A Note from NCDD's Executive Director,

As we approach the U.S. presidential election, the stakes for democracy have never felt higher. Around the world, democratic systems are under immense pressure—polarization is intensifying, trust in institutions is fading, and civic participation is at an all-time low. These issues show up in our communities as division, disengagement, and a lack of spaces for meaningful conversations. But there is hope: these challenges aren’t insurmountable. At NCDD, we believe that dialogue and deliberation give communities the tools they need to navigate through these tough times. Mediators and facilitators—those who guide these collaborative processes—are uniquely equipped to help communities overcome obstacles by fostering inclusive dialogue, resolving conflict, and encouraging active participation in democratic processes.

Why Dialogue and Deliberation Matter Now More Than Ever

In times of uncertainty and division, people crave connection, understanding, and a way forward. Dialogue is not just about talking—it’s about listening, reflecting, and creating space for voices that have been marginalized or overlooked. It helps communities tap into their collective wisdom and creates environments where differences can be explored constructively. Deliberation strengthens democracy by encouraging thoughtful, informed discussions that lead to more inclusive, sustainable solutions. When we engage deeply with the issues that matter, we empower our communities to make decisions that reflect diverse perspectives and shared values.

Democracy thrives when people feel connected, engaged, and know their voices matter. Mediators and facilitators have the unique ability to create environments where meaningful conversations happen and collaboration is possible. They don’t just help resolve conflicts—they strengthen the foundations of democracy by fostering understanding, inclusive participation, and civic engagement. Through these efforts, they help communities come together, explore diverse viewpoints, and take collective action toward a more resilient, inclusive future.

Mobilizing Practitioners for Democracy: Local Action, National Impact

Mediators and facilitators are at the core of building stronger communities and a healthier democracy. That’s why we launched the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy campaign—to activate, support, and equip these practitioners to drive democratic engagement across the country. Mobilization is about empowering them to take action locally—to lead conversations that matter, encourage collaboration, and foster community-driven solutions that strengthen democracy from the ground up.

Through this campaign, practitioners gain the resources, support, and inspiration they need to create spaces for meaningful dialogue and collective action within their own communities. This isn’t about waiting for someone else to act—it’s about equipping people with the tools they need to strengthen democracy right where they are. Whether they’re bringing together diverse voices to discuss pressing issues, facilitating problem-solving efforts, or encouraging broader civic participation, these practitioners play a vital role in ensuring democracy stays participatory and resilient.

The Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy campaign is a call to action for mediators, facilitators, and civic engagement professionals to step into their communities and make an impact. By guiding thoughtful, inclusive conversations, these practitioners help build stronger, more connected communities—and, in doing so, they strengthen democracy itself. Learn more and get involved at: www.ncdd.org/practitionermobilization.html.

Growing the Power of We: NCDD’s Membership Campaign

At the heart of democracy is the power of connection—of people coming together to listen, share, and collaborate on solutions that reflect everyone’s needs. This belief in community-driven action is the foundation of NCDD’s “Growing the Power of We: Dialogue as the Heartbeat of Democracy” membership campaign. Learn more at: www.ncdd.org/membercampaign.html.

In this critical moment for democracy, NCDD invites you to join a growing network of mediators, facilitators, and civic engagement professionals who are dedicated to fostering inclusive dialogue and deliberation. As a member, you gain access to tools, resources, and opportunities to engage in nationwide efforts that promote civic participation and build meaningful connections across perspectives. Membership opens doors to a vibrant community of practitioners who are committed to deepening democratic engagement through dialogue and deliberation.

By becoming a member of NCDD, you’re stepping into a movement that believes in the power of dialogue to strengthen democracy—one conversation at a time. Together, we are growing the Power of We, creating spaces where every voice is heard, differences are respected, and collective action takes root. Your membership doesn’t just support the work of dialogue practitioners—it helps build a more resilient, inclusive democracy that reflects the values and perspectives of all its people.

Join us today in our efforts to strengthen democracy by fostering connection, understanding, and collective action. The time to act is now, and NCDD is ready to welcome you into this important work of creating a thriving, participatory democracy. Join NCDD at: www.ncdd.org/join.html.

