Guest Blog by Annie Kaffen, Oregon Humanities Program Officer

What happens when people sit together and talk? The world becomes a more connected, more interesting, more vital place.

Just ask Mark Allen Cunningham, Oregon author and Conversation Project leader.

Mark recently wrote to me about his experience traveling across the state facilitating public discussions for Oregon Humanities. He wrote, “In my travels throughout Oregon, whether in urban centers, ‘far flung’ farming towns, or ‘bedroom communities,’ I’ve found a citizenry that is engaged, alert, curious, and question¬ing: the world-traveler, the philosopher farmer, the activist, the artist, the veteran, the busy retiree, the all-around reader—they are everywhere in the state’s woodwork.” Mark continued, “Conversation Project leaders are privileged to experience each community’s unique capacity for civic inquiry, discussion, and even disagreement. Though I’ve lived here almost a decade, I never truly felt like an Oregonian until I got involved in the Conversation Project. In many ways, I feel that my work with the Conversation Project has made me a true citizen of this magnificent state. What an honor.”

Since 2009, the Conversation Project has offered Oregon nonprofit organizations free, humanities-based, public discussion programs about provocative issues and ideas. Nearly 200 nonprofits across the state have partnered with Oregon Humanities to offer more than 400 discussions on topics as varied as race, land-use policies, gender, censorship, and the future of rural communities.

Now, Oregon Humanities is looking for people like Mark, who are eager to traverse the valleys, mountains, and deserts of Oregon’s thirty-six counties, bringing neighbors, friends, and strangers together to exchange words and ideas.

Conversation Project leaders come from every walk of life—they are teachers, writers, scientists, community leaders, and industry entrepreneurs. We want to work with people who have an interest in leading public conversations, a desire to engage with diverse public audiences across Oregon, a passion for the role of the humani¬ties in daily life, and understanding of a topic through experience, immersion, formal education, or professional training.

If this sounds like you, check out the full Request for Proposals and online application at oregonhumanities.org.

Want to learn how to write a strong proposal for a Conversation Project program? Join Oregon Humanities program staff on Wednesday, February 19 at 11:00 a.m. for an informational webinar. Register click here.

Photo: Conversation Project Leader Walida Imarisha with North Portland Librarian, Patricia Welch (left). Photo by Fred Joe.