This is not your dreaded family holiday (gathering?) discussion! Through honest and civil conversations, we hope to work together to bring the Fox Cities community together. Our intent with this series is not to shout each other down or to sell our viewpoints, but to have open, interesting, engaging, and enlightening discussions with each other in a way that fosters respect and understanding. This series does not seek to change anyone’s viewpoint but will show that we can learn from each other and build relationships despite our different beliefs.

Objectives:

1. Explore the concept of "understanding that we are all in this together.”

2. Understand what makes a conversation "difficult" and address how we can turn a challenging conversation into a meaningful discussion when we listen with the intent to learn.

3. Explore ways in which we are similar, despite our differences.

4. Brainstorm how we can create community, considering our differences.

Details:

This three-session discussion series, of two hours each, will:

• Be led by Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities trained facilitators who remain neutral.

• Use group guidelines to foster open and respectful conversation.

• Explore how participants have developed their perspectives, what we have in common, and how we can work effectively together. 

• Develop understanding; we are not trying to convince someone to change their views. 

• Create and build relationships and deepen the discussion.

**We ask you to commit to the three sessions, daytime or evening, in order to gradually build relationships and trust in your group. We seek to have groups with differing viewpoints, so please encourage your friends, neighbors, members of diverse organizations, government and political representatives to sign up as well.