Who Is Everyday Democracy? A project of the Paul J. Aicher Foundation dedicated to improving the quality of public life in America. Everyday Democracy Creating Space for Dialogue Ideas and Tools for Community Change A national nonprofit nonpartisan organization with 25 plus years of community/public/civic engagement work in partnership with over 600 communities on a variety of public issues. Beliefs Undergirding This Work When all kinds of people have access to good information and join together to address common concerns sharing knowledge, resources, power and decision making as they work they will develop solutions which serve the common good, and lead to healthier, more equitable communities. Envisioning a democracy where all voices are valued, and where participation and racial equity become a permanent part of the way we work as a country at the local, state and national levels. Principles of Engagement 1. Involve everyone. 2. Embrace diversity, practice equity throughout. 3. Share knowledge, resources, power & decision making. 4. Connect dialogue & deliberation 5. Connect dialogue to social, political, & policy change. How Everyday Democracy Works Work with local, state, regional or national partners to: Provide technical assistance in coaching diverse community coalitions to use public dialogue as a pathway for change. Offer trainings in: Inclusive community organizing Facilitation of diverse community members Action planning and implementation Racial and intergenerational equity Organizing Change Action Dialogue 1
A Dialogue Approach to Community Change The Goal... Tools to Support Dialogues on Race Session 1 Making Connections Session 2 Case Studies Understanding Key Words List of Activities Session 3 Move Forward, Move Back, Sec A & B Opportunities and Challenges Looking at Inequities in Our Country Session 4 Viewpoints - Why do inequities continue? Community Fact Sheet Session 5 Creating a Community Report Card Approaches to Change Imagining Our Community s Future Session 6 Brainstorming Action Ideas Listing our Community Strengths (Assets) Setting our Priorities for Action Session 1, Part 5 Making Connections Talk for a few minutes about your racial or ethnic background. Session 2 Case Studies Tell a story or give an example to show how your background or experiences have affected your ideas about racism and other ethnic groups? Have you experienced racism or discrimination? Have you seen it? How has it affected you or people you know? 2
Session 2, Part 3 UNDERSTANDING KEY WORDS Session 3, Part 2 Deepening Our Understanding Understanding our gaps often occur based on skin color or ethnic background Move forward, move back Opportunities and challenges Session 3 Part 3 Looking at Inequities in Our Country Session 4, Part 2 Why Do Inequities Continue? 3
Session 4, Part 3 Community Fact Sheet Session 4, Part 3 Community Fact Sheet Session 5 Part 2 Creating a Community Report Card Session 5, Part 3 Approaches to Change Session 5, Part 4 Imagining Our Community s Future 4
Session 6 Moving to Action What are the most important issues, themes or ideas that we have discussed during our dialogue? Brainstorm action ideas List community strengths (assets) Set priorities for action Action Ideas = Things We Can Do Be Specific. Instead of this: Public services need to be improved Try this: Meet with public works department to arrange weekly trash pickup along Elm Street. Setting Priorities for Action Report to Be Used at the Action Forum 5
The Action Forum Our Goal... ORGANIZING SIMULATION 6