Business Shaking Hands. Successful Businessmen Handshaking After

The Evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility

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This is the second in a three-part series on the rise of corporate civic engagement, an increasingly important component of good governance for an evolving business community and an evolving nation. Part 1 explained the importance of corporate civic engagement.

In its early days, corporate social responsibility (CSR) involved promoting economic growth, business ethics, and supporting the community. But as corporate leaders put those ideas into practice, they developed strategies that benefit both the brand and society, often related to philanthropy and environmentalism. The Harvard Business School identified some CSR exemplars:

  • Lego has worked toward sustainability by reducing the size of packaging and introducing environmentally friendly materials.

  • Salesforce created a “1-1-1” philanthropic model in which it donates 1% of its product, 1% of equity, and 1% of employees’ time to nonprofits and communities.

  • Ben & Jerry’s has made driving social change as important as profit.

  • Levi Strauss has changed the supply chain model by embracing workers’ rights and protecting the environment.

  • Starbucks made ethical sourcing of its products a key feature of its business.

While the corporate world has embraced practices like these, it has been slower to make civic engagement part of the business model – but there are leaders trying to show the path forward.

Business for America was founded by Sarah Bonk, who left her senior position at Apple to create a coalition of corporations and business leaders who want to create a healthier democracy by promoting civic engagement. BFA, which is both nonprofit and nonpartisan, argues CCR is critical in order to make CSR possible:

‍But purpose-driven companies cannot achieve their goals when our government fails to deliver policy solutions. Even policies supported by a large majority of Americans fail in this era of extreme political polarization, institutional distrust, and gridlock. The potential for the business community to provide a leadership role in addressing the root causes of these obstacles has been mostly overlooked — until now.

Many corporations have adopted some CCR practices, such as providing employees with time off to vote and voter education materials or backing pro-democracy political reforms, demonstrating a shift from shareholder capitalism toward stakeholder capitalism

“Today, with stakeholder capitalism, people have talked about the multiplicity of audiences that every single corporation or company serves,” says Davia Temin, a risk, reputation, and crisis management consultant. “That’s not just the investors. It’s the employees. It’s vendors. It’s potential employees. It’s the community. It’s the bigger issues… This makes companies need to sit back and evaluate … who am I? What do I stand for? What are my goals? Are these the noble goals that I have promised to people? How do I make money while at the same time holding on to these?”

And more and more often, these stakeholders are demanding that corporations take a position on a divisive issue or become more engaged in civic life. “We have companies being called up by all of their constituents to say something, do something, stand for something,” Temin says.

But until companies figure out their personalities, taking action can be difficult because values may be at odds with revenues. They are going to be compelled to make decisions about their priorities. As Temin put it, “We’re talking about the politicization of corporate America.”

With that in mind, the following are examples of how some of the biggest corporations in the United States have been drawn into political disputes, not always with a clear strategy in place.

Delta, Coca-Cola, and Voting Rights

The role of corporations in advocating for social issues returned to the forefront in 2021, as Republican state legislators across the country began introducing bills to tighten election laws. In states under Republican control, many of these bills became law. According to the liberal Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, 19 states enacted 34 laws designed to make it harder to vote in wake of Donald Trump’s loss in 2020 and subsequent, unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.

No state drew more attention to its new election law than Georgia.

While the law guaranteed 17 days of early voting, most of its other provisions make it harder to vote. The state enhanced the requirements for voting by absentee ballot, limited the availability of drop boxes, prohibited the distribution of food or water to people standing in line to vote and gave more authority to the General Assembly at the expense of the secretary of state. Opponents of the law claim it’s a direct attack on the voting rights of minorities in the state after Joe Biden became the first Democrat to carry Georgia since Jimmy Carter and Democratic candidates won both of the state’s Senate seats.

After the bill was passed, two of Georgia’s biggest employers, Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola, expressed their opposition to the new law.

Delta CEO Ed Bastien:

I need to make it crystal clear that the final bill is unacceptable and does not match Delta’s values.

The right to vote is sacred. It is fundamental to our democracy and those rights not only need to be protected but easily facilitated in a safe and secure manner.

After having time to now fully understand all that is in the bill, coupled with discussions with leaders and employees in the Black community, it’s evident that the bill includes provisions that will make it harder for many underrepresented voters, particularly Black voters, to exercise their constitutional right to elect their representatives. That is wrong.

Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey:

We want to be crystal clear and state unambiguously that we are disappointed in the outcome of the Georgia voting legislation. … We all have a duty to protect everyone’s right to vote, and we will continue to stand up for what is right in Georgia and across the U.S.  

Notably, both statements were issued after the bill was passed, rather than prior to enactment, when the companies may have had an impact on the legislation. And they came after harsh criticism from more than 70 Black business leaders who opposed the legislation. And that was followed by an ad campaign featuring hundreds of companies expressing general support for voting rights without opposing any specific legislation.

The companies’ criticism soon turned partisan as Republican leaders, including President Donald Trump, called for a boycott of the businesses, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell told corporations to “stay out of politics” and others blasted them as “woke.” Some Republican leaders in Georgia even called for increasing taxes on Delta and banning Coca-Cola products from state government offices.

The Reversal of Roe v. Wade

Perhaps no single issue, other than the 2020 election, has inflamed the passions of Americans like abortion. When the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 2022, ending federal protections for women seeking an abortion, the issue was left for the states to decide. Americans are deeply divided on the issue, citing health care arguments, religious beliefs, privacy rights, history, and more to claim the high ground in the debate.

And many corporations weighed in as well (some following the leak of the draft opinion that would largely reflect the final ruling), announcing benefits for employees seeking an abortion, including some that are based in Republican-controlled states. CNN Business compiled an initial list of corporate reactions:

  • Bumble said it would provide health care services and make donations to nonprofits that support reproductive rights.

  • Chobani added transportation benefits to its existing health care policy, to cover specialized care, including abortion.

  • Condé Nast said it will not only cover travel expenses for abortion services but also for infertility and gender reaffirmation.

  • Disney said it will provide coverage for people who need to travel. Meta announced plans to offer reimbursement for out-of-state travel, where permitted by law.

  • Dick’s Sporting Goods announced it will provide travel reimbursement.

  • Goldman Sachs said it was extended reimbursement for any medical procedures, treatments, and evaluation not available near an employee’s home.

  • Match Group already provides abortion benefits to its Texas employees and is considering expanding the coverage nationwide.

  • Microsoft expanded its health care support to include coverage for travel expenses for abortion services.

  • Starbucks (informed employees enrolled in the company’s health care plan that they will have access to a travel benefit for abortion services).

  • Warner Bros Discovery expanded benefits to cover out-of-state travel.

  • Zillow extended its coverage plan to include reimbursement for travel.

Some business affirmed their benefits packages already include covering travel expenses for out-of-state abortion services:

  • Accenture

  • Alaska Airlines

  • Apple

  • Comcast-NBC Universal

  • HP

  • HPE

  • Korger (includes fertility treatment)

  • JPMorgan Chase (expanded abortion coverage to include a travel benefit)

  • Levi Strauss

  • Netflix (which also announced plans to donate to organizations that support women like the Center for Reproductive Rights)

  • Nike

  • Uber (which also said it will also reimburse drivers sued for providing transportation to an abortion clinic)

  • Yelp

This list is by no means exhaustive and is not intended to demonstrate a partisan bias in Corporate America, but rather to show that – at least when it comes to abortion – some companies are willing to take a position regardless of the political repercussions and public perception that may follow.

A slight majority of Americans (51%) say they strongly or somewhat support brands speaking out about abortion access, with 34% somewhat or strongly opposed. However, just 41% support reimbursing employees for travel costs to obtain an out-of-state abortion, nearly the same 39% who oppose such policies. Just more than half (51%) support providing unspecified resources and assistance to employees affected by the Supreme Court decision (27% opposed).

The third installment in this series will offer resources for corporations looking to proactively develop civic engagement and social responsibility strategies.

Business Shaking Hands. Successful Businessmen Handshaking After

What is Corporate Civic Engagement, and Why Is It Important?

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This is the first in a three-part series on the rise of corporate civic engagement, an increasingly important component of good governance for an evolving business community and an evolving nation.

In 1971, the Committee for Economic Development issued a report titled, “Social Responsibilities of Business Corporations.” In what became known as a “social contract” between business and society, the nonprofit and nonpartisan business policy organization argued that the business community needed to take more responsibility for improving the environment and other societal issues.

“The discontinuity between what we have accomplished as producers and consumers and what we want in the way of a good society has engendered strong social pressures to close the gap – to improve the way the overall American system is working so that a better quality of life can be achieved for the entire citizenry within a well-functioning community,” the CED wrote.

