Civic and Service Learning

Civic Engagement: Building Community Partnerships

By Josefine Pettit

Open Ended

What is civic engagement?

Understanding Civic Engagement

• Taking action to make our community better

• Working together to solve local problems

• Being an active member of our community

• Examples we see every day:

• Volunteering at food banks

• Joining neighborhood clean-ups

• Starting school recycling programs

• Writing letters to local leaders

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best demonstrates being an active member of your local community

• Donating money without participating in activities.
• Volunteering at a local charity or community event.
• Reading about community events online.
• Attending a local sports game as a spectator.

Community Partners & Organizations

Types of Local Organizations:

• Food banks

• Animal shelters

• Environmental groups

• Youth centers

• Libraries

• Parks and recreation departments

​How to Connect:

• Research their mission

• Attend community meetings

• Follow their social media

• Ask about youth volunteer programs

Multiple Choice

True/False:
Community organizations only work with adults, not students.

• False
• True

Taking Action in Your Community

• Steps to Get Started:

1. Identify a local issue you care about

2. Research the problem

3. Find organizations already working on it

4. Develop an action plan

5. Get others involved

Fill in the Blank

Before starting a community project, the first step is to __ a local issue you care about

Making Change Happen

Keys to Success:

• Be patient - change takes time

• Stay organized

• Keep good records

• Communicate clearly

• Follow through on commitments

• Discuss Local Organizations: Each group should brainstorm and list organizations they are familiar with in the community (e.g., charities, non-profits, service groups, businesses, etc.).

• Answer Guiding Questions:

  • What organizations exist in our community?

  • What services or support do they provide?

  • How do they impact the community?

  • How might they collaborate with students? (e.g., volunteer opportunities, mentorship, internships, community projects)

Multiple Choice

What's the most important thing to remember when working on community projects?

• Stick to a strict timeline without flexibility.
• Collaboration and communication are key.
• Avoid involving community members.
• Focus solely on individual achievements.

Open Ended

Summarize the importance of civic engagement and partnerships in community improvement In two to three sentences