Board of Education
Springfield-Greene County Civility Project
Contact at:
1359 E. Saint Louis St.
Springfield, MO 65802
417-523-0026
417-523-0185 (fax)
As leaders in many U.S. cities have appealed for a return to civility, citizens across Springfield and Greene County have also called for greater civility in public discourse about politics, diversity, even local planning and development.
The Good Community Committee, an informal cross-section of community leaders, determined a growing trend of incivility was stifling community participation. The committee’s goal became one of restoring civic engagement to the democratic process and fostering an atmosphere in which people can freely speak their minds.
The Springfield-Greene County Civility Project focuses on 10 main tenets of civility and encourages private business, public agencies and government entities to adopt and display them in their buildings.
The 10 tenets of the Springfield-Greene County Civility Project are as follows:
Be Attentive
Live with awareness toward others and your surroundings.
Acknowledge Others
Greet people, ideas and values with respect.
Be Inclusive
Recognize and welcome all people every day.
Listen
Seek to understand by concentrating on what people say.
Respect Other Views
Respond to different opinions with a fair and open mind.
Speak out with Courage
Express yourself with honor and conviction.
Act with Compassion
Treat others with kindness and honesty.
Give and Accept Constructive Feedback
Consider criticism thoughtfully and factually.
Treat your Environment with Respect
Show regard for nature, resources and shared spaces.
Be Accountable
Acknowledge mistakes and take responsibility for your actions.