October 2024 Newsletter

10/31/2024

News and updates from the
dialogue, deliberation, and public engagement field
NCDD Newsletter
October 2024

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

Strengthening Democracy:
The Power of Dialogue and Deliberation

An Extended Note from NCDD's Executive Director,

In today’s world, democratic values face challenges from rising polarization and declining trust in institutions. At a time when public discourse often feels fragmented, dialogue and deliberation have become essential tools for building trust, bridging divides, and fostering community resilience. Democracy, at its core, rests on the principle that all voices deserve to be heard, regardless of political stance. By cultivating spaces where diverse perspectives can coexist and be respected, dialogue and deliberation ensure that policies are inclusive, reflecting a broad spectrum of experiences and values.

Dialogue and Deliberation: Essential Pillars of Democracy
Democracy relies not just on voting and representation but on the strength of our connections and the ability to find common ground, especially during times of division. Dialogue and deliberation are two foundational practices that bring these connections to life, offering structured ways for individuals to engage, listen, and understand one another’s unique perspectives. Each practice plays a distinct role in fostering democratic values: dialogue fosters empathy and mutual respect, while deliberation channels these connections into meaningful, actionable solutions. Together, they create a pathway for people to move beyond disagreement toward collaboration, navigating even the most complex challenges with integrity and inclusivity.

Dialogue allows people to share their stories, listen deeply, and connect on a personal level. By nurturing understanding and empathy, dialogue helps individuals see beyond labels and stereotypes, fostering a sense of shared humanity. Through genuine listening and open exchange, dialogue builds trust among participants, creating a foundation for productive engagement.

Deliberation moves conversations toward collective action by inviting people to weigh different viewpoints, consider trade-offs, and collaboratively develop solutions. This process ensures that decisions are informed, inclusive, and considerate of all voices. Deliberation empowers communities to face even the most challenging topics together, transforming differences into strengths and enabling more balanced, sustainable outcomes.

In practice, dialogue and deliberation not only foster empathy and collective action but also anchor the democratic process itself. By engaging communities in open conversations and collaborative decision-making, these practices allow individuals to actively participate in shaping policies that reflect shared values and goals. This approach doesn’t just resolve immediate issues; it strengthens the core principles of democracy—self-governance, civic responsibility, and inclusivity—making communities more resilient and better equipped to face future challenges.

How Dialogue and Deliberation Strengthen Democracy
Dialogue and deliberation empower communities and support a resilient democracy through:

Building Trust and Bridging Divides: Structured conversations create safe spaces for open dialogue, fostering trust and unity across social, political, and cultural divides. By actively listening, participants find common ground and build a shared purpose.
Promoting Transparency: Dialogue and deliberation invite open discussion and transparent information-sharing, fostering accountability in public decisions.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: Dialogue brings diverse perspectives together, generating innovative solutions to complex challenges.
Encouraging Civic Responsibility: Meaningful conversations about community issues instill a sense of civic duty and responsibility.
Reducing Polarization: By fostering empathy and understanding, dialogue and deliberation reduce partisan hostility.
Empowering Citizens: Inclusive deliberation enables individuals to make informed choices, actively participate, and take ownership of community decisions, fostering engaged and resilient citizenship.

Democracy Is for Everyone: Bridging Ideological Divides
In these polarized times, even the term “democracy” can feel divisive. Different groups in recent years have often used it to champion their ideals while questioning the legitimacy of others, turning “democracy” into a rhetorical tool rather than a shared value. This selective framing risks overshadowing the true essence of democracy as a system designed to be inclusive and representative of all voices. At its core, democracy is for everyone, creating a foundation where diverse perspectives can coexist, engage, and contribute to a shared future.

The strength of democracy lies in its ability to resonate across ideologies, fostering a system where a variety of values coexist and contribute to collective decisions. For those who identify as conservative, democracy aligns with values like personal responsibility, individual freedoms, and thoughtful engagement in governance. Dialogue and deliberation uphold these values by encouraging reasoned, respectful exchanges that allow voices to be heard and respected. For those with liberal views, democracy embodies inclusivity, equality, and empathy. Dialogue and deliberation amplify marginalized voices, fostering empathy and driving decision-making that reflects a broader social conscience. Ultimately, democracy thrives on its ability to balance diverse perspectives, creating a shared space where different ideals can shape policies that reflect the community as a whole.

NCDD’s Role in Strengthening Democracy Through Dialogue and Deliberation
The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD) serves as a vital convener and resource center dedicated to advancing the practices of dialogue and deliberation. Our work unites people across sectors and society to foster conversations and collaboration that strengthen democracy. Through national conferences, regular networking calls, and accessible resources, we bring dialogue and deliberation to the widest possible audience. These initiatives and tools empower individuals and organizations with essential skills for fostering inclusive, participatory environments where every voice is valued.

