What People are Saying

Listen to the Sounds ....

People make community. Our community has a strength rooted in the soil and the fabric of our relationships with one another. Build strong communities by being strong, fair, compassionate and balanced.

Listen to what people are saying.
Try to understand.
Listen to the voice of history.

What People are Saying ...

I need to lead through example.
These are great agreements. I want this for my children, friends and family.
I believe our civilization is being downgraded by a lack of civility, especially in the political arena. I think Oshkosh is among the most civil places I've ever lived, and I've lived in seven states and on both coasts. The only place that compares (in my experience) is Clear Lake.
people need to be made aware of the principles included in this initiative now, more than ever. In general, there seems to have been a general decline u people need to be made aware of the principles included in this initiative now, more than ever. In general, there has been a steady decline in civility in this country and I am proud of my hometown is doing the right thing I starting this moment locally. Everything must begin with treating each other civilly.
I think this should be put at the top of the list at all grade levels in our school system, starting at Kinder garden. And I think that this should be sent to the parents of all our school age children, especially the teenagers. The language is another problem. Yikes. It's shocking how children treat each other no matter what age they are. A lot of children don't know how to be polite to say please and thank you. Or to tell each other good job. A little praise from your peers means a lot. This would give each other a boost in their self esteem Our children need a boost in self esteem and self worth.
This is outstanding !!
Super fantastic ...keep spreading the love , keep shining !!!
GROWTH is truly optional ' ;)
At some point in time, or many, we will all struggle with something. Unfortunately, it is common in our society to place judgement on others based on assumptions. Whatever your struggle may be, I believe we should put aside judgement and feel with each other; step in someone else's shoes and feel what it's like. Empathy fuels connection. The signing of this pledge shows my desire for becoming connected with others, as well as others becoming connected with each other.
Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see
Utilizing the skills of The Civility Pledge is important & necessary for self improvement which is an ongoing need for all. Its the main ingredient to achieving a positive attitude & assists in fulfilling goals. By adding civility to my daily interactions I hope to recieve some positive reactions & growth within that is not only noticeable but contagious to many individuals.
A person cannot tell & impose change onto another person, it must come within the individual. If we as a city, country, mankind, etc want to make positive change & better ourselves, we must start by finding that want for betterment in ourselves. My signing is another step for me to find it in myself.
This world would be a lot better place if everyone was nice to each other. I will do my best to push positivity to other people at all times.
I'm signing the pledge for one of my good friends Kea. He is a amazing rapper, basketball player and friend. I hope you can make it big bro. Anythings possible
Make wonderful things happen
My reason for signing this pledge is to make sure that everyone should be included and not have to feel scared around anyone at all or pretend to be something that they are not. Everyone should be loved and accepted no matter what their background is, race, religion, or sex.
I believe that all of the above listed skills are very important skills for anyone to possess and take action on daily. I would love to support and be a part of this project as I truly believe what the project stands and I believe that if everyone embodied these skills we would have a much more meaningful and pleasurable living experience here in Oshkosh!
Great project and effort from civilized people, all of us should help to return civility to society. We should think how to do that in different cultures personally and professionally. I live in Egypt and not happy to see many people missing most of 9 skills listed above; willing to do something! like to learn how!
Nothing but love.
Be yourself, but be aware of who you are and who's you are!
Thank you for continuing this mission!
I think of how much better the world would be if we could all live by these truths. However, I know that I can only control me and the way that I look at this world and choose to relate to others - so I sign and pledge that I will do my absolute best to encourage and love those I encounter each day. I realize I am only one person, one drop in a the bucket of life...but many drops can cause a flood of goodness.
I am happy to take the pledge and instill in others the concept of civility.
Thank you for initiating this advocacy project. I am very proud to be a member. Let us all come together as one! With Gratitude
I feel that we all need to help each other and especially RESPECT each other to make this community stronger! Seems only when something bad happens.
It is about social justice, respect for each other, honoring each person for who they are.
Civility Now!
Thanks for the work that you do.
I am most interested in this project in my corner of the world
Thank you for having this project available. It is sad that we must come to this, teaching people to just be loving and kind but it has been a long time in the making. We are making this known to our parish community and will commit to teaching these practices to our youth and families. We will also share websites, hotline numbers and important contact information for anyone who feels bullied or needs to just have someone listen to them. Thanks for the work that you do.
More people in more communities need to band together to make life better for all - and basic civility is a good start!
Very exciting to have found this.
Love this initiative. Thanks so much!
What a great project. We all need a reminder sometimes. Thank you!
Thanks for your help--Appleton site coming along
I think this project is a great idea and will do my best to keep it civil, even when my passions are fired up!
Thank you for starting such a great program. I look forward to participating and spreading the word.
