West Virginia Center for Civic Life   .quotebox { border: 0px solid #333333; padding: 10px; width: 200px; margin-top: 0px; float: none; } .txt-al-ctr { text-align: center; } .style6 { border-width: 0px; }     .style2 { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; }      Home Blog About Us  Leadership Our History   Process Primer FAQ Issues  Prescription Drug Abuse Building Safe Neighborhoods Substance Abuse Childhood Obesity Future of Young Adults Economic Insecurity   Join List           SEARCH:   The West Virginia Center for Civic Life is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps engage our citizens in community discussions of important public issues that affect our state and nation.

 Think. Talk. Act.       Home  News & Notes  About Us  Board Staff    Our Work  Civic Engagement Hub Moderator Preparation Issue Framing Reporting Outcomes Dialogue to Action    Issues  Prescription Drug Abuse WV's Youngest Children Building Safe Neighborhoods Substance Abuse Childhood Obesity Future of Young Adults Economic Insecurity    Resources   Join List   Donate          Please view this brief video to see how West Virginians are using community dialogue to work together on public issues.   Why talk?  The goal behind community dialogue is not merely to draw a crowd and fill a room with opinionated people. The purpose is much bigger and more powerful. When people talk together about common concerns, they take ownership of problems. They talk about what they can do, not just what others ought to do. They act out of a sense of mission and passion. Communities in a democracy are healthier when citizens are doing the work of citizens.

  Resource Guide Available on Public Engagement The National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation is a network of 1,300 groups and professionals who bring people together to discuss, decide and collaborate on today’s toughest issues. They have recently created a guide to share stories and resources about effective public engagement through dialogue and deliberation. Download a free copy here.

            Many West Virginians believe the time is right for deep conversations about our state’s future.  What’s Next, WV? is a nonpartisan, statewide initiative designed to help communities talk and plan together—based on their own ideas for building stronger local economies. Find out more. 

    Making the Most of the First Three Years Hosting a Community Discussion in  West Virginia Coalitions throughout the state are bringing people together to discuss what can be done to ensure that the youngest children in our communities have a good start in life—and to set directions for community action.

 Read more!

  Please Join Us Join our email list and like us on Facebook to stay up to date about West Virginia Center for Civic Life training programs and dialogue initiatives as well as updates about civic engagement resources and practices.  

  Prescription Drug Abuse in  West Virginia Statewide Dialogue-to-Action Initiative  Over the past decade, the abuse of prescription drugs in West Virginia has increased among adults and youth alike, with profoundly negative impacts on individuals, families and communities throughout our state. 

 Prescription drug abuse is an extremely complex issue requiring the involvement of nearly every sector of the community: law enforcement, education, health care, churches, businesses, neighbors, government and social services. 

 In order to consider ways to address prescription drug abuse, local organizations are sponsoring community discussions to bring people together to consider what can be done. Between July and December, 2010, over 125 community forums have been held in over 35 West Virginia counties—followed by local action planning sessions. 

 We hope you will consider convening a forum in your community. A West Virginia-based issue guide, moderators’ guide, and discussion starter video have been developed by the West Virginia Center for Civic Life and the Prevention Resource Center. All materials may be downloaded and duplicated for your discussions here

    

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 West Virginia Center for Civic Life • 2300 MacCorkle Avenue SE • Charleston, WV 25304 info@wvciviclife.org