The goal of this op-ed is a call to action for people who want to build momentum for addressing complex problems with mutual respect.
The signers of this op-ed make up the Roanoke Collaboration Project (RCP). We are not seeking monetary contributions. We seek donations of courage and action.
The Roanoke Collaboration Project is not a political entity. It’s not even a formal organization.
It’s a group of residents from diverse backgrounds interested in promoting civil discourse, so that people who might otherwise hold opposing ideological views can still work together in the service of crafting solutions to difficult community challenges.
The Roanoke Collaboration Project is a new initiative with an emphasis on respectful dialogue and idea-sharing for progress.
The complex problems humans face… get solved by diverse people and organizations sharing their experience and talent for greater good.
Delivering and hearing criticism is not something innate to any of us. Rather, it’s one of the many so-called soft skills that must be learned.
If our leaders want to leave a legacy to be proud of, they could do no better than by becoming better at delivering and hearing criticism.
We have been conducting this work for a few years under multiple banners but always with the mission to:
“Help communities have more civil discourse as they seek to repair and maintain relationships, deliberate around policy challenges, and find ways to healthily coexist.”
The mission of the Ohio Civility Project is to return civility to our public discourse in Akron, Ohio, and beyond.
Applying civility standards to political discourse and disseminating the results will provide incentives for public officials, campaigns, the news media and public to adhere to the standards. In effect, such information serves as a referee in public debate, calling the fouls of incivility and noting the good plays of civil discourse.
Talk. Listen. Respect. Adopt the CAI #CivilityPledge to foster a climate of open discussion, mutual respect, and tolerance between residents, guests, board and committee members, community managers, staff, and business partners. Civility starts with YOU.
