CC 2015-08-25_06b PowerPoint Presentation
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Democracy and the League
The League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County believe that Civil Discourse makes Democracy work better, increases civic engagement, and empowers communities to find common ground
on critical issues that need to be solved – if San Luis Obispo County is to survive and thrive now and in the future!
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10 Best Practices of Civil Discourse
Never comment on motivation of a speaker.
Promote discussion on merits of issues: evidence to support opinions and conclusions.
Remind participants about Rules of Conduct before public
meetings begin.
Encourage respectful speech and discourage potentially slanderous, profane, or personal remarks.
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10 Best Practices of Civil Discourse
Regularly review laws-update rules and codes:
Codes of Ethics.
Codes of Conduct.
Robert’s Rules of Order.
California’s Brown Act.
Ordinances, Resolutions, and Pledges.
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Adopt Civil Discourse Resolution Pledge to follow Best Practices of CD:
Respect the right of all people to hold different opinions.
Avoid rhetoric intended to humiliate, malign, or question the motivation of those whose opinions are different from yours.
Strive
to understand differing perspectives.
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Adopt Civil Discourse Resolution Pledge to follow Best Practices of CD:
Choose words carefully.
Speak truthfully without accusation, and avoid distortion.
Speak out against violence, prejudice, and incivility in all their forms whenever and wherever they
occur.
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Why does Civil Discourse Matter?
Civil Discourse promotes informed discussion of public issues essential for government bodies and citizens to make good decisions.
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Why does Civil Discourse Matter?
Citizens and elected officials have a right to express their free speech, but in an environment that makes everyone feel safe and respected.
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Why does Civil Discourse Matter?
We need to be the change we want to see if we are to increase civic engagement in government and attract more young people to government service.
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Raise Awareness-Build Support for Civil Discourse …
Observer Corps: attend-observe public meetings.
Ambassador Corps: speak at Public Comment.
1/2 Day Civil Discourse Training Workshop.
Parliamentary Procedures’ Workshop.
Civil Discourse
Presentations by Request.
Civil Discourse Speaker’s Bureau.
Civil Discourse Brochures, buttons, stickers.
Civil Discourse curriculum for the schools.
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