation training session, sponsored by the Utah Office of Ethnic Affairs, at the Holiday Inn Downtown.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. welcomed the attendees and encouraged them to get their communities involved.

"If we really are going to be a democracy. . . . We all have to understand how the process works," Huntsman said.

He pointed to the late Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man as an example of how an "unknown" individual can "change the world by one act of defiance."

The training is part of the OEA's strategic plan that some leaders in the minority community have called out of touch with the people.

Luz Robles, director of the Office of Ethnic Affairs, countered that the training is meant to provide basic information that could be helpful for anyone interested in the political process.

Robles called the training "empowering" for minorities who now make up about 16 percent of the state's population, according to 2004 census population estimates.

"It's exciting for people to see that it's time to take charge of their own issues," Robles said. "The idea is to train the trainers. They can bring the information back to their communities."

Those who attended Saturday's training session learned the nuts and bolts of how the political process works. They also brainstormed issues that are important to them — from education to criminal justice to health care.

Rep. Mark Wheatley, D-Salt Lake, and former Republican State Sen. James Evans stressed the importance of getting to know lawmakers and contacting them about important issues before the legislative session starts Jan. 16.

"When you identify an issue, become educated on what the problems are and some sort of resolutions," Wheatley said. "When you come up to the Legislature, it's your Capitol. Sit in the gallery. Call, talk to, e-mail your legislators. . . . You are welcome up there. Ask questions."

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E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com