This page includes webinars, interviews and speeches covering promising practices around the country. The free monthly Promising Practices Webinar series highlights successful projects around the country with speakers from cities implementing creative strategies for civic engagement. These webinars are free and open to anyone who is interested in creating stronger communities. The National Civic League's interview series includes conversations with elected officials, civic engagement experts, figures important to our history and others. Recorded speeches allow you to re-live the keynote addresses of past All-America City awards events and conferences.
In this webinar, we covered the year’s theme, application criteria, key dates, and suggested focus areas. Additionally, three representatives from 2024 All-America City Award-winning communities discussed their experiences and offered insights on maximizing the impact of AAC participation.
WatchThis interactive webinar offered examples of how to move urgent local issues to the forefront of community conversation, advocate on behalf of less visible constituencies, and turn inaccessible governing spaces into sites of rigorous participation and creative problem-solving.
WatchThe Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map is a groundbreaking resource identifying and connecting organizations, funders, networks, and practitioners working across the nation to sustain and strengthen democratic practices. This launch event introduced the map, demonstrated its features, and explored how it can be used by a variety of users.
WatchTo discover how we can better fulfill our civic duty, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen spoke to Doug Linkhart, President of the National Civic League.
Doug describes how decisions made at the local level of government are foundational for the pursuit of happiness in America. And how citizens who express their needs are at the intersection of personal civic duty and government effectiveness.
This episode is a special edition of the Good Citizens Election Season Survival Guide which is designed to help restore common sense and sanity in a crazy world… Remember, civic duty plays a role here.
WatchIn this introductory webinar, we explored the fundamentals of Citizens’ Assemblies (CAs) and their role in modern democracy. This webinar provided a comprehensive overview of how Citizens’ Assemblies work, their history, and their impact on public policy.
WatchWebinar attendees learned about Zencity’s digital engagement platform and heard examples of its use from Arlington, WA, and Midland County, MI.
WatchThis webinar equipped attendees with a valuable new Living Room Conversations tool for fostering trust in each other and elections. Co-hosted by the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation and the National Civic League.
WatchThe webinar presented relevant research along with a range of practical innovations for replacing “3 minutes at the microphone” public commentary with deliberative discussion supported by digital engagement. The project team delved into what these democratic innovations could achieve, while two experts provided comments on the key practical and legal considerations.
WatchIn that webinar, we delved into the impactful work of the Bridging Movement Alignment Council and the Disagree Better Campaign, which are dedicated to fostering dialogue and bridging divides. Attendees discovered how these initiatives contribute to a more constructive and inclusive civic discourse and how they can get involved. Additionally, we showcased the inspiring efforts of two place-based bridging organizations, 92NY and Village Square.
WatchAttendees learned about an ambitious effort to map the sprawling community of organizations, networks, and fields working to protect and enhance democracy in America.
WatchSpeakers discussed innovative voter education efforts, delving into the crucial role of informed and engaged citizens in a thriving democracy. Attendees discovered the tools and strategies that are shaping the future of voter education, from understanding complex ballot initiatives to filtering out partisan mis- and dis-information.
WatchNational Civic League staff went over the 2024 All-America City Award theme, criteria, important dates, and possible areas of focus. Previous AAC winning communities shared their experiences with applying and competing for the award.
WatchThis webinar will provided an overview of the reflections offered in a new collection of essays published by the Kettering Foundation, Reinventing Journalism to Strengthen Democracy: Insights from Innovators. Additionally, attendees heard examples of how innovative sources of local news are playing an important role in covering civic affairs in a way that is not only positive, but also encourages civic engagement by local residents.
WatchDuring this webinar, speakers discussed the traits that effective youth councils share and what cities are doing to make their youth councils an authentic part of the decision-making process.
WatchThis is the first webinar we are hosting for the AAA-ICDR supported project called ‘Democracy Innovations for Better Public Meetings’. We’ll explore local challenges and opportunities from an elected official, public engagement, and legal perspective.
WatchMay 16, 2023
This webinar featured the German Marshall Fund’s Cities Fortifying Democracy project. Attendees learned about key topics leaders need to pay attention to at the local level to fortify democracy. Leaders from Fort Collins, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota did a deeper dive on three of the focus areas–equity and inclusion; youth disengagement and activation of next generations; and next-level engagement.
