Civility on social media may sometimes seem hard to come by lately -- but for the National Conflict Resolution Center, it's a daily focus.
The NCRC's "Mindset Monday" YouTube playlist is an encyclopedic approach to every type of conflict imaginable, featuring concise, action-based videos on everything from workplace bullying, to active listening, to, yes -- even how to talk politics.
The videos, most of which also reside on the organization's Facebook page, provide the organization's audience a digital guide to managing and resolving conflicts with civility and equitability.
“Until recently, conflict resolution and the concept of 'civility' have always been a little hard to explain in a way that engages the masses,” said NCRC’s Director of External Relations, Ashley Virtue, who appears in many of the organization's "Mindset Monday" video clips.
“However, as we’ve seen a lack of civility at the highest levels of society and the serious impact it is having on our country, more and more people are reaching out to us to see what they can do to help bridge the ever-widening communication gap," Virtue said. "The National Conflict Resolution Center has been able to effectively use social media to communicate with those folks and help them understand what they can do – every single day – to improve the way they communicate with others and help us build a more respectful society.”
By serializing the now-80-part video series, the NCRC has built a guide relevant to conflicts that take place year-round. In one video, Virtue offers advice on how to best address family members with varying viewpoints during the holidays. In another video, she addresses the spectrum of emotions felt on the anniversary of Sept. 11. The organization also uses Twitter and Instagram to share the messages to their audience.
The organization's donor base has taken notice. At last month's Peacemaker Awards, the NCRC collected more than $1 million in donations -- the largest sum in the organization's 36-year history.
“We are so thankful to the San Diego community for their huge investment in civility, respect, restorative justice and human dignity,” said Steven Dinkin, the organization's president. “Funds raised at our annual Peacemaker event will help NCRC address some of society’s most pressing issues such as the mass incarceration of our young adults, free speech on college campuses and pervasive harassment in our workplaces.”
Father Gregory Boyle, author of the New York Times bestseller “Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion,” was NCRC's National Peacemaker Honoree at the event, which the organization live-streamed on Facebook. Boyle's remarks to the in-person audience of 800 have since amassed more than 10,000 views on social media.
"Breaking boundaries contributes to the betterment of communities everywhere and through civility, all voices are equally heard," Boyle said.
