Local Leagues Plan ‘Circle Conversations’

OTSEGO COUNTY—For the next year, up to and through the 2024 general election, the League of Women Voters of Cooperstown and the League of Women Voters of Oneonta are encouraging citizens to engage in a series of “circle conversations” specifically designed to bring the community together.

Polarization remains one of the most intractable problems in American political life, according to organizers. Whether Democrat or Republican, conservative or progressive, Americans seem to be more insulated than ever from people with whom we disagree.

“Circle conversations are designed to bring people together to listen to one another,” says LWV member Tom Pullyblank, a mediator, pastor and former instructor at SUNY Oneonta who is facilitating the conversations. “Circle conversations are not debates and certainly not arguments, both of which are all too common in today’s political climate.”

Initially, in October and November this year, participants will gather for a structured series of discussions based on readings, lectures, and other media. The initiative to reduce polarization will resume in late winter/early spring of 2024, with film screenings and discussions, follow-up conversations after the presidential debates, and more targeted circle conversations addressing themes in national, state, and local politics.

“Many people across the political spectrum are asking, ‘What can be done? How can we reduce polarization in the nation, in our communities and in our families?’ One answer,” Pullyblank adds, “is to listen to each other, to hear and, possibly, accept the beliefs and feelings of people who are different from us. At the very least, circle conversations give us a chance to practice living with those with whom we disagree.”

All members of the community are welcome to participate. The four fall sessions will be held on October 5 and 19 and November 2 and 16 from 6-8 p.m. at the Oneonta First Presbyterian Church, 381 Main Street, Oneonta.

The first session will focus on “Media” and the second topic is “Money”; the last two sessions will explore the interplay between Democrats and Republicans. Participants will be given a list of readings and recordings to prepare for each session.

The LWV is actively seeking people from all spectrums of the community to join the conversation. To register, contact Pullyblank at lwvcircle@gmail.com.