The Civility Project

Goal: for residents of Tahoe Truckee to communicate in a more respectful and effective way. This is a campaign to improve public discourse by simply reminding ourselves of the very basic principles of respect. This is not a campaign to end disagreements.

Key Strategies: Support from all public bodies in the community. Buy in from a critical mass of individuals. We are not just targeting those who are uncivil, but those who allow uncivilized behavior to happen.

The means: Support the 9 Tools for Practicing Civility

Pay Attention Only after we notice the world, can we begin to care for it.

Listen Much of the conflict in our lives can be explained by one simple but unhappy fact: we don’t really listen to each other.

Be Inclusive Welcome all groups of citizens working for the greater good of the community.

Don’t Gossip Don’t discount the power of your words. Speaking with consideration and kindness is at the heart of civil behavior.

Show Respect Disagree without being disagreeable. Respect includes recognizing that others are entitled to look at the world differently.

Be Agreeable Two key ingredients for being agreeable in conversation: The ability to consider that you might be wrong. The ability to admit that you don’t know.

Apologize Be sincere and repair damaged relationships Simple, decent words, that soothe the bruised soul: “I’m sorry.”

Give Constructive Criticism Make sure your intention is to help with a problem, not to humiliate.

Take Responsibility Don’t try to shift blame onto others.

Choose Civility! It is quite possible to be true to one’s beliefs and be civil at the same time The issue is not whether to stand firm or to compromise, but how to express our firmness

Spreading the Word Two key strategies: Encourage our local public and private entities to adopt these nine norms of civility. Encourage the general population to live by these norms, particularly in the public sphere.

How you can help: Sign the pledge – add your name! If you are a part of any entity (workplace, public organization, non- profit, etc.), encourage them to officially adopt these norms. Spread the word to your friends, co-workers, etc – lets get our whole community on board!

“We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace.”