Election Season Calls Again...
Let's Talk America!
As we near the Presidential election, we encourage you to engage citizens of all ages and beliefs in Big Talk so we can make wise decisions on November 4 th - and beyond. In 2004 Conversation Café co-sponsored a national campaign, Let's Talk America, to bring together "we the people" in the boldest act of democracy possible - dialoguing across the political divides. We want to point you to some of the great LTA materials and resources from that campaign which are still very needed and relevant, to help you invite friends, neighbors and strangers to have a respectful conversation during this election season.
What is a Let's Talk America conversation?
Any conversation about democracy in America that is:
- Inclusive all people and all perspectives welcome
- Non-partisan bring your views - but no lobbying for your causes, candidates, movements or parties.
- Respectful having a host and "ground rules" will assure that everyone has a chance to be heard.
- New new people, new information, new ideas, new insights, new possibilities
Use the Conversation Café process to reconnect with the town hall' meeting spirit that's the lifeblood of our democracy-- where everyone can talk about America's promise, about what freedom, democracy, unity and equality mean to us -- to "we the people."
Key principles for any Let's Talk America Conversation
Inclusive - all people and all perspectives welcome:
- Invite friends and neighbors including individuals you don't usually get to talk to and those who may think differently than you and hold different views. If you are open to having people you don't know, register your conversation at www.LetsTalkAmerica.org so that people in your community can find you.
Non-partisan - bring your views, but no lobbying for your causes, candidates, movements or parties
- In Conversation Cafes, we call this being a "commercial free zone" - no marketing of a product, service, event or particular agenda, point of view, outcome, solution or cause.
- Refrain from political networking, creating task groups or enrolling others in collective actions so that "no committees will be formed" between the opening and closing rounds of a Conversation Café.
Respectful - there is a host and "ground rules" to assure that everyone has a chance to be heard
- Use the Conversation Café Agreements and Process - or any other structure that allows a good balance of safety and creativity for everyone at the table.
Open - new people, new ideas, new information, open up new insights, and possibilities for action
- Foster the spirit of inquiry - discovery and curiosity rather than persuasion or debate.
