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Civil Dialogue and Public Trust in Government
Citizens’ trust in government, at all levels, is on a downward trend. Perhaps increased partisanship is to blame; or, maybe the pressure to provide more for less is the culprit. Regardless, a lack of integrity, cooperation and open communication are becoming widespread problems in government. To reverse the downward trend, increasing civility among elected officials, government employees and citizens must be a primary objective. This page shows examples of what to do - and what not to do - to improve civility in your county.
Multimedia Resources
- Presentation recording: Integrity and Civility Management (from February 2015 NACo Legislative Conference)
Online Resources
- In Search of Civility (NACo Resource)
- Beyond Civility: From Public Engagement to Problem Solving (National League of Cities, 2011)
- Promoting Civility at Public Meetings: Concepts (ICMA/Institute for Local Government, 2003)
- Promoting Civility at Public Meetings: Practice (ICMA/Institute for Local Government, 2003)
- The Institute for Civility in Government
- The Civility Center
- Civility in America: Annual Nationwide Survey Reports (Weber Shandwick)
- University Network for Collaborative Governance
- Dr. Forni's Civility Website (Johns Hopkins University)
Recommended Reading
- Improving Citizen Trust in Local Government: How online tools spur communication, improve transparency and boost accountability (Governing Institute Issue Brief, 2014)
- Reclaiming Civility in the Public Square: 10 Rules That Work, by Dahnke, Spath and Bowling (2007)
- Choosing Civility: The 20-5 Rules of Considerate Conduct, by P.M. Forni (Street Martin's Griffin Press, 2002)
- The Civility Solution: What to Do When People Are Rude, by P.M. Forni (Street Martin's Griffin Press, 2009)
- In Search of Civility (National Association of Counties, Research Publication, 2010)
Guidelines for Improving Civility
- The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct (from Choosing Civility, P.M. Forni)
- Ten Commandments of Public Civility (adapted from John C. Gillespie, Esquire, Parker Mccay P.A.)
- Ten Tips to Improve Civility (Allegheny College, 2010)
- The Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation (as transcribed by George Washington)
PowerPoint Presentations from Workshops On Civility
(all files PDF)- The Chair’s Role in Creating a Culture of Civility (Vaughn Upshaw, from Leading Your County Governing Board, 2015)
- Promoting Civility with Council and Your Community (Anna Berger, from South Carolina City and County Managers’ Association, 2011)
- Civility in City Hall (Panel Discussion at ICMA Annual Conference, 2013)
- Civility: The Good, the Bad, and the Costly (Ray Gosack, ICMA Annual Conference, 2014)
Examples of Civility and Incivility
- An example of civility in a public meeting: Clackamas County, Oregon, Board of Commissioners Business Meeting (October 9, 2014)
- Examples of incivility: