Iowa Civility Dialogues | September 22, 2026

The Art of Finding Common Ground

Replay Civility Dialogues

Civility, One Conversation at a Time

Small actions can make a big difference in how we connect with one another.

Building on the conversations and insights from Urbandale’s Civility Dialogues event, we’re sharing one practical idea each month to help make civility part of everyday life. From listening with curiosity to navigating disagreements with respect, these simple takeaways offer something all of us can put into practice at home, at work, and throughout our community.

Explore the ideas below, try something new in your next conversation, and check back each month as we continue building a more connected, respectful Urbandale.

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Try to understand before trying to persuade. Understanding someone doesn’t mean agreeing with them. It means being curious enough to learn why they see an issue differently. Try it: The next time you disagree with someone, ask one genuine question before making your case.
Start With UnderstandingOctober 2026

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It’s easy to know someone’s opinion without knowing much about the person behind it. But our experiences — where we grew up, the people we know, the work we do and the challenges we’ve faced — shape how we see the world. Learning someone’s story can make disagreement feel different. We may still reach different conclusions, but it becomes harder to reduce another person to a label or a single point of view. Try it: Ask someone a question you’ve never asked before — and spend a little more time listening than talking.
Learn the StoryNovember 2026

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Civility isn’t the same thing as avoiding difficult conversations. It doesn’t mean pretending to agree, keeping quiet, or simply being “nice.” It means recognizing the dignity of the person across from us — including when we strongly disagree. Healthy communities need honest conversations. And sometimes they need difficult ones. The goal isn’t to eliminate disagreement. It’s to make sure disagreement doesn’t turn into contempt. Try it: Challenge the idea without diminishing the person behind it.
Civility is More Than PolitenessDecember 2026

National, State, & Local Voices

Tom Vilsack

Chief Executive Officer, World Food Prize Foundation • Former Governor of Iowa • Former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

Tom Vilsack brings decades of coalition-building experience from Iowa and national leadership—what it takes to navigate disagreement, keep institutions functional, and still deliver results. He currently serves as CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation and previously served as Governor of Iowa and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Learn more about Tom

Patricia Boddy

Councilmember, City of Urbandale • Licensed Professional Engineer • Former Deputy Director, Iowa Department of Natural Resources • 2026 Sages Over 70 Honoree

Councilmember Patricia “Pat” Boddy brings an engineer’s clarity and a public servant’s commitment to community problem-solving. Her work across engineering, conservation, planning, and civic leadership has shaped how she approaches difficult conversations: with integrity, honesty, and a focus on positive impact.

Learn more about Pat

Robert Andeweg

Mayor, City of Urbandale • Real Estate Attorney, Nyemaster Goode • 2026 A. Arthur Davis Community Leadership Award Recipient

Mayor Andeweg leads Urbandale with a steady focus on practical governance, community trust, and a civic tone that keeps progress possible—even in disagreement. His service spans local and regional leadership, including work with the Greater Des Moines Convention & Visitors Bureau, BRAVO Greater Des Moines, and the Des Moines Area MPO, giving him a metro-wide perspective on growth, collaboration, and cohesion.

Learn more about Bob

Alexandra Hudson

Author of The Soul of Civility • Founder, Civic Renaissance

Alexandra Hudson argues that civility isn’t performative niceness—it’s the set of habits that make public life possible across difference. As the author of The Soul of Civility and founder of Civic Renaissance, she brings a modern, practical framework for rebuilding trust and good faith in communities.

Learn more about Alexandra

Dr. Greg Robinson

Moderator • Former Superintendent, Urbandale Community School District

Dr. Greg Robinson brings decades of experience in education, leadership, school culture, and community engagement to the role of moderator. A former Superintendent of the Urbandale Community School District and former clinical professor at Iowa State University, he has spent his career helping people navigate change, build trust, and create environments where people can learn, lead, and work together.

Contact the Organizer