In the wake of the October 2015 shooting at the UCC campus, even as Douglas County rallied around the victims and their families, many were concerned that discussions in our community seemed to be becoming ever more acrimonious and often uncivil.
The recent election and transfer of power at the national level shows that this kind of polarization is not unique to our community.
Yet here in Douglas County we have a long history as a generous and tenacious community. In tough times we rely upon one another, and our reliance requires trust and mutual respect.
Acting on the belief that we can all learn from one another, and that the best way to learn is to listen, the League has initiated a Listening Project that strives to create opportunities for people to discuss their thoughts and opinions about local issues and concerns in a safe and respectful atmosphere.
The League hopes that our Listening Project will start building a community culture of listening that would remind people that regardless of passionately held political differences, we are neighbors and we have much in common.
If you would like to participate in this project, you can:
- volunteer to train as a community listener
- invite our listeners to come to your organization to listen to your members and help create a safe space where they can listen to one another
- attend a listening training so that you can become a better listener in your own life
Beginning on February 16, 2017 and continuing through the month of March, we are now sponsoring a training in Community Wellness Focusing. Focusing is a body-based technique that includes deep, empathic listening skills and the development of the kind of self-understanding that allows us to stay open to others even when their opinions differ from our own.
Umpqua Unitarian Universalist Church of Roseburg
2167 NW Watters St, Roseburg, OR 97471
Thursday, February 16, 2017
1:30PM to 4:00PM
Future dates include March 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30.
For more information, contact Jenny Carloni at jennifer.carloni [@] gmail.com or call [541] [672] [1914].
League of Women Voters of the Umpqua Valley 