For a resilient democracy,
Keiva Hummel
Executive Director, NCDD - National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation

​We are thrilled to announce a fantastic addition to our NCDD team. Please join us in welcoming Izzy, who will be joining us as our new Communications Coordinator! ​Izzy is an energetic and compassionate leader, dedicated to fostering effective communication and building meaningful relationships within her community and professional circles. A recent graduate from Colorado State University, Izzy worked for the last two years at CSU's Center for Public Deliberation with former NCDD board chair Martin Carcasson. She is an inspiring leader who you may remember as a speaker from the NCDD2023 conference panel: Emerging Leaders on Our Collective Future Momentum.​ Please join us in wishing her congratulations! Learn more about Izzy and her new role in the blog post below.

This last weekend, NCDD Member Organization, the National Civic League announced the winners of the 2024 All-America City Award, recognizing ten communities for their innovative, community-driven efforts to strengthen democracy through local action. The finalists showcased diverse initiatives addressing critical issues like voting reform, civic education, mental health, gun violence, racism, and economic development, demonstrating the power of civic participation and effective civic infrastructure.

NCDD Executive Director, Keiva Hummel, and Director of Democracy Innovations​, Roshan Bliss, attended the 2024 AAC event in downtown Denver. The opportunity to meet with delegates from each community and feel the energy throughout the space was truly inspring. Described by NCL Board Member, Derek Okubo, as "a dose of hope," each community offered powerful displays of civic work that evoked a motivating energy that was palpable throughout the weekend. Several NCDD members were also in attendance, including Lisa-Marie Napoli, Pearl Vinyard, and former board member Wendy Willis. Read the press release below with more information on each communities' democratic initiatives. Congratulations to the incredible AAC communities who represent some of the best and most civically innovative communities!

PACE, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement, is embarking on an exploration to encourage funders to invest in American democracy beyond political interests. They recognize a common tendency to equate democracy's success with political outcomes and aim to distinguish between democracy and partisanship. Through salons and artistic channels, they will engage leaders in discussions on the role of philanthropy in fostering a democracy larger than politics. This initiative seeks to address questions on supporting democracy without partisanship, balancing short- and long-term priorities, and understanding the health of democracy beyond political disagreement. The year-long exploration will culminate in a December event in Washington D.C. to share insights and discuss future actions. Learn more in the blog post below and read more here. 

Calling all practitioners of dialogue facilitation, community mediation, collaborative communication, and conflict transformation - You are invited to the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy!

Co-created by several partners, including: NCDD, NAFCM - The National Association for Community Mediation, Omni-Win Project, The Karuna Center for Mindful Engagement, and more. The Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy Campaign aims to unite mediators and facilitators in support of the future of democracy. Through networking events, monthly forums, and resources, this mobilization aims to inspire, equip, and mobilize practitioners to make a difference locally and nationally.

Join the launch event on July 1st at 9am Pacific, 12pm Eastern, to learn about this Practitioner Mobilization and how you can further leverage your skills in facilitation and mediation for democracy. The campaign welcomes practitioners, both experienced and those newer to this work, to join us in creating a vibrant and inclusive democratic landscape. Learn more in the blog post below and on the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy info page here. 

We are thrilled to announce a leadership transition at NCDD. After five years of dedicated service, Courtney Breese will step down as NCDD's Executive Director to become the Director of Community Mediation Programs at the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration. Keiva Hummel, who has been with NCDD for nearly a decade, will take over as the new Executive Director starting next week. 

In the coming months, our focus will be on strengthening our coalition, growing the membership, and securing major funding to ensure NCDD's continued growth and success. We are grateful to share that Courtney will continue to work with NCDD on ongoing projects and to ensure this smooth transition. Please read our full announcement in the blog post below!

Thank you to everyone who participated and provided feedback on NCDD's response to the White House Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) recent Request for Information on developing a Federal framework for Public Participation and Community Engagement (PPCE). The final response, reflecting input from our coalition, is now available on the Federal government's site. Additionally, several NCDD members submitted their own comments, which are linked in the blog post below.