We must think about others and the impact we can have on them to make them feel better about themselves and the issues that they face. My friends know that their confidence is not shared with others and that I will utilize the various resources (contacts) I have, to get the help they need or I will sit with them for hours as they talk about what is bothering them to get it all out and in the open.
I don't look for public rewards or recognition in what I have done, but I know I have done others right. When they see me and say thanks or give me a hug months or years later, that bond is still there and enduring, as they know their trust has not been broken.
I would like to become a member of your group. Very Good Principles to live by.
I think this is great and love what OCP stands for and what you are trying to do. I want to help in any way I can. Thank you!
I am the Campus Minister for The Gathering Place - 620 Elmwood. We will be featuring one of nine skills each month of the school year. As a campus ministry - we want to help make this program a success!
I am happy to support this worthy cause.
I am highlighting your poster at work and plan to introduce it at another (volunteer) group to which I also belong. Both groups are non-profit, and by nature, one might expect a degree of civility is inherently part of our composition and ethos. Unfortunately it is not. Your efforts to bring awareness to basic concepts of civility (and manners) is desperately needed and timely. Thank you for what you are doing. It matters greatly and is very important. I wish I were in a position to contribute financially to your efforts, but the best I can do at present is to commend your initiatives. Thank you for all you are doing.
Seems like such a simple thing. So easy in theory, but in practice, a difficult habit to keep top of mind. Particularly during difficult conversations.
So important when we work with children on how to instill it in their lives whatever their background, etc!!
I try to follow all these skills as best I can, but the extra accountability of the civility project gets me excited to be a better person! Thank you!!
This speaks to a large focus of our approach with every caregiver within Aurora. Our service commitments are: Be Kind, Show Respect, Communicate and Champion Clinical Quality. Having this commitment from the community as a whole will only strengthen our ability to help people live well.
What a powerful statement!
Referred by my mommy, K S
Aligns with my personal values as well as the Mission and Values of Lutheran Homes of Oshkosh. Excellent outreach effort.
You have created something very special and I am honored to give my pledge.
It is so important to put these skills into practice. One person at a time, starting with myself.
I will keep The Oshkosh Civility Pledge in the forefront of my speech and actions as I campaign for the State Assembly, District 2. The topic is "timely" to say the least and most appropriate for us all in the Badger State. Forward with respect and civility for and towards all Wisconsin citizens.
I am the manager of a company in northern wi. There is always a lot of ego and competition flying around between employees. I am excited to share this with the guys. I plan on having them read it so they are aware of it. I hope that by implementing these things in my own life they will follow my lead at work and also bring it home with them. Thank you for putting this out there!
I'm not from Oshkosh, but heard about you website on WPR. What a wonderful idea! Go nationwide! We need you!
I see so many examples of manners not being used. There is a meanness and rudeness that was not before. We can all work on being civil. Yes, we can all get along.
I will help with PARENT community presentations. Parents need the tools to model Civility in the home. It all starts and ends in the HOME.
I am happy to join others in creating a stronger community by my commitment to civility.
So excited to see such great efforts in Oshkosh toward building stronger community!
These are very worthwhile goals to live by at home and at work, should reduce stress in everyday living. (David in Brisbane, Australia)
Saw your posters for the 'Civility Project' when I was visiting Dempsey Hall on the UW-Oshkosh campus this week. Love the message! So incredibly important!
Thank heavens that someone took the initiative to start this...so needed in our society!
I see more and more civility spreading throughout our community, everyday :)
There is an African word, Ubuntu, which loosely translated means: I am who I am because of who we are together. What we do and say has an impact on the entire community. That impact can be both good or bad. I choose to make it good.
By starting with myself and believing in the Principles of Civility, I will be able to carryout all 9 principles within my personal and work life. For others to witness my actions will make a positive impact and choice of civil decisions.
Thank you for taking the initiative to create this organization and pledge! I believe that lack of respect is the root of all problems and together we can make a positive change toward the better good.
There is no present like the present. Thank you!
Here's another principle to keep in mind. My Golden Rule: We ought to treat everyone as we would rationally be willing to be treated if we were going to be in all of these conscious or sentient being’s positions, and would be relevantly like them. I believe we can do better.
I pledge to show respect to all people even in the face of anger. Thank You!
Right timing for accepting individual responsibility for an action and making a better life for the future, for our kids.
I will try my best to follow this pledge!
I will try hard to follow these rules.
I am going to try to be a better person :) and I am going to follow all of the 9 rules :)
I'm going to help make my city better.
I hope this spreads world wide.
I really love that the city is doing this and that we are all being encouraged to come closer together.
This is not a promise that I'm going to break.
Go Civility: whoop whoop!
Hey, be civil and respect others.
At first I wasn't going to sign this; now I see this as making everyone better.
Go Civility!
Thank you for making this.
Civility: everyone should do it!
…civility is not a sign of weakness…" JFK 1/20/61
"Be the change you want to see in the world." Ghandi
