NICD’s Legislative Program works directly with state legislators to address incivility and hyper polarization at the state level. The program offers many interactive sessions ranging from a few hours to full day workshops. The Building Trust through Civil Discourse workshop is the flagship program that is designed and delivered by state legislators for state legislators. Additional sessions span from 45 minutes to full-day workshops, and can give legislators the practical tools they need to be effective representatives and negotiators.
What We Do
The main mission of the workshops is to provide state lawmakers with an opportunity to explore the benefits of improving the level of civil discourse in their state’s legislature and more effectively work across the aisle to recover a culture where discourse and collaboration typify public policy development. Many workshops feature active simulations where legislators get the opportunity to practice the collaboration and problem-solving skills fostered through the sessions.
Workshops
The workshop includes facilitated discussions and exercises that aim to develop a deeper appreciation for one another’s commitments to public service, agree on a vision for working productively together, and identify concrete steps toward achieving that vision. Each workshop begins with a meal and is facilitated by a bipartisan pair of state lawmakers that have been trained through NICD as Facilitators for State Legislative Program workshops.
Facilitators
NICD holds Facilitator Trainings for up to 12 state lawmakers at a time to become trained Facilitators for the Legislative Program workshops. The training is provided at no cost to participants and often involves the opportunity to observe and assist in facilitating a workshop.
Skills-Building Sessions
NICD’s Legislative Program can host a variety of practical sessions designed to give legislators and staff the skills needed to be civil, and effective, public servants. These presentations can focus on the transition from campaigning to governing, legislative negotiation roleplays, or the approach taken by the Founding Fathers to navigate factional divides in self-government. These sessions are typically shorter than the full workshop, and still provide valuable opportunities for lawmakers to grow their coalition-building capacities as they serve their constituents and their state.
Why it works/Guiding Principles/ Theory Behind Our Work
State Power:
State legislatures pass thousands of bills each year that directly affect their constituents. These state chambers receive a fraction of the news coverage that Congress gets. Yet they can be as impactful, or more, on constituents’ daily lives as any federal elected official. A well-functioning state legislature greatly benefits residents in that state, especially when more and more Americans are looking to their local elected officials to help resolve issues waiting to be addressed nationally. These workshops are precisely designed to give legislators the tools and experiences they need to be more effective, collaborative, and civil in their public service.
From State Governments to Congress:
A remarkable number of our national elected officials begin their political careers in state legislatures. As of 2024, 44% of Senators and 51% of House Representatives previously served as state legislators. State legislatures, therefore, are the “farm system” for our country’s national leaders. The state capitals present a unique venue to tackle future political gridlock by training legislators in civil discourse principles and practices.
Impacts of the Program in Participating States:
- Bipartisan Ohio Adoption Bill Passed- Rep. Antonio and Rep. Pelanda (2012)
- Committee Procedural Changes in Ohio Senate- Chairman Frank LaRose (after 2012)
- Bill Amendments collaborated on in Maine Senate (2015)
- Debate Ground Rules used in Arizona House Floor Debate on Abortion (2015)
- Minnesota forms Civility Caucus (2015)
- Minnesota organizes bipartisan choir (2016)
- Washington State holds civility workshop for Freshman legislators using Next Gen. Facilitators (2017)
- Maine changes chamber seating from partisan to bipartisan (2018)
- Most states report more socializing amongst members, a better session, and less animosity overall between the parties following a Building Trust through Civil Discourse
