BY NITA LELYVELD
NOV. 14, 2020

The election’s over. It’s time to unclench our fists and open our ears…

Do you despair about the divisions laid bare in the recent election? Do you worry that our tendency to demonize those who don’t vote the way we do will keep us from moving forward as a country?

I’ve been feeling that way a lot recently — relieved that a message of “us versus them” soon will no longer emanate from our White House but distressed by the failure of our Washington lawmakers to come together on just about anything due to the overpoliticization of just about everything, down to the dangers of this brutal pandemic.  Read More…

Although most of us are practicing social distancing, we do occasionally need to venture out to run essential errands. Today, I made a drive-through deposit at the bank (used a Clorox wipe to clutch the canister and touch the button to send it whizzing through the tube) and then to Safeway for fresh produce and distilled water. I could sense the tension of exhausted clerks and grocery stockers as well as nervous patrons. I thought, SOMETHING must break this tension…

Then, it HIT ME! Let’s commit Random Acts of Kindness any time we must be out! I noticed an older man in his 70’s behind me at the self-check and invited him to go in front of me. I smiled and said, “Why don’t you go in before me…you have fewer groceries than I do!” He looked a little suspicious, shrugged and walked up to start his check out.

I got home and read an account on Facebook of an exhausted female EMT who has been in extra meetings about Corona protocol and working long shifts. She was exhausted and as she stopped in her local grocery store, witnessed people’s rudeness and some greediness and it greatly bothered her.

She also noticed an elderly man she estimated to be in his 90’s. In his hand basket were a loaf of bread, cheese, lunchmeat and soup. He shuffled up to the checkout and smiled at the clerk as he shyly said, “Doesn’t look like you have much soup left…” The Paramedic looked in his basked to see one small can of soup…probably all he was able to find on the near-empty shelves. She realized that at his age, walking into a grocery store was taking his life into his hands – and that he was no doubt on a fixed income. Although she could not assist with the soup shortage, she offered to pay for his groceries. He at first declined, but quickly reversed course and accepted. Not only the clerk, but also bystanders were touched (and hopefully inspired) at the paramedic’s Random Act of Kindness and the man’s teary and humble acceptance.

I have also seen countless Millennial’s in the low-risk age group offer on social media to run errands, and to do shopping for people in higher risk groups and offering to drop the shopping on the porch.

Join us in spreading the trend by committing Random Acts of kindness any time you’re able! Here are some suggestions, and I’m sure you’ll have other ideas to add to this list:

• Buy for the person behind you at the drive-through line
• Check in with an elderly neighbor, friend, relative or church member either via FaceTime or a good old-fashioned phone call
• Give up a good parking spot
• Hold the door for someone
• Wipe door handles, the pin pad at the gas station or store etc. with a Clorox wipe for those coming after you
• Be extra gracious and polite during this tense and uncertain time

Random Acts of Kindness remind us that we are stronger together and together we can overcome any challenge, even this one.

Sunday, 3/8/2020

This is written by a Colorado ER doc; it is long, but informative and yes, you can share.

Well, it’s been an interesting week. For those who don’t know me, I’m a hospital medicine physician and the Assistant Director of Emergency Preparedness for the University of Colorado Hospital. We are still very much in containment mode (isolating patients w/ COVID, quarantining persons of interest), but there are hallmarks that this will likely be in a different phase in the next week or two. For now, the increase numbers continue to be correlated in part with increased testing and in part due to real time increase in disease burden. I think the key message here is that containment will be unlikely, and we’ll enter mitigation: treating the most sick with most people quarantining at home. I do think it is reasonable to assume that COVID will be a global pandemic. Now the question becomes: how do we deal with that?

That brings us to the term social distancing. This is a pretty serious issue that is a stage above mandatory quarantine. Social distancing means, essentially, no unnecessary public gathering. We’re seeing ideas of this begin to pop up with the NBA and Olympics. I think others are coming. We’re already seeing self-selection in this direction with canceled conferences, canceled airline flights, and self-imposed canceled vacations.

