National Issues Forums Institute

This week, we took "What's Next, America?" to the North Carolina Campus Engagement
conference—and hosted our very first in-person workshop with educators and community leaders. 🎉

There were thoughtful questions, creative ideas, plenty of laughs, and lots of "I could totally do this in my community" moments.

A huge thank-you to everyone who joined us. We left inspired by your enthusiasm and can't wait to see where these conversations go next!

So... what's next? 👀

How do communities move from meaningful conversation to meaningful action 🗣️➡️🚀? Join NIFI for upcoming "What’s Next, America?" sessions focused on sustaining momentum and strengthening community impact 💪

- Moving from Conversation to Action (June 11)
- "What’s Next, America?" Intro Session (June 12)
- Monitoring Impact in Your Community’s “What’s Next?” Initiative (June 18)
- Community of Practice Gathering (June 19)

Learn more and register here: https://whatsnextamerica.com/training-workshops/workshops-and-community-meetings/

"What's Next, Montevallo?" kicked off today✨ as residents Montevallo, Alabama talked through how they want to shape their community. Additional sessions are scheduled for June 11 and 13 with a youth-focused initiative on June 20. “Anyone who cares about the future of Montevallo is invited to register,” one organizer told the Shelby County Reporter in a recent story: https://shorturl.at/rJw4Z

💭 As America approaches its 250th anniversary, how we talk about our values matters.

Join us tomorrow for the second of a two-part experience led by Martín Carcasson, director of CSU Center for Public Deliberation, exploring how communities can navigate values-based conversations with more nuance, curiosity, and understanding. Missed the first session? No worries! Martín will catch you up to speed for Tuesday's interactive demonstration forum that will show you what this process actually looks like in practice.

📅 June 9 | Values with Nuance Demonstration Forum
⏰ 7–9 p.m. ET
🔗 https://zoom.us/meeting/register/OTP8F3izQL6zzz68Wpf4gg

NIFI is looking for a creative, thoughtful storyteller with video production, interviewing, and editing skills to help document the early impact of "What’s Next, America?" Is that you? Send a brief note of interest, relevant experience, and 2–3 samples of video, storytelling, or interview-based work to Christine Fernando, NIFI Communications & Creative Manager, at [email protected].

Learn more here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i6zZdtLbBbxq1mpyTcnylNWvJL_TJ966/view?usp=sharing

Reminder: several "What’s Next, America?" workshops are happening this week! We hope to see you there. 🙌

Upcoming sessions include:
- Talking About Values with Nuance (June 3)
- Facilitating “What’s Next?” Conversations (June 4)
- “Talking About Values with Nuance” Demonstration Forum (June 9)

Learn more and register here: https://whatsnextamerica.com/training-workshops/workshops-and-community-meetings/

💭 As America approaches its 250th anniversary, how we talk about our values matters.

Join us for a two-part experience led by Martin Carcasson, director of CSU Center for Public Deliberation, exploring how communities can navigate values-based conversations with more nuance, curiosity, and understanding.

🧭 First: learn the process
Join a free workshop introducing How to Talk About Our Values with Nuance — including facilitation tools, videos, background materials, and coaching opportunities to help spark conversations in your own community.

🗣 Then: experience it live
Come back for an interactive demonstration forum to see what the process actually looks like in practice.

📅 June 3 | Introduction to Talking About Values with Nuance
⏰ 8–9 p.m. ET
🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ctWYFS9lQiezoqhkzFxx_g

📅 June 9 | Demonstration Forum
⏰ 7–9 p.m. ET
🔗 https://zoom.us/meeting/register/OTP8F3izQL6zzz68Wpf4gg

Last call! 📣

Applications for the Centers for Civic Life + Faculty Fellows program close tomorrow.

If your campus is ready to invest in better conversations, civic learning, and free speech, now’s the moment.

Join a national effort led by NIFI and The Madison Center for Civic Engagement.

🗓 Deadline: May 29
🔗 Apply now: https://shorturl.at/SGqhr

Ready to learn more about bringing "What’s Next, America?" to your community — or deepen the work you’re already doing? We’re excited to help with a few new upcoming workshops! ✨

- Introduction to the “Talking About Values with Nuance” process (June 3)
- Facilitating “What’s Next?” Conversations (June 4)
- “Talking About Values with Nuance” Demonstration Forum (June 9)

Learn more and register here: https://whatsnextamerica.com/training-workshops/workshops-and-community-meetings/

Less than one week left to apply!

If you’re a faculty member, administrator, or campus leader working to strengthen dialogue across difference, consider applying to the Centers for Civic Life + Faculty Fellows program from NIFI and The Madison Center for Civic Engagement.

This four-year program supports campuses in:
• Building spaces for productive dialogue
• Advancing free speech and civic engagement
• Connecting with a national network of practitioners

🗓 Deadline: May 29
🔗 Apply here: https://shorturl.at/h0jgO