Talking About Beliefs

One of the goals of This I Believe is to facilitate a higher standard of active public discourse by inspiring people to reflect, encouraging them to share, and engaging them in a conversation about personal values and beliefs that can shape a life, a community, and a society. By inviting Americans of diverse backgrounds to participate in the series, we hope to create a picture of the American spirit in all its rich complexity.

And writing a This I Believe essay is just the first step.

We hope people will come together to discuss their essays in a respectful manner in the classroom, in book clubs, in places of worship, and other public spaces. To help you do this in your community, we offer the following tools:

A Handbook for Community Event Coordinators

By working with communities around the country, we hope to create real and virtual spaces where citizens can come together to discuss the core values that guide our daily lives. To accomplish this goal, we want to take the conversation beyond the airwaves and bring it to your community. This handbook presents a number of suggestions that one can execute in order to promote and stage events to engage your community in a This I Believe community event.

• Download the Handbook for Community Event Coordinators (PDF)
  (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Discussion Guides

This guide can help you engage a group of people in a moderated conversation about belief and values. It is appropriate for use in classrooms, civic clubs, libraries, senior centers, coffee shops, and other public venues suitable for respectful discussion. Contents include ground rules for structuring a dialogue, questions to launch the conversation, and tips for writing and sharing essays.

• Download the General Discussion Guide (PDF)
• Download the Discussion Guide for Houses of Worship (PDF)
(Both Guides Require Adobe Acrobat)

Brochure and Poster

Help spread the word about This I Believe. Download this free brochure and poster to promote the project and related activities happening in your community. The three-page brochure measures 8.5 by 11 inches. The poster measures 11 inches by 17 inches. Both documents are best printed in color. For best results, these documents may be printed at your local print shop.

• Download the Brochure
  (Requires Adobe Acrobat)
• Download the Poster
  (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Contact Us
Our staff is available to assist you with specific questions about bringing This I Believe to your community. Plus, we want to hear how you are using these materials.