What makes me the saddest at this time is how truly financially and socially devastating this could become and is becoming. Some of this is driven by hype, but truly I believe all the extreme measures–be it canceling SxSW or closing University of Washington–may help in spreading **out** the disease. Why would that be a good thing? A trickle of cases over a longer period of time means a better opportunity for us in healthcare not to be overwhelmed.

As an insider in our hospital’s emergency response, I can tell you that this past week has proven to be really draining. Long days and lots of meetings with multiple successes and failures at dealing with this disease. We’re getting on top of it, but this disease is just beginning. We’re still ramping up.

The most startling information to come out of China from the WHO is the abysmal rate of oxygen needs for patients. Five percent of patients end up on ventilators whereas 15 percent require oxygen for the 3-6 weeks it takes to recover. That’s an unprecedented burden on the healthcare system. We are simply not able to take a head-on hit if these numbers remain accurate–but over time, we could handle a sustained surge better.

Think about being out of work for 3-6 weeks on oxygen and you get a better perspective why I have concerns about the wherewithal of the financial system. I feel very sad for people whose lives depend on working day-to-day–this is going to hurt for a while and so that brings us to not panicking.

Okay, so what if we are facing a pandemic. First off, and I beg you to heed this, if you fall ill with fevers and a cough DO NOT GO OUT until the fevers have been gone at least 24-48 hours. I don’t want you to get me sick and you don’t want to sicken anyone else. Sorry, no going to work or socializing–self-quarantine. Oh, not because you have COVID, but because I don’t want any of the other types of illnesses out there either. What has been staggering to me is how many cases are tied to people who were ill not being mindful of others and going to their events anyway.

Second, if you have persistent fevers and are worried about COVID, contact your local health department for guidance. Do NOT go to the hospital unless you are gravely ill or can’t breathe. We’re not going to test you just because you want reassurance you are COVID-free. The most common types of respiratory illnesses remain far more prevalent right now, so you probably have them rather than COVID: flu, RSV, human metapneumovirus, etc.

Third, STOP PANIC BUYING. Hand sanitizer is a good idea, but you don’t need a 36 month supply. Don’t be an asshole–stock up but leave some for others. I can’t even imagine why people need 14 months’ worth of toilet paper, btw. Again, be reasonable. If you don’t panic buy, the manufacturers should be able to keep up.

Fourth, start contingency planning. It turns out most travel insurance policies don’t cover epidemics. Anticipate that most businesses may be running at 85% capacity at their worst, so be courteous and patient with everyone. Be flexible with your job–you may need to help keep operations running meaning changes in your schedule–and you may need that time yourself, so be generous. Hold off on purchasing trips for a month or so to see how we’re doing then.

Fifth, masks aren’t going to protect you. Your biggest enemy is your own face. We touch it on average >40 times an hour. Learn to be mindful of this. We believe, other than getting sneezed or coughed on, hand-to-face contact is a main mode of transmission. So, begin to learn when you do this. Do you know that most people unconsciously sniff their hands within two minutes of shaking hands with someone? Crazy but true: therefore, stop shaking hands and bump elbows or feet. Wearing a face mask will not prevent you from your own habits.

Sixth, don’t visit with ill friends. Hospitals, including ours, are severely restricting ALL visitors at this time, and even more stringently for patients who may have COVID. Facetime and video messaging is the way to go.

Seventh, keep reminding yourself that this is going to last a while. Don’t sprint, slow down. Make haste slowly. Don’t spread panic, deal with the numbers as they become available. The current numbers on the Johns Hopkins site show that China appears to be reaching a sustained plateau of cases, but it’s not dropping off yet. Were that to apply elsewhere, we have months to go.

