Civic Engagement Defined
"Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and nonpolitical processes." ~ Thomas Ehrlich, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching
Types of Civic Engagement
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Volunteerism and Community Service - address the immediate needs of our social and ecological communities
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Community Building - build trusting relationships among individuals and groups around issues of common concern
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Public Educations - draw attention to and awareness of local, national and global issues
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Community Development - identify and increase the human or economic assets of a community
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Voting and Political Participation - mobilize influence on public policy through formal political channels
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Civic Leadership - participate in collaborative decision-making for the benefit of the community
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Public Scholarship - engage in research that serves the public interest and has community or societal benefits
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Grassroots Alliances - mobilize allies with a common interest to coordinate strategies for change
Adapted from the Social Change Wheel, Minnesota Campus Compact