A reflection from NCDD's Executive Director, Keiva Hummel​

As we enter 2025, the NCDD team has been reflecting on all we accomplished together over the past year. While the holidays brought a welcome opportunity to rest and recharge, we are excited to take a moment to share the highlights of 2024 before diving into all that this new year has in store. Thank you for being part of this incredible community and for your continued support as we work to strengthen dialogue, deliberation, our connections and our communities!

Accomplishments in 2024

• Updated Member Map: We fully updated the NCDD Member Map to improve its functionality, allowing members to be searched based on region and area of work. This makes it easier for members to be tapped for professional opportunities and collaborations. Explore the map: ncdd.org/map.html 
• NCDD Jobs and Internship Board: We launched the NCDD Jobs and Internship Board, a centralized resource to help members connect with professional opportunities in dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement. This board supports practitioners in advancing their careers while helping organizations find talented individuals in the field. More here: ncdd.org/dd-jobs-internship-board 
• Working Groups and Collaboratives: We launched key working groups and collaboratives this year. Learn more: ncdd.org/workinggroupsandexchanges.html 
  • Media Collaborative: This group focuses on strengthening relationships between the engagement field and journalism.
  • Higher Ed Exchange: Connecting practitioners in higher education for learning and collaboration.
  • Emerging Leaders Initiative: A space dedicated to practitioners under 35 who are newer to the field.
• Conversation Café Transition: We successfully moved the Conversation Café website and information onto the NCDD website, ensuring these vital resources are more accessible to our community. Check it out: ncdd.org/conversationcafe.html 
• Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy: After beginning development of this initiative at the start of 2024 and officially launching it in the summer, we have hosted monthly forums and a monthly Community of Practice ever since. These events connect and support practitioners in dialogue, deliberation, facilitation, and mediation to strengthen democracy and foster impactful collaboration. Dive deeper: ncdd.org/practitionermobilization.html 
  
  

Personnel Updates

• Leadership Transitions: After over five years of exceptional service as Executive Director, Courtney Breese transitioned into the role of Director Emeritus. Courtney continues to share her invaluable wisdom and insight, focusing on NCDD’s library engagement work. Keiva Hummel stepped into the Executive Director position, bringing fresh energy and vision to the coalition. With a strong background in nonprofit leadership and a deep passion for fostering meaningful connections, Keiva is excited to guide NCDD into a new chapter of growth and impact.
• New Team Members: We were thrilled to welcome Izzy Henry as Communications Coordinator, after meeting her at the 2023 NCDD conference, and Roshan Bliss returned as Director of Democracy Innovations, strengthening our work in meaningful ways.
  
  

Board Updates

• New Board Member: We are thrilled to welcome Rhonda Fitzgerald to our board. Her vibrance, knowledge, and expertise will be a tremendous asset as we grow and strengthen NCDD.
• Gratitude for Past Board Members: We extend our heartfelt thanks to Brad O’Rourke and Hollie Cost (HoCo) for their years of dedication and service on the board. Their insight and contributions have deeply impacted our coalition, and while their presence will be missed, we wish them the very best in their future endeavors.
  
  

Join or Renew Your Membership
As we look ahead to 2025, we invite you to deepen your connection to this thriving community by becoming a member of NCDD or renewing your membership. Being part of NCDD gives you access to an incredible network of innovators in dialogue, deliberation, and facilitation. 
Members benefit from:

• Access to a wealth of information and resources to support your work.
• Opportunities to connect with and learn from leaders in the field.
• Invitations to exclusive events, forums, and learning exchanges.

Your membership strengthens NCDD’s ability to provide valuable programs, foster collaboration, and drive innovation in dialogue and deliberation. Together, we can amplify our collective impact and continue to create meaningful change. Learn more and join the coalition: ncdd.org/join.html

Support the Coalition
In addition to membership, we invite you to support NCDD by making a donation. Your contributions help us pay our dedicated staff, sustain programming, and bring together even more events in the coming year. Every gift strengthens our ability to foster dialogue, deliberation, and connection across communities.
Help us build a stronger coalition by donating today: ncdd.org/donate.html 

Looking Forward
Thank you for being a part of the NCDD community. Reflecting on 2024, we are energized by the opportunities ahead to grow and strengthen our coalition.

In 2025, we are excited to focus on building our coalition membership, increasing funding to ensure NCDD is a sustainable and thriving organization, and deepening our regional organizing efforts. We also aim to expand event hosting opportunities to foster even greater collaboration and connection. Most importantly, we are working to evolve NCDD into a true coalition model, where members play an even more integral role in shaping our shared mission and impact.

