What makes a communiy a good place to live? Good jobs, good schools, nice climate, beautiful scenery? Yes to all of those, but how about people's willingness to participate in community life? I attended a civic engagement forum recently at the Pine River Library. Twenty to 25 people attended, including several middle and high school students. The focus was ways to draw youth into civic engagement.
I was glad to see that many people attend at mid-day on a weekday. I hope there will be more of these meetings, organized by locals, because the level of civic engagement relates directly to the quality of community we have.
Participants cited a need for more civics education in schools, so that students graduate with some idea of the structure of our government. Can you name the three branches of the U.S. government? Apparently a lot of people can't. And even more, how those branches relate? Civics isn't one of the things on those mandated accountability tests that schools are rated on, so guess what?
Civics education also needs to give students an opportunity to discuss controversial issues in a way that is civil and respectful, no demonizing or insulting those who hold differing opinions. Lord knows students aren't learning this from adults these days. Of course, some parents will likely complain bitterly about any such discussion. That's why students need it.
There was discussion at the library of some sort of civic engagement festival. Make it fun, not a "should do" event, and offer food. Publicize the heck out of it.
As discussed at the library, civic engagement also includes volunteering, holding a leadership role in some group, attending meetings, contacting elected officials, and exchanging help with neighbors. It's general participation in community activities. There was discussion of a youth advisory committee to interact with local officials, to give youth the message that their participation is desired and valued.
I would add voting in local, state and national elections, in the off-year elections as well as the presidential years. I would qualify that with a desire for people to cast educated votes. And that question about the three branches of government? I think people should be able to answer questions like that before they can register to vote. We already have the test. Prospective citizens have to pass it.
Why not voters?
I'm a very strong believer in the value of civic engagement, so I hope there will be more community meetings like the one at the library. For now, heading toward Thanksgiving, I give thanks to all the locals who do step up in some way to make our communities a better place.