Community leaders who are trusted by their communities have the opportunity to become sources of accurate information, reminders of what is at stake, and agents of helping the communities within the larger community understand each other. Playing this role may be crucial during polarized times, especially when the public receives conflicting information from public officials and social media sources, and fears/anger run high on issues regarding race and equity, covid19, and rumors about election fraud. This is a checklist of considerations relating to speaking out to the general public during tense and divisive times.
Guides
- Symbols and Public Spaces amid Division: Practical Ideas for Community and University Leaders (2021)
- A Practical Guide to Planning Initiatives for Working Together To Advance Racial Equity (2021)
- Key Considerations for Leaders Facing Community Unrest: Effective Problem-Solving Strategies That Have Been Used in Other Communities (2nd ed. 2020)
- Planning in Advance of Community Unrest (2nd ed. 2020)
- Identifying a Community Spirit (2019)
- Divided Communities and Social Media: Strategies for Community Leaders (2nd ed. 2020)
Case Studies
Rochester’s Community Response Team
- Study 1 illustrates the work of the Rochester Community Response Team, an effort launched through the work of a local dispute resolution center and a local newspaper, which began developing plans for a collective community response to civil unrest.
Orlando Speaks
- Study 2 describes Orlando Speaks, a new approach to police-community dialogue developed through a partnership between the City of Orlando, the Orlando Police Department, and Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute.
Strengthening Communities Project
- Study 3 discusses the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center’s Strengthening Communities Project, convened by a non-profit dispute resolution center in San Mateo County, California.
Columbus Community Trust
- Study 4 highlights the work of the volunteer Columbus Community Trust, convened with support from the Columbus Bar Association and the John Mercer Langston Bar Association, with support from the local U.S. Attorney’s office.
Unity in the Community-San Leandro
- Study 5 describes Unity in the Community-San Leandro, a group of San Leandro (California) volunteers who convened in response to a series of local hate incidents.
Cards
Designed as an easy reference point for community leaders:
Simulations
The Midland Simulation. Used with hundreds of civic leaders and students across the country, the simulation focuses leaders on strategies for broad-based community planning efforts, while giving students the chance to enhance leadership skills during a crisis. Here are the simulation’s Midland General Facts.
The following documents are available upon request (they contain confidential information) to DCP Deputy Director Bill Froehlich (froehlich.28@osu.edu):
- Facilitator Instructions for working with community leaders
- Facilitator Instructions for working with students
- The complete simulation, including all confidential roles, “injects” and a corresponding PowerPoint
In this video, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther describes his experience with the simulation.
The New Lake Simulation. Modeled after Midland, New Lake has been used with a law student at the Moritz College of Law. Here are the simulation’s general facts.
The following documents are available upon request (they contain confidential information) to DCP Deputy Director Bill Froehlich (froehlich.28@osu.edu):
- Facilitator Instructions
- The complete simulation, including all confidential roles, and a PowerPoint to use with the simulation
Academy Facilitation Guide
A guide for hosting a three-day training “Academy” for community leaders. This guide includes links to documents, surveys and materials used at DCP’s Academy Initiative events.