Civic engagement today is increasingly shaped by rapid responses, fragmented dialogue, and advocacy that often reduces complex issues to slogans or statements. Rather than fostering collaborative problem-solving or arriving at a shared public judgment, much of today’s engagement leeches out nuance and meaning. This session explores how civic leaders and institutions can respond to this shift with intention, reclaiming space for dialogue and community-based decision-making. Participants will become acquainted with methods that provide meaningful avenues for civic engagement where members of the public can be involved in ways that feel impactful to them without sacrificing progress toward project goals and outcomes.