When: Friday 4/17/2026 4:15 - 5:00 PM
Duration: 45 minutes
Presenter: Lee Rasch & Richard Kyte
Room: Banyan
Civil discourse lies at the heart of our democratic republic. Our system was not designed for uniform agreement, but for principled disagreement—expressed with respect, dignity, and a shared commitment to the common good. This nonpartisan session will explore the essential elements of civil discourse, examine its role as a cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and identify practical steps we can take to strengthen and promote civil discourse in today’s complex and polarized political environment.
Lee Rasch has been a Rotarian since 1986 and a longtime advocate for ethical leadership and civil discourse. He served for eight years as Executive Director of LeaderEthics, a nonpartisan nonprofit promoting ethical leadership among elected officials. Previously, he was President of Western Technical College, a position he held beginning in 1989. Lee has authored numerous articles on ethical leadership and believes civil discourse is essential to a healthy democratic republic.
Richard Kyte is Director of the D. B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership and Endowed Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He teaches ethics in business, health care, law, politics, and the environment, and lectures widely on justice, forgiveness, virtue, and the meaning of life. He is the author of Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way).