Visiting after a very interesting non-partisan presentation about the program, Better Angels, a couple of months ago are (from left) Carolyn Comitta, Cristina Combee, Derek Stedman, Cindy Heck and Jeannie McGinn. Heck and Stedman, representing Better Angels, talked on the subject, Putting Civility Back into Civil Discourse, which is the goal of the Better Angels.

Better Angels is a  movement , founded in 2017 in Ohio, to reduce political polarization. Volunteers do presentations, and put on workshops to bring together liberals and conservatives, forming red and blue alliances, and increasing communication skills. The program came to the attention of West Chester Rotarians in an article in the Rotarian national magazine, which introduced the Better Angels program nationwide, and cited a number of Rotary clubs who have already participated in the program. The name Better Angels came from a quote by Abraham Lincoln, explained Heck. To date there are over 8,800 members of Better Angels, with just seven paid staff headquartered in New York, and over 1,200 volunteers like Heck and Stedman, who explain the program, and put on workshops in businesses, schools, and other sites where improved communication is sought. There was such great interest in the program from West Chester Rotarians, that Heck an Stedman said they would put on a workshop for our club in the future.