Civic+Engagement

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Civic Engagement
= = by Kyara Moss  = = = = = =  flat = = = = =What is civic engagement? =

Part of what makes up a good citizen is their idea of giving back to the community. Rather it's donating your time or money, whatever efforts you're putting back into the community is part of being what makes a community work. This can be seen through citizens being active members of their community otherwise known as civic engagement. Civic engagement is where an individual take action to participate in an organization for the public good. It's seen as taking steps such as in grassroots, for getting out information to the public for a cause you support. Civic engagement can also be seen as people contributing ideas and actions for proposal in improving their communities. [|[1 ]]

=What does civic engagement look like? = The easiest example of someone participating in civic engagement is through volunteering. What volunteering does is gets individuals to practices in being involved for their community without being motivated by gaining commodities or praise. The work of voluntarism is seen unconditional giving, time or donation and a commitment to make a difference in other lives. What is gained from this are skills and a newly improved environment for the people of the community. [|[2 ]]



Another example of civic engagement is grassroots. Grassroots, similar to voluntarism, is a political movement that is driven by politics or a community. It's an organization that lobbies to have their voices be heard as citizens of a country. We mainly see grassroots efforts for national office such as presidential elections because it's an issue that effects all of citizens in a country and not just a smaller local community. You're then able to have a more diverse wide range of ideas and opinions that grassroots are able to fulfill. Normally with grassroots we see people putting up posters, setting up information tables, organizing demonstrations and other procedures to let politicians know where they stand on certain issues. Both voluntarism and grassroots are great examples of civic engagement because it gives citizen an active voice in society. Both efforts are seen as helping to improve ones community because it's getting out information to the public on issues that may not be talked about within the media or by political leaders. People are seen as contributing their time and ideas to a cause they feel is right.

=Why does civic engagements makes one a good citizen? = There isn't a universial answer to what makes a citzen good. One of the best ways to explain it is through the idea that civic engagement promotes a healthy democratic citenzery. Active members in the community are shown taking responsibility for helping build a community and participating in helping solve communal problems. In essence, locals withing the community are given a range of life long skills leadership and a sense of belonging by being an active member in their community. Since the idea of civic engagement is giving back to your community while helping to improve it, indivisuals who help in a communities renavation are doing good for all of society.

=How can I become a civic engaged citizen?  =

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">There are many ways for indivisuals to become a civic engaged citizen. Note that volunteering and grassroots aren't the only ways you can promote good citenzry. Voting, enviormental causes such as planting trees and calling your state representatives to let them know where you stand on certain issues are all part of civic engagements. You're still promoting the welfare of the community by letting your voice be heard and planning for the future. Some of the most effective ways to be a civic engaged citizen is to find an issue that you're passionate about and get into action by finding a way to help out in support of the cause.

It's also important that while you get involved, you also encourage those around you to get involved as well. Help promote civic engagement by getting friends and family members involved in the good cause. The more people you have to put into the community, the more you get out of the community.

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> [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civic_engagement] > [|http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteering]
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