​The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) is excited to welcome Jason Vadnos as our new Executive Assistant. A dedicated advocate for civil discourse and a standout student at Vanderbilt University, Jason brings a rich blend of academic insight, leadership experience, and a deep commitment to bridging divides through dialogue. From launching award-winning initiatives like "Let's Be SVL" to supporting national civic engagement efforts, his background uniquely positions him to strengthen NCDD's mission. Jason’s arrival signals a bright future for our work advancing democratic dialogue. Read more in the blog post below.

NCDD Friend, Dr. Timothy Shaffer’s recent presentation at Chaminade University offers a timely and transformative rethinking of civil discourse. Rather than reducing civility to mere politeness, Shaffer introduces a nuanced framework distinguishing between weak, strong, and pseudo civility—encouraging dialogue practitioners to embrace passionate, democratic engagement, even when it includes protest or confrontation. Addressing the deeper emotional divides of affective polarization, he outlines practical strategies like intellectual humility, principled advocacy, and the use of informal “third spaces” to bridge ideological gaps. Shaffer’s message is clear: each of us holds agency to foster stronger civic culture amid division. Read more in the blog post below.

Josh Lerner and Marjan Ehsassi propose a "House of the People"—a permanent citizens' assembly serving as a fourth branch of U.S. government—to revitalize democracy through inclusive, informed public deliberation. Aligned with the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation’s values of collaboration, inclusivity, and continuous learning, the assembly would foster cross-partisan dialogue, elevate underrepresented voices through lottery-based selection, and promote thoughtful engagement with complex issues. As citizens’ assemblies gain momentum globally, this model offers a compelling path to move U.S. governance from polarization to participation. Read more in the blog post below.

Join the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) on Monday, June 23rd for "Deliberation in Action: A Civic Season Call to Reimagine Democracy," from 12–1:30 p.m. Eastern / 9–10:30 a.m. Pacific. This timely webinar will explore how communities across the country are using dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement to bridge divides, build trust, and shape inclusive policy. As part of Civic Season—the reflective period between Juneteenth and the Fourth of July—this event highlights democracy as a living culture that requires ongoing practice and renewal. Featuring leading voices in democratic innovation, the conversation will offer real-world examples, strategic insights, and a vision for collective action. Register here and more in the blog post below.

On May 22, 2025, community organizers and civic professionals joined NCDD for an engaging and thought-provoking webinar, Rethinking Inclusivity: Expanding the Invitation in Public Engagement. This timely session explored how today’s political climate—while undeniably polarized—also presents opportunities to reimagine public engagement in ways that resonate across political, cultural, and geographic divides.

Co-presenters Elena Martínez-Torres (Sustained Dialogue Institute), Phillipe Cunningham (Urban Rural Action), Siri Erickson (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement), and Tahnee Robertson (Southwest Decision Resources) shared powerful reflections on inclusive language, rural engagement, intergenerational participation, and adaptive strategies for reaching those often left out of civic spaces.

Panelists highlighted that inclusivity is not just about who is present—but how we show up, how we frame our invitations, and how we build spaces rooted in shared values like respect, fairness, and community. Participants left with concrete tools, deeper insights, and a renewed commitment to fostering belonging and representation in civic life. Read more lessons from the webinar and watch the recording below.

​This June, Akron, Ohio will host the Citizens' Assembly School, a two-day intensive program presented by FIDE - North America and Unify America, offering dialogue and deliberation practitioners a rare opportunity to explore citizens' assemblies—an increasingly vital tool in participatory democracy. Held June 12–13 at the Bounce Innovation Hub, the program combines expert-led instruction with hands-on workshops covering the full lifecycle of citizens' assemblies, including recruitment through sortition, question framing, facilitation, evaluation, and scaling. With a faculty of leading practitioners and scholars, including representatives from MASS LBP, FIDE, and major universities, participants will gain both the skills and networks needed to implement or support assemblies in their own communities. Akron's selection as host city reflects its growing role in civic innovation, and the event emphasizes accessibility with scholarships for local participants and a registration deadline of May 30. Read more in the blog post below.

The Spring 2025 issue of NCDD Friend's National Civic Review, this Review showcases eight compelling articles focused on innovative practices in democratic engagement. From Portland’s bold adoption of proportional representation to the use of potlucks as tools for civic connection, each piece offers unique insights into how communities across North America are reimagining participation and public decision-making. Topics include participatory budgeting in NYC, citizen deliberations on police oversight in Springfield, and governance reforms in Cambridge and the Yukon. Together, these stories reveal a growing movement to deepen inclusion, transparency, and local stewardship. Read more in the blog post below.

​Ball State University's Center for Economic and Civic Learning (CECL) invites changemakers, educators, and thought leaders to the 2025 Conference on Civic Studies & Democracy, themed “Character, Aesthetics, and Community.” Set for September 25–27, this interdisciplinary event explores how civic identity is shaped at the intersection of moral development, artistic expression, and communal life. With topics ranging from education and digital participation to public art and democratic architecture, the conference seeks to reimagine civic engagement through a multifaceted lens. Proposal submissions are open until June 15, 2025. Read more in the blog post below.

In Strategic Questioning, Juanita Brown, David Isaacs, Eric Vogt, and Nancy Margulies explore how asking the right questions—rather than chasing the right answers—can unlock learning, innovation, and transformation. Highlighting examples like Hewlett-Packard’s shift in purpose, the authors show how strategic questions can reshape organizations. For dialogue practitioners, the article offers practical insights on creating spaces where powerful questions and collective wisdom can thrive. Read more in the blog post below. ​