The Common Ground Network for Life and Choice Manual

have similar views on the issue, the questions of "whose agenda is being served by this process?"
and "why does only one side want to find common ground?" arise and undermine the potential
effectiveness of the effort right from the start. A balanced nucleus will be a source of: (1)
credibility with potential participants; and, (2) protection against inadvertently using slanted
language or unwittingly making decisions (e.g., about meeting place) that send alienating
messages to one side or the other.
If you are on a particular side of an issue, your first job, then, will be to find a counterpart
on the other side with whom to collaborate. If you do not have strong views on this issue, or see
yourself playing a convener or facilitator role, we recommend that you recruit at least one person
on each side of the issue to work with as soon as possible. In our view, taking the time and
making the considerable effort that may be required to develop a representative core group are
necessary investments.
It is not unusual for people who are interested in beginning a common ground initiative
to find this first step difficult, and to be uncertain about how to find the needed people. There is
no single right way to go about this. Talking to people you already know who are on both sides
of this issue, trying to rouse their interest, and asking them for names of others who might be
interested is a good place to start. You may need to talk to many people to find a few with
whom you will feel comfortable working. Patience, perseverance and courage are likely to be
required in taking this first crucial step. Some possible approaches based on real-life examples
are:
• Tapping into an existing personal network. In Davenport, Iowa, they were
community activists who had worked together in the past. In Philadelphia, the
common link was a women’s resource center. In Buffalo and Oregon, the
nucleus formed in an ecumenical religious organization.
• Holding a public program on common ground with pro-life and pro-choice
speakers. A Cleveland, Ohio effort began this way. At the forum, common
ground was introduced and an invitation to become involved was extended.
• Using the media by writing a letter to the editor, or an op-ed in the newspaper
inviting a dialogue, or getting the interest of a local reporter. In St. Louis, the
Op-ed of Andrew Puzder, a well-known pro-life attorney drew the attention of
B.J. Isaacson of Reproductive Health Services, an abortion provider. This led
to their first meeting. In Norfolk, a reporter wrote about common ground and