Community Service
High School and Middle School Civil Discourse Program
This program teaches middle and high school students how to have respectful conversations about topics people disagree on. Students learn skills to listen well and share their ideas in ways that bring people together instead of pushing them apart.
Details
EligibilityStudents, parents, teachers, staff, administrators, and school board members at high schools, middle schools, and colleges
FeesNot specified
HoursNot specified
“Perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love. ”
— Rainer Maria RilkeRelated
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The Change Lab 2025 Annual Report: Building Civic Infrastructure Through Community Connection
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Social Connection in America: 2025 Survey Report on Community Bonds and Well-Being
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From the Library
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What's New in the Commons LibraryStay updated with the latest resources added to help make activism smarter and stronger in your community.
Tips for Better Group Meetings and Decision MakingCraig Freshley's Good Group Tips is a comprehensive resource featuring over 100 practical videos, handouts, and articles designed to help groups make better decisions, run more effective meetings, and improve communication. The collection covers essential skills like active listening, managing accountability, setting agendas with clear timeframes, building trust through alignment of words and actions, and creating inclusive conversations. Each tip focuses on specific challenges groups face, such as how to say no effectively, how to define problems clearly before solving them, and how to ensure all group members have access to agenda-setting processes. The resources are designed for anyone leading or participating in group decision-making, from community organizations to workplace teams. Freshley emphasizes practical techniques like formal commitment processes, alternative solution development, and emotional intelligence skills that help groups work together more productively. The materials are freely available and include both written guides and short instructional videos with captions for accessibility.
The Rainbow Rule: A Better Way to Treat Others FairlyThe Golden Rule says 'treat others how you want to be treated,' but this can be problematic when people are different from you. The Rainbow Rule offers a better approach: ask people what they need first, then act. This article explains how the Golden Rule, while well-meaning, can lead to imposing your own preferences on others without understanding what they actually want. For example, giving a hungry person a rollercoaster ticket instead of food because that's what you might want. The Rainbow Rule requires two steps - asking first, then acting - making it more complex but more effective for diverse communities. This approach leads to better solutions, fewer conflicts, and more inclusive outcomes. The concept builds on the medical field's 'Platinum Rule' and encourages treating each person as an individual rather than assuming everyone wants the same things. While the Golden Rule works well among similar people, the Rainbow Rule is essential when working across differences in culture, background, and needs.
Learn How Groups Can Make Better Decisions TogetherThis book teaches people how to work together to make good decisions in groups. Written by Craig Freshley, who has helped many groups for years, it shows the best ways for teams, boards, and organizations to decide things together instead of competing against each other. The book covers how to run better meetings, listen well, solve problems when people disagree, and choose the right way to make decisions. It includes real examples and stories that make it easy to understand. The author believes that working together, not competing, is what will help groups succeed and solve big problems. This guide is especially helpful for nonprofit leaders, business managers, and anyone who works in groups and wants to learn how to make decisions that everyone can support. The book was named one of the best books of 2023 and is popular in airports across the country. It teaches specific skills like how to speak with purpose, prevent conflicts, and create a good group culture where everyone can contribute.
Similar Services (6)
All servicesChristian Discussion GuideA guide that helps Christian communities have better conversations about politics and disagreements. It shows how Christian teachings can help people talk respectfully even when they don't agree.Depolarizing Ourselves WorkshopA workshop where people from different faiths like Catholic, Protestant, Unitarian, and Jewish communities come together to learn and talk about understanding each other better. Anyone can learn to lead these workshops to help their community connect across differences.Faith-Sponsored WorkshopsChurches and other faith groups can host special workshops that help people from different backgrounds have better conversations. A trained leader helps everyone learn to listen and talk respectfully, even when they disagree about important things.Depolarization Dojo AI TrainingPractice talking with people who think differently than you using AI training. This online tool helps you learn how to have better conversations about politics without fighting. You can practice listening skills, asking good questions, and staying calm during tough talks. It's like a safe training ground where you can make mistakes and get better before real conversations. Only Braver Angels members can use this right now.Courageous Conversations Campus ProgramCollege students learn how to have respectful conversations about tough subjects that people disagree on. They practice listening skills and talking with others who think differently than they do.Graduate Degree Programs in Public PolicyThis school teaches college students how to work in government and help their communities. Students can learn to make good rules and solve problems that help everyone. There are different programs that take 2-4 years to finish.
The Journey
33 connected resources across 5 levelsTrail depth
Level 1
Get CuriousRead, watch, explore1 resourceLevel 2
Find Your PeopleMeet orgs, neighbors, groups13 resourcesYou are hereOrganizationCitizen UniversityCitizen University is a non-profit organization that is building a culture of powerful, responsible citizenship across the country.
OrganizationGeneration CitizenTeaches middle and high school students how government works and how to take action on issues they care about. Students learn by doing real civic projects and working with local government officials.
OrganizationNational Issues ForumsBrings communities together to discuss big issues facing the country and find ways to work together. Helps people have good conversations about important problems, even when they disagree.
+10 more at this levelLevel 3
Show UpEvents, meetings, volunteeringWe are building resources for this level
Level 4
Go DeeperTraining, sustained involvement13 resourcesLevel 5
Make Your MoveAdvocacy, organizing, creating6 resources