Join us on Friday Mornings at Sheraton Palo Alto Hotel
Civil Discourse Committee
Bob Barrett
Co-Chair
Ken Graham
Co-Chair
“Bridging Divides, Strengthening Democracy, Building Belonging”
PAUR Civil Discourse Committee fosters a culture of trust, belonging, and democratic engagement within our Club and beyond. We aim to navigate differences through mutual understanding, dignity, and respect. By helping members learn about polarization and develop skills to bridge divides, we strengthen democratic dialogue. Rooted in Rotary’s values of service, friendship, and integrity, our work empowers members to connect, collaborate, and build a more resilient society.
The Need
​In a time of growing polarization, distrust, and division—both nationally and locally—the need for respectful, informed dialogue has never been greater. Too often, disagreement leads to disconnection rather than understanding. Civil discourse offers a path forward. It challenges us not to avoid difficult conversations but to engage with them constructively, with the goal of strengthening democratic institutions and community relationships. Our work addresses the urgent need to rebuild trust, restore respectful engagement, and revitalize democratic participation from the ground up.
What We Do
PAUR Civil Discourse strives to combine Rotary ideals, expressed in the Four-Way Test and the Object of Rotary, with our local PAUR efforts by inquiring about civility and modeling friendship, service, integrity, and promoting constructive conversations and relationships throughout our country and the world.
Our Core Focus Areas
Our activities fall into four main buckets, each reinforcing our mission to foster respectful dialogue and democratic engagement:
Learning
We host informative and timely speaker sessions at our Friday meetings, evening salons, and public programs that explore issues like polarization, democracy, conflict resolution, and civic responsibility. We also curate books, articles, and videos to help deepen our understanding.
Engaging
We partner with Rotary clubs and civic organizations—such as the Berkeley and Bloomington Rotary Clubs, Sibling Cities, and Stanford Political Union—to deepen our reach and promote democratic engagement beyond our Club.
Practicing
We create safe, structured spaces for our members and guests to practice civil discourse skills in one-on-one or small-group settings. These sessions emphasize listening, curiosity, respectful disagreement, and building trust across differences.
Supporting
We serve as an informal ombuds resource within the Club, helping mediate communication issues and fostering a culture of respect and belonging. We are also a source of encouragement for members seeking to apply civil discourse skills in their personal and professional lives.
Featured Initiatives
To bring our mission to life, the Civil Discourse Committee supports and launches initiatives that go beyond conversation—they invite participation, reflection, and connection. Each of these programs is designed to deepen understanding, build civic skills, and strengthen democratic relationships, both within PAUR and in the wider community. Here are a few of our key initiatives:
Active Democracy Salon
Launching this year, our monthly discussion series offers Rotarians and community members a space to dive deeper into democratic skills, nonviolence, and problem-solving.
Democracy & Disagreement Forum
A co-sponsored program with Rotary Club of Berkeley that models productive, respectful dialogue across differing views.
Sibling Cities Town Halls
We support this national initiative which facilitates the cross-regional pairing of US cities to develop deep relationships, create friendship, and broaden understanding.
Who Benefits
Civil discourse strengthens everyone it touches—starting with our members.
-
PAUR members benefit by gaining tools for thoughtful communication, conflict resolution, and democratic participation.
-
Our Club culture is enriched through a deeper sense of belonging, where differences are explored—not avoided—and every voice is heard.
-
Community partners benefit as we bring learned skills into town halls, public forums, and partnerships across differences.
-
Ultimately, civil discourse benefits democracy itself, creating ripple effects as informed, compassionate, and active citizens help shape a healthier civic culture.
How To Get Involved
The Civil Discourse Committee meets monthly and welcomes all PAUR and community members who are interested in making our Club—and our society—more inclusive, respectful, and resilient. Whether you’re new to these conversations or deeply experienced, your presence matters.
Please fill out an interest form and one of our committee members will be in touch.
Fundamental Insights For Understanding Civil Discourse
​​Recommendations for books and background materials
Civil Discoure Booklist June '25
​
Resources
​
Rotary International: The Four-Way Test, Avenues of Service, and Objects of Rotary
Declaration of Independence, Jefferson
The Federalist Papers
United State Constitution
Gettysburg Address​​​