Upcoming NCDD Events
Democracy (or Not):
How Local Newsrooms Choose Their Words
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Time: 9 am - 10 am Pacific, 12 pm - 1 pm Eastern
As communities across the country process the results of the 2025 election, local journalists and civic practitioners face an enduring question: how should we talk about democracy?
Co-hosted by the National Coalition for Dialogue Deliberation (NCDD) and NCDD member organization Colorado State University's Center for Public Deliberation, this webinar explored new research on civic language and how newsrooms can talk about democracy in ways that connect rather than divide.
Time: 9 am - 10 am Pacific, 12 pm - 1 pm Eastern
As communities across the country process the results of the 2025 election, local journalists and civic practitioners face an enduring question: how should we talk about democracy?
Co-hosted by the National Coalition for Dialogue Deliberation (NCDD) and NCDD member organization Colorado State University's Center for Public Deliberation, this webinar explored new research on civic language and how newsrooms can talk about democracy in ways that connect rather than divide.
New research from Press Forward and PACE’s Civic Language Perceptions Project highlights the growing complexity of civic language and its power to both connect and divide. The Press Forward findings show that while most Americans believe reliable local news is essential to democracy, explicit “democracy” messaging can sometimes alienate audiences. Meanwhile, PACE’s research explores how words like community, service, and connection can foster broader engagement and understanding across differences.
This conversation will explore how local newsrooms and civic organizations can navigate these linguistic challenges while continuing to inform, engage, and connect the communities they serve. Join us for a post-election dialogue on what it means to talk about civic life in a way that invites rather than divides.
Resources the webinar will draw on:
This conversation will explore how local newsrooms and civic organizations can navigate these linguistic challenges while continuing to inform, engage, and connect the communities they serve. Join us for a post-election dialogue on what it means to talk about civic life in a way that invites rather than divides.
Resources the webinar will draw on:
- Article from NiemanLab: https://www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/dont-dwell-on-democracy-and-other-new-findings-about-how-to-market-local-news/
- Press Forward Report - Words That Work: A Toolkit for Newsrooms: https://www.pressforward.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Words-That-Work-A-Toolkit-for-Newsrooms.pdf
- Press Forward Report - Words That Work: A Toolkit for Funders: https://www.pressforward.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Words-that-Work-A-Toolkit-for-Funders.pdf
- PACE Civic Language Perceptions Project: https://www.pacefunders.org/language/
Past NCDD Events
NCDD hosts a variety of events for our network to connect with each other, hear about exciting projects, and explore some of the most pressing challenges in dialogue and deliberation practice. Our events feature exciting leaders, projects, and topics. Check back often for the latest events (also posted to our blog).
October 28th, 2025 - Libraries as Civic Hubs: Dialogue, Deliberation, and Civic Engagement in Challenging Times
This webinar explored how libraries are uniquely positioned to foster dialogue, civic engagement, and community trust during a time of polarization. Speakers shared resources from the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative and showcased real world examples of facilitation models, voter engagement support, and strategies for remaining nonpartisan. Presenters included Keiva Hummel (NCDD), Karissa Raskin (Listen First Project), Sanobar Wilkins (EveryLibrary and The EveryLibrary Institute), Annie Caplan (Living Room Conversations), and Jennie Garner (North Liberty Library in Iowa), who offered local insights on strengthening community connection. Watch the recording here.
September 5th, 2025 - NCDD Higher Education Dialogue Summit: Advancing Dialogue and Deliberation Across Institutions
The inaugural Higher Education Dialogue Summit convened students, faculty, staff, and community partners worldwide to connect, share best practices, and develop resources in service of dialogue and deliberation both on and beyond college campuses. This summit featured interactive breakout sessions from sector leaders, who collectively explored how to facilitate difficult dialogues, address political polarization, institutionalize deliberative culture, and measure the impact of dialogue and deliberation efforts across higher education.
