A Civility First City
We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature.”
From Abraham Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address
Who are Civility First Cities?
Cities in Island County Washington who through their city councils, affirm the principles of the Civility First Pledge and aspire to encourage and promote civility in their city’s business meetings, committees and community meetings.
What do they do?
- Sign the Civility First Pledge as a city council.
- Encourage and promote civility within their municipality.
- Work to create a culture of civility among city employees and with the public they serve.
The Civility First Pledge
- As a Civility First City, we aspire to:
- Value honesty and good will while striving to solve problems.
- Attempt genuinely to understand the point of view of others.
- Model civil behavior and tone, online as well as in public, by:
- Being kind while maintaining the right to vigorously disagree.
- Acting respectfully toward others, including opponents.
- Listening to those who disagree with us, as well as supporters.
- Making only accurate statements when defending a position.
- Refraining from characterizing adversaries as evil.
- Challenge disrespectful behavior, courteously.
- Encourage any person or organization working on our behalf to meet these same standards for civil discourse.
- Renew our efforts, if we fail, and forgive others, if they fail.