Leaders who lead and foster civil conversations and welcome diverse perspectives make better decisions. That’s particularly important now, when communities, non-profits, and businesses are making decisions in a historically unique time of transition.

Green County Leaders is partnering with Braver Angels to provide an engaging way to learn and lean into civil leadership to build vibrant communities by honing civil leadership skills. This is open to anyone in the state of Wisconsin. 

Click here to register by 5pm on Friday, August 27. Tuition costs $150. Scholarships are available (see below).  All classes will be virtual.

Scholarships Available
Scholarships through Leadership Wisconsin
If you are an alumni of the Leadership Wisconsin program or the Wisconsin Local Government Leadership Academy program, you can apply for a scholarship through Leadership Wisconsin. Scholarships are worth $50. Contact Shelly Missall at mj.missall@gmail.com for more information.

Civil Leadership in Today’s Divided World: An Introduction
11am – 12:30pm on Wednesday, September 29, 2021
This first step on the journey explores the forces of polarization in our nation and how we can counteract them in our local communities. We will discuss the challenges to working together across differences and learn about proven strategies to for communicating and working productively with people who see the world differently. Local leaders can show the way for their communities and the nation.

Skills for Bridging the Divide
11am – 1pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Learn about the perspectives, feelings, and experiences of someone you care about who differs from you politically; have a sense of satisfaction about how you conveyed your own perspective, feelings, and experiences; and discover common ground, if it is there.

Growing Your Inner Bridge Builder
9am – 11am on Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Much of today’s polarization is driven by how we talk with like-minded people about those we disagree with on the other side.  Community leaders can learn to expand spheres of empathy and regard a wider range of people as potential partners, including when talking to like-minded peers, creating more durable solutions benefiting a wider range of people.

Families and Politics Workshop
11am – 1:30pm  on Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Families and Politics shows you how to talk about politics with your loved ones in a way that brings you closer together — not further apart. You’ll discuss why family political discussions can be uniquely challenging, and how to handle the unique roles that family members often play in those conversations.

Common Ground Workshop
You will be able to choose between one of the following times; you will also have the choice to participate or observe:

• 10am – 1pm on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 OR 2pm — 5pm on Wednesday, January 5, 2022
• 10am – 1pm on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 OR 2pm — 5pm on Wednesday, January 19, 2022

While the training workshops focus on skills for better interactions, Common Ground lets you put these into practice in real discussions around a single issue with those with opposing views, showing us how productive conversations about beliefs and policies can look. Participants will identify points of agreement that can lead to action on that issue.

One-to-One Conversations
February 2022 — Flexible scheduling
To continue your dialogues and go deeper on issues that are important to you and the life experiences that have formed your views, Braver Angels will match you with a member of a group with whom you may have differences for 1-to-1 conversations about these differences in experiences and beliefs, helping you develop ideas for community action.

Civil Leadership in Action
9am — 10am on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 OR 9am — 10am on Wednesday, April 13, 2022
You will be trained to run these sessions within your communities and organizations. Prior to the orientation event, you will complete a self-paced training comprising videos and written guides, and have access to personal coaching. You will also be eligible for additional training to run online events.

Looking Forward and Graduation Celebration!
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
You will reflect on what they have learned during this shared journey and what next steps, as an individual and as a community member, you may wish to take.

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Questions? Contact Victoria Solomon, Community Development Educator with Extension Green County at victoria.solomon@wisc.edu or (608) 328-9440.

Green County Leaders provides equal opportunity in education and programming.