Connecting Connecticuters: Next Generation Workshop for New CT House Members
Hartford, Connecticut – The National Institute for Civil Discourse’s Next Generation team braved the cold to facilitate a workshop for 20 new members of the CT House! These newly elected members comprised former legislative staff, returning legislators, and many with experience serving their communities for years.
The first session involved breaking the participants into two groups to share their personal journeys, where the process of building a more collaborative class of new members began by first building deep understanding between the members themselves. This productive session with legislators continued into a presentation by NICD’s Director of Research Dr. Robert Boatright, who presented the Key Principles for Engaging Differences Effectively. Dr. Boatright brought a piece of local infamy from neighboring Massachusetts – a rundown pink house by a scenic wildlife refuge – to demonstrate the real challenges to effective governing when seemingly local issues can inflame real tensions in a community.
The evening concluded with sessions on the steps these new members can take, as individuals and as a freshman caucus, to create a more collaborative and effective legislature in Connecticut. With an eye towards their first few months in the body, Connecticut’s new House members wrote themselves letters to remind them of the impact of the session, and how they’d like to carry civility forward. These letters will reach them in the Spring as they continue their journey of public service!
Next Generation was also proud to train four new facilitators in Connecticut before the session and bring expertise in state legislatures across the country. We are glad to welcome former North Dakota State Representative and current State Chief Information Officer Corey Mock, former Idaho State Senator Abby Lee, former Delaware Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst, and former Wyoming Speaker of the House Albert Sommers to the talented cast of facilitators. Each of the new facilitators brings a wealth of experience working across the aisle to improve collaboration in their states, and were phenomenal additions to the sessions.
After the session, Connecticut Speaker of the House Matt Ritter said: “In Connecticut we are proud of our tradition of civility and bipartisanship. Fostering discussion and listening to opposing viewpoints yields better policy – and can get you the votes to cross the finish line. NICD/SLLF has long been a leading voice in returning civility to the legislative process. We are so appreciative that NICD and SLLF come to Hartford to work with our new members and put a bold headline on civil discourse.”
Despite sub-freezing temperatures, Connecticut legislators built a warm and productive community during our session, and we hope to work with them soon!
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About NICD, the National Institute for Civil Discourse
NICD works to build the nation’s capacity to engage our differences constructively. In 2011, the University of Arizona created NICD after the Tucson shooting that killed six people and wounded another thirteen, including former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. In the weeks prior to the shooting, Congresswoman Giffords was already in discussion with the University of Arizona about creating a center that would focus on improving the quality of discourse. The galvanizing power of that event brought together founding honorary co-chairs George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton and an impressive bipartisan group of other leaders to honor Congresswoman Giffords’ vision.
Next Generation is one of NICD’s most important programs that creates and strengthens bipartisan relationships through mutual, trust-based, and effective communication in state legislatures around the country.
NICD offers Americans a variety of opportunities and resources to engage differences constructively at https://civildiscourseinstitute.org/.
