An Introduction to Civic Reflection

There is something remarkable in America called civic life.

It is all around us – a vast network of people seeking to affect some aspect of our society by forming associations, serving on boards, giving and raising money, and staffing and leading non-profit organizations.

It is an invisible web, spun by thousands of citizens of differing values and convictions, through which we work out our sense of connection to others, express our values, and try to shape the world beyond our doorstep to reflect those values more fully.

Yet, for all that we give to this civic web – our time, talent, and treasure – we find it remarkably hard to give it our thought.

We compulsively tighten the nuts and bolts of management, build a bigger strategic plan, talk about how to "do good better." But we aren't very good at talking about the good we came to do in the first place.

It isn't easy to say what one values or believes. And it is especially hard in civic settings, where we are likely to be sitting elbow to elbow with someone who does not share our cultural, political or religious values. The conversation could become uncomfortable. It could embarrass us, or others in our midst. It could divide colleagues. If it threatens relationships and funding alliances, it could even destroy the causes and organizations we are there to support.

And so it is that, in the very places Americans go to act upon our values and hopes for our world, we are least comfortable speaking clearly and thinking deeply about what it is we are really trying to do.

The consequence of this lack of reflection in civic life is an erosion of critically important resources – clarity, candor, eloquence, imagination – despite an abundance of talent and good intentions.

The Project on Civic Reflection is responding to this condition by encouraging civic reflection – reading and conversation on basic questions of civic life.

The practice of civic reflection brings a group of people with common work together to talk about the motives, principles and purposes of their civic engagement. Gathering in a hospitable place, they share a meal followed by a facilitated discussion. Carefully selected, short but thought-provoking readings anchor each discussion. Facilitators ask questions rather than make pronouncements. They listen and help to clarify issues and thinking rather than deliver long speeches.

Learn More About
Civic Reflection

The Project on Civic Reflection provides facilitation trainings and other resources to help a wide range of groups and organizations talk more comfortably about their values, think more deeply about their choices, and respond more imaginatively to the needs of their communities

Because, after all, civic life deserves not just our time, talent and treasure. It also deserves our attentive thought.

Elizabeth Lynn, Director, Project on
Civic Reflection

A version of this essay appeared on philanthropyjournal.org.