Civility Pledge

Model/Example

Encourage your city council to adopt a civility resolution.

Leading with Civility, Dignity, and Respect.

Local government is built on trust, collaboration, and everyday interactions with residents, businesses, and community partners. City leaders play an important role in setting the tone for productive conversations and respectful public engagement, especially when perspectives differ.

In March 2026, the National League of Cities adopted a civility resolution encouraging local governments to embrace civility pledges as a tool for strengthening public discourse. Inspired by that effort, the League of Minnesota Cities Board of Directors adopted its own resolution in May 2026, encouraging respectful leadership and productive engagement in communities across Minnesota.

Bring a Civility Pledge to Your City

The League encourages member cities to adopt their own civility resolutions as a commitment to respectful governance, constructive communication, and serving every resident with dignity and respect.

By fostering respectful dialogue, active listening, and a focus on shared goals, city leaders can help strengthen public trust and create more connected communities.

To help cities get started, the League has developed a model resolution that can be adapted and adopted by individual city councils.

View the model resolution for adopting a civility pledge (doc)

LMC’s Civility Pledge

At the 2026 LMC Annual Conference in Rochester, conference attendees demonstrated their commitment to respectful leadership by signing the LMC Civility Pledge during the exhibit hall event.

The pledge outlines eight commitments city leaders can make to promote civility in their communities.

I pledge to:

Inspire civility, dignity, and respect.
Lead by example, demonstrating that differences need not lead to division.
Honor the dignity of every resident and fellow city leader.
Engage in respectful, constructive dialogue — especially when we disagree.
Listen actively to understand, not just to respond.
Model respectful communication in public meetings, online, and in the community.
Foster an environment that prioritizes shared goals, empathy, and genuine dialogue.
Hold myself accountable to these commitments.

League Resources

Outside Organization Resources

Civility Pledge FAQ

Q: How can I get my other council members to do this?
Start talking about it! Share that you took this pledge and that it will have a greater impact if the council adopts it. Be a role model and explain why this is important to you.
Q: How do we get this on a council agenda?
Agendas are not governed by statute. Follow your normal procedures for setting agenda items. Your city clerk is an excellent resource if you have questions.
Q: How do we enforce it?
By keeping it on the forefront of conversations and interactions. At its core, the Civility Pledge is about identifying a shared value and raising awareness of how you intend to act toward others. Some City Councils have adopted Codes of Conduct that outline decorum expectations, but everyone can consider the impact of their own actions, responses and relationships with others.
Q: How do I get residents and community members to follow the pledge?
Share it – encourage community members to read the pledge. Consider reading all or part of the pledge at the beginning of meetings. Add the language to your Council agenda. Remind community members at events and explain that the Civility Pledge can carry beyond the walls of City Hall.

Cities with their own Civility Pledges
The following cities have adopted a Civility Pledge:
- Burnsville
- Golden Valley
- Luverne
- Rochester
Has your city adopted a Civility Pledge or is in the process of adopting one? Let us know!

We want to hear from you!

LMC is here for you along the way. Reach out to Arianna Lee with questions, comments, or to share your city’s Civility Pledge updates.

Civility Pledge