This two-part article examines the role that civility plays in an effective democratic process, as well as specific techniques local agencies have used to promote civility in public discourse.
The National Association of Counties has released a useful guide on promoting civility in public discourse. The piece is a useful contribution to local agency official thinking in this area and summarizes others’ work in this area (including ILG’s).Read more »
What didn't work for Jimmy Stewart in this situation?
What did work (or contributed to a positive result)?
How have you successfully dealt with emotionally charged situations as a public official? Participate in the discussion forum by clicking on the "emotional audiences" pod at right.Read more »
This article provides strategies that leaders can employ to maximize the likelihood that public meetings on controversial issues will involve constructive exchanges that contribute to the best decision being made.
This article examines the difficult issues that can sometimes be presented by an active blogosphere in a community. Blogs can play a very constructive role as a source of worthwhile public information. But blogs can also sometimes be significant sources of mis-information. When that is the situation, what can public officials do?
(Four-page tipsheet): Provides a handy reference on the kinds of issues that ought to trigger a conversation with agency counsel or the Fair Political Practices Commission.
One can learn a lot about dealing with emotional situations by watching Jimmy Stewart deal with anxious Building and Loan customers in 
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