Civility Rules!: Creating a Purposeful Practice of Civility

George Washington’s Rules Defined

While our civilization continues to advance, our capacity to live civilly—to appreciate our common humanity with empathy and humility—ironically dwindles daily. Even as we become more technologically connected, many of us feel increasingly disconnected and disengaged from each other.

Civility Rules! offers an opportunity to learn about the history, substance, and significance of civility through the lens of George Washington’s “Rules of Civility.”

Drawing on personal experience, real-life examples, and a foundational belief that civility is integral to a democratic society, author Shelby Scarbrough shares how we might work toward a more perfect union by building a personal practice of civility.

Civility is not an archaic concept of manners and politeness but rather a crucial component of a functioning democracy. Shelby shows us how—with conscientious practice and patience—we can each contribute to the preservation of our democracy, one interaction at a time.

SHELBY SCARBROUGH began her career in the White House as a member of Pres. Ronald Reagan’s advance team, where she helped coordinate such landmark events as the Reagan-Gorbachev Moscow Summit. She then served as a protocol officer in the U.S. Department of State. In 1990, Shelby founded Practical Protocol, LLC, a company that plans bespoke events for foreign dignitaries such as Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, and Lech Walesa. Shelby’s experiences in both public service and the private sector have given her a unique insight into the practices that lead to positive relationships and productive communication between individuals, countries, and societies. Shelby resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she is a speaker, entrepreneur, and writer.