Common Ground USA and Urban Rural Action, two groups that foster community growth and cooperation through conversation hosted a United For Action Local Hub program to help residents and community leaders throughout Washington County learn to better carry on conversations that hopefully produce fruitful results. The two hour workshop consisted of several breakout sessions that teach people how to more clearly communicate with each other especially when a subject may severely divide two parties. Conversation methods that concentrated on listening and trying to understand an opposing view were highlighted for the meeting. Joe Bubman from Urban Rural Action hoped to help people shift their mindsets from competition to mutual understanding. Several people walked away from the event having learned something. Frank Gambino from Monongahela wanted to become a better listener. He said he was taking an instruction card with him to help him master that skill. Reverand Cynthia Smith of the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Washington said a conversation she had altered her perspective of people going to church to one of bringing the church to the people. Emily Holmes of Common Ground USA said that this is only a first step towards a long term goal of creating connected communities in southwestern Pennsylvania.