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Reflections on a four-year-old citizens academy program in Aspen, Colorado
I rolled into Aspen, Colorado in May 2015, my Civic coupe packed to the ceiling with my personal belongings. When I stepped outside to breathe in my new home, the mountain air felt cool and refreshing....
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Selling Civic Engagement: A unique role for the private sector?
I am glad to summarize and link to a story by Dr. Rebecca Winthrop. She is a senior fellow and director of the Center for Universal Education at the Brookings Institution. We see civic engagement as...
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Break the Cycle: A Community Working Together to End Violence
In a fast-growing city like Charlotte (N.C.), many factors can contribute to rising crime rates. There is, however, a common driver that has been identified… individuals who know each other settling...
View ArticleThe Effect of Income Inequality on Civic Engagement
Rising income inequality is a growing concern in the United States, undermining economic mobility and civic trust. A majority of Americans believe income inequality is a significant problem that needs...
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Census Hopes to Reverse Decades of Under-counting Youngest Children
The US Census is so important that the Constitution requires it. Since 1790, the nation has counted its people every 10 years. The data gathered touch all of us: they determine the number of...
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Rutherfordton NC Outreach and Involvement – Downtown WIFI, Citizen Needs,...
I have volunteered and researched how open data from government is used by community volunteers. This kind of work is termed civic tech. Can this positive community/government relationship extend to...
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Overcoming the Risk of a Rural Census Undercount
By Allen Smart and Betsey Russell The 2020 Census is the single most influential event for rural America in recent history. Its impact will be felt for decades to come. While most of the focus of the...
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Civic Conversations – Building Relationships one Conversation at a Time
By Maggie Woods, NC State University. North Carolinians are feeling more disconnected than ever. And in this increasingly polarized time, we are less able to talk to each other. That’s a problem....
View ArticleMore Observations about the Red/Blue Better Angels Workshop in Pittsboro
I have been a facilitator for many years now and have been particularly interested in conversations that help bridge the political divide. I have attended several annual meetings organized by the...
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Durham Red and Blue Participants at the June 2019 Better Angels National...
How does a group that focuses on local dialogue of 12-25 people create a meaningful national convention of 300 delegates? Made up of people who deeply disagree with each other’s ideologies? Well,...
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Participation vs. Engagement – Here is the Difference
I am glad to share highlights from a discussion with six local government and health affairs colleagues in Kannapolis, NC on September 20th. While discussing evaluation of public participation,...
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