Frequently Asked Questions
What is Common Ground?
It starts with six weeks of discussion about race and community and then it truly begins ñ with action plans developed by the participants to make our community better for people of all color, in specific, measurable, tangible ways.
What can you do?
You can participate by joining the first round of weekly discussion/action groups that will begin April 24-June 5. Or, if you have experience as a facilitator, you can sign up to be trained to lead these small group discussions. Or, you can volunteer to help in other ways. To sign up as a participant or facilitator, go to commongroundmemphis.org
When?
The first round of discussion/action groups will meet from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evenings, April 24-June 5.
Where?
The first Common Ground sessions will be held at Lindenwood Christian Church, and the final meeting will be held at Crichton College.
Who ís on board?
A growing number of community organizations and businesses are backing Common Ground, including BRIDGES USA, Clear Channel Television, Concerned Memphians United, Crichton College, Girl Scouts of the Mid-South, Leadership Academy, Leadership Memphis, National Civil Rights Museum, New Path, Rhodes College, Temple Israel, and The Commercial Appeal.
Tell me more about Common Ground.
Common Ground is an opportunity for Mid-Southerners of all shapes, sizes, and yes, colors, to discover one another in a way that will transform our community. Common Ground provides a space for dialogue and an opportunity for us to stop for a second and think about the human beings we live near as human being. Common Ground is not a solution to the issues we wish did not plague our community, but a jumping off point because until we are able to get on the same page simply talking about these issues, it is not possible to take action. The process starts with six weeks (Thursday evenings, April 24-May 29) of discussion using a tried and true curriculum, and then truly begins with the formation of action teams to address issues that arise from the discussion.
Why should I be involved?
Because youíre not comfortable with the tenor of the dialogue around race in our community. Because you believe that we have more in common than we realize. Because Common Ground cannot work without you. There are so many well-intentioned members of this community and Common Ground provides an outlet for those good intentions to grow into action, both personal and community-wide. We believe that the change that is needed in Memphis will come from you, the people. It is your voice that will guide Common Ground.
What if I can't participate in April?
Common Ground is not a one-time opportunity The sessions in April are meant to be the beginning of a much larger movement.
The entire community is invited to an action forum June 5. And the community will also be encouraged to participate in the execution of the action plans developed by the Common Ground participants. If you cannot participate in April, but are interested in future Common Ground sessions, bookmark the Common Ground website as we will post dates and locations of future sessions and/or email info@commongroundmemphis.org and we will keep you informed of the next sessions, anticipated in the fall. Also, please check our events calendar in order to engage in community events outside of Common Ground.
I don't have time, but I do have money can I make a donation?
Of course. Send your check to BRIDGES, 477 N. 5th St., Memphis, TN 38105, and put Common Groundî in the memo line.
Why will this be different than anything else Memphis has tried?
Common Ground is different because it confronts one of the most basic obstacles to change in Memphisñ our reluctance to talk candidly about issues of race and how it affects our community. Other efforts may focus on changes in policy or attempt to shift the community's views from the top down. Common Ground will build change from all sides by giving all people in Shelby County an opportunity to communicate about difficult issues in a safe environment. Common Ground's small groups encourage personal growth and we believe that this personal growth will lead to community growth.
What do I get out of it?
Although Common Ground is a community effort, the most profound impact will be on you, the individual. Through your small group discussions with nine other people, you will get the opportunity to meet and learn about Memphians who you otherwise would never know. At the very least, you will gain nine new perspectives on your community. In addition, you will gain tools for talking about difficult issues and a safe space in which to discuss them. Finally, you will discover an opportunity to turn all of those thoughts you have about how to improve our community into tangible action.
This is a great idea will you come speak to my faith community/sorority/book club?
Yes. Send a speakers request by e-mail to commongroundmemphis@bridgesusa.org with the name of your group, a contact name and phone number. Or leave a message at 901.260.3720.
How can I get information to share with my friends about Common Ground?
You can go to our website, commongroundmemphis.org, and click on the Spread the Wordî link to print out a flyer. Or e-mail us at commongroundmemphis@bridgesusa.org or call us at 901.260.3720 to have some marketing materials sent to you.
Who is involved in this effort?
A broad and diverse coalition of Mid-Southerners have agreed that Common Ground is a crucial first step to change in Memphis. These groups include BRIDGES USA, Clear Channel Television, Concerned Memphians United, Crichton College, Girl Scouts of the Mid-South, Leadership Academy, Leadership Memphis, National Civil Rights Museum, New Path, Rhodes College, Temple Israel, and The Commercial Appeal.
Conversations on race can get touchy.Hhow do I know this will be safe? Who will be leading these discussions?
Common Ground will use a curriculum developed by Everyday Democracy (everyday-democracy.org). The curriculum has been carefully designed to provide a safe place for dialogue on difficult issues. Facilitators will undergo training to ensure that these conversations are meaningful. In addition, the early sessions will allow group members to build the sort of trust that allows conversations to get deep and meaningful and where all group members maintain respect for the other participants.
Is this a religious or political organization?
No. Common Ground works only if all of us in Shelby County make our voice heard. We encourage and seek participation from anyone who lives in Shelby County.
OK, I'm interested, what do I do next?
- There are several ways to get involved.
- First, you may apply to participate in Common Ground's first session, beginning April 24. To do so, go to commongroundmemphis.org and click on participant
- Common Ground is also looking for volunteer facilitators to help lead the session. Facilitators will go through training on April 12 to learn how to guide the dialogue that takes place in the small groups. To apply to be a facilitator, go to commongroundmemphis.org and click on facilitator.
- Finally, if your organization would like to join the Common Ground coalition, send an e-mail to info@commongroundmemphis.org.
What will happen to the outcomes generated from these meetings?
In many ways, that is up to you. On June 5, Common Ground will host an action forum at the conclusion of the six-week session at which groups will discuss what they want to see happen next. From there, Common Ground will connect groups with organizations in the city who may already be working on similar issues, and if no such organization exists, Common Ground will support groups in their work to make change occur.
The outcomes are up to you, come make your voice and action count.
I have a question thatís not answered here who should I ask?
E-mail commongroundmemphis@bridgesusa.org and weíll get back to you as soon as we can.