1. Join a participatory budgeting initative: Participatory budgeting enables citizens to vote on how public and other funds should be spent. As we reported recently,
the concept is becoming popular in the U.S. PB, as it's commonly known,
can be done on a very small scale - at schools or community
organizations - or on a larger scale, in cities, counties, and states.
It's also a great opportunity for kids to learn and have a voice in
budgeting processes.
2. Attend city council meetings: A easy way to
stay up-to-date on issues affecting your city is to attend local city
council meetings. If you're unable to attend, check your local
television listings as many community television stations broadcast
council meetings.
3. Attend town hall meetings: Town halls give
constituents a way to connect directly with state and local
representatives. They're all the rage now, as people are energized to
make their voices heard, but they've long been a part of civic discourse
and engagement at all levels of government.
4. Join or create a Civic User Testing Group: The Civic User Testing Group
(CUTGroup), which is based in Chicago, is a community of residents who
get paid to test civic websites and apps. It's an emerging field, but as
open government platforms and tools become more commonplace, it's
poised to spread around the country.
5. Start or join a Civic Saturday club: Civic Saturday clubs
are gatherings for people who want to learn more about politics and
civic responsibility, engage in their communities, and reflect on the
challenges we all face.
6. Run for office: If you're ready to make a
next-level commitment to improving the lives of your neighbors and
fellow citizens, consider running for office. For information on getting
started, check out VoteRunLead and RunForOffice.com.
7. Get involved in placemaking projects: Placemaking
is a way of reclaiming public spaces, such as sidewalks, plazas,
streets, and parking lots, as community spaces. Placemaking includes
everything from street art projects and mobile libraries to pop-up
public spaces, complete with classes, music performances, and other
activities.
8. Work for local government: One of the best ways
to learn about the political system is to get a job in your local
government. The connections made and hands-on learning experience will
provide an invaluable glimpse into the functioning (and sometimes
dysfunctioning) of government.
9. Explore community land trusts: Community land trusts,
which ensure community stewardship of land, are primarily used to
ensure long-term affordable housing. Get involved with your local land
trusts to have a say in the future of your town.
10. Read the Constitution: How many of us have
read the U.S. Constitution in its entirety? If you're overdue, make time
to read it and further your understanding of the core tenants the U.S.
is founded on. You can read it at constitutionus.com.
11. Support independent journalism: More than
ever, it's crucial find and support news outlets that are guided by a
commitment to the truth rather than the political leanings of their
owners.
12. Turn off your TV and put your phone down: When
it comes down to it, engaging more in your community often involves the
simple act of turning off your television or gadget and getting out
into your community. You'll meet people you might not have otherwise,
get a first-hand look at the workings of your local government, and find
ways to engage that are a good fit for you and your family.
To get regular tips and resources about offline civic engagement, subscribe to the CivicMakers newsletter.
Header photo by mauro mora via unsplash. Follow @CatJohnson on Twitter.
No comments:
Post a Comment