| Meaningful and Active Participation Reflecting a Strong Civic Culture and Engaged Citizenry |
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| Becoming informed and paying attention to current events and news |
| Monitoring the proceedings and actions of government bodies |
| Voting and persuading others to vote in local, state, and national elections |
| Running for political office |
| Campaigning for or contributing to political candidates or organizations |
| Volunteering/joining associations, groups, boards, committees, and /or charities |
| Contacting officials, media, or politicians over public policy issues |
| Demonstrating and protesting public policy issues within required ordinances and laws |
| Attending and discussing public policy issues and concerns at open public forums, e.g., school boards and council meetings |
| Voluntary work in schools, associations, charities, or communities |
| Supporting and attending local community and regional events |
| Participating in citizen academies and institutes |
| Advocating for one’s country, state, or community |
| Teaching civics to and setting an example for children |
Clearly political and civic engagement is vital for sustaining our democracy by improving the communities and institutions in which we live and work. Our communities become stronger, healthier, safer, and more vibrant and connected when citizens–young and old from different backgrounds and ethnicities–find ways through their work, interests, and volunteer activities to support and improve the social, economic, cultural, political, and historical fabric of our communities and state.
In taking a broad view of civic engagement to support the common good, civic engagement includes, but is not limited to, the efforts of those who are employed to educate our children, protect communities and individuals (e.g., schools, police, fire, ambulance, public service workers, and snow clearance), provide health care to young and old, and even inform the public of current events. Additionally, civic engagement includes the volunteer work of individuals and groups who seek to address issues, concerns, and policies that improve and sustain the common good.
In this 2012 news brief ABC-13 news anchor Mr. Len Stevens identifies a range of examples of civic engagement in one local Virginia community.
| Did You Know? According to Virginia’s Performance Leadership and Accountability System Virginia Performs Virginia ranked nationally: 12th for voter participation with 67.6 percent voter turnout of registered voters (2008), 23rd for Volunteerism, 2010, 31st for charitable contributions (2006). |