That is quite different from economist Milton Friedman’s statement the previous year that “the sole purpose of a business is to generate profits for its shareholders.”

More than 50 years later, many corporations are still trying to find the right balance as they answer not only to shareholders but also customers, host communities, politicians, and activists. But now, as the nation has become increasingly polarized, the answers are harder to develop because seemingly every issue, every option has – unfortunately – become another battleground in the partisan culture war that has engulfed the nation. 

But we at the Common Ground Committee have been studying this evolution and believe there are ways to be productive corporate citizens and increasingly profitable enterprises.

In just the past few years, some of the nation’s most prominent brands have taken stands in line with their corporate beliefs but at odds with a significant portion of the American public (and an even higher share of elected officials). As a result, they have faced intense backlash from those who oppose either their positions or even the fact that businesses are “straying from their lane” to engage in social concerns. Think Disney and Delta Airlines.

Much like the divergent views expressed by Friedman and CED, companies are still wrestling with two competing opinions, according to Elizabeth Doty, who researches the social impact of business as director of the Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce at Michigan University’s Erb Institute for Sustainability in Business. 

“People tend to come at this … from two biases,” Doty explains. “One says the question is, ‘Should companies get in?’ And another says, ‘They’re too in and they need to get out.’”

But, according to Doty, there is a model for proper social engagement – one that requires transparency, accountability to commitments, and responsibility when it comes to impact on systems. “How are you affecting people’s civic participation, their confidence in the civic institutions and government,” she says. “We even go so far as to say, ‘How are you affecting an informed public?’”

And data shows that stakeholders – customers, employees, and investors – want to see more corporate engagement. The latest edition of the widely respected Edelman Trust Barometer found that 58% of people will support brands based on their beliefs and values, 60 percent will consider beliefs and values when determining where to work, and 80% will invest based on beliefs and values.

In fact, business is trusted more than the government, NGOs, or the media, according to Edelman. But, the research argues, while politicians and media are pushing divisions and disinformation, businesses and NGOs are being pressured to tackle social issues – beyond their current capabilities.

However, many companies have resisted taking a stance on some of the most divisive issues in recent years. According to a study by the Conference Board, racial equity is the only issue that has prompted more than half of companies to take a public stance since 2020.

While most companies have shied away from issues like LGBTQ+ rights, elections and voting, economic equality, and reproductive rights, the rise of stakeholder capitalism is sure to push those percentages higher in the coming years, possibly as soon as 2024 and the next presidential race.

This series will both explain the concept of corporate civic responsibility and offer resources that corporations can turn to when developing a CCR plan or responding to a public relations crisis related to its stance on civic issues. Profit-making, civic responsibility, and politics are sure to continue to intersect and, at times, cause division. With proper preparation and support, businesses can continue to thrive even as stakeholders evolve.

What Good Looks Like: A Common Ground Story

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Looking for signs of hope and progress in America’s political dialogue? This look back at some memorable moments with our inspiring podcast guests, panelists and audience members at our public forums offers a reminder that there is a way through our challenges – and that it’s our job to shine a light on that path by seeking light, not heat.

civic engagement

What is Corporate Civic Engagement, and Why Is It Important?

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This is the first in a three-part series on the rise of corporate civic engagement, an increasingly important component of good governance for an evolving business community and an evolving nation.

In 1971, the Committee for Economic Development issued a report titled, “Social Responsibilities of Business Corporations.” In what became known as a “social contract” between business and society, the nonprofit and nonpartisan business policy organization argued that the business community needed to take more responsibility for improving the environment and other societal issues.

“The discontinuity between what we have accomplished as producers and consumers and what we want in the way of a good society has engendered strong social pressures to close the gap – to improve the way the overall American system is working so that a better quality of life can be achieved for the entire citizenry within a well-functioning community,” the CED wrote.

That is quite different from economist Milton Friedman’s statement the previous year that “the sole purpose of a business is to generate profits for its shareholders.”

More than 50 years later, many corporations are still trying to find the right balance as they answer not only to shareholders but also customers, host communities, politicians and activists. But now, as the nation has become increasingly polarized, the answers are harder to develop because seemingly every issue, every option has – unfortunately – become another battleground in the partisan culture war that has engulfed the nation. 

But we at the Common Ground Committee have been studying this evolution and believe there are ways to be productive corporate citizens and increasingly profitable enterprises.

