How We Help

Civic reflection is a simple activity in some ways—it involves a reading, a group of people, a circle of chairs, a little food, and a facilitator.

But civic reflection is complex in other ways. It calls for careful thought, flexibility, creativity, and a willingness to try something that many of us have not done before.

For many people, it requires them to think in new ways and about issues they have not thought about before and to interact with others in new ways. Even experienced facilitators find that they learn something from facilitating a civic reflection discussion.

Project staff can help you get started. They are experienced facilitators and often participate in civic reflection conversations. They mentor planners and facilitators one-on-one and design group training workshops. People engaged in civic reflection are welcome to consult with Project staff at any point in the process–from the early planning stages through the challenges of facilitating a series of discussions.

Some Ways We Help

Leading Model Discussions

The best way to learn about civic reflection is to experience it yourself. Project staff and associates are available to lead a model discussion at your meeting or retreat. Contact the Project for more information.

Training Facilitators

The Project on Civic Reflection offers facilitation training workshops several times each year. These workshops include experienced facilitators as well as those new to civic reflection. The group engages in civic reflection conversations, learns about guiding questions, and receives advice on handling the responsibilities and challenges that arise during the course of facilitation. Interested in developing a corps of facilitators within your own network or program? Contact the Project about doing a training tailored to your group.

A humanities council director who brought Project staff in to train facilitators for a state-wide initiative had this to say: "Thank you for your skillful, gentle leadership of the facilitator training. I am astonished by how much ground we covered, including the ground that ultimately shifted at the end! Your structure allowed almost everyone to facilitate a small group, and the debriefings were very helpful. What a wonderful team you are."

Consulting on Program Development

Project staff have a wealth of experience working with nonprofit and philanthropic groups, as well as wide experience with texts and discussions. Because of this, they are especially adept at helping a group articulate underlying questions and at suggesting readings that open up those questions. Thoughtful and friendly, they will offer guidance on program structure and even help you find a facilitator. They are happy to talk to you about your own ideas for civic reflection and help you get started.

Partnering to Reach New Networks

The Project also develops partnerships with organizations that have potential to spread the practice of civic reflection. Partners have included the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, humanities councils in Maine, Florida, Illinois, Maryland and New Hampshire, the Association of Small Foundations, More Than Money, the Great Books Foundation, and the Chicago Public Schools.

If you are interested in partnering with the Project to bring civic reflection to your group or network, contact the Project on Civic Reflection today.

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