Posted by Kris Parker
Recently, I received a special invitation to attend a training in Chicago presented by the Project on Civic Reflection. Housed at Valparaiso University, the Project is now a growing center of practice with a national outreach. I was so impressed with the spirit and professional quality of both the training and the practice of civic reflection that I wanted to share them with you.
What is civic reflection? From the Project’s website:
In civic reflection, a group of people with common civic work step back and think about their activities and commitments. Gathering in a hospitable place, they share refreshments and engage in facilitated conversation. The conversation focuses first on a short, thought-provoking reading and gradually opens up onto larger questions about civic engagement. What obligations do we have to others in our community? Why join one association and not another? To whom should we give? What do we really expect of those whom we serve? By reading and talking together about these underlying questions, participants gain a richer connection to one another—and to the important tasks of civic life.
Although short readings are used, civic reflection is not a literature discussion. The discussion moves from discussing the meaning of the reading towards applying meaning to experiences in civic life. It’s a widening dialogue—one that seeks understanding, not necessarily agreement.
Who is civic reflection for? Just about any group of civically engaged people who have something in common
- nonprofit leaders, boards, and staff,
- citizen leaders in a city or town, such as Rotary or Kiwanis members
- direct-service professionals public servants
philanthropic groups - young people engaged in a service program or a club
- members of a faith community
Nationally, the Project on Civic Reflection has built fruitful partnerships with state Humanities Councils, AmeriCorps and RSVP volunteers, Campus Compact, philanthropic organizations, and many more. The possibilities are broad.
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