June 23rd, 2025 - Deliberation in Action: A Civic Season Call to Reimagine Democracy
This upcoming webinar will explore how dialogue, deliberation, and citizen engagement can foster civic trust, shape inclusive policy, and help build a more coherent and community-rooted democratic strategy. Panelists will discuss how deliberative practices like citizen assemblies and facilitated forums can help communities respond to polarization and reinvigorate democratic culture during this pivotal Civic Season. Featured co-presenters include Roshan Bliss (NCDD), Marjan Ehsassi (FIDE – North America), Katie Fahey (The People), Christine Lopes Metcalfe (Local Policy Lab), and Rahmin Sarabi (American Public Trust). Watch the recording here.
May 22nd, 2025 - Rethinking Inclusivity: Expanding the Invitation in Public Engagement
This webinar explored how shifting political narratives affect public engagement and how practitioners can broaden inclusivity without losing core values. The session focused on strategies to reach diverse audiences—including rural, conservative, and often-overlooked communities—while adapting language and creating spaces rooted in equity and collaboration. Featured co-presenters included Elena Martínez-Torres (Sustained Dialogue Institute), Phillipe Cunningham (Urban Rural Action), Siri Erickson (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement), and Tahnee Robertson (Southwest Decision Resources). Watch the recording here.
April 21, 2025 - Bridging and Advocating in Divided Times: Navigating the Tension for Stronger Civic Practice
This webinar examined how civic practitioners navigate tensions between dialogue and advocacy by applying polarity management to strengthen engagement in polarized times. Presenters Julia Roig and Jarvis Williams of The Horizons Project and Martin Carcasson of the Center for Public Deliberation explored how dialogue and advocacy function not as opposing forces, but as complementary approaches that can enhance civic practice. Watch the recording here.
This webinar explored how libraries are uniquely positioned to foster dialogue, civic engagement, and community trust during a time of polarization. Speakers shared resources from the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative and showcased real world examples of facilitation models, voter engagement support, and strategies for remaining nonpartisan. Presenters included Keiva Hummel (NCDD), Karissa Raskin (Listen First Project), Sanobar Wilkins (EveryLibrary and The EveryLibrary Institute), Annie Caplan (Living Room Conversations), and Jennie Garner (North Liberty Library in Iowa), who offered local insights on strengthening community connection. Watch the recording here.
September 5th, 2025 - NCDD Higher Education Dialogue Summit: Advancing Dialogue and Deliberation Across Institutions
The inaugural Higher Education Dialogue Summit convened students, faculty, staff, and community partners worldwide to connect, share best practices, and develop resources in service of dialogue and deliberation both on and beyond college campuses. This summit featured interactive breakout sessions from sector leaders, who collectively explored how to facilitate difficult dialogues, address political polarization, institutionalize deliberative culture, and measure the impact of dialogue and deliberation efforts across higher education.
June 23rd, 2025 - Deliberation in Action: A Civic Season Call to Reimagine Democracy
This upcoming webinar will explore how dialogue, deliberation, and citizen engagement can foster civic trust, shape inclusive policy, and help build a more coherent and community-rooted democratic strategy. Panelists will discuss how deliberative practices like citizen assemblies and facilitated forums can help communities respond to polarization and reinvigorate democratic culture during this pivotal Civic Season. Featured co-presenters include Roshan Bliss (NCDD), Marjan Ehsassi (FIDE – North America), Katie Fahey (The People), Christine Lopes Metcalfe (Local Policy Lab), and Rahmin Sarabi (American Public Trust). Watch the recording here.
May 22nd, 2025 - Rethinking Inclusivity: Expanding the Invitation in Public Engagement
This webinar explored how shifting political narratives affect public engagement and how practitioners can broaden inclusivity without losing core values. The session focused on strategies to reach diverse audiences—including rural, conservative, and often-overlooked communities—while adapting language and creating spaces rooted in equity and collaboration. Featured co-presenters included Elena Martínez-Torres (Sustained Dialogue Institute), Phillipe Cunningham (Urban Rural Action), Siri Erickson (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement), and Tahnee Robertson (Southwest Decision Resources). Watch the recording here.
April 21, 2025 - Bridging and Advocating in Divided Times: Navigating the Tension for Stronger Civic Practice
This webinar examined how civic practitioners navigate tensions between dialogue and advocacy by applying polarity management to strengthen engagement in polarized times. Presenters Julia Roig and Jarvis Williams of The Horizons Project and Martin Carcasson of the Center for Public Deliberation explored how dialogue and advocacy function not as opposing forces, but as complementary approaches that can enhance civic practice. Watch the recording here.
