Civility is the practice of respect, even in disagreement, which fosters constructive dialogue and connection in the public square, across the backyard fence, and at the dinner table, recognizing the inherent dignity of every person.
Building a strong and resilient community requires respectful dialogue and collaboration. The Civility in the Estes Valley Starts with Me initiative is a movement to foster civility in our community, especially as we move into the final stretch of the 2024 election season.
As full- and part-time residents, property and business owners, employees, students, and people who love the Estes Valley, your words and actions have power, and they set the tone for civil discourse.
By taking the Civility in the Estes Valley Starts With Me Pledge, you can commit to respectful communication, collaboration, and fostering a more engaged community.
This pledge outlines specific actions you can take to promote civility, create a more positive and productive environment in our community, and to hold yourself accountable.
In support of civility, I recognize:
- That the well-being of our community relies on fostering respectful discourse and collaboration.
- The invaluable contribution of diverse perspectives and opinions.
- As a full or part-time resident, property and/or business owner, employee, student, or as someone who loves the Estes Valley, I hereby pledge to:
- As a full or part-time resident, property and/or business owner, employee, student, or as someon who loves the Estes Valley, I hereby pledge to:
Engage in civil discourse. I commit to communicating respectfully, even in disagreement, avoiding personal attacks and inflammatory language.
- Listen actively and openly: I will seek to understand others’ viewpoints and perspectives, giving each voice due consideration.
- Promote respectful debate: I will encourage fair and productive dialogue, allowing time for robust discussion and thoughtful deliberation.
- Value collaboration: I will prioritize finding common ground and building consensus with the public good in mind.
- Treat all with respect: I will conduct myself with courtesy and honor the dignity of neighbors, community visitors, store clerks and waitstaff, elected officials and those running for office, and my family members to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment.
- Lead by example: I will uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and transparency in my interactions with others, setting a positive example for our community.
- Think twice before saying something that is unkind: I will monitor my words and the tone I use in speaking to others, whether in person or online. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable. We can offer our perspective and do so with grace.
- Hold myself accountable: I will continuously reflect on my behavior and strive to uphold this pledge with integrity and sincerity, and encourage others to do the same.
- Through this commitment to civility, I pledge to build and strengthen bonds within the Estes Valley community.