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, nonprofit, 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.”