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CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: FOUNDATION OF DEMOCRACY
Empowering Individuals and Communities Through Civic Engagement
What is civic engagement and citizenship and why is it important for AmeriCorps members to increase civic engagement competencies? Aren't members civically engaged by virtue of their commitment to service?
Defining Active Citizenship To begin, there are many ideas and definitions of civic engagement. Most definitions include, in some form, at least three key components. Consider this definition from The State of Service-Related Research. The Grantmaker Forum on Community and National Service
Citizenship or civic participation consists of behaviors, attitudes, and actions that reflect concerned and active membership in a community. This includes the more traditional electoral citizenship activities, such as voting, serving on nonprofit boards or school boards, as well as less traditional forms of political participation, such as community organizing and social activism. It includes participation in small neighborhood-based efforts and the larger national and international movements.
Behaviors, attitudes and actions. These are the common principles of citizenship and civic engagement. Voting, serving, organizing and social activism are all expressions of active citizenship. And, while many individuals associate citizenship primarily, or solely, with voting, active citizenship clearly encompasses a broader range of involvement.
Active citizenship is about personal and community empowerment. Voting is a part of that package of empowerment, but only one part. Service is a part as well, but only a part. For individuals and communities to access legitimate power to promote and protect their interests and rights, they must also be able to serve, organize and to take action. By accessing as many sources of civic empowerment available, individuals and communities can impact their own lives, and the lives of others, in a significant way.
Voting alone is usually not sufficient. Service, by itself, is also often inadequate. Or organizing. Or even social action. But together they components of civic engagement can be very effective in not only addressing needs but also affecting change.
Well-trained AmeriCorps members can be significant influences and resources in helping facilitate an expanded awareness of active citizenship and civic engagement.
Roots of Active Citizenship Active citizenship has a strong tradition in this country dating back to its earliest days. In fact, the principles of active citizenship are embedded in this countryŐs founding document, the Declaration of Independence. This document outlines the fundamental rights extended to all individuals. The presence or absence of these rights is often referred to as social justice. To better understand the concept of active citizenship as expressed through civic engagement, one simply needs to reference the founding document that holds both a promise and a mandate.
Source: Corporation for National Service
Foundation and philanthropic support for voting in support of civic engagement from around the Web.
Ohio Women's Suffrage Monument Commission to hold program Thursday.Free community activities centered around the 19th Amendment, women in leadership, and the power of voting.Events are in support of...more
Foundation: Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
The Southern Poverty Law Center's Vote Your Voice program is providing grants to grassroots organizations.Indigenous Americans face barriers to voting that most Americans do not, the group says.About...more
Students at Hampton University's Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications introduced a pioneering digital Absentee Voting Guide.A recent survey by Tufts' Tisch College Center revealed...more
Former President Donald Trump-influenced Supreme Court allowed Virginia to proceed with a program targeting the removal of suspected noncitizens from its voter registration rolls.Just days before the...more
Stacey Abrams isn't a climate activist, but that didn't stop the Democrat from giving a talk on climate change at the New School last week. "My vision is that we move this out of voting, simply...more
Warriors Community foundation selected for Z's Good in the Hood initiative.Z Energy distributes $1 million across local community groups nationwide.Instore voting is now open with Z Energy once again...more
Foundation: Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Local clerks are now required to provide at least nine days of early voting for eight hours a day ahead of statewide elections.Early voters this year will experience the voting booths, poll workers...more
Foundation: Community Foundation of Sarasota County
There are nearly 750 nonprofit organizations in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties in Florida, providing everything from health and youth services to education and the arts, per a new...more
If you live in Long Beach, Calif., and want a piece of public art, you have until July 8 to vote. That's when residents will be able to choose from three design options from 27 local artists for...more
Vote for your three favorites now, through July 31st on the Michigan.gov website.A contest is currently open for voting to pick the next "I Voted" sticker design, and there are some incredible...more
Social Enterprise Network Sites
Civic Engagement News from...
Quad Cities Community Foundation
MetLife Foundation
Arkansas Community Foundation
Rose Community Foundation
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Latino Community Foundation
Collaboratory
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Berrien Community Foundation
Rockefeller Foundation
Social Entrepreneurship
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The country’s first green coworking space, Green Spaces, is a hub for green and socially conscious businesses in Denver to work and connect with each other.
