January 2025 Newsletter

3/9/2025

News and updates from the
dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement field
NCDD Newsletter January 2025

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

The Urgent Need for Dialogue and Deliberation

A reflection from NCDD's Executive Director, Keiva Hummel

Dear NCDD Community,

We are living in a time of profound uncertainty and division. Across the country, communities are grappling with strained trust, polarized conversations, and critical decisions that will shape our collective future.

And yet, I am reminded of a simple truth: our strength lies in coming together.

In neighborhoods, workplaces, and civic spaces, people are searching for ways to connect, collaborate, and create solutions that reflect shared needs. This is where dialogue and deliberation shine.

Dialogue offers a way forward. It’s not about choosing sides—it’s about creating space for connection, understanding, and collaboration. It reminds us that our communities thrive when every voice has the opportunity to be heard.

Deliberation helps us make thoughtful, informed decisions together. These processes allow us to weigh different perspectives, consider options, and discover shared solutions—whether in school boards, town halls, or community gatherings.

The challenges we face today—strained trust, complex decisions, and moments of division—affect us all. But these challenges also present an opportunity: to lean into connection rather than conflict, to listen when it feels hardest, and to collaborate in ways that strengthen our shared communities.

Across society, people are already stepping up to solve problems together. Dialogue and deliberation amplify these efforts by creating space for deeper understanding and collaboration. These tools aren’t tied to any ideology—they’re rooted in the belief that every voice matters and every community can find its path forward.

For over 20 years, NCDD has worked to bring people together through the practices of dialogue and deliberation. We’ve seen how these tools transform conflict into collaboration, uncertainty into shared action, and connection into lasting change.

But this work doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens because of you. Whether you’re a facilitator, a community leader, or someone who believes in the power of connection, your role in this movement is essential.

Together, we can create spaces where ideas are shared, decisions are made thoughtfully, and communities grow stronger.

This month, I invite you to take action:

Join NCDD as a member if you are not already part of the coalition.
Please support this work with a donation to help us continue building spaces for connection and collaboration.
Explore the new “Maximize Your Membership” guide to make the most of the resources and opportunities available.
Share your story and inspire others with your experiences in dialogue and deliberation.
Join events on the NCDD Community Calendar—and let us know if you have dialogue & deliberation events coming up that should be added!

Together, we can continue building a future where connection is the foundation for progress. Thank you for all you do to strengthen your communities and support one another.

With deep respect,
Keiva Hummel
Executive Director
National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD)

New Resource for NCDD Members: "Maximize Your Membership"

This brand-new guide is designed to help you fully utilize the incredible resources, connections, and opportunities available as an NCDD member. Whether you're looking for tools, ways to connect with others, or opportunities to showcase your expertise, this guide offers a practical roadmap for making the most of your membership. Access the guide here: Maximize Your Membership

Encourage your colleagues and networks to join or renew their NCDD membership today to unlock these great resources and opportunities!

Welcome to Our New NCDD Interns!

We are thrilled to welcome five exceptional interns to NCDD’s team. Please join us in celebrating their arrival:

Communications Interns: Sydney Huynh (University of Texas at Austin) and Lizbeth Varela (University of Texas at Austin)
Grantwriting Intern: Ruksana Ruhee (Baruch College, CUNY)
Grantwriting and Membership Engagement Intern: Ronald Peterson (Baruch College, CUNY)
Resource Curator Intern: Rachel Erdmann (University of Iowa)

Communications Coordinator Update

Farewell to Izzy Henry: Izzy Henry has transitioned from NCDD's Communications Coordinator to her exciting new position as Membership & Community Engagement Manager at KRFC 88.9 FM in Fort Collins, Colorado. Please join us in congratulating her on this new chapter!
Looking Ahead: We have completed interviews for NCDD’s next Communications Coordinator and expect to announce the new hire in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

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

NCDD is excited to continue hosting our 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 Friday. The next call is Friday, February 14th at 1-2pm Eastern, 10-11am 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.

These calls will be held the first Friday in February, March, and April. The next call is Friday, February 7th at 1-2pm Eastern, 10-11am Pacific. Interested in joining these calls? Fill out the NCDD Higher Ed Exchange Interest Form. The agenda doc with call information can be found 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!

February 7: NCDD Higher Ed Exchange from 1-2pm ET, 10-11am PT
February 13: PMD Community of Practice from 1-2:30pm ET, 10-11:30am PT.
February 14: NCDD Media Collaborative from 1-2pm ET, 10-11am PT
February 19: NCDD Member call from 2-3pm ET, 11am-12pm PT

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.

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].

Do you have 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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