Empowered Canadians’ Post

Civic engagement refers to the active participation of individuals in their communities or society at large. It involves taking part in activities that contribute to the well-being of the community, such as volunteering, voting, advocating for social or political change, attending public meetings, and participating in community events. Civic engagement also includes staying informed about local issues, working with others to solve problems, and collaborating with community members to create positive change. Ultimately, civic engagement is about individuals using their time, skills, and resources to make a positive impact on the world around them.

By Dr. Artika Tyner, [email protected] Civic engagement is a key tool for building more vibrant and inclusive communities. For many civic engagement begins with casting a vote at the ballot box. This is an integral step yet there is so much more. Civic engagement is when you participate in activities that improve your community and participate in the democratic process. Examples include: attending city council meetings, volunteering at your local food bank, signing petitions on issues that matter to you, and mentoring youth. My latest book, “Kwame Votes,” explores the transformational power of civic engagement through an intergenerational approach. Through conversations with his family, Kwame learns important lessons on how to serve and lead in his community. His grandmother teaches him the importance of focusing on issues like equal access to quality education. His mother demonstrates how volunteerism can support democracy by serving as an election judge. With each family interaction, Kwame learns the importance of his family’s daily commitment to civic engagement in their community. He witnesses firsthand the positive impact of this labor of love. Kwame’s grandmother teaches this key leadership lesson. She reminds her family to use their voices to make a difference: “Voting in an election is your opportunity to be heard, hold elected officials accountable and have a say in important issues involving our community.” I found inspiration for writing this book while reflecting on my experience growing up in the historic Rondo community. More in the October print edition or online. #relevantlocaltrustworthy #midwaycomofrogtownmonitor

The Library of Congress offers tons of information about the American historical events and correspondences of our beloved founding fathers. The library has adopted a program called the “By the People” Campaign whereby ordinary citizens can volunteer their time to transcribe, review, and tag historical documents. This week, I was able to perform my civic duty by transcribing six documents dated back 1800’s. The program does allow citizens to participate in civic engagement with the privilege of performing the service online.  I have learned that participation in civic engagement is not limited to in-person volunteerism and engaging in elections. We can go beyond the traditional methods of volunteering and activism. The campaign program allows those who cannot physically attend events to participate virtually. It has opened my eyes to better ways of rendering my service to the community through online research, online policy contributions, and online document historical review. It is important to understand that not all civic engagement activities require citizens to spend money to contribute to their communities. The “By the People” campaign provides free membership for participants to review historical documents. I have learned the importance of research and collaboration among people to build up a successful civic team. #LibraryofCongress

This new report on Civic Health from UNH Carsey School in my state of New Hampshire asked if people feel they matter to their communities - that number fell from 76% in 2019 to 33% four years later. They looked at these categories of civic health: Connecting in Community Belonging and Mattering, Civic Awareness and Engagement , Trust—(How much people trust government (national and local), local news, and their neighbors), Voting, and Volunteering and Giving. Here's the report: https://lnkd.in/eHaG77xW My view is we need to innovate in how we do civic engagement -offering people more opportunities for genuine participation where they connect in conversation with others. We have to broaden the definition of engagement beyond voting once or twice a year, attending a public meeting or contacting a public official. Participation and human connection build trust. How do we design for that? Here's one example from Taiwan - link in first comment. They have built greatly increased trust in government by using technology to engage citizens and find consensus, focusing on "building structures that allow for the sharing of ideas and points of view." #civicengagement Michele Holt-Shannon

Every balanced grants portfolio should invest in at least one civic participation organization. We must resource local leaders dismantling systemic barriers, especially in hostile environments. For example, as Black and brown communities face voter suppression and misinformation, supporting civic engagement orgs can ensure every voter’s voice is heard. Let’s do this! #CivicEngagement #PhilanthropyForJustice #VoterRights #RacialJustice #InclusiveDemocracy #EquityInAction #SystemicChange

