Whether it is read in the local PATCH, printed in daily regional newspapers, shown on the local news, or raucous residents expressing themselves at local government and board of education meetings, does being “loud” equate to being “heard”?  How can local governing bodies ensure that elected representativs, appointed boards of education and other public bodies hear the  comments and concerns of their community? In this  learning opportunity, the factors that resulted in Churchill’s conclusion of democracy as "messy" as well as the practices that can facilitate the respectful expressions of diverse opinions will be discussed with participants sharing their own experiences.