Three Days of Convening in DC: Strengthening Connection, Collaboration, and Democracy

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

Over the course of three days last week, Roshan Bliss, NCDD's Director of Democracy Innovations, and I had the privilege of participating in a series of events in Washington, DC, that underscored the power of collaboration and community in advancing dialogue and deliberation. From strategic retreats to multi-organization convenings and a national conference, these gatherings brought together leaders, practitioners, and visionaries committed to fostering connection, collaboration, innovation, and democracy. These in-person moments not only provided opportunities to exchange ideas but also reaffirmed our shared commitment to creating a more connected and inclusive society. Below is a recap of the inspiring events and conversations that will continue to shape our collective work.

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On December 8, Roshan and I attended the Better Together America (BTA) strategic retreat held at the West End Neighborhood Library in Washington, DC. BTA is a collaborative initiative focused on fostering locally-rooted civic innovation by supporting "civic hubs" that build connections between individuals, organizations, and communities to strengthen democracy. This retreat brought together leaders to explore the future of BTA’s work in building civic capacity, fostering connections, and amplifying efforts across the healthy democracy ecosystem. As part of BTA’s Advisory Team, NCDD was proud to contribute to these strategic discussions and align with BTA’s mission of strengthening democracy at local and national levels. Learn more about Better Together America at bettertogetheramerica.org/about.

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​On December 9, the day was shared between two impactful events at the historic Friends Meeting of Washington. I attended the convening of backbone organizations, organized by Kristin Hansen of the Civic Health Project. Backbone organizations play a critical role in supporting and connecting practitioners across the dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement fields by providing essential infrastructure, coordination, and resources to amplify collective impact. This gathering brought together backbone leaders to strengthen relationships, clarify our collective roles, and surface insights for greater impact. Focused on addressing fragmentation across this broader ecosystem, the meeting was an energizing first step toward building stronger strategic collaboration and alignment among organizations working to support the field.

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Meanwhile, Roshan attended the concurrent Inter-Movement Impact Project (IMIP) event led by Walt Roberts, titled "Forging a Transpartisan 'Thriving Together' Democracy & Civic Health Movement of Movements." This dynamic and interactive Future Forum invited participants to envision how we can collectively create a thriving future for democracy and society. Through generative conversations and intentional collaboration, attendees explored critical themes such as building and funding backbone and connective tissue functions, overcoming inter-movement fragmentation, and creating wide bridges to strengthen essential connections among 'thriving together stewards.'

Later in the afternoon, the backbone organization leaders joined the IMIP event, bringing together both groups to deepen conversations, foster connections, and align efforts toward a shared vision of a healthier, more cohesive movement. The day offered an inspiring glimpse of what’s possible when we unite across roles and sectors to strengthen the collective impact of our shared work.

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The 2024 Annual Conference on Citizenship – 'Renewing Civic Health,' held on December 10 at the Planet Word Museum in Washington, DC, brought together civic leaders, researchers, and practitioners from across the country to explore innovative strategies for strengthening civic engagement. Hosted by the National Conference on Citizenship, the event featured dynamic sessions on civic health measurement, rebuilding trust, and fostering inclusive democracy, as well as insights from the release of the 100th Civic Health Index. Attendees participated in panels, breakout discussions, and networking opportunities designed to spark collaboration and highlight actionable pathways for renewing our collective commitment to democracy.

It was truly heartwarming to reconnect with old friends, meet inspiring new colleagues, and imagine the possibilities these connections might bring. The energy and inspiration of being together in person reaffirmed the importance of gathering when we can, nurturing our shared commitment to building stronger communities and fostering meaningful connections. While we may not always collaborate on the same projects, each of us contributes in vital ways under the broad umbrella of dialogue and deliberation—advancing a more connected society and a healthier democracy through our collective efforts.

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