Great minds don’t think alike. They think together.

There has to be a better way.

In an era of hyperpartisanship and growing division, good arguments can be hard to find. CivilWorks brings people and a variety of experts together to listen to one another, consider different perspectives, and have productive arguments that lead to real solutions to complex public challenges. The goal is simple: better conversations, better ideas, and better outcomes for our democracy.

Less doomscrolling. More doing.

Instead of anger and noise, expect transparency, productive dialogue, and meaningful participation. CivilWorks brings citizens and a variety of experts together to ask questions, share perspectives, and work toward better outcomes.

What to expect

Better conversations. Better ideas. Better outcomes.

  • Solutions Workshop

    Think government could work better? Here’s your chance to help shape how. In our Solutions Workshop, a representative group of voters is given a common set of information curated by a variety of experts and is asked to propose a clear solution to a specific issue that affects the functioning of the federal government. CivilWorks will work with participants to present the outcome to federal officials.

  • Questions Exchange

    Online conversations where scholars, practitioners, and a variety of experts directly answer your questions.

  • Knowledge Pool

    Expert content and events that make complex structural issues clear and approachable, helping people understand what’s happening, why it matters, and what better outcomes could look like.

  • Legislative Engagement

    We seek to a be credible source of information for legislators of all parties. One of the ways we do this is by sharing everything about our deliberative democracy processes with legislators. That includes the information Solutions Workshop participants are provided, as well as the solutions they come up with.

Who we are

Meet the people bringing different perspectives and expertise together to make CivilWorks work.

  • Amy Hubbard

    Board Chair

  • Paul Gediman

    Board Member

  • Jay Goldberg

    Board Member

  • David Senjem

    Chair, Olmsted County Commissioners Advisor

  • Janessa Goldbeck

    CEO, Vet Voice Foundation Advisor

  • Mary McKinley

    Project Management Consultant Advisor