We are at a moment when some Americans may feel overwhelmed or paralyzed by the multiple challenges we face as a country. But it is during these difficult moments when individuals open up to the possibilities of transformational shifts.
Last month, the state of Ohio postponed its presidential primary, a last-minute decision that led to statewide confusion and growing national concerns about future primaries and how they will be managed during the next few months. Had Ohio been one of a handful of states with universal voting by mail, it would not have been…
The National Civic League awarded the Pforzheimer-National Civic League Fellowships to graduate students pursuing research at Harvard University, University of Colorado – Denver, and Colorado State University – Fort Collins. The fellowship program seeks to further student knowledge of and interest in community engagement, community planning, community development, local government administration, and civic affairs. Please…
MTV and Civic Nation recently launched #VoteTogether- a new, national campaign to make voting fun and celebratory! Together, they’ve launched a national contest to award $1000 grants to individuals and organizations that commit to organizing Election Day parties for the 2018 Midterms. They’ll be awarding 50 lucky winners – one in each U.S. state — with $1,000…
Arkansas’ Winthrop Rockefeller Institute is crafting an approach to public deliberation rooted in principles of respectful dialogue, diverse opinions, and collaborative problem-solving. It is called the “Rockefeller Ethic,” and it is designed to maximize the influence of public deliberative processes on policymaking and public officials.
The 2023 All-America City Award identified communities that are actively engaging citizens, especially youth, in the policies and decisions that shape their lives by breaking down barriers to meaningful participation. The award winners illustrate how small acts undertaken collaboratively can foster democracy as they chip away at today’s challenges.
Through creating and presenting art, individuals are able to start conversations about divisive social problems in an inclusive way that encourages dialogue instead of antagonism. Through experiencing art, we are able to engage with that dialogue and provide a positive outlet for anxiety, frustration, or confusion.
The Model City Charter has guided thousands of American localities in their efforts to draft or revise their home rule charters by emphasizing “three e’s” of effectiveness, efficiency, and economy. A new edition should also provide language on two new e’s: equity and engagement.
In the midst of a pandemic, voters are clamoring for Vote by Mail (VBM) but signing up remains a challenge. VoteByMail.io is a free, open-sourced tool, available in English and Spanish, that allows registered voters to sign up for an absentee/mail-in ballot by streamlining and digitizing the government VBM signup process for voters. In digitized…