In this webinar, attendees heard about the COVID-19 Public Education Campaign, an initiative to increase confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and reinforce basic prevention measures. Attendees also heard from the leaders of Multicultural Coalition Inc., a community organization that has implemented innovative and inclusive strategies for making vaccines more accessible and utilized.
WatchIn this webinar, experienced mediators, facilitators, and consultants in the fields of diversity, equity, and inclusion discussed the concept, how-tos, goals, and benefits of racial equity commissions. Attendees also heard from two members of the Salt Lake City Racial Equity in Policing Commission.
WatchLottery-selected panels, often called citizens’ juries or citizens’ assemblies, are democratic systems that help governments tackle difficult policy questions by putting a representative group of residents at the center of governance. In this webinar, Healthy Democracy will explain lottery-selected panels, discussing the benefits and potential applications. We’ll also hear about two case studies out of Petaluma, California and Eugene, Oregon.
WatchIn this webinar, attendees learned how youth leaders in Northeast Wisconsin are creating inclusive and intergenerational spaces and programs that foster community and belonging. Additionally, Kinect M1 shared its approach to building communities of the future by removing barriers and embracing youth voices to ensure all have the opportunity to contribute and thrive.
WatchThis webinar featured a new report making the case for ambitious climate policy that builds upon the best models of engagement and collaboration.
WatchIn this webinar, we will hear from a group of elementary teachers who are committed to teaching the skills of deliberative democracy to their young students. Speakers will discuss the five important skills and dispositions necessary for creating a learning environment oriented for deliberative citizenship, and how they are incorporating these concepts into their classrooms.
WatchNational Civic League staff went over the 2023 All-America City Award theme, criteria, important dates, and possible areas of focus. Previous AAC winning communities shared their experiences with applying and competing for the award.
WatchSocially connected communities are essential to both individual well-being and a community’s collective capacity to thrive. In this webinar panelists discussed the importance of social connection, as well as the logistical and cultural challenges to creating this sense of belonging, particularly in rural settings.
WatchDuring this webinar we will discuss the myriad of considerations–convener, time, location, language, etc.–that need to be addressed to ensure engagement efforts are inclusive and equitable. Registrants will also learn about strategies and best practices for equitable and inclusive engagement, with a few examples from communities successfully doing this work.
WatchDuring this webinar, attendees learned about the American Library Association’s initiative, “Libraries Transforming Communities,” which has provided libraries opportunities to learn the skills of facilitating community conversations with help from the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation. We then heard about North Liberty Library’s community conversation series, Lighthouse in the Library.
WatchDuring this webinar, participants joined mental health advocates and community leaders to learn how communities are partnering with key stakeholders to address the remaining disparities in mental healthcare access, including how non-healthcare-focused initiatives can make mental healthcare more accessible for all.
WatchDuring this webinar, speakers provided a historical overview of discriminatory laws and policies and shared ways communities can evaluate and amend policies to include principles of equity, access, and inclusion.
WatchDuring this webinar, attendees will hear from participants from the National Civic League’s Model City Charter revision process who will outline how cities might improve their treatment of equity and civic engagement. Lastly, we will hear about a city manager’s experience with incorporating equity into the city’s charter, mission and vision, and programs and policies.
WatchAgeism and the social isolation of older adults has been on the rise. Attendees learned how cities and communities can adopt more age-friendly programs, practices and policies.
WatchAttendees learned about the 2022 All-America City Award Program- Housing as a Platform: Promoting Early School Success and Equitable Learning Recovery.
WatchThe National Civic League was joined by the Belonging Initiative and The City of Grand Rapids to discuss the differences between welcoming and belonging and present two new tools to help communities include people fully.
WatchPanelists from Ethelo and Keystone Policy Center discussed techniques for, and examples of, bringing youth voices to the budgeting table.
WatchThe League was joined by the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District and the Campus Election Engagement Project for a webinar featuring youth making positive change.
WatchAttendees explored how we can use dialogue to bridge divides & build civic muscle.
