Choose Civility
A project of the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley to improve communication by reminding ourselves of the basic principles of respect.
Our key message is to promote nine simple tools for practicing civility, taken from P. M. Forni’s book Choosing Civility.
Speak Your Peace in a Crested Butte Parade.
Nine Simple Tools
Pay Attention.
Be aware and attend to the world and the people around you.
Listen.
Focus on others in order to better understand their points of view.
Be Inclusive.
Welcome all groups of citizens working for the greater good of the community.
Don’t Gossip.
And don’t accept when others choose to do so.
Show Respect.
Honor other people and their opinions, especially in the midst of disagreement.
Be Agreeable.
Look for opportunities to agree; don’t contradict just to do so.
Apologize.
Be sincere and repair damaged relationships.
Give Constructive Criticism.
When disagreeing, stick to the issues and don’t make a personal attack.
Take Responsibility.
Don’t shift responsibility and blame onto others; share disagreements publicly.
George Sibley gave a wonderful speech at a Donor Recognition Event. He graciously commented, “This is the evening every year when we gather as participants in the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, to celebrate the donors who make the Community Foundation possible. Since most of us here are some of those donors, in one way or another, we could say we’re here to celebrate ourselves, but not as ourselves; we’re here to celebrate being part of something larger than the sum of ourselves.”
“The proper word can start a war, win or lose a political race, spark the beginning of a beautiful relationship, set nerves on edge, calm the greatest fears. Too many anonymous, unfiltered, unedited Internet sites use words like daggers, distort or make up their own facts, are incredibly profane and spew little but hatred and fear.”
–excerpt from Larry Meredith’s Words Matter.