In just the past few years, some of the nation’s most prominent brands have taken stands in line with their corporate beliefs but at odds with a significant portion of the American public (and an even higher share of elected officials). As a result, they have faced intense backlash from those who oppose either their positions or even the fact that businesses are “straying from their lane” to engage in social concerns. Think Disney and Delta Airlines.

Much like the divergent views expressed by Friedman and CED, companies are still wrestling with two competing opinions, according to Elizabeth Doty, who researches the social impact of business as director of the Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce at Michigan University’s Erb Institute for Sustainability in Business. 

“People tend to come at this … from two biases,” Doty explains. “One says the question is, ‘Should companies get in?’ And another says, ‘They’re too in and they need to get out.’”

But, according to Doty, there is a model for proper social engagement – one that requires transparency, accountability to commitments and responsibility when it comes to impact on systems. “How are you affecting people’s civic participation, their confidence in the civic institutions and government,” she says. “We even go so far as to say, ‘How are you affecting an informed public?’”

And data shows that stakeholders – customers, employees, and investors – want to see more corporate engagement. The latest edition of the widely respected Edelman Trust Barometer found that 58% of people will support brands based on their beliefs and values, 60 percent will consider beliefs and values when determining where to work, and 80% will invest based on beliefs and values.

In fact, business is trusted more than the government, NGOs, or the media, according to Edelman. But, the research argues, while politicians and media are pushing divisions and disinformation, businesses and NGOs are being pressured to tackle social issues – beyond their current capabilities.

However, many companies have resisted taking a stance on some of the most divisive issues in recent years. According to a study by the Conference Board, racial equity is the only issue that has prompted more than half of companies to take a public stance since 2020.

While most companies have shied away from issues like LGBTQ+ rights, elections and voting, economic equality, and reproductive rights, the rise of stakeholder capitalism is sure to push those percentages higher in the coming years, possibly as soon as 2024 and the next presidential race.

This series will both explain the concept of corporate civic responsibility and offer resources that corporations can turn to when developing a CCR plan or responding to a public relations crisis related to its stance on civic issues. Profit-making, civic responsibility, and politics are sure to continue to intersect and, at times, cause division. With proper preparation and support, businesses can continue to thrive even as stakeholders evolve.

Capitol

McCarthy’s Win is Like Making Sausage

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As the 118th congress began, Republican Kevin McCarthy was elected House speaker in an after-midnight 15th ballot, navigating a week of tension and roadblocks within his own ranks. The news coverage of the drawn-out and, in some moments, the angry process highlighted the concessions forced upon McCarthy to gain support from his own party to win the Speakership. It raised questions about whether minority factions have too much power- and put a spotlight on the way the U.S. system works. Not only was it the subject of ridicule in some corners of the world but even some Americans were questioning whether our system works at all.

While we agree it was a difficult process, we disagree with the view expressed by so many who said that it demonstrated our government is dysfunctional. We believe it was a clear indicator that our government works as intended. The Founding Fathers designed the American government to reflect the broad interests and perspectives of US citizens. Our current government is narrowly divided, demonstrating what we believe is a more closely aligned public opinion than is commonly believed. At the same time, each party has vocal ideological factions that often dominate public discourse and the attention of the press. The narrowness of the majority means that some concessions needed to be made to bring the faction along with the majority.

Negotiation and compromise have always been a hallmark of our government. The importance of this process leads to opportunities to build a policy that takes into consideration the interests of differing ideologies, of a broader view. At the same time, it lessens the probability of extreme views becoming law.

But there is another, in our view, positive outcome from the Speaker election that we believe is now more likely – more bipartisanship. In a narrowly divided Congress where both parties have strong ideological and vocal factions, getting something done will require the pragmatists in both parties to work together rather than depend on their parties to deliver the votes. Some of the concessions Speaker McCarthy made – such as enabling floor debate on some bill amendments – could make it easier for representatives to find bipartisan support for bills they introduce.

There are those who make headlines in Congress for their caustic rhetoric or extreme views, and there are those who accomplish change by working together with colleagues across the aisle to pass legislation.

Much has changed in recent years that bears this out. Since the question of abortion has been remanded to the states, several very red states have had referenda that may have put limits on abortion rights – but did not eliminate them. By contrast, election laws passed in the wake of the 2020 presidential election and characterized as “Jim Crow 2.0” led to higher voter turnout in the 2022 election than in prior mid-term elections and the election of a Democratic senator in otherwise strongly red Georgia. That gave a majority to the Democrats in the Senate while Republicans took control of the house.