WatchPresenters discussed recommendations to address the growing problem of social isolation.
WatchThis webinar featured Welcoming America and two communities empowering immigrant leaders. Attendees learned about the innovative ways nonprofits, city and county governments are including and welcoming immigrants in all areas of civic, social, and economic life.
WatchParticipants learned how communities can use Census Bureau data to help local businesses, strengthen grant applications, and estimate resiliency in response to challenges like COVID-19 and natural disasters.
WatchJoin the National Civic League for a webinar about Nextdoor, the neighborhood app for trusted connections and the exchange of helpful information, goods, and services.
WatchNCDD, Essential Partners and former mayor Hollie Cost shared practical steps and resources for addressing our divisions and healing our communities through dialogue.
WatchThis webinar focused on the need to engage the community in the budgeting process to ensure that any necessary cuts are both equitable and in-line with resident priorities. Participants heard from Shayne Kavanagh, Senior Manager of Research , GFOA; Chris Adams, President, Balancing Act; and Tiffany Waddell Blackwell, Senior Strategy & Budget Analyst, City of Charlotte, NC.
WatchPrevious winning communities and our jury foreperson, Angela Romans, presented on the All-America City journey with tips for applying, the types of projects submitted and an update on the benefits of winning the award.
WatchThis webinar featured two 2020 All-America Cities that are empowering and embracing youth leaders in their community. Attendees heard about Rancho Cucamonga, California’s Healthy RC Youth Leaders program and Danville, Virginia’s Youth Health Equity Leadership Institute (YHELI).
WatchValerie Lemmie, Former City Manager, Current Director of Exploratory Research at the Kettering Foundation, and Chair of the National Civic League’s Board of Directors, talks about her career and thoughts on democratic decision-making during this Management Matters Podcast hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration.
WatchAttendees heard about Rochester, New York’s Community Task Force on School Climate and Muncie, Indiana’s Whitely Neighborhood and Schools Within the Context of Communities program. Presenters were Eva M. Zygmuntm, Professor of Early Childhood, Youth, and Family Studies at Ball State University; and Rosemary Rivera, Co-Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York and The Public Policy & Education Fund.
WatchThe National Civic League and the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading co-hosted a webinar featuring three innovative communities that are combating the compounded challenges of early school success in the time of Coronavirus. Panelists focused on what’s working to strengthen school readiness and mitigate learning loss.
WatchParticipants learned about recent reforms police departments have been implementing to improve public safety and build trust.
WatchDuring this webinar attendees heard from John McKnight one of the co-founders of the Asset-Based Community Development Institute and Dan Duncan, the current board president of the ABCD Institute and a long-time faculty member. They discussed the principles and tools of ABCD and provided real-life examples of residents who have taken on new responsibilities and functions and how they have developed new ways to join local governments as co-producers.
WatchThis webinar featured Wendy Willis, Executive Director of the Deliberative Democracy Consortium, and Larry Schooler, Director of Consensus Building and Community Engagement, CD&P. The two civic engagement experts showcased strategies for virtual public engagement in this time of social isolation.
WatchParticipants heard from two cities that are taking on the issue of sustainability with resident-driven initiatives. The Sustainability Division in Lakewood, CO discussed its sustainability plan, as well as the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program. The Office of Sustainability in Chula Vista, CA discussed its Climate Action Challenge.
Watch“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This webinar will highlighted two community programs that are addressing mental health issues through collaborations and unique partnerships.
WatchPrevious winning communities and our longtime lead volunteer presented on their All-America City journey with tips for applying, the types of projects they submitted and an update on the benefits they have seen from winning the award.
WatchMike McGrath Program Director of Research and Publications at the National Civic League interviews Dr. Alan Curtis, President and CEO of the Eisenhower Foundation. The two discuss the 50 year anniversary of the Kerner Commission on race relations, which issued a report that concluded that American was heading toward “two societies, black and white, separate and unequal.”
WatchThree communities shared how they are engaging residents where they live, using unique and entertaining approaches. Highlighted community events included: Denver Days, Porchfest and National Night Out.
