December 2024 Newsletter

3/9/2025

News and updates from the
dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement field
December 2024

This newsletter holds the latest information from all around the dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement community, including current opportunities and upcoming events.

Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Gratitude and Growth

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 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 welcomed Izzy Henry as Communications Coordinator after meeting her at the 2023 NCDD conference. 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 would like to 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. Please 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 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.

Keiva Hummel
Executive Director
National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD)

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

A note from Keiva Hummel, NCDD's ED

Over the course of three days in December, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Join NCDD During Our Membership Campaign!

We are in the midst of our membership campaign, “Growing the Power of We: Dialogue as the Heartbeat of Democracy.” As a thriving network and incubator for collaboration, NCDD brings together people across sectors and communities to champion the essential role of dialogue and deliberation in strengthening democracy. We believe meaningful conversations, rooted in inclusivity and mutual respect, empower individuals and communities to create lasting change.

Why Join NCDD?
By joining NCDD, you’re connecting with a vibrant movement dedicated to making dialogue the foundation of not only a thriving democracy but also a more inclusive, understanding society. We unite people across communities and sectors to tackle pressing social challenges, bridge divides, and foster meaningful collaboration. Membership enables you to contribute directly to initiatives that promote social connection and transformative change, creating spaces where all voices are valued, and solutions emerge from shared understanding. Now is the perfect time to join! Members enjoy exclusive benefits like early access to resources, event discounts, spotlights in our newsletter, and more.

How to Join:
Joining NCDD is simple. Click here to visit our dedicated membership page and sign up or renew today. Don’t miss this opportunity to take action and be part of something bigger.

Love NCDD? Tell us in the membership campaign survey!
We would like to invite you to participate in our membership campaign survey. As we celebrate “Growing the Power of We: Dialogue as the Heartbeat of Democracy,” we want to hear about your experiences with NCDD and how our network has empowered your work. Your stories may be featured in our campaign materials, inspiring others to join us. Fill out the survey here!

NCDD Member Announcements

Are you an NCDD partner and have an announcement to share? Submit them via the NCDD Blog submission form, or email NCDD at [email protected].

From the NCDD Blog...

Read more D&D information on the NCDD Blog at: www.ncdd.org/news

Join the NCDD Monthly Member Calls

Be part of a vibrant space where ideas flourish and connections grow! NCDD’s monthly member calls bring together leaders, practitioners, and enthusiasts of dialogue and deliberation on Zoom every 3rd Wednesday at 2 PM Eastern / 11 AM Pacific. Each call is an opportunity to engage with fellow members, share updates, and learn about projects shaping the future of our field in a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere.

Want to get in on the conversation? Join NCDD as a member and receive exclusive invites to these dynamic discussions. Current members, watch for your invitation on the NCDD-MEMBERLIST listserv. If you need clarification on your membership status, please contact our office manager, Joy, at [email protected].

Updates from the NCDD Working Groups & Exchange

At the beginning of 2024, NCDD began to roll out our new collaborative working groups and higher education exchange. Learn updates below...

Emerging Leaders Initiative: For people 35 years and under

We are currently working to establish a new monthly meeting time, if you are part of this group, please fill out this form so we can see when works best!

Media Collaborative: Join this working group to collaborate on strengthening the connection between D&D and journalism.

These calls will be monthly on the second Tuesday. The next call is Tuesday, January14th at 12-1pm Eastern, 9-10am Pacific. The agenda doc with call information can be found linked here.

Higher Education Exchange: Community of practice tailored for faculty and staff in higher education engaged in dialogue and deliberation work. Interested in joining these calls? Fill out the NCDD Higher Ed Exchange Interest Form.

Catch up on the notes linked here.

Find full details on each of the groups on the NCDD Working Group & Exchange page at: www.ncdd.org/workinggroupsandexchanges.html.

Upcoming NCDD Events

A few NCDD events happening this upcoming month... Please join us!

January 9th: PMD Community of Practice meeting from 1-2:30pm ET, 10-11:30am PT.
January 14th: Media Collaborative meeting from 12-1pm ET, 9-10am PT
January 15th: NCDD Member call from 2-3pm ET, 11am-12pm PT
January 23rd: Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy monthly forum at 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT. Sign up here!

To join the working groups and/or learning exchange, find information at: www.ncdd.org/workinggroupsandexchanges.html.

Check out the NCDD Community Event Calendar for more: ncdd.org/community-events.html. Want to add something to the calendar? Fill out this short submission form.

Jobs & Internship Opportunities

Find new opportunities related to dialogue, deliberation, and engagement work on the new NCDD Job & Internship Board!

Jump to the NCDD Job & Internship Board: https://www.ncdd.org/dd-jobs-internship-board
Submit a new position to the Job-Internship Board: https://www.ncdd.org/submit-ncdd-job-internship-board.html

Ways to Get Involved with NCDD

Join the NCDD Network and participate in monthly member calls!

Being a member of the NCDD network is making a commitment to be in community together and to explore the next steps we can take to continue to broaden the reach of dialogue & deliberation practices. One of the ways we create community is by hosting monthly Member Calls on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 2pm Eastern/11am Pacific. These calls are meant to provide an opportunity for members to come together and share exciting announcements with one another, as well as give us as a community additional opportunities to connect, explore best practices, discuss challenges, and collaborate.

Want to join these opportunities? Join NCDD as a member to get access to these calls and more! If you are not sure about your membership status, please check with our office manager, Joy, at [email protected].

Got News to Share? Submit it to the NCDD Blog!

NCDD has been blogging for the dialogue and deliberation community since 2004 about job and funding opportunities, training and conferences, national projects and media coverage, and NCDD’s own programs and events. We also use the blog to share thoughtful opinion pieces by NCDD members and leaders, and to propose new ideas. Do you have an announcement or opinion piece to share? Submit it now!

New Book or materials? Share them in the NCDD Resource Center!

The NCDD Resource Center is a clearinghouse of top-notch resources that help people facilitate, teach, plan, evaluate and study dialogue and deliberation. We aim to present each resource in a useful, practical way (not too puff piece-y, jargony or generic), and link directly to the resource so people can get to what they need quickly. Submit your resource here.

Want to share news in the next NCDD monthly newsletter?
Send an email to: [email protected]

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