Civic Conversations
August 27, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
All are invited to visit the Bloomsburg Public Library each Wednesday from 10-11am to discuss the news of the week and what’s happening in our world.
This new community opportunity gives participants a chance to:
- Practice respectful civic engagement as we discuss current events;
- Build relationships with others in our community and make new friends.
Our hope for these conversations is that participants will attend with a sense of openness, curiosity, and humility as we seek to understand each other and gain new perspectives. This is an opportunity to reclaim the ideal of civic public discourse.
What You Can Expect at Each Session:
- Introductions;
- Suggestions for topics of discussion from participants;
- Voting on the topic(s) of discussion;
- A well-facilitated conversation following clear ground rules;
- Positive engagement as we share different points of view.
Expectations to Abandon:
- That you can persuade others that they are wrong and you are right about something of importance to them;
- That facts will be agreed upon and logic followed consistently.
Ground Rules:
- One person speaks at a time;
- Speak only for yourself;
- Avoid stereotyping (don’t lump others into groups);
- Ask questions of curiosity (avoid ‘gotcha’ questions);
- Refrain from personal attacks;
- Phones off.
About the Facilitator:
Karen Cotter, M.S.
Karen Cotter is on the social work staff team at Bloomsburg Public Library as part of our Good Neighbors Project. She has a Master of Science degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University. Karen is a trained mediator who volunteers with Susquehanna Valley Mediation. She has been a co-chair of the Braver Angels Bloomsburg Alliance and has received training as a moderator with that organization. Braver Angels is a citizens’ organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America.