WatchHear how the leadership academies of the City of Wichita, KS and the City of El Paso, TX evolved to offer a more innovative and advanced civic learning experience.
WatchThis webinar gave participants tools and practical examples for creating a culture of engagement in their communities. Doug gave an overview of the National Civic League’s tool, the Civic Index, and Cori Burbach and Paul Duster discussed examples of how Dubuque has engaged its community over a prolonged period of time.
WatchTwo 2019 All-America Cities speak about local programs and health challenges aimed at addressing obesity, diabetes and general well-being.
WatchAUGUST 27, 2019
In honor of the National Civic League’s 125th Anniversary, we are interviewing descendants of some of the League’s founders and important figures from our history.
National Civic League’s board secretary, Angela Romans, interviews Honorable Henry Cisneros, Principal & Chairman of the Executive Committee of Siebert Cisneros Shank.
Mr. Cisneros is also the former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, former Mayor of San Antonio and a former board chair of the National Civic League.
WatchAttendees heard from this year’s John Parr Youth Award winners and learn about the youth engagement work happening at the Mikva Challenge.
WatchIn honor of the National Civic League’s 125th Anniversary, we are interviewing descendants of some of the League’s founders and important figures from our history. National Civic League’s board member, Angela Romans, interviews David Mathews, President & CEO of the Kettering Foundation.
WatchLa June Montgomery Tabron, President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, was a keynote speaker at the 2019 All-America City Awards. In her remarks, she explained Kellogg’s approach to civic engagement, which includes: cooperative planning, intelligent study and group action.
WatchAlicia Lara, United Way’s Senior Vice President of Impact, stresses the importance of putting those you serve at the center of your work in her Keynote Speech at the 2019 All-America City Awards and Event.
WatchDavid Mathews, President of the Kettering Foundation, was a keynote speaker at the 2019 All-America City Awards and Event. His remarks centered around one of the National Civic League’s Co-Founders, Theodore Roosevelt. Mathews posited that Theodore Roosevelt would immediately cancel the All-America City Awards. Mathews quipped that Teddy would replace the award with the All-America Failure Awards, given to cities that know how to fail successfully.
WatchIn honor of the National Civic League’s 125th Anniversary, we are interviewing descendants of some of the League’s founders and important figures from our history. National Civic League’s board member, Angela Romans, interviews Richard W. Raushenbush, great grandson of one of our founders, Justice Louis Brandeis.
WatchLearn about two communities that are being mindful about collaboration and equity in their economic development projects.
Ubax Gardheere, Equity Strategies Manager at the City of Seattle’s Office of Planning & Community Development spoke about Seattle’s approach to equitable development.
Kevin Mitchell, Town Engineer in the Town of Mount Pleasant’s Planning and Engineering Department talked about the town’s collaborative Shem Creek Revitalization project which ensured that the waterfront was accessible to all residents.
WatchThe National Civic League was joined by organizations bringing healthy housing to their communities. Suzanne Mineck, President of the Mid Iowa Health Foundation and Emily Yu, Executive Director of BUILD Health Challenge spoke about Healthy Homes Des Moines and the BUILD Health Challenge. Leroy Moore, Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the Tampa Housing Authority spoke about Encore TAMPA.
WatchDuring this All-America Cities Promising Practices webinar, Susan Witkowski, CHCQM, CEO of Community Medical Clinic of Kershaw County discussed the offerings of their school-based health center. and Lisa Campbell, CEO of Create a Change in Las Vegas, NV discussed their Healthy School, Healthy Life Program.
WatchTwo All-America Cities spoke about how they are utilizing education programs to achieve equity and improve economic and community futures.
WatchTwo communities discussed their local intervention programs to address drug and/or alcohol abuse. Beaverton, OR spoke about their B-SOBR program and Hamilton County, OH gave an overview of their Hamilton County Heroin Coalition.
WatchLearn more about how two All-America Cities underwent a community-wide visioning process with a specific focus on engagement and equity. Decatur, GA discusses their visioning process, “Better Together.” San Antonio, TX discusses their process, SA2020.
WatchThe National Civic League was joined by Longmont, CO and Stockton, CA to share how they support mental health in their communities.