August 5, 2024 - Engaging in Challenging Conversations: A Higher Education Webinar.
Training is targeted at higher ed faculty and staff, though it was open to all who would benefit from enhanced skills in guiding productive conversations on complex issues. Learn more at: bit.ly/EngaginginChallengingConversations
July 1, 2024 - The Role of Mediators and Facilitators in Healing U.S. Democracy
NCDD hosted the inaugural Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy (PMD) kick-off event, marking the beginning of a significant movement aimed at harnessing the unique skills of mediation and facilitation practitioners to foster dialogue, resolve conflicts, and build stronger communities through democratic engagement. Learn more at: www.ncdd.org/pmdlaunchrecap
May 3, 2024 - NCDD Listening Session: Contributing to the OMB's PPCE Framework
The White House OMB wants YOUR input on improving public participation and community engagement. NCDD staff convened a listening session to hear from our network and gather input for NCDD’s response. Read the report here.
April 10, 2024 - Building Trust in Elections through Living Room Conversations
This webinar, co-hosted with the National Civic League, equipped attendees with a valuable new Living Room Conversations tool for fostering trust in each other and in elections. Learn more about the latest "Trust in Elections" conversation guide from Living Room Conversations, then participate in a mini virtual 30-minute conversation using the guide. Watch the recording here.
February 14, 2024 - Webinar & Training: Honing Facilitative Leadership Competencies.
Speakers gave an overview the concept of Facilitative Leadership, and participants had opportunities to strengthen skills honing this capacity and evoking it in those we work with in our communities and on our campuses. Watch the recording here.
Training is targeted at higher ed faculty and staff, though it was open to all who would benefit from enhanced skills in guiding productive conversations on complex issues. Learn more at: bit.ly/EngaginginChallengingConversations
July 1, 2024 - The Role of Mediators and Facilitators in Healing U.S. Democracy
NCDD hosted the inaugural Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy (PMD) kick-off event, marking the beginning of a significant movement aimed at harnessing the unique skills of mediation and facilitation practitioners to foster dialogue, resolve conflicts, and build stronger communities through democratic engagement. Learn more at: www.ncdd.org/pmdlaunchrecap
May 3, 2024 - NCDD Listening Session: Contributing to the OMB's PPCE Framework
The White House OMB wants YOUR input on improving public participation and community engagement. NCDD staff convened a listening session to hear from our network and gather input for NCDD’s response. Read the report here.
April 10, 2024 - Building Trust in Elections through Living Room Conversations
This webinar, co-hosted with the National Civic League, equipped attendees with a valuable new Living Room Conversations tool for fostering trust in each other and in elections. Learn more about the latest "Trust in Elections" conversation guide from Living Room Conversations, then participate in a mini virtual 30-minute conversation using the guide. Watch the recording here.
February 14, 2024 - Webinar & Training: Honing Facilitative Leadership Competencies.
Speakers gave an overview the concept of Facilitative Leadership, and participants had opportunities to strengthen skills honing this capacity and evoking it in those we work with in our communities and on our campuses. Watch the recording here.
Check out the NCDD 2023 Conference page for all the information about our national conference, held October 13-15, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
December 13th - Webinar with EnCiv!
NCDD Member Org EnCiv provided a demo of their tool, the Undebate, and talked with us about how to use online tools to support dialogue and deliberation. Watch the recording here.
November 17, 2022 - NCDD's 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Our network gathered together for a celebration of 20 years. A variety of speakers and video content were included to celebrate the history and future of NCDD. Watch the recording here.
July 25-30, 2022 - NCDD's 2nd Summer Learning Springboard!
The NCDD network gathered for a week-long series of event focused on building skills and sharing learning. Learn more here.
June 3, 2022 - Bohm-inspired Dialogue
Co-authors, Linda Ellinor & Glenna Gerard, of Dialogue: Rediscover the Transforming Power of Conversation (1998, John Wiley & Sons), one of the most comprehensive books based on the work of the late David Bohm (1917 - 1992), shared how they came to develop their model of Bohm-inspired Dialogue. The recording is available here.