Does this show that we have a dysfunctional government? No. It shows our system works. You have to make concessions, and you need to cut deals with those you disagree with, and you can do that without compromising your fundamental principles. In fact, when bipartisanship happens you can get a better policy because broader interests make their way into the bill and the legislation is more likely to be long-lasting. That’s what the Founding Fathers wanted. As long as we have that kind of dynamic going, you’re not going to have too much power in the hands of too few. The way sausage is made can look ugly, but it follows a recipe, and….in the end, the sausage tastes pretty good.

the state of democracy event

Panel of Political Veterans: Midterm 2022 Democracy?

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What did the election tell us about the nation’s polarization problem? And what do the results say about the current state of our democracy?  

The people have spoken, and they are tired of the partisan fighting, agree James Carville and Reince Priebus. That was the takeaway shared by both panelists—political icon, Carville and former Republican National Committee Chairman Priebus—in a forum moderated by Bob Shrum, Director of the Dornsife Center at the University of Southern California.  

“The American people have glazed over the vitriol,” Priebus said, and they decided not to blame senators, representatives, and governors on the ballot for the partisanship and rhetoric of the party leaders.  

It’s always democracy in action on election day, Carville commented, whether the message delivered is a move toward centrism or a reaction against the status quo. “The people weighed in, they ran the show, and the politicians have to pay attention,” he said. “Maybe I’m an optimist. But I see a change in behavior, and I see it coming from the public.” 

Election reform, a point of contention, seems to be one of the things the majority of the public has decided to come together on. “There are already states that do mail-in ballots, and do it right,” said Priebus. “It’s time for Republicans to stop complaining about mail-in ballots and accept that it’s election month, not election day. We need to look at the states who do it right, and copy them.” 

Some of the strongest vitriol still surges through social media, and to some extent, the divisiveness in the mainstream media. There isn’t profit to be made in unity, the panelists agreed. There’s money in riling people up and agitating the click-bait culture of division that appeals to the basest instincts displayed on Tik Tok. “Eighty percent of people use the media like a drunk uses a lamppost,” Carville said. “For support, not illumination.” 

However, the degree to which this is or isn’t reflected in the media—and the usefulness of arguing over media bias—is less important than it used to be. Mainstream media doesn’t have the power it used to, Carville suggested, because the whole dynamic of media consumption has changed. Guests who appear on the major media outlets align with their views, and the viewing public knows that. “When people go on shows, they have three talking points, and they tend to agree with their host. People see through that. They want to see something real.” 

This time, in fact, there was no unrest and almost all the election results were accepted – even by those who lost. 

When it comes to putting aside partisanship to get things done, there’s cause for optimism, they agreed. There are several markers of progress that required bipartisan support. For instance, infrastructure and marriage equality, Carville suggested; Priebus pointed to the disclosure of secret money in politics, and the current agreement toward China. “For the most part, Republicans agree on our new hawkish view of China, and for the most part, Democrats agree,” he said. 

And both panelists agreed on the importance of supporting the next generation of candidates — a wealth of talent and energy just sitting in wait on the bench. Youth is also the primary source of optimism for both panelists. Take, for example, the student groups from both Texas A&M and USC that were engaged spectators of the panel event.  

“I think of all the schools with students watching events like tonight’s panel, all over the country,” said Carville. “And I just want to tell you all, this is a fun business – don’t believe that it’s a God-awful business and not a place for nice people. Pitch in and get involved, and we’ll all be ok!”  

common ground logo

Our Story: Bringing light, not heat, to public discourse.

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The truth is, most of us want common-ground solutions.

Two-thirds of Americans are fed up with the partisan gamesmanship that has resulted in a dysfunctional government. Because stories of political battles draw more readers than stories of political compromise, we tend to think everyone wants their side to “win” at any cost.

But that just isn’t true.

In fact, two-thirds of Americans – regardless of ideology – want to see their allies listen to the other side and compromise to achieve solutions in which we all win, not just the political majority.

In other words, Americans want solutions that create common ground.

Our mission

CGC inspires and motivates the public to find common ground and reduce incivility and polarization for a stronger nation. We do this by demonstrating how influential people of opposing views can unexpectedly find agreement without compromising core values. We provide innovative content and tools that empower individuals and consequently, their political leaders to do the same.

