About
We invite you to strengthen your civic leadership and interpersonal skills and join the Nashman Center at our Civic Leadership Dialogues!
All students are welcome!
Civic Leadership Dialogues consist of workshops, informational sessions, and casual dialogues on various topics including active citizenship, advocacy, leadership, diversity, equity, and other related topics. We focus on the overarching theme of inclusive excellence.
FROM IDEA TO IMPACT: PERFECTING THE PROJECT PROPOSAL
Tuesday, February 10, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Ayman Rahman, Program Manager, Social Innovation
A strong idea needs a strong structure. This workshop focuses on turning social and civic ideas into clear, compelling project proposals. Participants will learn how to articulate goals, define scope, build realistic timelines, and develop thoughtful budgets that align with mission and resources. Whether applying for funding or pitching a project to partners, this session equips participants with the tools to communicate feasibility, clarity, and impact with confidence.
MEASURING WHAT MATTERS: TOOLS AND STRATEGIES FOR ASSESSMENT
Wednesday, February 18, 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Ayman Rahman, Program Manager, Social Innovation
Reporting impact of your initiatives is about observing and learning, not just measuring. This session introduces practical tools for evaluating social impact using qualitative and quantitative methods. Participants will explore how to set meaningful goals inspired by your overall objectives, design indicators, and use data to improve programs and strengthen accountability to communities.
TELLING YOUR STORY, SELLING YOUR STORY: STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION FOR IMPACT
Tuesday, February 24, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Ayman Rahman, Program Manager, Social Innovation
Stories move people before data ever does. This session explores the power of storytelling, messaging, and narrative framing in nonprofit and civic communication. Participants will learn how stories shape public understanding, influence support, and build credibility while also examining the ethical responsibilities that come with telling community-based stories. The workshop will focus on crafting authentic, audience-centered narratives without oversimplifying complex social issues.
CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY: HUMAN CENTERED INNOVATION
Tuesday, March 3, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Ayman Rahman, Program Manager, Social Innovation
Social innovation begins with understanding people, not just problems. This session explores how history, culture, and collective identity shape communities and influence how change happens. Participants will examine creativity as a civic tool and learn how cultural awareness strengthens human-centered problem solving, trust-building, and ethical community engagement through projects suitable for their selected communities.
BEYOND THE BALLOT: UNDERSTANDING RANKED CHOICE VOTING IN DC
Tuesday, April 7, 1:30pm - 2:30pm, USC Room 308
Yewoinhareg Kebede, DC Board of Elections
This CLD will explore the fundamentals of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and what its implementation means for future DC elections. Students will learn how RCV works, why it was passed as a ballot initiative, and how it will be implemented in DC. Attendees will have the opportunity to case a sample RCV ballot via paper ballot or voting equipment.
Questions?
Contact gwserves@gwu.edu
A few people you will meet... View All
Shifts (11)
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turning Problems into Projects: Social Innovation 101 | 4:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | 2300 H Street Northwest Washington, District of Columbia 20037 Nashman Center Conference Room 409 | Every strong project starts with the right problem. This workshop will guide you in recognizing issues that matter — drawing from your academic studies, personal passions, past experiences, and the real needs of communities. You’ll learn frameworks for brainstorming innovative solutions and techniques to refine raw ideas into practical, actionable... | 8/35 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recipes for a Great Project Proposal | 2:00pm (ET) | 3:00pm (ET) | 2300 H Street Northwest Washington, District of Columbia 20037 Nashman Center Conference Room 409 | Every great project deserves a compelling proposal. This interactive session will break down the “ingredients” of a strong pitch: clarity, storytelling, structure, and confidence. You’ll practice refining your ideas, articulating your vision, and tailoring your message to funders, partners, or community stakeholders. Students will leave with practical strategies for boosting... | 9/35 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How to Measure Impact: Tools and Strategies | 4:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | 2300 H Street Northwest Washington, District of Columbia 20037 Nashman Center Conference Room 409 | How do you know if your project is truly making a difference? This session introduces simple but effective strategies for evaluating your work. You’ll explore tools for measuring outcomes, collecting meaningful data, and assessing both short- and long-term impact. Students will practice turning feedback into actionable improvements and learn how... | 11/35 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funding Your Vision: Budgeting & Resources | 2:00pm (ET) | 3:00pm (ET) | 2300 H Street Northwest Washington, District of Columbia 20037 Nashman Center Conference Room 409 | Behind every successful project is a realistic and well-thought-out budget. This workshop will teach you how to estimate costs, prioritize spending, and manage resources effectively. You’ll also learn how to identify funding opportunities, from grants to partnerships, and strategies to stretch your budget further. Students will leave with hands-on budgeting... | 12/35 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Service Roundtable: A Collaboration with Career Services | 3:30pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | 800 21st Street Northwest Washington, District of Columbia 20052 USC | Join GW alums for a conversation about public service jobs and careers. Learn more about how to get a job and build a career in public service! | 3/70 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Idea to Impact: Perfecting the Project Proposal | 4:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | George Washington University Washington, DC 20037 | A strong idea needs a strong structure. This workshop focuses on turning social and civic ideas into clear, compelling project proposals. Participants will learn how to articulate goals, define scope, build realistic timelines, and develop thoughtful budgets that align with mission and resources. Whether applying for funding or pitching a... | 6/40 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measuring What Matters: Tools and Strategies for Assessment | 3:00pm (ET) | 4:00pm (ET) | George Washington University Washington, DC 20037 | Reporting impact of your initiatives is about observing and learning, not just measuring. This session introduces practical tools for evaluating social impact using qualitative and quantitative methods. Participants will explore how to set meaningful goals inspired by your overall objectives, design indicators, and use data to improve... | 4/40 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telling Your Story, Selling Your Story: Strategic Communication for Impact | 4:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | George Washington University Washington, DC 20037 | Stories move people before data ever does. This session explores the power of storytelling, messaging, and narrative framing in nonprofit and civic communication. Participants will learn how stories shape public understanding, influence support, and build credibility while also examining the ethical responsibilities that come with telling community-based stories. The... | 7/40 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creativity, Culture, and Community: Human Centered Innovation | 4:00pm (ET) | 5:00pm (ET) | George Washington University Washington, DC 20037 | Social innovation begins with understanding people, not just problems. This session explores how history, culture, and collective identity shape communities and influence how change happens. Participants will examine creativity as a civic tool and learn how cultural awareness strengthens human-centered problem solving, trust-building, and ethical community engagement through projects suitable... | 4/40 | Over |
| Shift | Start Time | End Time | Address | Description | Registrants Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beyond the Ballot: Understanding Ranked Choice Voting in DC | 1:30pm (ET) | 2:30pm (ET) | University Student Center Room 308 Washington, DC 20037 | This CLD will explore the fundamentals of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and what its implementation means for future DC elections. Students will learn how RCV works, why it was passed as a ballot initiative, and how it will be implemented in DC. Attendees will have the opportunity to case a... | 1/50 | Over |
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