Talking Across Divides: A New Community of Practice for Pluralism Communicators (Apply by February 13th)

More in Common and Democracy Notes, with support from New Pluralists, have launched a nine-month communications community of practice for professionals working across the pluralism ecosystem. Building on prior social media research and peer-learning cohorts, the program brings together a small cohort of communications practitioners for monthly facilitated sessions focused on practical skill-building, experimentation, and shared problem-solving around messaging for democratic renewal, bridge-building, and inclusive civic participation. Participants receive peer support, individualized coaching, and shared funds to test new approaches, with no cost to participate. Applications are due February 13, 2026, and the cohort will begin in late March.

---

---

More in Common and Democracy Notes have announced a collaborative community of practice program for communications professionals working within the pluralism ecosystem, supported by New Pluralists. The initiative builds on More in Common's 2025 Powering Growth and Success on Social Media project and Democracy Notes' established peer-learning cohorts for organizational leaders and fundraising professionals. Designed for communications practitioners eager to sharpen skills and experiment with new approaches alongside colleagues at aligned organizations, the program recognizes that effective messaging around pluralism, bridge-building, and democratic renewal requires specialized knowledge and coordinated learning. The pluralism ecosystem encompasses organizations working to strengthen democratic culture, reduce polarization, foster dialogue across differences, and build inclusive civic participation, creating shared communication challenges around audience engagement, narrative strategy, and impact measurement.

The nine-month program brings together approximately ten communications professionals for monthly hour-long Zoom sessions co-facilitated by Gabe Lerner from Democracy Notes, Julia Coffin from More in Common, and a communications expert consultant. Participants gain access to a peer network committed to mutual support and collaborative learning, individualized coaching from communications specialists, and funding for skill-building and experimentation projects determined collectively by the community of practice. The structure emphasizes practical application rather than theoretical discussion, with participants expected to share both challenges and expertise while testing new approaches in their organizational contexts. There is no cost to participate, lowering barriers for communications professionals at organizations with limited professional development budgets while creating space for candid discussion about what works and what challenges remain unresolved.

This program addresses growing recognition that organizations working on pluralism, dialogue, and democratic strengthening face distinctive communications challenges requiring specialized peer support networks. For practitioners managing organizational communications around bridge-building, civic engagement, or deliberative democracy, the community of practice offers a rare opportunity to learn from colleagues navigating similar audience dynamics, message testing, and impact storytelling. The emphasis on experimentation funds signals a commitment to moving beyond knowledge-sharing toward actionable testing of new tactics and platforms. Applications are due February 13, 2026, with interviews conducted on a rolling basis and participants notified in early March before the cohort launches later that month.

Apply at: Communications Community of Practice for the Pluralism Ecosystem (Deadline: Feb 13).