Civic Engagement Under the Radar
Civic involvement does not only mean being on a nonprofit board or running for public office:
Download Article 1K ClubI think a lot of folks are involved, but we don’t consider it civic engagement. They are raising their kids, taking them to softball, going to PTA. Others are doing what they do quietly, and some just aren’t sure how to be involved.
Often times many young people may be working in smaller microcosms and not be seen as heavily involved in civic life. It’s important to recognize that many people are contributing to their communities by raising good, healthy families.
I think there are a lot of ways for someone to contribute to our community and to the higher good. In many cases, it may not be through civic organizations. For example, a meditation teacher contributes a lot to the community even though he or she isn’t on a nonprofit board of directors or in a traditional leadership role.
There are ways of being a quiet leader in our community, of leading by example, though not necessarily taking on one of the more conventional leadership roles.
