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community Conversation Opinion Column Is Civil Discourse on Important Community Issues Possible in Today's Super-Charged Environment? I s civil discourse on important community issues possible in today's super-charged environment? At a recent advisory group meeting of Thriving! magazine, the Lancaster Chamber's business magazine, I asked this question. Responses ranged from a few chuckles, to "not in the current environment," to an outright, "no!" But it was the reply of, "Even if the answer is no, shouldn't we still try?" that got my attention. Shouldn't we, as a community, expect and demand public discourse on important issues facing our community? Shouldn't all citizens commit to being role models for how dialogue and debate can happen in a respectful manner? How can business and community leaders set the example and tone for public discourse? And, who should lead this charge of civil discourse on community issues? These were all questions that prompted me to ask a few business and community leaders for their thoughts on whether civil discourse was becoming a distant memory, or whether it's still possible today. The responses I received in return have been overwhelmingly positive in so many ways - from encouraging the Chamber's role in leading our community's pursuit to discuss and debate topics of importance with respect and civility, to the acknowledgement that there is, indeed, a way to commit to civil discourse. Many offered up some advice on how to achieve civil discourse, whether it be through setting the example through one's own actions, 54 | LANCASTERTHRIVING! | Summer/Fall2017 through applying best practices or committing to some basic "ground rules." The feedback was so encouraging, in fact, that I decided to move forward with this column and start the discussion around not only IF, but rather WHAT it will take to commit to civil public discourse in our community. Initially, for me, this question stemmed from an idea I had to present topics of importance to Lancaster County in the print edition of this magazine and then invite thoughtful and respectful community discussion and debate on the topic via the digital edition, bringing about various perspectives and thoughts that would ultimately help us reach the best solution or path forward on the issue. It was perhaps the part about "having thoughtful and respectful debate on the issue online" that gave some of my peers the most pause. And for good reason. "We live in an era of rapid-fire opinions derived from 140 characters, headlines and sound bites without context," said Dr. Peter Teague, president of Lancaster Bible College. "As I ponder the possibility of civil discourse I believe the answer is not if - but of course! I have found that time invested in relationships is a remarkable bridge to civility, Dr. Peter Teague, President of Lancaster Bible College