It is important we utilize and facilitate a strong demeanor and character while interacting with each individual no matter their state, race, ethnicity, color, orientation, or any other aspect.
Thank you for the civility project. I am pledging to practice the skills and build stronger relationships with my co-workers and other staff members at UWO. I am also committed to valuing each individual through acceptance, respect and appreciation.
Teamwork makes the dream work.
I think this is a great idea that should be promoted in every community,
Thank you!
One of the Bible's most repeated commands; love your neighbor as yourself; words we should all try to live by.
It is valuable reminder of the tools for successful communication and interactions.
I think that this is such a neat project. I am surprise that I heard about this through researching for an interview. I think this is a great project especially since there is support at so many levels. Efforts like this encourages me that people care and we will work to make life better for everyone.
This is a great idea. Every community needs this.
As a teacher at Oshkosh North, I fully commit to these principles. I will interact with my students with these ideas in mind, and I will inform them of this fantastic project. What a great movement for Oshkosh!
Thanks to you all for this project to bring all people in the Oshkosh area closer to the Kingdom of God here on earth.
This is long overdue. I am excited to see the impact this will have on the community at large! Thank you.
Civility is a foundation of all my years in college union work. None of us are perfect at practicing civility all of the time, however. Civility builds community, and I have experienced this through many interactions with students, faculty, staff, and community. Some of my most memorable times have been the under the most controversial circumstances! Living civility can be difficult, but is always worth the effort!
I sincerely respect the wisdom of this form and will aspire to follow it's skills in my interactions with others.
Everyday I aspire to become a better person through the eyes of others and myself. It is my responsibility to be a role model and I am happy to also practice these nine skills. It is important for me to model what I teach everyday to young students.
In February, during the 'Civility in Everyday Life' conference at UW Oshkosh, Dr. P.M. Forni was asked for his thoughts on the old saying, 'Nice guys always finish last...' His response will stick with me forever: 'There is one infallible combination in people -- smart and nice.' A combination we can all strive to live by, I think.
Thank you for organizing this opportunity for all of us to treat each other with the respect we are meant to receive.
Saw your posters in the UWO's Adult Nontraditional Student Resource (ANSR) office and I just absolutely LOVE the message on them! Great words to live by, and especially important in any workplace! Very well done.
Wonderful idea with a positive affirming message.
This agreement is the right way to assist us as we respectfully move forward as a univerisity and State of WI.
Thanks to you all for this project to bring all people in the Oshkosh area closer to the Kingdom of God here on earth.
This to me is like our community's "code of conduct" which empowers us to strive for greatness! I hope you will join us.
I so look forward to playing an intrigal part within this new project. As is quite evident within the political relm of daily news reports, communities, some businesses and some family's, genuine kindness shown to others is something that leaves much to be desired.
We need to make "That Difference In Someones Life" on a daily basis: Make it a point to lend the most simple of gestures to everyone such as a smile or a much appreciated "Hello".
We are the example being set forth for our children and grandchildren.
Let us all ban together as a team and make it happen.
We as individuals and communities will be the better for it.
I believe it truly can and will make a difference in all aspects of life.
This is a great initiative. I think we also need to instill civility into young minds by placing more emphasis in the curriculum both at the high school and college level.
Are you going to take this into the schools, especially the high schools? A number of high schools in the Fox Cities are establishing Gay-Straight Alliances, which specifically addresses derogatory references to those one perceives as being different in gender identity, sexual orientation, etc., and pledges to fight discrimination, harassment and violence in our schools. There are also anti-bullying campaigns being waged in grade, intermediate and middle schools. This ties is very well with those efforts and could be a boost to them.
We may be going back to the 'good old days' when we had time to pay attention to those around us.
I have a saying, "We may struggle with issues, but we do not have to struggle with relationships." The Oshkosh Civility Project embodies that philosophy. I am proud to support the project and its objectives.
Similar to "Pass It On ..." and the older "Random Acts of Kindness," all such efforts are to be commended in their effort to remind people of their God-give humanness. Thank you.
I believe this is one of the most important community initiatives that we can work on. It impacts all areas of our community and focuses us on why we chose to live here in the first place!
Thanks for doing this!
Thank you for forwarding the pledge information to me.
Together we can build an inclusive community in Oshkosh.
At a time of such political divisiveness it is especially important to think before we speak and take the extra effort to choose words carefully and to speak from a place of peace. It is our "willingness" that gets us there.
I'm thrilled that our City can be a hub for peace on the planet.
Thank you.
I am from Fond du Lac, but heard of your project through [SS] from Oshkosh. I am a member of the Baha'i Faith as well, and your project aligns perfectly with our intended aims and practices. ... It is my hope that we can begin an initiative with the Civility Project here, as well. Please accept my pledge and please contact me and let me know how to obtain some of your hand-outs for the Board of Directors from United for Diversity.
Thank you for your help and hard work in preparing your community in this very worth-while endeavor.
Together we can make an inclusive community in Oshkosh.
I strongly endorse the Civility Project, not only at work but in life.