NH Community Conversations

A Partnership with NHPR: Conversations with Laura Knoy

Building Civic Strength is a new initiative developed in partnership with NHPR, which hosts community conversations moderated by Laura Knoy. The first installment in this series featured five conversations hosted in Berlin, Franklin, Rochester, Nashua and Rindge during the spring of 2022. Key questions were: “What’s at the heart of civic strength?” and “What can we do to best prepare ourselves and our youth to take on the responsibilities of participation in a democratic society?” Each event featured a different panel of guest speakers from diverse backgrounds, including at least one youth panelist and panelists of varied political views at each event. We estimate that through being aired on NHPR, 32,000 people listened or participated in the series.

Learn more about our inaugural Building Civic Strength Series below.

Building Civic Strength: NH Community Conversations with Laura Knoy

Spring 2022 Series

  • Franklin Opera House

    March 15, 6-7pm

    Watch the livestream of this event.

    Listen to the broadcast recording of this event.

    Panelists:

    • Pedro Altagracia, Civic Engagement Advocate
    • Jo Brown, Mayor of Franklin
    • Kelsie Eckert, Coordinator of Social Studies Education, Plymouth State University, President of NH Council on the Social Studies
    • Jonathan Weinberg, Concord School Board

     Topics for the Franklin Event:

    • What is NH’s role in our nation? What is our nation’s influence on the world?
    • What do “we the people” all share other than the place we live? How can we make one political body out of a diverse group of people? What values, virtues, and principles can knit together the people of NH? of the US?

  • Franklin Pierce University, Rindge

    April 5, 6-7pm

    Watch the livestream of this event.

    Panelists:

    • Dottie Morris, Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Diversity at Keene State College
    • John Greabe, Director, Warren B. Rudman Center For Justice, Leadership & Public Service at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law
    • Hannah McCarthy, Civics 101 co-host
    • Alexis Messina, student, Franklin Pierce University

    Topics for Franklin Pierce University Event:

    • How was the US Constitution created? What was its purpose at the time? What is its current purpose and why is it still important?
    • What are the important things for all citizens to know about the US Constitution? Is the Constitution the thing that unites all Americans?

  • Nashua Public Library

    April 19, 6-7pm

    Watch the replay video here. 

    Panelists:

    • Chris Brooks, Souhegan High School teacher of ethics/philosophy, advisor to HYPE (Hosting Young Philosophy Enthusiasts)
    • Sudi Lett, Youth and Education Coordinator, Granite State Organizing Project-Young Organizers United (YOU), Central High School
    • Melanie Levesque, former Democratic State Senator, business owner
    • Betty Tamposi, former Assistant Secretary of State at the US Department of State in George HW Bush Administration, three term member of the NH House of Representatives

    Topics for Nashua Event:

    • What virtues and values are needed for people to solve community problems together across difference? What role does civics education play in this?
    • How can we teach young people to use their civic voices in a responsible and considered manner? (especially across difference)
    • How have population and demographic changes affected civic life in New Hampshire?

  • Rochester Opera House

    May 3, 6-7pm

    Listen to the Broadcast recording.

    Watch the replay video.

    Silver Level Local Hero Event Sponsor:

    Panelists:

    • Anna Brown, Director of Research & Analysis, Citizens Count
    • Lovey Roundtree Oliff, Exeter Select Board member, host of the PodCaste System podcast
    • Bruce Mallory, NH Listens Co-founder, Co-Author of the NH Civic Health Index
    • Aaron Blais, Exeter High School social studies teacher, veteran
    • Kaitlin Rocca, Exeter High School student, member of NH Civic Learning Coalition

    Topics for Rochester Event:

    • How can a citizen ensure that sources of information are accurate and fair?
    • What effects does misinformation have on community decision-making and debate?
    • How can we express disagreement while keeping our ability to work with each other to respond to problems? Why is it important to deeply understand ideas and opinions different from your own?

  • Berlin City Hall

    May 17, 6-7pm

    Listen to the broadcast recording.

    Panelists:

    • Casey McDermott, NHPR investigative data reporter/editor
    • Mallory Langkau, Groveton Middle High School teacher, DAR NH History Teacher of the Year, Mikva Challenge teacher leader
    • Anthony Poore, Principal, AP Consulting Group
    • Coltrane Stagg, Empower Coos Youth, sophomore at White Mountains Community College

     Topics for Berlin Event:

    • What elements must be present, to create civically strong communities?
    • What role does civics education play in civic strength? Do our schools teach enough civics?
    • How can communities solve problems across difference? What civic knowledge or skills would help?

    This conversation was made possible with support from New Hampshire Humanities, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Mellon Foundation. Learn more at www.nhhumanities.org

Thanks to Our Spring 2022 NH Civics Building Civic Strength Sponsors

Premier Granite State Event Presenter

Silver Level Local Heroes

Bronze Community Partners