Join us in this essential work. Whether by becoming a member, attending our events, or supporting us with a donation, you directly contribute to programs that bring dialogue and deliberation to life in communities across the nation. Your support allows us to expand our reach, develop new resources, and create spaces for the conversations that nurture democratic engagement and civic capacity.

Democracy depends on each of us doing the hard work of listening, deliberating, and acting together. Dialogue and deliberation are not only tools for democratic engagement—they are at the heart of it. In a time of increasing polarization, these practices remind us of what we can achieve when we come together, connect, and collaborate. Help us strengthen the democratic foundation we all share. By supporting dialogue and deliberation, you contribute to a resilient, well-informed democracy where every voice plays a part in shaping our collective future.

For a resilient democracy,

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

Join NCDD Now During the 2024 Membership Campaign!

We are in the midst of our 2024 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.

Key Campaign Goals:
This year’s campaign has ambitious goals to expand our reach, aiming to increase membership by 45% by the end of the quarter. Alongside membership growth, we are boosting engagement by increasing participation in NCDD’s events, forums, and webinars by 15%, offering more spaces for members to connect, share insights, and deepen their dialogue skills. Additionally, we are working to raise $50,000 to support vital initiatives such as expanding resources, enhancing our member directory, and advancing the Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy.

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 invite you to participate in our 2024 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!

One Year Since NCDD 2023:
Join Us on the Road to NCDD 2025!

It’s been one year since NCDD 2023 brought hundreds of changemakers together in Atlanta for three inspiring days of connection, learning, and collaboration. The conference featured over 60 workshops, dynamic plenaries, and countless opportunities to foster new partnerships and strengthen the dialogue and deliberation community. Check out our blog post for highlights, photos, and behind-the-scenes moments that capture the energy of NCDD 2023, and relive the inspiration that drives us forward.

As we reflect on the success of NCDD 2023, we’re already looking toward NCDD 2025. To bring the next conference to life, we need your support through sponsorships, donations, and funding partnerships. We also invite you to help shape the event by sharing your thoughts in our NCDD 2025 Interest Survey. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Additional NCDD Announcements:
Conversation Cafe is Back & Better Than Ever!

The NCDD team has worked to integrate the old Conversation Cafe website into our own - including updated resources and documents for those hosting or wanting to learn more! Conversation Cafés were designed as a gift to the world. The hope was that this method and conversations using the CC method would spread “with integrity and fidelity”—stay both true to form, yet give hosts the maximum freedom to adapt it to their situation. A one-and-a-half hour hosted conversation, held in a public setting like a café, where anyone is welcome to join. Everything else about CC is just about that simple too! Learn more about Conversation Cafés and how to join and/or host one today!

NCDD Partner Announcements

Everyday Democracy is offering a new multipartial facilitation training series designed for experienced facilitators who want to enhance their skills in leading equitable and inclusive dialogues. The training will be held virtually over three sessions on November 7, 14, and 21, 2024, with a focus on practical techniques such as role-play analysis, mock facilitation, and reflective exercises. Participants will receive personalized feedback to strengthen their facilitation abilities, working in small groups with an instructor-participant ratio of 1:6. The training emphasizes equity, accessibility, and interactive learning, with tuition starting at $715.50 for early registration. Read the blog post and learn more here!

The Sustained Dialogue Institute (SDI) and AAC&U’s Institute for Democracy & Higher Education (IDHE) are teaming up to host a free HELPDESK for educators and practitioners on campuses with timely advice - troubleshooting - when faced with difficult, confounding, new, frightening, nasty, threatening, and other conflicts and challenging conversations. These moments can happen in the classroom, in administrative decision making, in co-curricular programming, and even when engaging communities off campus. All inquiries are confidential. With a contentious election providing context for the fall semester, we anticipated a need among educators. Our team of experienced scholars and practitioners are ready to help. Let us know how at at the link here after our early September launch. NCDD members in higher education: Are you interested in joining our bench as a volunteer consulting scholar-practitioner? We may need to enlist more volunteers if our initial group of volunteers is overwhelmed. Email [email protected] if you might want to be contacted or if you are interested in supporting or funding this grassroots initiative after January 2025.

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

NCDD Member Announcements

Are you an NCDD member and have an announcement to share? Submit them via the NCDD Blog submission form, or email NCDD's Communications Coordinator, Izzy Henry 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, November 12th 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.

Join us on Tuesday, December 3rd at 1:30-2:30pm Eastern, 10:30-11:30am Pacific. 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!

November 12th: Media Collaborative meeting from 12-1pm ET, 9-10am PT
November 14th: BUILD Community of Practice from 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT. Learn more.
November 19th: Practitioner Mobilization for Democracy monthly forum at 1pm ET, 12pm CT, 11am MT, 10am PT. Sign up here!
November 20th: NCDD Member call from 2-3pm ET, 11am-12pm PT

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? Reach out to [email protected].

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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