As the philanthropic community grapples with the question of how to support innovative and effective forms of democratic governance, PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement) has released a guide that provides a detailed description of how local civic engagement has grown and developed over the past decade.
The guide describes some of the most influential models and processes, as well as the possibilities, and limitations, of various approaches to working with the public.
“It’s been said that our true calling in life is where our heart’s greatest gladness meets the world’s deepest need,” said First Lady Michelle Obama as she launched the White House’s initiative, United We Serve at the National Conference on Volunteering and Service.
United We Serve aims to both expand the impact of existing organizations and encourage volunteers to develop their own "do-it-yourself" projects. The administration has created an online service portal, www.Serve.gov, where volunteers can connect to organizations, post projects of their own designing, and share stories.
Corporation photo by M.T. Harmon, Office of Public Affairs
“Democrats in Washington say the nation needs more jobs. Republicans say the economic stimulus isn’t working fast enough.” In a Politico op-ed, NCoC advisors John Bridgeland and Alan Khazei present a simple, low-cost, bipartisan solution to both complaints: fully funding the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act to allow for expansion of national and community service programs. Because the bottom line is, America needs economic recovery, and meaningful public engagement could be the solution to pulling us out of these tough times.
Recent studies have shown interesting and varied levels of correlation between community involvement around the United States and its direct connection to the economy. UCLA sociology professor Jennie Brand writes that when people facing layoffs and unemployment, they are much less inclined to volunteer their time at various social, community, and civic groups. This is not just due to the direct costs associated with being civically engaged, but also due to “embarrassment as a result of downward social mobility,” which leads to decreased social capital and increased isolation.
Which begs the question: In challenging economic times, what are the opportunity costs associated with being civically engaged? Can we afford not to be?
A new report released today by the Florida Joint Center for Citizenship shows that Florida’s civic culture is in failing health, indicates that tough economic times are making the illness worse, and highlights the need for immediate action to treat the malady,
The report found that the state has one of the worst civic cultures in the country, ranking 46th in the nation. It ranked Florida 34th in average voter turnout, 49th in percentage of citizens who volunteer, 48th in percentage of citizens attending a public meeting and 37th in percentage of citizens who worked with others to address a community issue.
“Civic Engagement” “Democracy ” “Social Entrepreneurship” What’s it all mean? To folks outside “the field” not a whole lot.
The 2008 America’s Civic Health Index indicated that “what we’ve got here is failure to communicate.” And while we certainly cannot resort to the methods used by Captain who immortalized those words in the 1967 film Cool Hand Luke, we do need to recognize that the words we use to describe what we do – what we are all so passionate about – fail to light a fire under a large section of America.
How do you talk about what you do? Become part of the discussion by posting your tips, focus group data, or other research to help us tackle this issue.
The tanking economy is taking its toll. Personal income in America decreased $25.3 billion, or 0.2 percent, in the month of December according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Disposable personal income decreased $25.1 billion, or 0.2 percent, that same month. In the non-profit sector, foundation endowments are down 30% according to the Council on Foundations.
Mark Shriver is the son of the late Sargent Shriver—lifelong activist and first director of the Peace Corps—and has authored a soon-to-be-released book on his father’s legacy, entitled “A Good Man.”
Read the interview with Mark and tell us the story of your own personal civic hero.
David B. Smith reflects on a recent Aspen Institute Roundtable on Assessing Community Information Needs. The main topic of conversation was the Richard Harwood’s new white paper, “Assessing Community Information Needs: A Practical Guide” along with discussion around the Knight Foundation’s toolkit focused on assessing a community’s information infrastructure. How do communities use information to define themselves, and celebrate failure in the process?
During a discussion at the 66th Annual Conference, moderator Eric Liu asked “What if … we scrapped birthright citizenship for everybody? What if everybody had to do something to earn it? How would people have to contribute—have to live—in order to get something you don’t get just by being born here?”
In tonight’s State of the Union address, President Obama spoke of the harsh and complex realities of today’s political and economic climate.
NCoC believes that in solving even these complex problems, the actions of citizens themselves can be the key to ensuring our country’s success and vitality. The President noted the way civic participation and public projects revived America after World War II and the Great Depression; it can be the case again.
NCoC has used civic health data for years to understand civic life in communities across the country, and to take an evidence-based approach to their work.
Community Strategies Director Kristi Tate discusses some recent efforts to respond to the data revolution, and how one might take up the charge on their own.