Commit to Civility - Virtual Session


Virtual  
Thursday, June 20, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM   iCalendar Eastern Standard Time

Connect. Respect. Solutions.

“Civility is claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs, and beliefs without degrading someone else’s in the process.”

-Tomas Spath and Cassandra Dahnke, Founders, Institute for Civility in Government.

 

NCLM's Commit to Civility is a multi-step program that showcases a city or town council's pledge to civil conduct and leadership. This training is step one in the program. 

This course is free to NCLM members. Please attend only one of the in-person or virtual options. 

 

Program Purpose

NCLM's Commit to Civility program promotes civility in local government and recognizes those governing boards that dedicate themselves to this approach. It engages and challenges municipal officials to embrace civility throughout the course of their work within their communities. This program equips leaders with the information and skills needed to maintain composure and move through emotionally charged situations with a respectful and solutions-oriented approach.

The objectives are to understand that:

  • Civility is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with deep-rooted and fierce disagreements.
  • Civility is inherently political, not only because it’s a prerequisite for civic action, but because it’s about negotiating interpersonal power such that everyone’s voice is heard.

Certificate Requirements

  1. Have at least 75% of your Board attend the two-hour Commit to Civility training
  2. Have course participants sign the individual pledge
  3. Adopt the ‘Commit to Civility’ Resolution at an upcoming council meeting (a template is provided at the training)
  4. Submit a signed copy of the Resolution and the individual pledge forms for at least 75% of the governing Board to learning@nclm.org

These steps will be discussed in full at the training. 

 

Schedule

NCLM is proud to host three upcoming sessions of Commit to Civility. Participants need only to attend one. The first two will be in person, held at NCLM offices in downtown Raleigh on June 18. This virtual option will be available on June 20.

 

Municipalities who earn the Commit to Civility certificate will be recognized at CityVision.

Instructor:

Vickie Miller 
Learning and Development Director, NCLM

Vickie Miller is the Director of Learning and Development for the North Carolina League of Municipalities. Miller is Responsible for leading, managing, and delivering the League's training and education programs for elected and municipal officials. Miller has a distinguished career that has placed a focus on helping others. She has held many roles including Grassroots Coordinator for the NCLM, Executive Director for the 501(c)3 North Carolina Operation Lifesaver, and Director of Community Investment and Assistance where she oversaw the state Community Development Block Grant program for the North Carolina Department of Commerce with responsibility for an annual appropriation of $45 million and a grant and loan portfolio over $200 million.

Miller holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. She holds the Certified Public Manager designation from the North Carolina State Office of Personnel, the Certified Housing Development Professional, the Certified Finance Development Professional from the National Development Council, and the County Municipal Administration certification from the UNC School of Government.

 

Jack Cassidy 
Learning and Development Program Manager, NCLM

Jack Cassidy is the Learning and Development Program Manager at the N.C. League of Municipalities, where he develops education, training and assistance programs for League members, with a focus on showcasing the expertise and best practices that exist throughout North Carolina cities and towns. He has extensive experience developing campaigns, programs and communications strategies associated with League services as it relates to legislative advocacy, local government surveys, financial research, emerging issues and other public affairs issues. Additionally, Jack is the editor of NCLM’s quarterly magazine Southern City, where he highlights statewide municipal success stories and profiles local leaders.

Jack received his MPA from NC State University and his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has been with the League since 2019. 

 

 

Meeting Location

Virtual  

Map & Directions