January 16, 2025 – Whether it’s chiming in on Front Porch Forum or casting a vote on Town Meeting Day, Vermont has a rich tradition of community engagement. But just how involved is its citizenry?
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas unveiled the state’s new civic health index, a tool designed to evaluate how Vermonters engage with their communities and participate in democratic processes.
As the 36th state to adopt a civic health metric, Vermont joins a growing national effort to better understand the dynamics of community involvement in the state. The report sheds light on strengths and weaknesses in volunteerism, political engagement, and social interactions, such as attending public meetings and connecting with neighbors.
The secretary of state’s office, in partnership with the National Conference of Citizenship and other educational institutions, assessed how the state performs on these indicators through surveys, advisory boards, and panel discussions with residents and organizations.