Eighth–have hope. I do. And I’m in the thick of things. We’re all in this together and we’ll muddle through. Things may not look like we want them to look for a while, but this will pass. The virus will mutate, the vaccine will come out, a medicine may work, whatever happens this will change. This isn’t forever even if it feels like it. We’ve made it through 9/11–we made it through 2007. Be at peace that this is happening. Be practical but caring. Believe in the future…

The Big Table is a day-long event where community-led conversations take place across central Ohio. This year, The Big Table happens on Wednesday, August 28. Individuals, businesses, nonprofit organizations–anyone, really!–can sit around a table, share a snack, and have a conversation about a topic important to them. What people talk about can be as broad as the Future of Columbus, or it can be as specific as how to get a skate park built in their neighborhood.

Whatever you discuss, the goal of The Big Table is to build a stronger, more connected community. You can help accomplish that through conversation, which helps develop a culture of dialogue where all voices are valued, and open, honest conversation takes a solutions-based approach to problem-solving. Big Table conversations spark ideas and connect co-workers, friends, and neighbors because they recognize that listening to diverse opinions is the best way to ensure that all of our community members feel heard and included.

How can you help contribute to a culture of dialogue through your Big Table conversation? It’s easier than you think.

Step 1: Build a Common Language

The keystone of honest conversation is trust. Trust that your voice will be heard and that honesty will be delivered with kindness. Each group, whether friends, work, volunteer or other, develops a language over time. Much like the concept of “corporate culture,” this common language can develop with or without direction from a leader.

Step 2: Include Diverse Voices

Who you bring to the table is important. In terms of solving a problem, I’m reminded of the case studies of Japanese car companies I read in college. They discussed the efficiencies achieved when front-line workers were empowered to call out problems that management-level folks would never have known about. Involving those who are affected by a problem supports creative, “user-centered” solutions that work for those experiencing that problem.

Step 3: Be Solutions Oriented

Using your common language brings purpose into focus and allows your conversations to be solutions oriented. Rather than each member of the group qualifying their thoughts or explaining where ideas come from, the group begins with a basic understanding of its own communication style.

Naming an issue is similar to the title of the book, it’s just a starting point; the story is in the conversation about reaching a solution. Focus the conversation on finding solutions to keep it on a positive path; that common language can also help get a conversation back on track if it becomes more about lamenting problems than developing solutions.

Following these steps will set the stage for open, productive conversations that go beyond The Big Table and help shape how your neighbors communicate with one another. The Big Table may be a day of inspiring conversations, but the real magic happens when those conversations turn into connections that last well after the event.

This year use The Big Table as your starting point to help create a culture of dialogue by and making time to have a conversation. On August 28, folks will gather in their schools, homes, offices, houses of worship, and hundreds of other places to have a Big Table conversation. Connections will be made, relationships will deepen, problems will be shared, and solutions will be found. Be a part of the continued evolution of your community at The Big Table on August 28!

Reprinted with permission of The Big Table, The Columbus Foundation

Our next statewide At the Table Colorado conversation is September 2019 as part of National Kindness and Courtesy Month.

By Jean Westrick, Director of Strategic Initiatives, The Chicago Community Trust 

The Chicago Community Trust designed On the Table in 2014 as a unique way to elevate civic conversation and encourage collaborative action among residents. Year after year, we’ve been inspired by the results – specifically, the willingness of participants to make a difference in their community.

In fact, research conducted over the first five years of On the Table in Chicago found participants are highly involved and engaged in their communities (79% are somewhat/very involved, with 33% very involved), with a significant majority (87%) indicating a belief that they can make their community a better place to live (47% believe they can have a “big” impact).

Many community foundations and organizations seeking to plan and implement On the Table in their communities cite increasing civic engagement as a key motivator. But, while becoming more civically engaged sounds great, what does it mean for the individuals and organizations you engage through On the Table conversations? How can we leverage the momentum and motivation that On the Table sparks to encourage participants to take action continue and increase their civic engagement? It could be as easy as sharing a few simple ideas!