February 10, 2022 - NCDD Career Panel
The NCDD community heard from four panelists who have made dialogue & deliberation their career focus from an early stage: Roshan Bliss, Logan Steppan, Cristin Brawner, and Malia Josephine. Check out the event recording at this link.
NCDD Member Org EnCiv provided a demo of their tool, the Undebate, and talked with us about how to use online tools to support dialogue and deliberation. Watch the recording here.
November 17, 2022 - NCDD's 20th Anniversary Celebration!
Our network gathered together for a celebration of 20 years. A variety of speakers and video content were included to celebrate the history and future of NCDD. Watch the recording here.
July 25-30, 2022 - NCDD's 2nd Summer Learning Springboard!
The NCDD network gathered for a week-long series of event focused on building skills and sharing learning. Learn more here.
June 3, 2022 - Bohm-inspired Dialogue
Co-authors, Linda Ellinor & Glenna Gerard, of Dialogue: Rediscover the Transforming Power of Conversation (1998, John Wiley & Sons), one of the most comprehensive books based on the work of the late David Bohm (1917 - 1992), shared how they came to develop their model of Bohm-inspired Dialogue. The recording is available here.
February 10, 2022 - NCDD Career Panel
The NCDD community heard from four panelists who have made dialogue & deliberation their career focus from an early stage: Roshan Bliss, Logan Steppan, Cristin Brawner, and Malia Josephine. Check out the event recording at this link.
NCDD Member Calls
NCDD hosts monthly Member Calls on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2pm Eastern/11am Pacific. These calls are meant to provide an opportunity for members to come together and share exciting announcements with one another, as well as give us as a community additional opportunities to connect, explore best practices, discuss challenges, and collaborate.
Current members will receive invitations to each meeting via the NCDD-MEMBERLIST listserv. If you are not sure about your membership status, please check with Executive Director, Keiva Hummel at [email protected].
Want to join these opportunities? Join NCDD as an official member!
If you have a project, opportunity, or question to share with your fellow members, reach out to [email protected].
Current members will receive invitations to each meeting via the NCDD-MEMBERLIST listserv. If you are not sure about your membership status, please check with Executive Director, Keiva Hummel at [email protected].
Want to join these opportunities? Join NCDD as an official member!
If you have a project, opportunity, or question to share with your fellow members, reach out to [email protected].
Past Series
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NCDD’s popular “Confab calls” brought members of the NCDD community together to hear from leaders in the field, as well as to explore exciting projects and discuss current work in the field. Check out the Confab page to learn more about the series and our past events.
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NCDD’s Tech Tuesday series focused on online technology for engagement and brought tool creators together with the NCDD community to share more about how online tools can support engagement work. Visit the Tech Tuesday page for more information about this series an our past events. |
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Meet-ups and Other Events
NCDD periodically hosts meet-ups and other events for members of the NCDD Community to come together in their respective regions to network and hear from some of their fellow members.
Interested in gathering together your local NCDDers? Contact Executive Director Keiva Hummel [email protected].
A few quick examples...
March 9, 2018 (Tempe)- NCDD held a meet up during the 2018 Innovations in Participatory Democracy conference on Friday night in Tempe. It was a great opportunity to connect with folks in our network and those new to NCDD – all of whom are passionate about participatory democracy.
April 30, 2015 (San Francisco) – NCDD co-hosted an event with IAP2 NorCal featuring a presentation from NCDD member David Campt on how facilitators are accelerating their practice through audience polling systems.
Interested in gathering together your local NCDDers? Contact Executive Director Keiva Hummel [email protected].
A few quick examples...
March 9, 2018 (Tempe)- NCDD held a meet up during the 2018 Innovations in Participatory Democracy conference on Friday night in Tempe. It was a great opportunity to connect with folks in our network and those new to NCDD – all of whom are passionate about participatory democracy.
April 30, 2015 (San Francisco) – NCDD co-hosted an event with IAP2 NorCal featuring a presentation from NCDD member David Campt on how facilitators are accelerating their practice through audience polling systems.