How it all started

Often, our friendships change and evolve as we grow, attend college, switch jobs, and move to new communities. But some friendships persist. Such is the case with Bruce Bond and Erik Olsen, childhood friends who grew tighter during their school years and remained close as they built families and careers.

While they pursued divergent careers (Erik in financial services and Bruce in information technology), they would often spend time discussing a shared concern: the state of politics in America. When their families vacationed together in August 2009, they decided to translate those concerns into action. They believed there had been a significant shift in tone in the country, particularly since President Barack Obama’s election the prior year, and they wanted to do something about it.

That was the beginning of the Common Ground Committee.

The purpose was simple: To find opportunities to advance policies for the good of the nation by building on a foundation accepted, if not promoted, by both Republicans and Democrats.

In their spare time, Bruce and Erik set up a board of directors and began planning their first event, which would be held in February 2010 and feature Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) in a talk titled, “Finding Common Ground on the Government’s Role in the Nation’s Economy.” That event served as a springboard for growth, partnership, and change.

The Common Ground Committee began as purely an event-driven nonprofit for its first years, usually convening one or two events per year. Speakers have included a pair of former secretaries of state (Condoleezza Rice and John Kerry), former members of Congress, retired Army Gen. David Petraeus, former U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, national media figures, and advisors to presidents. In every case, the guests worked to advance the mission by finding common ground on key policy issues, including foreign relations, the racial divide, taxes, and much more.

Early on in the process, the Common Ground Committee developed a key partnership with the Christian Science Monitor and its Editor John Yemma. Now retired as editor but still an influential columnist, John has been an outstanding event moderator and the Monitor, who continues to provide moderators for CGC events, remains an important ally in the search for common ground.

What we’re doing now

Having established the Common Ground Committee as an influential player in the growing movement to reduce polarization and improve the American political system, Bruce and Erik raised enough financial support to devote themselves full-time to the mission by 2018.

And with the new funding came new people and new initiatives. The Common Ground Committee has expanded its staff and now produces a podcast and the influential Common Ground Scorecard, a unique tool to help voters determine which candidates for national office truly want to work across the aisle for the betterment of the nation.

Our vision

We envision a nation no longer encumbered by the anger and polarization that prevents us from moving forward on issues that matter.

How do we find common ground?

The Common Ground Committee has three goals:

  1. Give hope and inspiration that we, as a nation, can work together to make progress on important issues. Those events and podcasts double as opportunities to not only study the issues but also to look for common ground and to demonstrate that, yes, it’s possible to work across partisan lines on behalf of our fellow Americans.
  2. Educate people on the issues. This is where we started and remains the core of what we do – bringing together, in person (through live events) and virtually (with podcasts) to learn how we can advance critical issues such as the economy, gun violence, health care, and more.
  3. Help citizens hold elected officials accountable. The next step in the Common Ground Committee’s evolution is moving beyond education and inspiration to action. Through our Common Ground Scorecard, voters can determine which candidates are serious about working across party lines on behalf of their constituents– and which put party over country.

If you’re interested in learning more about Bruce and Erik and how you can get involved be sure to check out upcoming events and explore the topics we cover.

unify america

How to Have Your Own Common Ground Experience with Our Partner Unify America

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Put two strangers in a virtual meeting talking about some of the key issues of our time and it could go any number of ways. 

Now imagine putting two strangers in the conversation who are expressly chosen because they vote differently than you. 

Does the prospect of this make your heart race? If so, it’s likely not just because of the social awkwardness of talking to a complete stranger at length about substantive, difficult things. 

These days, the thought of being paired for an hour with someone who’s different than you — values, experiences, worldview, social issues, politics — is fraught with concern, and the expectation is that it would be unpleasant. What might they say? How will you respond? Will someone get angry? 

However, what if they discover that they share a lot of the same goals for the country? And that they actually enjoy meeting each other? What if instead of wondering, “How are we going to talk for a whole hour?” you end up talking for three hours? This has happened. 

The group Unify America created this, with its Unify Challenge: matching people for a one-on-one chat with another American who might vote differently than you or is different in any number of significant ways. The goals are to break biases, switch up the information sources we feed on daily, and practice really listening. 

