Community Building and Civility
Northshore
(part of the Greater New Orleans area)
Separation and Division are
Plaguing Our Communities
There is a great state of unrest. Real and important issues face the country and our local Northshore community. However, the inability to discuss important issues effectively and with civility is tearing apart families, churches, organizations and workplaces.
Experts and community leaders from across the political spectrum, view the loss of community as epidemic in our society - the fundamental affliction and source of a majority of our social ills. The common thread is our lack of authentic, healthy connection to one another, our inability to see the full dignity and humanness of each other. The result is what many of us see unfolding on the Northshore today – fear of the “other”, distrust, polarization and strife.
Even with all the existing efforts and commitment to change by leaders and citizens on the Northshore, separateness and division can prevent us from maximizing our potential. People are weary of hatred, division and standstill. What can we do to honor differences, bridge divides, foster healing, and truly move forward together as a community?
FROM CHAOS TO COMMUNITY:
Healing the Wounds That Divide
Authentic relationship is the delivery system for positive change.
Any real and lasting progress on the Northshore will require first building a foundation of civility and a true sense of Community. It may be painful to admit, but leaders often “collaborate” only when there is funding available or when they are instructed to do so by influential political leaders. Genuine collaboration is born out of real relationships and community building.
It is time for residents and leaders to seize the moment and work together on a comprehensive initiative to build civility and community on the Northshore.
SOLUTION:
Community Building and Civility Initiative
Community Building and Civility (CBC) is a broad-based partnership of businesses, government, sponsors and community partners committed to increasing civility, dialogue, cooperation and a sense of authentic Community on the Northshore.
CBC Northshore will utilize a world-renowned process for Community Building, originally developed by M. Scott Peck MD, the renowned author of The Road Less Traveled and of A Different Drum: Community Building and World Peace.
As people are empowered with these new tools to carry into public and private life, they shift the culture of how we engage each other regarding difficult issues.
