Two weeks ago, I attended one of my favorite State Legislative Leaders Foundation programs – the annual meeting of the National Speakers Conference. This program is attended by Speakers and their Chiefs of Staff from across the nation. Like all of SLLF’s programs, this meeting is bipartisan, with both Democrats and Republicans coming together. Watching them chat, laugh, learn and even dance a little without regard to partisan differences always makes me feel great, especially in this election season where, we as a nation, seem so divided along partisan and ideological lines. This fact was amplified by the attendance of two Speakers who were defeated just the week before (one Democrat and one Republican) by primary opponents who argued they were not conservative or progressive enough.
As always, this nonpartisan meeting gave me hope that we can get past the current partisan divide for the good of the American people. This year my hope was bolstered by an increased interest in the civility programs offered by SLLF and its partner, the National Institute for Civil Discourse (NICD). One speaker who had hosted one of our civility workshops in his state two years ago pulled me aside to say that he encouraged other speakers to do the same in their states. In addition, two speakers approached me at the meeting about coming to their states to promote civility and provide strategies for working together and overcoming partisan and ideological differences.
Further, while I was listening to Dr. Frank Luntz passionately encourage participants to come together and offer “words that work” to unite a divided public, I noticed my phone buzzing (thank goodness it was set on silent!). Checking later, I found a voicemail from the office of a speaker who was unable to attend the conference requesting a virtual conversation to discuss a potential workshop in her state. Then I returned from the conference to a message from a Lt. Governor asking if we could make a virtual presentation to the newly formed bipartisan joint Select Committee on Civic Health about our sessions and how we might contribute to their efforts.
These new opportunities come on the heels of workshops already scheduled for new member orientations in three more states! If all these potential sessions take place, we will be promoting, encouraging and offering strategies for civility in eight different state legislatures over the next five months. That gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, we are turning the corner regarding civility in public life.
If you would like to discuss bringing one of these sessions to your state, take a look at this website and reach out to Thom Little at tlittle@sllf.org.