​We look forward to collaborating with you in these efforts and invite you to join us in driving this vision forward. Together, we can continue to strengthen dialogue, deliberation, our democracy, and our communities.

​A note from NCDD's Executive Director, Keiva Hummel

As we move through another important election day, let’s pause and reflect on the work we’re doing—not just today, but every day—to strengthen our communities and nurture our democracy. It’s natural to feel a mix of emotions during these times, from hope to uncertainty, and perhaps even a bit of fatigue. But remember, as the popular saying goes, "Democracy is a participatory sport." It thrives when we show up, stay engaged, and work together to build a better future.

Our responsibility to democracy isn’t bound to election days alone. Full democratic participation extends beyond the ballots we cast—it’s about creating spaces for listening, learning, bridging divides, and strengthening community ties every day. We can find strength in this ongoing commitment to one another, even when it feels challenging. Democracy asks us to be stewards of our communities, to cultivate an environment of inclusivity and hold space for voices that are often marginalized. That work is complex, messy, and deeply rewarding.

Yet, while we commit to caring for others, it’s crucial that we also care for ourselves. We need moments of rest, reflection, and renewal to sustain this journey. Today, I encourage us to check in with ourselves and with each other, recognizing that our well-being fuels our ability to make a positive impact. As we care for our resilience, we also build a stronger foundation for our shared vision of democracy.

Remember, democracy’s strength lies in our collective participation. No matter the outcome of this election, the work continues tomorrow, next week, and beyond. Together, let’s keep moving forward, nurturing our communities, and driving democracy with both compassion and purpose.

Let’s get out there, support each other, and keep building the world we want to live in.

Ways to Engage Today

• Vote: If you haven’t already, make your voice heard by casting your ballot. Voting is one of the most direct ways to participate in democracy and make an impact.
• Engage Locally: Attend a dialogue event or community forum where you can listen and share perspectives that matter to your community.
• Volunteer: Lend a hand to local initiatives that bring people together and support community resilience.
• Connect Across Differences: Take a moment to connect with someone who may see the world differently than you do. Even a simple conversation can be a step toward understanding.
• Practice Self-Care and Encourage Others: Caring for our own well-being fuels our ability to support others. Take time to rest and renew, and encourage friends and family to do the same.
• Stay Involved: Keep an eye out for opportunities with NCDD to connect, learn, and make an impact beyond election day.

To support you in fostering productive and compassionate election conversations, we’ve compiled a list of resources for engaging in respectful dialogue. Explore the tools and guidance in this blog post to help you navigate meaningful conversations today and beyond.

By engaging in these small but powerful actions, we each play our part in strengthening democracy every day.

With hope and purpose,
Keiva Hummel
Executive Director, NCDD

It’s been one year since NCDD 2023 brought hundreds of changemakers together in Atlanta for three inspiring days of connection, learning, and collaboration. The conference featured over 60 workshops, dynamic plenaries, and countless opportunities to foster new partnerships and strengthen the dialogue and deliberation community.

As we reflect on the success of NCDD 2023, we’re already looking toward NCDD 2025. To bring the next conference to life, we need your support through sponsorships, donations, and funding partnerships. We also invite you to help shape the event by sharing your thoughts in our NCDD 2025 Interest Survey. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Join us today for the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy launch event, "The Role of Mediators and Facilitators in Healing U.S. Democracy," at 9am PT/12pm ET. Co-hosted by NCDD and various partners, this event unites practitioners in support of democracy during a time of significant societal divisions. Learn more below and register here.

In addition to this, we have news on the recent NCDD leadership change. At the beginning of June, Keiva Hummel stepped into the role of Executive Director. She has already launched new initiatives to strengthen and expand NCDD's impact, such as the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy. In the spirit of continuing to build NCDD into a robust organization, we are dedicated to strengthening our capacity and network. We invite all our members, partners, and the wider community to join us in these efforts. Your financial contributions and support are vital to advancing our mission of promoting dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement.​ Learn more details in the blog post below.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, marks our country’s second independence day and is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black people in America. This important day in American history is marked with parades, prayer, dancing, and family gatherings. The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture and Teach for America offer a rich compilation of resources, including lesson plans, books, videos, and classroom guides, to enrich conversations around this significant day. We invite you to share any dialogue and deliberation resources in the comments below.

​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.

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) 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.