- This event has passed.
Verso University Presents: Common Ground Conversations: Foundations of Civil Discourse with Steve Parrish
Course Details
As part of Verso University’s mission of lifelong learning and in partnership with the Library’s Common Ground Initiative, Steve Parrish, Westporter and retired Senior VP of Corporate Affairs of Altria Group, Inc., will lead Common Ground Conversations: Foundations in Civil Discourse, a six-part interactive training series exploring the nature and value of civil discourse — constructive, attentive, and non-aggressive conversation between people with different views — in public and private conversations.
The course includes case studies, guest speakers, roleplay, participant engagement, and more. Upon completion of the series, participants receive a Certificate in Civil Discourse from the Library.
Space is limited to ensure individual attention, and attendance at all sessions is preferred.
Why You Should Come
Civil discourse is the foundation of a healthy, connected community. Join fellow Westporters in learning how to hold conversations that are open, respectful, and constructive, even when viewpoints differ. Guided by Steve Parrish’s decades of experience navigating complex public issues, you’ll develop tools to foster understanding and collaboration in your personal, professional, and civic life.
About the Instructor
As Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs of Altria Group, Inc., Steve Parrish was responsible for the corporation’s government relations, communications, issues management, philanthropy and compliance departments and led the company’s outreach to public health organizations, civic groups, the media and government. Media appearances include: Meet the Press, Face the Nation, The Today Show, Nightline and PBS News Hour.
For more than a decade, Steve worked with bipartisan members of Congress, regulators, and public health officials in support of proposals to grant the FDA authority to regulate the tobacco industry. His efforts were documented in ABC’s Peter Jennings Reporting, a New York Times Magazine cover story, and former FDA Commissioner David Kessler’s national best-seller A Question of Intent.
After retiring from Altria in 2008, Steve founded Steve Parrish Consulting Group, LLC, specializing in crisis management, corporate social responsibility, public affairs and communications. He is currently on the Board of Directors of Orchestra Lumos (formerly Stamford Symphony Orchestra) and Director Emeritus of the Board of Trustees of Carleton College, the League of American Orchestras and Safe Horizon, an internationally recognized victims’ assistance organization. Steve’s past board service includes the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Milano School of the New School University, and Tony La Russa’s Animal Rescue Foundation.
About the Common Ground Initiative
The Common Ground Initiative is The Westport Library’s forum for public discourse on topical issues of importance to the community. The aim of the initiative is to: host a positive, productive conversation on how we work together to move forward as a civil society; encourage respectful, constructive dialogue; and build capacity to tackle challenging and/or controversial issues.
Important Information About Verso University Classes
- Classes are usually structured as a consecutive series.
- Class size is often limited.
- Each series has a one-time fee registration fee covering all classes in the series.
- Registration is mandatory.
- The Westport Library wants to ensure that all interested students are able to participate in Verso University courses. If the registration fee is a barrier to entry for you, please contact [email protected].
Verso University is the Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative, serving up year-round offerings of classes, workshops, and lectures designed to further education and learning. Offerings run the gamut of educational opportunities, ranging from one-time lectures to ongoing courses to classes that meet weekly or perhaps monthly.
Verso University programs are made possible by the generous support of the Nancy J. Beard Lifelong Learning and Education Fund.
Related Events
The Westport Library is committed to intellectual freedom, inclusivity, and lifelong learning. Our mission is to provide welcoming spaces for the free exchange of ideas. The Library does not endorse or condemn points of view, including any program content or the views expressed by presenters or participants.
