Civic Engagement

Civic engagement means participating in activities intended to improve the quality of life in one’s community by addressing issues of public concern, such as homelessness, pollution, or food insecurity, and developing the knowledge and skills needed to address those issues. The act of civic engagement can be conducted in three main ways.

Electoral Participation

The freedom of citizens to participate in the formation and procedures of their government through the electoral process is the foundation of democracy. Besides the obvious and vital act of voting, civic engagement in the electoral process encompasses activities including:

• Helping with voter registration drives “get out the vote” campaigns and other activities intended to increase voter turnout

• Contributing money to candidates’ election campaigns

• Donating time and effort to candidates’ campaigns or party organizations

• Showing support for candidates or causes by displaying buttons, signs, and stickers, or handing out campaign literature

• Serving as poll workers or election judges on Election Day

Volunteerism

The desire to help each other as well as their community through volunteering is a proud part of the nation’s legacy. A few common examples of volunteerism include:

• 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

Activism and Advocacy

Activism and advocacy involve working to bring about political or social change through increasing public awareness of and support for causes or policies. Some common acts of activism and advocacy include:

• Taking part in peaceful protest demonstrations and boycotts writing to our meeting with elected offcials

• Contacting print, broadcast, and online media

• Petitioning the government or helping to gather signatures for petitions