Civility
According to the Institute for Civility, “civility is about more than just politeness, although politeness is a necessary first step. It is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, understanding biases and personal preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same.”
What does civility have to do with commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States? Everything! Not only did our Founders call for civic virtue and respect for each other as citizens, our modern leaders have called for civility.
“I believe that if we stop talking at each other and start talking with one another, we can get a lot done.” President Barak Obama
“Civility is not a tactic or a sentiment. It is the determined choice of trust over cynicism, over community over chaos.” President George W. Bush
“We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at each other – until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard as well as our voices.” President Richard Nixon
“Civility is not a sign of weakness. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.” President John F. Kennedy
Perhaps no one summarized the importance of civility in our civic and political activities than P. M. Forni, co-founder of the Civility Center at Johns Hopkins University:
“The more a society relies on self-regulation – the more civil it is – the less need it has to legislate and the less it will be plagued by coercion, conflict and litigation.”
Education
Institute for Civility
The Institute for Civility is dedicated to reducing polarization by facilitating dialogue, teaching respect, and building civility in both the public and private spheres. It provides training programs as well as an excellent reading list.
Make sure to check out the Training Programs link and the Reading List link.
Education
Living Room Conversations
Living Room Conversations (LRC) connects people within communities and across differences through dialogue to build trust and understanding. It is based on the believe that belonging starts with conversation and are committed to designing the resources and opportunities that all everyone to feel seen and heard while celebrating the differences that make us unique. Visit the Topics tab for a place to start.
Dialogue
The Village Square
(Official) Mission Statement: The Village Square is dedicated to bridging divides through discussion and spirited disagreement.
What We Do (Unofficially): The Village Square believes in the power of dialogue and disagreement. We spearhead a variety of programming centered around civility and community-building (especially among political opposites). Locally, we work with a variety of community partners, offering more than 30 programs a year.
The Village Square is in the business of raising the quality of civil discourse; but in many ways our work is ultimately about raising the quality of civil society, about strengthening the community we call home, especially Tallahassee, Florida. Resources include podcasts, blogs, and videos of many events which can be examples for other communities.
Dialogue
Braver Angels Network
Braver Angels is leading the nation’s largest cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide for the good of our democratic republic. Its American Hope campaign equips Americans across the political spectrum to work together and demand the same of politicians from both parties.
Better Angels organizes thousands of citizens at the grassroots level across all 50 states through local alliance-building, regional leadership development, workshops, debates, community events, and town halls.
Helping citizens to work together: braverangels.org/braver-citizens
Empowering politicians to work with their colleagues and constituents across the aisle: braverangels.org/politics
Skills for Bridging the Divide: One for Democrats, one for Republicans: braverangels.org/what-we-do/take-an-ecourse
Get Involved
Jefferson Dinners
Thomas Jefferson was famous for hosting dinners at his home featuring vibrant conversations, frequently with political rivals. And, as Jefferson noted, “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. ”
Consider holding a Jefferson Dinner. You can learn about the ground rules by linking to: jeffersondinner.org/jefferson-dinner
A little more about Jefferson Dinners: jeffersondinner.org/nerd-out
National Institute for Civil Discourse
Building the nation’s capacity to engage our differences more constructively is the primary objective of the Institute. It focuses on key principles and best practices for engaging differences in conversations across the divide, opening doors to finding common ground, and moving our country toward a more perfect union.
Learn about their four-step process to ensure that every voice, regardless of political leaning, is heard and can make a tangible difference. commonsenseamerican.org
Learn and apply techniques of civil disagreement. engagingdifferences.org/disagree-better
Apply the universality of the principes of the Golden Rule to treat others with dignity and respect and open the possibility that communication and civility can truly change relationships. goldenrule2020.org
Investigate research on the history of political discourse in America and ways to improve that discourse, based on a network of researchers and scholars across the nation. nicdresearch.org
Benjamin Franklin Circles
To start a circle…. benfranklincircles.org/start-a-circle
In 1727, Benjamin Franklin formed the Junto, a weekly mutual-improvement club made up of young men with an array of interests and skills who gathered to enhance their personal conduct and development. Later in life, Franklin wrote in his autobiography the emphasis on personal virtue and his plan to pursue thirteen virtues. Consider developing a Benjamin Franklin Circle for you and your friends. This is great for young people.
To start a Circle, link to benfranklincircles.org/start-a-circle
For a Circle Tool Kit, see benfranklincircles.org/resources#one
For a Franklin Circle Dinner and conversation starter on each of the thirteen virtues, go to benfranklincircles.org/ben-franklin-dinners
For a virtual Circle link to benfranklincircles.org/wp-content/uploads/Virtual-Ben-Franklin-Circles-Guide-March-2020-.pdf
For in-depth background materials on the thirteen virtues, see benfranklincircles.org/wp-content/uploads/Virtual-Ben-Franklin-Circles-Guide-March-2020-.pdf
Interested in additional virtues, such as empathy, gratitude, courage, or others, go to benfranklincircles.org/wp-content/uploads/Meeting-Guides-Ben-Franklin-Circles_Additional-Virtues.pdf
Be Part of the Celebration
We encourage organizations, businesses, families, and individuals to join us in this historic celebration.
Together, we can honor our past, understand our present, and shape our future
Your financial support will enable us to develop and host educational programs, community events, and much more.
Every contribution helps us bring this celebration to life and reach more people.