The onus was on me at my church's youth department week celebration to speak and I spoke about the youth and their civic engagement.I took examples from the life of reputable men and women in the bible who due to their civic engagement brought lasting change to their community.I admonished the church to consider their civic engagement.Examples were taken from the life of Deborah,Esther, David, Jeremiah and Daniel.I encouraged us all to discover our passion, purpose and potential to make us more viable because we would need money for any endeavor even as little as a bottle of oil.Scripture verses were Jeremiah 1:4-10, Daniel 6:3, Romans 13:1-6, Luke 10: 25-37.Gen 1:27-28(I used this verse to speak about the youth and governance). What is meant by civic engagement? Well I got these few. Civic engagement or civic participation is any individual or group activities addressing issues of public concern. Civic engagement includes communities working together or individuals alone both political and non political actions to protect public values or make a change in the community. It involves ways citizens participate In the life of the community to improve the conditions of others. Examples of Civic engagement are political engagement, community engagement,civic skills engagement and social justice engagement. The pleasure is always mine to impact. CVM Latter Rain Harvest Ministries Côté d'ivoire #everyonefollowers #civicengagement #youthdevelopment

Why Civic Engagement Matters In the heart of every thriving community, you'll find one thing in common: civic engagement. When we participate in our local governance, vote, volunteer, or even discuss community issues, we're not just making our voices heard; we're shaping the future. ✔️ By engaging, you ensure your perspective is considered in the decisions that affect your daily life. ✔️ Active participation drives better policies, infrastructure, and social services tailored to real community needs. ✔️ Engaging civically teaches us about leadership, cooperation, and empathy, fostering personal development. ✔️ When citizens are involved, governments and institutions work more efficiently and transparently. Let's step up, not just for ourselves, but for a community where every voice counts. Your involvement today builds the tomorrow we all deserve. What are you doing today to build tomorrow’s future? #CivicEngagement #CommunityMatters

Excerpt: “In a city like Evanston, racism comes with a smile and a nod, masked behind progressive facades. But scratch the surface, and you'll find a small group pulling strings, dictating who falls in line and who faces consequences for questioning the status quo. My journey in advocating for direct cash payments as reparations has revealed uncomfortable truths about power dynamics and the lengths some will go to maintain control. Join me in uncovering the complexities of our city and why community engagement is more crucial than ever.” Excerpt: "I recall a particularly revealing encounter over coffee, where a Caucasian individual chastised me for challenging the status quo on reparations. She invited me to coffee under the guise of a different topic and then she blindsided me! This person, like many others, couldn't fathom why I refused to accept crumbs when my community deserved more than a housing program. She felt I was wrong to push for direct cash payments to be added as an option. She said, “You should just accept whatever you get.” Does anyone know how that felt for me, sitting across the table from THAT? A Caucasian person chastised me that my people should just take whatever they get for their reparations in Evanston. This woman is close friends with a few Black leaders in Evanston and she runs in that 1% of wealth crowd that, many believe, controls our local government. She wasn’t the first to come at me with this scolding. There have been several. They said if it’s good enough for their Black friends who are in leadership then it should be good enough for the rest of Black Evanston. These women didn’t see these conversations as hurtful, racist, and devaluing because these Black leaders are their close friends, so they have been made to feel safe to say and think these things. That’s Evanston racism. It's not people wearing white sheets, burning crosses, and riding around in pick-up trucks in 2024. It comes with a smile, a coffee, and a photo op sometimes." Uncover the full story and dive deep into the heart of the matter with an exclusive post on https://lnkd.in/gWncMSWH. Discover the unfiltered truth about Evanston's reparations lawsuit, racial equity, and the battle for justice. Subscribe now to gain access to the complete article and join us in exploring the critical issues shaping our community. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are solely those of the author, Meleika Gardner, and do not necessarily reflect the views of my co-hosts, Where The People Meet TV, or any affiliated organizations. Each individual associated with our platform may have their own perspectives, and we encourage diverse opinions and discussions on important issues.

Americans Are Lonely and Disconnected. Better Civic Spaces Can Help. We need more welcoming public places where people can connect in person — high-quality, well-maintained parks, trails, libraries and community centers. Investing in them is good for us and good for democracy. In Governing, William Penn Foundation executive director Shawn McCaney makes the case that a strong civic commons is essential for a strong democracy. #civicinfrastructure #civicspace #democracy #philanthropy #government #publicspace #loneliness https://lnkd.in/eUwdMXVs