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.”