TODAY - May 29th from 1-3 PM Eastern, will be a virtual event hosted by The Open Government Secretariat titled "Strengthening Democracy and Improving Our Communities Across All Levels of Government: The United States Experience". This session will explore open government approaches and their impact on democracy and communities across the United States. Learn more in the post and register to join here.

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) wants your ideas to develop a Federal framework, guidelines, and leading practices for public participation and community engagement (PPCE) activities to help Federal agencies more broadly and meaningfully engage with you and your communities. People are encouraged to share their experiences and provide feedback through public comments, online forms, or attending virtual listening sessions by May 17th. Read the NCDD blog post about the opportunity here.

This is the first real opportunity in a while for practitioners like us to help inform Federal practices for engagement! Some may remember our efforts as a network during the Obama Administration, which led to the development of the Core Principles for Public Engagement, and we sent a joint response on the Open Government Action Plan with the Deliberative Democracy Consortium back in 2012 (see the archive post about this here: https://web.archive.org/web/20200918061645/www.ncdd.org/6591).

On May 3rd, NCDD staff will convene a listening session to hear from our network and gather input for NCDD’s response. This meeting will provide opportunities to reflect on the questions prompted by the Federal government’s Request for Information. The listening session will be held at 2pm Eastern, 11am Pacific.

Register here to join the NCDD Listening Session!

Some of the questions we will be exploring include…

• What types of content (e.g., methods, tools, definitions, research on the value of participation and engagement, promising practices) could OMB include in a Federal framework for PPCE?
• What goals and objectives should OMB consider when developing a Federal framework for PPCE?
• What steps should OMB take that involve the Federal Government and the public, especially engaging members of underserved communities, to ensure collaborative development of the framework? Please share any promising practices and successful examples.

If you are unable to join us during the NCDD listening session, you are welcome to share your thoughts via a survey by May 10th. Information gathered from the NCDD listening session and survey, will be compiled and submitted to OMB. Take the survey: LINKED HERE 

The White House OMB, Office of Science and Technology Policy, and U.S. GSA Open Government Secretariat are hosting a listening session as well. On May 2nd, from 1:30-3:00 PM Eastern, this session offers a chance to learn about the OMB's PPCE framework and share your insights. Register for the government listening session at: LINKED HERE 

The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is soliciting input from the public on best practices for public participation and community engagement (PPCE) activities, aiming to make government interactions more inclusive, transparent, and accountable. Americans are encouraged to share their experiences, suggest content for a federal framework, propose ways to improve the process, and provide feedback through public comments, online forms, or attending virtual listening sessions by May 17th. The initiative seeks to enhance government consultations with the public to inform policies, regulations, and services, addressing concerns about accessibility and stakeholder engagement. NCDD is working on generating a response and we will follow up with our network in the near future. Learn more in the post below and on GSA's site here.

We are excited to announce the new NCDD Job & Internship Board! 

Our job and internship board connects individuals and organizations committed to driving positive change through meaningful conversations and collaboration. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a newcomer to the field, our job and internship board offers a wide array of opportunities tailored to your skills and interests. 
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• Employers: Showcase your job or internship openings here to reach a diverse pool of candidates dedicated to advancing dialogue and deliberation in their communities. Share new roles via "Post a Job or Internship" feature.
• Job/internship seekers: Explore our listings to find opportunities where you can apply your skills to promote understanding, bridge divides, and create lasting impact through dialogue and deliberation.

We'll share new positions via the Job-Internship Board regularly, so make sure you bookmark the page and check back when you're looking for new opportunities. You'll notice at the top of the NCDD site, under the "News" tab, there is link to the new "NCDD Job-Internship Board". Jump to the NCDD Job & Internship Board here: www.ncdd.org/dd-jobs-internship-board.

The Making A Living List (D&D Jobs List) will still remain active and we encourage members to continue sharing job/internships in that space if that is your preference. Opportunities shared on the Jobs list will be reshared on the Jobs Board to help further boost announcements in a public-facing place on the NCDD site for easier access.