The resources, opportunities, institutions are unique to your local context; consider this list of ideas as a starting point to creating your own list with specific examples from your community for your participants.

1. Talk with friends and family about issues that are important to you in your city, community or neighborhood.

On the Table provides a great model for this. Our host guide includes some ideas on how to start a productive conversation. Talk about what matters to you, but almost more importantly: be an active listener, practice curiosity and ask open questions.

2. Make sure you are registered to vote…

Did you know the voter registration process differs by state? Check vote.gov to learn details about how you can register and the date by which you must be registered in order to vote in your state.

3. …and then go out and vote!

In every election, not just the “big ones.” Local elections can greatly impact your day-to-day life – make an effort to learn about everything on the ballot from the judges to local ballot measures. Your local newspaper and the debates hosted by the League of Women Voters can be a good place to start. There are also a number of great websites to help you get ready before you get to the booth. For example, BallotReady allows you to research candidates, issues and referendums and add your choices to a mock ballot that you can take with you.

4. Volunteer.

Get in touch with a nonprofit or civic organization and explore ways that you can get involved in the issues you care about most. But, even more than that, volunteering can be personally satisfying, lead to new relationships and strengthen bonds with your loved ones. So, turn your personal interests in to more public good. For example, if you enjoy the great outdoors – seek out opportunities that bring you closer to nature. Do good together – volunteer with your children, spouse or friends. And, don’t forget your talents! Catchafire matches skilled professional volunteers with nonprofits.

5. Get to know your local elected officials.

Many decisions that impact your community are made at a local level. Get to know the people that represent you and what they stand for.

6. Attend city council meetings.

This a great way to stay on top of things happening in your community. It also provides a built-in opportunity for public comment where you can provide feedback.

7. Join your local neighborhood association and help spearhead a project to better the place you call home.

Plant a community garden, host a park clean-up, participate in a neighborhood watch – all while meeting new people and making your neighborhood a better place. Win, win!

8. Make your voice heard on the issues you care most about.

Write a letter-to-the-editor of the local newspaper, participate in local town hall meetings or start a blog – make your comments unique, fact-based and succinct.

9. Join, engage and step up.

There are lots of ways to be more involved in your community. Join a networking group with people who share your interests. Become a board member of a local organization you care about. If you’re a business owner, consider joining the local chamber of commerce. And, don’t be afraid to step up and lead. It doesn’t matter if the role is big or small – every little bit makes a difference, whether you run for public office or lead a committee for your church or the parent-teacher association.

10. Speak up and spread awareness of the issues most important to you.

Make your voice heard and mobilize others to take collective action. Connect and work with others passionate about the same issues you care about. You can start a petition using an online tool such as Change.org, organize a letter-writing or phone-banking campaign, create a Facebook group, connect with others online and spread awareness using a common hashtag.

Originally posted February 18, 2019 by the Chicago Community Trust. Reprinted with permission

By Lindsey Earl
At the Table Colorado facilitator and Host of the continuing What’s on Your Mind? conversations on Mental Wellness at Coffee at the Point, the third Monday of each month, 7:30-9 PM. 

Mental health is one of the most pervasive issues facing Americans today. Actually, I am willing to bet every reader of this blog post has been touched by mental illness in some way—whether you, a friend, family member, or coworker has a mental health condition. According to Mental Health America, in 2019, almost one in four people in the United States have been diagnosed with a mental health condition… and that excludes unreported and undiagnosed cases. In fact, depression remains the number one cause of disability worldwide and more people are diagnosed with depression in the United States than any other nation (National Alliance on Mental Illness 2019).

If mental health is such a big deal, why is it SO hard to have a conversation about it? America treats mental health like it’s a ghost— it is hard to see, unwanted, and people look at you funny if you admit its presence. In this metaphor, it’s obvious America is haunted. Unlike this metaphor, mental health is very, very real.

