Civic Leadership Dialogues 2025-2026

Wednesday, October 1st, 2025 from 4:00pm to Monday, April 20th, 2026 5:15pm

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

 

Positions
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Registration
Registration Closed
Registration Closes
Any time before each shift ends or when space runs out.
Sustainable Development Goals

Shifts (11)

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Turning Problems into Projects: Social Innovation 1014:00pm (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...

8/35Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Recipes for a Great Project Proposal2:00pm (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...

9/35Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
How to Measure Impact: Tools and Strategies4:00pm (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...

11/35Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Funding Your Vision: Budgeting & Resources2:00pm (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...

12/35Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Public Service Roundtable: A Collaboration with Career Services3:30pm (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!

3/70Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
From Idea to Impact: Perfecting the Project Proposal4:00pm (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...

6/40Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Measuring What Matters: Tools and Strategies for Assessment3:00pm (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...

4/40Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Telling Your Story, Selling Your Story: Strategic Communication for Impact4:00pm (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...

7/40Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Creativity, Culture, and Community: Human Centered Innovation4:00pm (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...

4/40Over

1 - 1 of 1 Shifts
ShiftStart TimeEnd TimeAddressDescriptionRegistrants Needed
 
 
Beyond the Ballot: Understanding Ranked Choice Voting in DC1:30pm (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...

1/50Over