Aspirations to Actions: The New Civic Path Book Circles

June 2025 – Present

Aspirations to Actions: The New Civic Path Book Circles

The Purpose

People nationwide share a desire to connect and strengthen their community. How might we create a path forward that taps into our innate goodness? How might we build together, even amid our differences, and create a new trajectory of hope in this country?

Through its Aspirations to Actions initiative, The Patterson Foundation is investing in the future through a series of book circles exploring The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and This Nation, the new book by president and CEO of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, Rich Harwood.

Strengthening the Impact

Harwood has devoted his 40-year career to developing a philosophy and practice of how communities can solve shared challenges, create a culture of shared responsibility, and deepen people’s civic faith. These book circles aim to help participants in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee, and Sarasota counties build a sense of community, foster positive relationships among citizens, discover shared aspirations, and embrace possibilities for our collective future through guided discussions on the book’s themes.

National New Civic Path Book Circle

On June 2, 2026, The Harwood Institute held a National New Civic Path Book Circle convening people nationwide that engaged local book circle partners in communities from coast to coast — inspired by the very circles they participated in last year and adding new attendees.

Through small and large group discussions, participants expanded the conversation about ways to help address our country’s deep challenges, reclaim our shared agency, and take real action together that starts locally and spreads nationwide.

The event celebrated this bestselling book’s first anniversary by lifting up stories of what Americans have already created in their communities by getting on the new civic path. The Harwood Institute also announced that it will renew the celebration through 2027.

If you are inspired by this work or have questions, please email Cheri Coryea: ccoryea@thepattersonfoundation.org

FAQ's

Click on frequently asked questions below to learn more about this initiative...

What is The Patterson Foundation?

The Patterson Foundation is a fully endowed charitable entity strengthening people, organizations, and communities in ways that foster wide participation around shared quality-of-life aspirations.

What is the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation?

The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that equips those invested in creating positive change with the tools to bridge divides, build capacity, and tackle shared challenges.

Why is The Patterson Foundation engaged with The Harwood Institute?

Since 2012, The Patterson Foundation has worked with Rich Harwood and The Harwood Institute’s coaches to encourage communities to turn outward, discover shared aspirations, and transform them into meaningful action. These book circles will explore how we can navigate today’s challenges with a greater sense of purpose, hope, and civic confidence. Through thoughtful, facilitated conversations, participants will reflect on strengthening relationships and co-creating a stronger community.

What is the Aspirations to Actions (A2A) initiative?

Aspirations to Actions is an initiative that helps our region turn aspirations into actions, resulting in positive change. It shares opportunities such as these book circles to build trust through personal development and active engagement.

What is The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and This Nation about?

Rich Harwood believes we can get on a new civic path where we restore our faith in ourselves and one another by coming together in our local communities. This is not about pretending we don’t have differences; this is about turning outward and rediscovering our shared humanity. By working together in our local communities, we can engender authentic hope and create a better country. This is not about one person but about a movement for the people. There is a place for you.

Learn more about The New Civic Path here, or watch a 5-minute video here.

Will there be an opportunity to connect with Rich Harwood and learn more?

The Patterson Foundation hosted a special author event with Rich Harwood around his latest book, The New Civic Path: Restoring Our Belief in One Another and Our Nation, at the Lakewood Ranch Library on Monday, June 16. Featuring an author dialogue with Rich followed by Q&A and book signing, the event explored how we can come together in our local communities to forge a new civic path that restores our belief in our ability to move forward together. Each attendee received a free copy of Rich's book at the event. Attendees also learned more about how to join the Harwood book circles when they begin in July.

Read more about the author event featuring Rich Harwood on The Patterson Foundation’s blog.

Additional FAQ's

Click on frequently asked questions below to learn more about Aspirations to Actions Stepping Forward Book Circles...

Who can I contact for more info?

Questions? Email AspirationstoActions@thepattersonfoundation.org

Why would someone want to join a The New Civic Path book circle?

There were many reasons to participate, but here are just a few:

You have an opportunity to learn new things about people in your community and your shared aspirations for the future.

You get the chance to work together with your book circle group to give a $300 Pay It Forward award to an organization with a The Giving Partner profile.

By addressing the central issues we face today in meaningful conversations, we can collectively work to create a path forward and create a new trajectory of hope and shared aspirations.

Why would a nonprofit want to join The New Civic Path book circle?

Nonprofits play a vital role in strengthening our community. The change we need today starts at the community level, making nonprofits important contributors to a new civic path where we restore our faith in ourselves and one another by coming together in our local communities. These book circles provide nonprofits with an opportunity to learn how to take action.

Why would a business join The New Civic Path book circle?

These book circles provide businesses with new ways to connect with their employees, customers, and the broader community. When we learn more about the people we spend time with daily, we forge connections, strengthen engagement, and feel more supported.

Rich Harwood believes we can get on a new civic path where we restore our faith in ourselves and one another by coming together in our local communities.

(total time: 5 minutes)

See More Videos About This Initiative

The New Civic Path Book Circle Report

Yes, I Want to Register for a Book Circle

Book Circle Interest Form for Nonprofits, Businesses, and Groups

Master List of Book Circle Offerings

Video: July 15th Info Session: Stepping Into the New Civic Path Book Circle

Watch The June 16th New Civic Path Book Circle Kickoff and Author Q&A Video

Book Circle Meeting Attendance Form

The Harwood Institute

Learn about The New Civic Path

Video: Time for the New Civic Path