I’m sure you’ve heard it. Words like “crazy,” “nuts,” “insane,” or “deranged” to describe people with mental health conditions. Hell, I’ve used these terms before. If you’ve grown up in the United States, you’ve also been socialized to describe mental illness in a certain way. In the United States, we’ve become incredibly accustomed to using words to “other.”

In my professional life at a non-profit in downtown Denver, I see the effects of mental health stigma. At my job, I have the privilege (or curse) of asking total strangers incredibly personal information. Daily, I ask almost every client if they have a disability. If my clients have a physical disability such as loss of limb, hearing, or vision impairment, they will tell me right away. For others, they usually say “no,” then hesitate, then timidly follow up with something along the lines of, “well, I deal with general anxiety.” It seems like my clients do not see the state of their mental health as worthy of recognition or consideration. It is clear my clients see a dichotomy between mental and physical health. In reality, they are one and the same—I mean, both biological effects on the body, right?

In my personal life, I have felt the sticky grip of mental health stigma. When I decided I wanted to see a counselor in college, I remember trying to justify my decisions to friends and acquaintances. I remember saying, “I’m doing fine. The first four sessions are free, so why not?” In a way, I was trying to say, “I don’t really need it.” I was trying to deflect the conversation away from the state of my mental health to the cost of the program. Even now, I find my fingers tensing up on the keyboard as I admit that I’ve seen a mental health professional.

Truly, I’m sick of the stigma. In the United States and Denver, there is not enough funding for mental health services, there aren’t enough mental health professionals, and not enough people seek help. Also, some insurance providers don’t cover mental health services. The outcome of these deficiencies is the loss of quality of life. And in extreme conditions, the loss of life itself.

Although I believe that the conversation around mental health has increasingly entered the public sphere, there is a lot of work to be done. The first step to improving the mental health situation is, well… talking about it. And I was happy to see that you want too. “Mental Health” was the most common topic submitted to the What’s on Your Mind? page.

Be part of the solution and join me every third Monday from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at Coffee at the Point for a robust, guiding conversation about mental health. With your participation, we can illuminate the facts, issues, and stories our society has tried to dull. Join me and we can acknowledge America’s ghost.

About Lindsey Earl

Lindsey Earl grew up in west Denver, walking distance from hiking trails and camping spots. After studying at Colorado State University, Lindsey joined AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) where she was placed on two teams of 18 to 25-year olds. For two years, her and her teams traveled the nation serving nonprofit and governmental organizations. After a challenging year as a team leader, Lindsey transitioned to graduate school at Illinois State University’s Stevenson Center for Community Economic Development. Her professional practice was at a public health nonprofit in Houston’s Third Ward. Since her service commenced three days before Hurricane Harvey, most of her contribution became forming and assisting the disaster services department. Lindsey has returned to Denver to apply the skills she has learned At Mile High United Way. Lindsey lives in Curtis Park with two roommates and a rambunctious cat named Gus Gus. In her free time, she attempts to learn Spanish, hikes, cooks, paints, and leads neighborhood tours.

While making connections, talking and listening to our neighbors over a meal is at the heart of On the Table, we know that over the past four years, so many participants have taken these conversations a step further. They’ve worked with each other to take action, and make change in their community.
But how do you get there?

Hosts play an important role in not only leading the conversation, but also encouraging participants to move the ideas forward and make good things happen. This year, we want even more participants to do something coming out of On the Table. Here are five tips to host a conversation that inspires your guests to do just that:

1. Welcome differing opinions and perspectives.
As you begin to put together your invitation list, we challenge you to invite people from your network who you may not know… maybe they are a friend of a friend? Or ask each of your guests to invite someone new. You could bring together people in your network that may not know each other. By doing so, you will inspire dynamic table conversations—filled with fresh perspectives, innovative voices and new faces.

