Urbandale’s civic strength has always been neighborliness—being able to talk about real issues and still stay in good faith. The Front Porch Challenge is a simple invitation to practice that strength.
The challenge: Have one intentional conversation with someone you don’t fully agree with—or someone whose experience is different from yours. The goal isn’t to “win.” It’s to understand, stay respectful, and leave the conversation with more clarity than you started with.
No public posting required. If you want to share what you learned, we’ll provide a few easy ways to do that—anonymously if you prefer.
Choose someone you trust enough to talk honestly—even if you see things differently.
Start with curiosity. Aim for understanding, not agreement.
Take 60 seconds afterward: What surprised you? What did you learn? Share it if you’d like.
Listen to understand. Ask before you assume. Critique ideas, not people. Stay curious when it gets uncomfortable.
End with respect—even if you don’t agree.
Contact
City of Urbandale
3600 86th Street
Urbandale, IA 50322
Phone: 515-278-3900
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