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Some Civility Initiatives
Classes, Books, Programs, Schools, Laws In Support of a Commitment to Human Dignity and the Greater Good
The Constitution of the United States, the Bill of Rights, and the Amendments

Various Courts of the United States, writing opinions related to civility, suspending uncivil behavior, and sanctioning egregious behavior

The Golden Rule across religions: e.g., “Do unto others . . . .”

Courses and programs in negotiation, mediation, conflict resolution (3rd party), and peace-making at various colleges and universities

Ethics and Professionalism Codes and Courses, within institutions and businesses, with emphasis on how to calibrate interactions so as to balance advocacy and civility

Law Schools teaching collaborative as opposed to litigious approaches, from litigation-based practice to transaction practice, where the goal is solution-oriented rather than win-oriented

Civility Policies within institutions, organizations, various denominations and sects within the world’s religions

Protocol Departments – for official occasions, such as swearing-in ceremonies, weddings, religious and collegiate occasions, with emphasis on titles, forms of address, seating, processionals, and recessionals

Codes of Conduct Manuals
Roberts Rules of Order, for the conduct of official meetings
Emily Post’s Etiquette, now in 18th edition, plus numerous books from Emily Post Institute – The Emily Post Institute, Inc. hosts business etiquette and corporate civility seminars
George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior

Lists and Guidelines
Religious principles and rules of conduct, such as The Ten Commandments
The ubiquitous “Do’s and Don’ts” Lists, such as “Ten Do’s and Don’ts of Thank You Notes”
See website civility bibliography for P.M. Forni, … Twenty-Five Rules… and Sara Hacala …52… Ways

Various Civility Initiatives, defining ground rules, such as The Ohio Civility Project and the Institute for Civility in Government
Center for Civility, hosted by The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, The University of Akron
National Civility Network of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, with its several dozen affiliates

Advice Columns
Dear Abby
Dear Anne (Chicago Tribune’s replacement for Dear Abby)
Ask Ann Landers
Judith Martin, Miss Manners
Various columns on grooming and attire

On the one hand, these initiatives are testimony to our society’s commitment to civility and courtesy —
worth acknowledging at a time when many think civility is in shreds.
On the other hand, wherever civil rights are abused, incivilities exist. There is still much to do
to promote social justice and civility.