The National Conference on Citizenship was thrilled to join Secretary Copeland Hanzas at the Vermont Statehouse to celebrate Vermont’s first-ever Civic Health Index, which reveals the state’s exceptional civic health foundation. Vermont’s impressive national rankings — particularly in civic action and collaboration — showcase a deeply engaged citizenry committed to democratic values.
View the full livestream of the event from ORCA Media.
The report was created in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), UVM’s Center for Rural Studies, SerVermont, Up For Learning, and Vermont Humanities. Leaders and representatives from each organization gathered in the Cedar Creek room Wednesday evening to give remarks and meet with legislators. The report found that Vermont ranks high in the nation in areas such as volunteering, attending public meetings, collaborating with neighbors, following the news and contacting their representatives. Vermont’s Civic Health Index also includes results of a survey of 2,500 students grades 7-12, offering a greater understanding of how youth civic health compares to that of adult Vermonters
READ: Sec. Sarah Copeland Hanzas: Celebrate Civic Learning Week, March 10-14.
What makes Vermont’s efforts truly standout is how the Secretary’s office expanded traditional civic metrics to include cultural engagement, media literacy, and youth participation, providing a more comprehensive view of Vermont’s civic ecosystem.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with Vermont to expand data collection and more effectively measure the impact of their incredible work.
