A GUIDE TO

CIVIC Table

CIVIC Tables bring national security practitioners and cross-sector leaders together as equals, at the state and local level — to work through concrete national security issues relevant to their community.

CIVIC stands for Convening Invested Voices In Community. Members of the Watch gather informed citizens across government, military, law enforcement, nonprofits, faith institutions, civil society, businesses, local elected officials, and more. These gatherings are specifically organized in communities outside of Washington, D.C., to discuss national security threats that are affecting citizens at the state and local level.

CIVIC Tables build relationships and lay the foundation for future collaboration. This is how we learn what the country needs, and carry it back to decision makers in city halls, statehouses, and Washington. There's no podium, no slides, no expert lecturing a room, just people sitting down to work through their differences, and find common ground and real resources.

If you would like Watchfire to moderate a CIVIC Table in your community, let us know using the below form.

Key Participants

  • National Security Professionals and Elected Officials

    Need to establish lasting connections with community leaders to address a pressing security issue in your area? CIVIC Table will walk you through the process of engaging key constituents.

    LEARN MORE
  • Community Leaders

    Community Leaders and Organizers

    A military base is closing. A data center is draining a town's water table. A foreign adversary attacks a local electric grid. Family farms are losing an export market. A hospital is at risk. CIVIC Table can help activate your community to discuss mitigation and solutions.

    ORGANIZE
  • Donors and Foundations

    Donors and Foundations

    Watchfire organizes its work around five imperatives—our five flames: defense, democracy, diplomacy, development, and domestic resilience, because how America treats people at home shapes our legitimacy when we act abroad. CIVIC Table identifies key issues on the home front.

    SPONSOR

CIVIC Table in your community

Watchfire served as the implementing organization for a related initiative with the Chamberlain Network — a nationwide series of cross-sector dinners focused on election integrity.

CIVIC Table grew out of that experience. We saw what the model made possible – and we built on that foundation, broadening the mission and structure to encompass any national security challenge a community may face.

If you are interested in learning more about how to host a CIVIC Table, please get in touch through the form below.