People sign up for any number of reasons: a workplace or school initiative; a desire to understand people who think and feel differently; an interest in what drives the current political and social climate; or perhaps a curiosity about what is “different from yourself” looks and sounds like on a personal level. 

When you register, you’re asked a number of questions about your views, are assigned a date and time and are given a log in for a video chat. Once you begin, you watch and wait while an algorithm pairs you with your conversation mate. And then their image appears on video, along with a loose script of innocuous questions to start your discussion. Where did you grow up? And something along the lines of, “How do you think your upbringing and location led to the person you are today?” Which leads eventually to, “How strongly do you feel that abortion should be decided by a unified law encompassing the country, and why?”

Here’s what tends to happen: The designers of the challenge guessed rightly that once we get to know someone, spending time in conversation about what shapes the forces in their world, we are more likely to respond with civility and really consider their point of view. Something that can’t happen on social media, or in most news stories or even opinion pieces published in the media. A person who believes strongly in, say, gun control, and that the overall moral lifesaving good of controlling who can have what might be left thoughtfully stumped when the other says they feel the same way about curtailing abortion rights. 

Unify America was launched in January 2020 to reduce contempt, teach Americans to work together, and build a diverse community to find unique solutions and solve our biggest problems.

It seems like a small thing, this microcosm of understanding and goodwill. But what if it’s not? What if thousands of small conversations like these can play a small part in reducing the anger that’s roiling our country? If so, it’s not just a small gesture between two people, a drop in the bucket. It’s an act of national repair.

american flag voting

Anticipating Voting Season

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Another election season is nearly upon us. Most people tend to associate elections with casting a vote. But there’s far more that goes into being an informed voter, and an engaged citizen. 

The first step in becoming an educated voter is finding reliable sources of information about candidates, issues, and ballot questions. 

Common Ground Committee Voting Resources

We have created a portal that will help you vote in the upcoming election.  You can even download our handy, Help Me Vote guide to get started.

We have also created an easy-to-use Scorecard to compare candidates in your region (searchable by zip code or official name). In addition to learning about the candidate’s background, officials are given a “score” that corresponds to their track record of nonpartisan decision-making and compromise.

Partner Voting Resources

There are also a number of other organizations that provide voters with neutral and nonpartisan insights into their ballots, with unbiased sources of information. Many are united under the umbrella of the unifying group, the Bridge Alliance. 

One example is Ballotpedia, a digital encyclopedia of American politics, elections, and policy. It provides curated content on all levels of U.S. politics that is relevant, reliable, and available for all.

Within the Bridge Alliance is a page dedicated to the breakdown of different member categories — focused on topics ranging from think tanks and youth empowerment to fact-checking and corruption. Its page focused upon election integrity is particularly timely as we come up on midterm elections, spotlighting members making progress in opening up our electoral systems and reducing the influence of the political parties.

Similarly, Citizen Connect is a non-partisan platform dedicated to helping Americans heal political divides and strengthen democracy through finding civic organizations and events—based on civility, fairness, and fact-based reason. Its events are both virtual and in-person, held through a variety of outlets and partners.   Citizen Connect has also created a helpful voting portal.

How to Volunteer to be a Poll Worker

When it comes to the smooth running of elections, workers and volunteers are essential to ensuring that elections function efficiently and accurately. Each election requires the work of millions of Americans to uphold this process, the handling of ballots that are the tangible core of democracy.

This is more critical than ever, with multiple states reporting a shortage of poll workers. As the pandemic wanes but is still with us – as are ongoing concerns about political violence — America continues to face a critical shortfall of workers. Some 130,000 poll workers have stopped serving over the past three midterm elections, according to the group Vet the Vote. The organization offers volunteers a link to sign up, with a focus on ushering in the participation of veterans. Sign up opportunities are also available through the portal with the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. 

While November may seem far off, it is around the corner.   Check out these resources to help you have a voting plan and make the election run smoothly.

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How to Vote in the US (Step by Step)

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Your Voter Resource Guide

At Common Ground Committee, our goal is to bring individuals together from all sides to bring light, not heat, to public discourse.  We also believe that voting is every citizen’s right, responsibility, and privilege. 

We are here to help you through the voting process — from registering and finding your voting location (or learning how to vote remotely) to learning about the issues and the candidates. 

Get started now with the few easy steps below!

5  Easy Steps to Vote 

Each one of these steps is critical to making your opinion, voice, and vote count on election day.

