HomeMy WebLinkAbout#11 Speak Your Peace Community Foundation Agenda Item # 11
DONNE-
DistrictPublic Utility
WORKSHOP
To: Board of Directors
From: Steven Poncelet
Date: October 21, 2009
Subject: Discussion Regarding Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation
"Speak Your Peace"
1. WHY THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE BOARD
This workshop item is before the Board as the requested resolution would require
Board action.
2. HISTORY
The Town of Truckee has a rich history of collaboration and strife. Recently, there
have been some contentious items in our community around issues such as the
Schools (and School Board Recall), the Truckee Rail Yard project, and other
important issues. Although the civic engagement around these issues has been
positive, the lack of civil discourse and how some people have behaved in some
cases has been a problem.
3. NEW INFORMATION
The Speak Your Peace Civility Project was created and is being promoted by the
Truckee Tahoe Community Foundation. It is a community-based campaign to urge
Truckee Tahoe residents to communicate in a more respectful and effective way. it is
not a campaign to end disagreements but one to improve public discourse. The
Speak Your Peace Civility Project is based on nine tools of civility (1. Pay Attention, 2.
Listen, 3. Be Inclusive, 4. Don't Gossip, 5. Show Respect, 6. Be Agreeable, 7.
Apologize, 8. Give Constructive Criticism, and 9. Take Responsibility). The Truckee
Tahoe Community Foundation is asking local agencies and businesses to adopt these
norms which would require a Board Resolution. A representative from the Truckee
Tahoe Community Foundation will attend the workshop and give the attached
presentation to the Board.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this Workshop item.
5. RECOMMENDATION
Receive this report and provide comment and direction.
Steven Poncelet Michael D. Holley
Public Information & Conservation Manager General Manager
10/15/2009
�e
Truckee Tahoe Gomrnunhy Foundation
www.ttcfnet
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.
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10/15/2009
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 Civilitv
s
k-
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10/15/2009
Pay Attention
a,
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
� 1 listen to each other.
. k
fi
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10/15/2009
Be Inclusive
I' "lili
Welcome all groups of
citizens working for the
greater good of the
community.
44
Don't Gossip
Don't discount the
power of your
words.
Speaking with
consideration and
kindness is at the
heart of civil
behavior.
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10/15/2009
Show Respect
Disagree without
being disagreeable.
Respect includes
recognizing that
Honor other people.
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.
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10/15/2009
Apologize
Be sincere and repair
damaged
relationships
Simple, decent words,
that soothe the
bruised soul:
"I'm sorry. "
Give Constructive Criticism
-77-77
Make sure your
intention is to help
with a problem,
not to humiliate.
6 STICK TO THE ISSUE S AND
'WHEN DiS46REEINr, !I
10/15/2009
Take Responsibility
p r
6 , . ,
Don't try to shift
R blame onto others.
R
R
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
}
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10/15/2009
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!
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10/15/2009
3
e never touch people so
lightly that we do not leave
a trace."
9