Watch2018 All-America City winners, Kershaw County, SC and Las Vegas, NC, presented on their All-America City journey with tips for applying, the types of projects they submitted and an update on the benefits they have seen from winning the award.
WatchLearn how the Sankofa Initiative became a multi-pronged approach, responding to housing, public safety, community environment, income, quality of life and pride in their community. The presenters tackled root causes of health inequalities to achieve health equity for members of the community.
WatchPublic libraries see some of the community’s most pressing problems up close. In this webinar, learn how libraries have leveraged community partnerships, trained staff, developed programs and even engaged customers.
WatchLast remaining member of the Kerner Commission, Honorable Fred Harris, speaks at National Civic League’s 2018 Conference. 2018 was the 50th anniversary of the Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (more commonly known as the Kerner Commission).
WatchHilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Supervisor who also served as US Secretary of Labor and as a Member of Congress offered a keynote address during the 2018 National Civic League Conference.
WatchVice President of Government, External Relations and Research for Kaiser Permanente Colorado, spoke at the 2018 National Civic League Conference on building healthy, equitable communities.
WatchPresenters Nolan Atkinson, chief diversity officer in Philadelphia, and Darlene Flynn, director of Oakland’s Department of Race and Equity, discuss how they tackle diversity and inclusion and racial equity in local governments, pioneering the work in their respective cities.
WatchIn this webinar, attorney Bob Scales and San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia discussed the challenges of collecting use of force data and successes from sharing data with the community. Both addressed how data can be used to engage and the community as well as how city leaders have used data for risk management and budget allocations.
WatchThe Chicago Community Trust’s annual region-wide civic engagement initiative On the Table has provided an annual forum for tens of thousands of Chicagoans to engage in meaningful conversation, develop new relationships and inspire action to make a difference in communities.
WatchIn this webinar, National Civic League Fellow, Larry Schooler, will discuss two engagement projects he managed, Imagine Austin and Our Vision Fort Lauderdale.
WatchEquity is becoming an important part in government operations and services, but how and where can a city government begin? In this webinar, National Civic League fellow Dante James will share a list of examples for how to begin to infuse equity throughout city government.
WatchLearn more about the application guidelines and criteria for the 2018 All-America City Award. Somerville, Massachusetts’ Deputy Communications Director, Jackie Rossetti, joined to provide insight and tips from a previous winner.
WatchIn this webinar, participants will learn how parks and recreation systems can be transformed by using an equity lens. In Minnesota, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has used equity to decide how resources and improvements are made.
WatchIn communities of every size, public libraries provide leadership, information, tools, and a place where people connect to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of active civic engagement. Presenters include Chris Becker, Senior Consultant for the Urban Libraries Council and Sheila Umberger, Director of Libraries for Roanoke, Virginia
WatchThe Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) enterprise of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is a comprehensive, national and community-based process to plan for and bring about transformational and sustainable change in our society, and to address the historic and contemporary effects of racism.
WatchLearn more about the 2018 All-America City Award Program – Promoting Equity Through Inclusive Civic Engagement. Previous winning communities presented on their All-America City journey with tips for applying, the types of projects they submitted and an update on the benefits they have seen from winning the award.
WatchLearn from 2017 All-America City Winners, Stockton-San Joaquin Valley, CA and Dayton, OH, about educational equity strategies for community-based work to help more children from low-income families achieve grade-level reading proficiency and early school success.
WatchUnderstanding what matters when it comes to health equity and American communities.
WatchPresentations from Cashauna Hill, Executive Director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center and Phil Eide, Senior Vice President, Community and Economic Development at Hope Enterprise Corporation
WatchPresenters: Deirdre Love, Teens With a Purpose, Norfolk, Virginia and Alejandra Silva, Youth Equity Coordinator, Building Health Communities Salinas, California
WatchBuilding relationships between young people and police can bring positive results for your city.
WatchLearn from Seattle, Washington; Dubuque, Iowa; and Lakewood, Colorado on their strategies for inclusive civic engagement and how you can adapt them for your community.
WatchLearn from All-America City winner Columbia Heights, Minnesota and from Sean Smoot, a 21st Century Policing Consultant, on community policing strategies.
Watch