Speak Your Peace

Communication with a Heart

We believe people with something to say should have the opportunity to express themselves—and the responsibility to deliver their message with kindness and respect. Practicing civility is how you get good—and how a community gets great. At the center of this initiative are Nine Tools of Civility and one wish: For the “peace” in “Speak your Peace” to be taken to heart.

Speak Your Peace is a civility project of Incourage Community Foundation. It is a citizen-led campaign to improve communication by reminding ourselves of the basic principles of respect. It’s NOT a campaign to end disagreements.

Speak Your Peace was originally founded in 2004 by Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation. Incourage Community Foundation adopted the campaign in 2008. Since that time, local businesses, organizations, municipalities, schools and individuals have pledged to use the Nine Tools of Civility:

Nine Tools of Civility

1. Pay Attention
2. Listen
3. Be Inclusive
4. Don’t Gossip
5. Show Respect
6. Seek Common Ground
7. Repair Damaged Relationships
8. Use Constructive Language
9. Take Responsibility

Speak Your Service Online

How to participate:


For additional information, contact:
Dawn Vruwink | dvruwink@incouragecf.org | 715.423.3863