Civic Engagement

Civic engagement involves “working to make a difference in the civic life of one’s community and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes.” It includes both paid and unpaid forms of political activism, environmentalism, and community and national service. Volunteering, national service, and service-learning are all forms of civic engagement.

• Civic engagement is participation in activities that improve one’s community or address wider social issues.

• Civic engagement can involve political and non-political activities.

• Typical forms of civic engagement include participating in the electoral process, volunteering, and advocacy or activism.

Values associated with fostering civic engagement are:

• Trusting and respecting how a community wants to take action for itself;

• Creating agency and power in people, particularly those most affected by an issue;

• Nurturing or fostering healthier, stronger, happier places to live;

• Engaging community members in a processes that affect them and their communities;

• Promoting transparency and participation

Types of Civic Engagement

Activism and Advocacy: Taking part in peaceful protest demonstrations, writing to or meeting with elected officials, Contacting print, broadcast, and online media, helping to gather signatures for petitions

Volunteerism: Collecting and donating food to food banks, Helping groups like Habitat for Humanity build houses, Joining a neighborhood watch group, Helping to grow food at community gardens, Helping with recycling and cleanup efforts

Electoral Participation: Helping with voter registration drives and other activities intended to increase voter turnout, showing support for candidates or causes by displaying buttons, signs, and stickers, serving as poll workers