Carmel summit aims to establish national model of civility
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Carmel City Council member Jeff Worrell speaks and civility merch sits during the "State of Civility" event on Aug. 28. Photos: Courtesy of Jeff Worrell
A civility summit happening later this month in Carmel will bring civic and organizational leaders from across the nation to the Hamilton County suburb for two days of planning and politeness.
Catch up quick: Carmel City Council member Jeff Worrell kicked off his civility campaign early last year when hundreds of people packed the Carmel Clay Library to share difficult interactions they've had with others in the wake of a particularly nasty mayoral race.
- After over a year of more civility-focused community meetings and a recurring column in the Current, Worrell launched the Carmel Civility Foundation earlier this year.
- Branded as "Project Civility," the nonprofit aims to provide tools and guidance to other communities or organizations interested in injecting more civility into their work.
Yes, but: Worrell thinks that more can be done and believes the movement that has picked up momentum in Carmel can help people nationwide as divisiveness and frustration builds.
Driving the news: The nonprofit's first big national swing at civility is a Sept. 26-27 summit at Carmel Clay Library that is open to the public.
- Worrell said he expects about 50 leaders to attend the inaugural gathering, which kicks off with a fireside chat between former Gov. Mitch Daniels and Alexandra Hudson — author of "The Soul of Civility" and adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy.
Zoom in: The closest summit attendees include the mayors of Fishers, Westfield and Noblesville.
- The farthest will travel from parts of Pennsylvania, Iowa, Michigan, California and Canada.
- Headlining speakers include Braver Angels National Ambassador John Wood Jr., Relational Wisdom 360 founder Ken Sande, Harrison Center for the Arts executive director Joanna Taft, and Reclaiming Civility co-founders Lori Leander and Lisa Brandt.
What he's saying: "Whether it's a religious community, a geographical community, an arts community … we have leaders coming from literally all walks of life. And that is the mission," Worrell said. "We didn't care who came as long as they were willing to return to their home and begin the work."
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the national summit on civility is open to the public (not invite-only).