Our Purpose
Bentonville Civility exists to bring people together and make respect, understanding, and meaningful connection a part of everyday life. Rather than being a one-time event, our work is a year-round, community-wide process that strengthens relationships, builds shared understanding, and embeds civility into the rhythm of Bentonville’s neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and institutions.
The Bentonville Civility Project brings the Civic Engine to life by focusing on one of its most essential elements, Civic Culture & Civility. Our goal is simple: to make civility a sustained cultural practice that everyone in the community can participate in, live out, and take pride in.
Our Approach
The Bentonville Civility Project is built around a simple but demanding idea: civic culture changes through invitation, formation, practice, and renewal.
We follow a simple, four-stage cycle that guides how we nurture civility in Bentonville. Each stage builds on the previous one while continuing to operate alongside it, helping the work expand outward in the community and deepen inward through relationships and shared responsibility.
THE INVITATION
Purpose: Welcome & build trust
How: Public talks, short workshops, partner events
Outcome: People understand the project and are invited to engage
THE TABLE
Purpose: Build relationships & belonging
How: Small group discussions, dinners, book circles, intergenerational chats
Outcome:Participants develop trust, shared language, and personal responsibility for civility
THE WORK
Purpose: Make civility part of daily life
How: Schools, workplaces, nonprofits, and business groups integrate civility into culture
Outcome: Civility becomes visible, repeatable, and a shared expectation across the community
THE EVENT
Purpose: Celebrate progress & renew momentum
How: Annual summits, storytelling, recognition of role models, public reflections
Outcome: Community sees itself as capable of practicing civility together, inspiring the next cycle
Why Civility Matters
Communities are strongest when people feel heard, respected, and included. When we choose civility, Bentonville becomes a place where differences bring us closer, and the community grows stronger together.
Civility matters because it:
- Builds trust between neighbors, institutions, and community leaders
- Strengthens relationships across differences in perspective, background, and experience
- Creates space for healthy disagreement without division or harm
- Encourages participation by helping people feel safe, respected, and heard
- Supports collaboration across schools, workplaces, nonprofits, and civic life
- Makes progress sustainable by embedding shared values into daily community rhythms
When civility is part of a community’s culture, people don’t just coexist. They work together, learn from one another, and take shared pride in the place they call home.
Who Is Involved
The Bentonville Civility Project is guided by a dedicated Steering Committee made up of local leaders, community members, and passionate advocates. Each member brings unique perspectives and expertise to help shape programs and events that benefit everyone in Bentonville.
Alex Johnson
Chairperson
Maria Lopez
Communications & Outreach Lead
John Smith
Programs & Events Coordinator
Be a Part of Something Positive
Help us create connections, celebrate kindness, and make Bentonville a place we’re proud of.