2. Encourage solutions.
After guests have the opportunity to introduce themselves and spend some time getting to know one another, it is imperative that you remind your guests that On The Table is more than just time to complain about issues—think about ways you can address these challenges. It’s an opportunity to move ideas from the table into actionable next steps.

3. Make a plan.
Before your conversation comes to a close, spend a few moments discussing possible next steps toward action. These can include, but are definitely not limited to: coordinating a follow-up meeting or conversation, reaching out to or getting involved with relevant organizations or committing to submitting an entry for the Acting Up awards (more below). New this year, we’ve also created a Take Action Worksheet (30.7KB) to help walk your table through identifying actions you can take, as a group or as individuals, to move your conversation from ideas to impact.

4. Invite guests to “own” action.
As you begin to determine next steps, give guests the opportunity to spearhead or “own” making things happen. Perhaps you take some time to divide and conquer tasks. Maybe someone at your table has a particular skill set or network that can help a certain area of your strategy. Regardless, set your plan in motion with time-driven goals as you work toward meaningful action.

5. Apply for an Acting Up award
Since 2016, the Trust has supported actions taken by residents after their On the Table conversations through the Acting Up awards —totaling $195,500 for 135 diverse projects. This year, we’re giving away more than $150,000. It is the hope that these intentionally small awards, with winners chosen by a community selection committee, offer support to the grassroots and community-based solutions that emerge from conversations. Urge your guests to to apply for an Acting Up award—which simply requires them to submit a two-minute video application. Even better… submissions don’t require anything fancy or special. The Trust actually encourages videos using the camera on a smart phone!
I am continually impressed by and grateful for the hosts who commit to On the Table conversations each year. Whether this is your first time hosting an On the Table conversation or you are a returning host, your leadership is truly inspiring positive action and change across the Chicagoland region and into our communities.

Originally posted April 18, 2018 by the Chicago Community Trust. Reprinted with permission

Would you like to host civic conversation in your library? At the Table Colorado is an organization that promotes and supports public engagement forums, flexible to any location or topic. The next statewide “table” will take place in April, and libraries make great conversation hosts and facilitators.

At the Table Colorado (ATTC) brings people from all walks of life together, during the same month, to participate in a series of free community-wide conversations about what makes their neighborhoods, communities, and regions great and what can be done to make them even better — more sustainable, stronger and vibrant. The next statewide ATTC will take place in April 2019, and will bring focus to conversations about: water, mental health, healthcare, affordable housing, equity, and immigration.

ATTC recently shared an update about the project in a webinar sponsored by the Colorado State Library, including an overview of the program and to learn how your library can participate by hosting community forums for civic conversation. Watch the archive of the webinar: Civic Conversation in Libraries: At the Table Colorado (2/26/19)

There are a wide range of resources on the ATTC website that can be used by libraries and other community organizations in hosting a table conversation. Visit At The Table Colorado’s Website: atthetablecolorado.org

There are also two earlier ATTC webinars focused on table conversations taking place in September 2018. Watch the archive of those webinars: At the Table Colorado Introduction (5/21/2018) At the Table Colorado Templates and Tools (9/6/2018)

Interested in staying in the loop about civic engagement topics in Colorado Libraries? Join our mailing list: CoCivicEngage

“There were 12 participants and I felt the group was a great balance of people who already knew each other or were familiar with each other, people widening their circle, and a couple of people who didn’t know anyone at the beginning. It was nice that some of the participants were able to fill in gaps about the history of art in our community or about the efforts and goals of some of the current organizations. Ideas for moving forward together were shared and the surveys indicated that most people are interested in continuing the conversation and including more people in it. A couple of people are interesting in hosting their own Table on different discussions.

I also felt like it was a success because people continued to talk even after announcements about the library closing for the night (it was probably a pro/con that the time was limited). Even as we were cleaning up, the discussion kept going.

It was successful enough for me that I would like the library to host another topic in April.”