New Hampshire Listens: Building Community Through Respectful Dialogue

New Hampshire Listens is a civic engagement program from the University of New Hampshire that helps communities build stronger democracy through respectful conversations and collaborative problem-solving. This national resource provides tools and methods for bringing people together across differences to address complex local issues. This matters because our communities face challenging problems that require neighbors working together — from housing affordability to transportation planning to school funding. When people with different viewpoints can talk respectfully and find common ground, we make better decisions that work for everyone. The program offers proven methods for community dialogue, coalition building, and inclusive decision-making. Their Local Civic Health Guide helps communities collect data to understand what brings people together or pushes them apart. They design thoughtful gatherings and meetings that lead to real community action and change. While this specific program serves New Hampshire, their approaches and tools can inspire similar efforts anywhere. Houston residents interested in community dialogue and bridging divides can learn from their methods and adapt them locally. Community organizations, neighborhood groups, and civic leaders can use their resources to strengthen democracy in our own neighborhoods. To explore their tools and methods, visit their website for guides, event registration, and updates. Local groups can adapt their proven approaches to build stronger, more connected communities where respectful conversation leads to positive change.

New Hampshire Listens is a community engagement initiative of the Center for Engaged Communities (EnCo) at the Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire. In the same way that we need the physical infrastructure of roads and bridges, we need infrastructure in our communities to support and sustain democracy. Our team believes that change comes from all directions, and it happens through many different means of engagement in our communities. We have worked with people in New Hampshire communities for over a decade to strengthen local, regional, and state efforts to improve public life. We are built on earlier work by cofounders Bruce Mallory and Michele Holt-Shannon, including community-based dialogue and engagement in Portsmouth leading to the creation of Portsmouth Listens in 1999. Since 2010, we worked at the local and state levels to support respectful conversations about complex issues affecting New Hampshire residents’ everyday lives. Our work supports community-led action and change. We are a long-term anchor partner with Everyday Democracy. We design thoughtful gatherings, meetings, and coalitions with state and local partners to achieve authentic engagement and more equitable decision-making. Sign Up for Updates Work With Us Register for an Event Contact Us Discover the Local Civic Health Guide The Carsey School designed this guide to building community and bridging divides to help people at the local level collect data to better understand what factors bring people together or push them apart. Discover the Local Civic Health Guide The Carsey School designed this guide to building community and bridging divides to help people at the local level collect data to better understand what factors bring people together or push them apart. 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index Receives Gold Sustainability Award The 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index was the recipient of a gold award at the UNH Sustainability Awards held May 7, 2021. Read more about this achievement. 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index Receives Gold Sustainability Award The 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index was the recipient of a gold award at the UNH Sustainability Awards held May 7, 2021. Read more about this achievement. » The 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index was the recipient of a gold award at the UNH Sustainability Awards held May 7, 2021. Read more about this achievement. Testimonials from People and Organizations we've worked with “Just wanted to thank you for the great presentation! I think it hit the mark and was just what we had hoped it would be and what we needed to spark the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).”  ~ Donna J. Kuethe, CPRP, Executive Director of GP RED “Just wanted to thank you for the great presentation! I think it hit the mark and was just what we had hoped it would be and what we needed to spark the commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).”  ~ Donna J. Kuethe, CPRP, Executive Director of GP RED “NH Listens is well organized and facilitates discussions in a manner where all opinions and views are shared in a respectful and constructive fashion. NH Listens helped my department hold a discussion with community members to assure mutual understanding and trust between the Community and our Police Officers. The event was well attended and met our goals. The follow-up report written by NH Listens was excellent and resulted in action steps to build upon the discussion.”  ~ Anthony Colarusso, Chief of Police (retired), Dover, NH; current Head of Security, Wentworth Douglass Hospital “NH Listens is well organized and facilitates discussions in a manner where all opinions and views are shared in a respectful and constructive fashion. NH Listens helped my department hold a discussion with community members to assure mutual understanding and trust between the Community and our Police Officers. The event was well attended and met our goals. The follow-up report written by NH Listens was excellent and resulted in action steps to build upon the discussion.”  ~ Anthony Colarusso, Chief of Police (retired), Dover, NH; current Head of Security, Wentworth Douglass Hospital “It is with gratitude that I write this letter of support and gratitude for NH Listens at the Carsey School of Public Policy at UNH. As chair of the Claremont School Board, it seemed appropriate, as we transition out of Covid related restrictions, to gather as a community to meet our four candidates for school board and learn about them and for the candidates to learn the what citizens want and expect from the schools and them.” Read more "The planning of the forum was exceptional with very appealing and informative promotional information that gave the community a clear idea of what the outcomes of the evening would be. This was easily shared with a variety of media sources in Claremont. The results were obvious as approximate 40 citizens, excluding facilitators, candidates, and current school board members, nearly as many as showed up for the deliberative session for the school budget. We were also able to televise the event via community television." "The event itself was skillfully facilitated; to say the attendees were diverse culturally and politically is an understatement. I sat back as an observer and saw groups sharing ideas, laughing, and collaborating, an incredible sight in these polarized times. People participated, were heard, and had their views validated. The questions generated by groups allowed candidates to draw bright lines, in their responses, between themselves and the other candidates. The de facto Facebook page of Claremont, What’s Up Claremont, currently has a number of video excerpts from the forum posted by candidates and other citizens along with encouragement for citizens to vote. A definite Claremont 'seal of approval'.” "In conclusion, I want to thank NH Listens, the facilitators were just superb, the results were remarkable, and we were lucky enough to have the whole thing paid for by a grant. I recommend this format for anyone who wishes to engage their community in a positive process of local governance."    ~ Frank W. Sprague, Chair, Claremont School Board “It is with gratitude that I write this letter of support and gratitude for NH Listens at the Carsey School of Public Policy at UNH. As chair of the Claremont School Board, it seemed appropriate, as we transition out of Covid related restrictions, to gather as a community to meet our four candidates for school board and learn about them and for the candidates to learn the what citizens want and expect from the schools and them.” Read more "The planning of the forum was exceptional with very appealing and informative promotional information that gave the community a clear idea of what the outcomes of the evening would be. This was easily shared with a variety of media sources in Claremont. The results were obvious as approximate 40 citizens, excluding facilitators, candidates, and current school board members, nearly as many as showed up for the deliberative session for the school budget. We were also able to televise the event via community television." "The event itself was skillfully facilitated; to say the attendees were diverse culturally and politically is an understatement. I sat back as an observer and saw groups sharing ideas, laughing, and collaborating, an incredible sight in these polarized times. People participated, were heard, and had their views validated. The questions generated by groups allowed candidates to draw bright lines, in their responses, between themselves and the other candidates. The de facto Facebook page of Claremont, What’s Up Claremont, currently has a number of video excerpts from the forum posted by candidates and other citizens along with encouragement for citizens to vote. A definite Claremont 'seal of approval'.” "In conclusion, I want to thank NH Listens, the facilitators were just superb, the results were remarkable, and we were lucky enough to have the whole thing paid for by a grant. I recommend this format for anyone who wishes to engage their community in a positive process of local governance." ~ Frank W. Sprague, Chair, Claremont School Board “I look forward to setting our next steps to build upon the work of the series. Working with NH Listens was fantastic, thank you so much. I look forward to the next project we can do together!”   ~ Annette Carbonneau, Senior Program Manager, North Country Health Consortium “I look forward to setting our next steps to build upon the work of the series. Working with NH Listens was fantastic, thank you so much. I look forward to the next project we can do together!”   ~ Annette Carbonneau, Senior Program Manager, North Country Health Consortium “Listening can be one of the most disruptive things you can do.  Stop and listen.  It can provide a pathway forward.”   ~ Steve Abbott, Independent Consultant, Great Schools Partnership “Listening can be one of the most disruptive things you can do.  Stop and listen.  It can provide a pathway forward.”   ~ Steve Abbott, Independent Consultant, Great Schools Partnership “I look forward to setting our next steps to build upon the work of the series. Working with NH Listens was fantastic, thank you so much. I look forward to the next project we can do together!”   ~ Annette Carbonneau, Senior Program Manager, North Country Health Consortium “I look forward to setting our next steps to build upon the work of the series. Working with NH Listens was fantastic, thank you so much. I look forward to the next project we can do together!”   ~ Annette Carbonneau, Senior Program Manager, North Country Health Consortium “NH Listens is well organized and facilitates discussions in a manner where all opinions and views are shared in a respectful and constructive fashion. NH Listens helped my department hold a discussion with community members to assure mutual understanding and trust between the Community and our Police Officers. The event was well attended and met our goals. The follow-up report written by NH Listens was excellent and resulted in action steps to build upon the discussion.”   ~ Anthony Colarusso, Chief of Police (retired), Dover, NH; current Head of Security, Wentworth Douglass Hospital “NH Listens is well organized and facilitates discussions in a manner where all opinions and views are shared in a respectful and constructive fashion. NH Listens helped my department hold a discussion with community members to assure mutual understanding and trust between the Community and our Police Officers. The event was well attended and met our goals. The follow-up report written by NH Listens was excellent and resulted in action steps to build upon the discussion.”   ~ Anthony Colarusso, Chief of Police (retired), Dover, NH; current Head of Security, Wentworth Douglass Hospital “I look forward to setting our next steps to build upon the work of the series. Working with NH Listens was fantastic, thank you so much. I look forward to the next project we can do together!”   ~ Annette Carbonneau, Senior Program Manager, North Country Health Consortium “I look forward to setting our next steps to build upon the work of the series. Working with NH Listens was fantastic, thank you so much. I look forward to the next project we can do together!”   ~ Annette Carbonneau, Senior Program Manager, North Country Health Consortium Upcoming Events Stay tuned for more events! NH Listens News Granite State News Collaborative: Manchester group takes village approach to community engagement Granite State News Collaborative: Manchester group takes village approach to community engagement Michele Holt-Shannon NH Public Radio: N.H. librarians learn how to lead community conversations that go beyond the book NH Public Radio: N.H. librarians learn how to lead community conversations that go beyond the book Michele Holt-Shannon, NH Listens Upcoming Events: NH Listens Announces New Dates for Local Lunch Box Series Upcoming Events: NH Listens Announces New Dates for Local Lunch Box Series Starting March 2, Monthly Online Educational Series Offers Training & Resources for Facilitation and Community Engagement Carsey School of Public Policy New Hampshire Listens About Show About submenu Staff and Fellows Advisory Board Partner Organizations Show Partner Organizations submenu Meet Our Partners Frequently Asked Questions Staff and Fellows Advisory Board Partner Organizations Show Partner Organizations submenu Meet Our Partners Meet Our Partners Frequently Asked Questions Civic Health Show Civic Health submenu 2024 New Hampshire Civic Health Report 2022 Local Civic Health Guide 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index Show 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index submenu Civic Awareness and Engagement Connecting in Community Volunteering and Giving About the Index 2024 New Hampshire Civic Health Report 2022 Local Civic Health Guide 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index Show 2020 New Hampshire Civic Health Index submenu Civic Awareness and Engagement Connecting in Community Volunteering and Giving About the Index Civic Awareness and Engagement Connecting in Community Volunteering and Giving About the Index Events & Trainings Show Events & Trainings submenu Campus Listeners Facilitator Training Local Lunch Box Meaningful Engagement for New Hampshire's Climate Action Planning Sticking with Tough Conversations Resources Campus Listeners Facilitator Training Local Lunch Box Meaningful Engagement for New Hampshire's Climate Action Planning Sticking with Tough Conversations Resources Reports Academics Show Academics submenu Explore Degree Programs Areas of Study Show Areas of Study submenu Certificate Programs Continuing Education Professional Development & Training Colleges & Schools Show Colleges & Schools submenu Carsey School of Public Policy College of Engineering and Physical Sciences College of Health and Human Services College of Liberal Arts College of Life Sciences and Agriculture Show College of Life Sciences and Agriculture submenu UNH Extension College of Professional Studies Franklin Pierce School of Law School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering Online Peter T. 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