Deliberative Dialogues Moderator Training

The North Texas Community College Consortium is pleased to announce a special professional development opportunity for participants interested in training in moderating deliberative dialogues. We will be hosting a Deliberative Dialogue “Train the Trainer” Workshop at Tarrant County College Southeast Campus on Friday, September 21st. Verdis Robinson of Campus Compact:  Education for Democracy and John Theis of Lone Star College-Kingwood will conduct the training from 9am to 3pm. The workshop will provide moderator training for deliberative dialogues and attendees will learn how to train moderators as well.

Why Deliberative Dialogues?

Civility in our country’s political discourse has clearly declined, and the political climate has become increasingly bitter. We have all seen public meetings turn into shouting matches or worse. But what can be done? Is there a way to elevate the tone of dialogue in our country? Can we bring back civility?

This one-day workshop will focus on how to moderate deliberative dialogues, one of many tools that we can use to bring citizens together to reason and talk and to deliberate about contentious public policy issues facing our society. Participants will be introduced to the National Issues Forum (NIF) model, which provides a way for people of diverse views and experiences to seek a shared understanding of the problem and search for common ground for action. During this hands-on training participants will be guided through the process of how issues are framed and the discussion is moderated.

This workshop will train moderators how to lead a deliberative dialogue with a small group. Moderators use an issue discussion guide that frames the issue by presenting the overall problem and then three or four broad approaches to it. In this workshop, participants will be guided through the process of how issues are framed for public deliberation, how to help organizations convene and organize such forums, and how to facilitate a deliberative dialogue. They will then engage in a real dialogue session on an important policy issue. Participants will be given the opportunity to act as moderators of the dialogue and receive feedback and coaching. Special focus will be given to developing facilitation skills that can be used for dialogues and other forums participants might want to facilitate/moderate.

Who Should Attend?

As an instructor, staff member, or administrator, you will learn how to engage students, faculty, staff, and community at your college in discussions on areas of controversy and vital importance.         

This Deliberative Dialogues Moderator Training session uses the National Issues Forums Issue Guide Political Fix. 

The Democracy Commitment (TDC) is the arm of Campus Compact dedicated to the advancement of civic learning and engagement at community colleges. This initiative ensures that millions of community college students graduate with an education in democracy and civic responsibility. TDC creates highly effective programs that transform the community college experience for students. It is TDC's goal that upon graduation, students will have the knowledge, skills, and experience to actively participate in our democracy.  Learn more about The Democracy Commitment (TDC) at their website.

Register Now

$95 Consortium Members

$140 Non-Consortium Attendees

$0 Current CLARA Class

$0 TCC Students

Meals and all session materials are included with your registration.