Join Our Next Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy Monthly Forum on April 24th

Join the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy (PMD) Monthly Forum on April 24th to connect with facilitators, mediators, and civic leaders using dialogue to strengthen democracy. This virtual gathering offers a space to share ideas, challenges, and strategies for civic engagement. As part of the PMD initiative, these forums emphasize inclusive participation, collaborative conversations, and community empowerment. Starting in June, they will move to the first Thursday of each month. Learn more about PMD’s impact and how you can get involved. Read more in the blog post below.

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As dialogue and deliberation practitioners, we know that democracy thrives when people feel connected, heard, and engaged in shaping their communities. The Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy (PMD) initiative brings together mediators, facilitators, and civic leaders who are using their skills to foster meaningful conversations and strengthen democratic participation across the country.

Join Us This Month

We invite you to join our next PMD Monthly Forum:

• Date: Thursday, April 24th, 2025
• Time: 2pm ET / 1pm CT / 12pm MT / 11am PT (90-minute session)
• Location: Virtual via Zoom
• Registration: bit.ly/practitioner-mobilization-signup
  

April Forum Theme: Democracy Reform, the Current Crisis & Building the Future

Join us for a community-wide forum featuring Bo Harmon, political strategist with Represent.us, who will share concrete ways we can plug into the democracy reform ecosystem and bring our skills where they’re most needed.

This gathering will explore:

• What’s happening right now in democracy reform
• How facilitators and mediators can support change during this crisis moment
• What it means to build the future of democracy together

Note: Starting in June, our forums will move to First Thursdays (June 5, July 3, etc.) to better align with our partners and ensure greater participation.

What is PMD?

For those new to the concept, Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy empowers mediators, facilitators, and civic professionals to use their skills to foster dialogue, promote civic participation, and strengthen democracy. It's about taking local action—creating spaces for meaningful conversations and guiding communities toward shared solutions.

We define "practitioners" broadly—including facilitators, mediators, hosts, conveners, community-builders, activists, and organizers, whether formal or informal, paid or volunteer, new or experienced.
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Our vision of democracy is a way of life where, when we make decisions together for the benefit of the larger whole, we listen to and consider one another's perspectives. Democracy thrives when we have accountable, facilitative leadership at all levels.

What to Expect

The PMD Monthly Forum provides a dynamic space for:

• Exchanging innovative ideas and strategies
• Sharing successes and challenges from your practice
• Building connections with practitioners nationwide
• Exploring new approaches to community engagement
• Discussing the critical role of facilitators and mediators in strengthening democracy

Each forum brings together diverse perspectives and experiences, creating opportunities for learning and collaboration that you can apply directly to your work in communities.

The Role of Practitioners in Strengthening Democracy

At NCDD, we believe that practitioners are essential to a healthy democracy.
Here's how our work makes a difference:
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Fostering Deeper Understanding

• As facilitators and mediators, we create environments where people can explore diverse perspectives and identify shared values. We ensure every voice is heard and valued in democratic discourse, especially when discussing challenging topics.

Encouraging Inclusive Participation

• Our work creates spaces where everyone has a seat at the table. We strengthen democracy by fostering engagement from those who may feel marginalized or unheard in traditional political processes.

Guiding Collaborative Conversations

• We enable thoughtful dialogue around complex issues, helping communities work through disagreements and find solutions based on shared values rather than polarized positions.

Strengthening Civic Engagement

• Through our facilitation, we provide communities with tools to take collective action toward the future they want to build, transforming conversation into meaningful civic participation.

The Four Pillars of Practitioner Mobilization

The PMD initiative offers multiple pathways for engagement:

1. Connect and Get Inspired: Join our network to exchange ideas and collaborate with peers
2. Learn and Build Skills: Access tools, training, and resources to develop your practice
3. Engage Locally: Lead conversations that strengthen democratic participation in your community
4. Engage Nationally: Connect with organizations and movements to expand your impact
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We believe that democracy thrives when practitioners pursue their own journey, finding where they can best foster dialogue, support civic participation, and create change. The monthly forum is your opportunity to explore these pillars and connect with others on similar paths.