Step #1: REGISTER to vote

Whatever your political preference, your right to vote gives you the chance to be heard and impact the direction of our country. According to data from the U.S. Elections Project in 2016, 43 percent of voters did not fill out their ballots. Why? Many Americans don’t know enough about the voting process, how to register, or are unaware of registration deadlines. Rock the Vote provides an easy link to get started on your registration in moments. Vote411 from the League of Women Voters Education Fund can also help you check your registration status, get registered, and find information about the issues.

Step #2: Know WHERE to vote

If you aren’t requesting an absentee ballot, make sure you know where you can vote — and have a plan to get there. Of the 29 percent of older adults who did not vote in 2016 (approximately 2,262,000 voters), about half were held back by poor access to transit. Ride share programs and volunteer transportation assistance are available across the country to help seniors and others with mobility challenges get to the polls.

Step #3: Know WHERE candidates stand

Before you cast your vote, make sure you’re informed about the candidates and their stances on today’s issues. Tools like BallotReady and VoteSmart help sort the information on thousands of politicians and the thousands of issues at stake. Common Ground Committee also has a unique tool, the Common Ground Scorecard, to rate politicians on how well they reach across the aisle to find common ground.

Step #4: Have the IDENTIFICATION you need

Some states require proof of identification to vote. Make sure you have the correct personal identification needed in your state (if any) to cast your ballot. 

Step #5: VOTE!

Whether it’s your first time voting or you’ve exercised your right many times, making it a priority to get there is the most important step of all. You have a voice and privilege, so stand up for what you believe. Races can be closer than you’d imagine — so just do it!

Resources for Informed Voting

A sign of a healthy democracy at work is an active network of advocates providing the tools for an educated population. Here are some of ours here in the U.S.

Tool #1: Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia is a non-profit organization focused on educating the public on current political issues, elections, current candidates, and more. Whether you are considering running for office, contemplating your voting options, or looking for the latest news from an unbiased source, Ballotpedia is a tool committed to clarity and neutrality.

Website: https://ballotpedia.org
Instagram: @ballotpedia
Facebook: @Ballotpedia
Twitter: @ballotpedia

Tool #2: VoteSmart

Looking for information on the latest candidates and elected officials? Votesmart has profiles, voting records, contact information, issue positions, public statements, and more. One of its key features is the “Political Courage Test,” which offers a unique kind of transparency: insight into how likely candidates are to give straightforward answers to voters’ questions.

Website: https://justfacts.votesmart.org/
Facebook: @ProjectVoteSmart
Twitter: @VoteSmart

Tool #3: Vote411

Vote411 is known as a one-stop-shop for the information you need for the election process: the ability to check your registration status, register, find upcoming events, discover (and decipher) questions on your ballot, simplify steps for first-time voters, and more. An interactive state-by-state map is a hallmark of the site.

Website: https://www.vote411.org/
Instagram: @vote411
Facebook: @vote411
Twitter: @VOTE411

Tool #4: When We All Vote

It’s critical it is for all citizens to participate in the political process; that’s the belief that drove the formation of When We All Vote. This nonpartisan non-profit organization was founded in 2018 by Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw. Their ideology? That the country is in a better place and can move forward successfully when you guessed it — we all vote.

Website: https://www.whenweallvote.org/
Instagram: @whenweallvote
Facebook: @WhenWeAllVote
Twitter: @WhenWeAllVote

Tool #5: Common Ground Scorecard 

Let us be one of your trusted resources! The Common Ground Scorecard is your free, online guide for identifying candidates who seek common ground to make progress on the issues. Interactive features (such as a map) help you identify your elected officials (so you don’t have to look them up) making it easy to use. You can even compare up to six candidates.

Website: https://www.commongroundscorecard.org/
Instagram: @commongroundcommittee
Facebook: @commongroundcommittee
Twitter: @commongroundcom

Tool #6: Activote

Activote’s easy-to-use nonpartisan app – learn more about the features – educates voters on important issues, when and where they can cast their vote, connects them with their elected officials, and allows them to make their voice heard by quickly answering key polling questions. Join voters in all 50 states, of all parties, and of all ages & join in on #DailyDemocracy. Try it on the web or on mobile on GooglePlay or the Apple App Store.

Website: https://www.activote.net

Download Our "Help Me Vote" Guide

Check back here for future updates on voting. Also, check out our recent Op-Ed on mail-in voting, and sign up for our newsletter for more resources to help you vote!