Do you want to start a civic engagement project, but you're not sure how to begin? Have a great idea, but not a lot of organizing experience? Scroll down for resources to help you design and implement a successful project, or use these quick links to access content.
- Getting Started
- Introduction
- Step 1. Have an Idea
- Step 2. Research Your Project
- Step 3. Consult Stakeholders and People with Experience
- Step 4. Determine Feasibility and Sustainability of Your Project
- Step 5. Write a Description of Your Project
- Step 6. Prepare a Preliminary Budget
- Step 7. Develop a Proposal and Budget for Funders
- Step 8. Recruiting Volunteers and Participants
- Step 9. Publicize Your Project
- Step 10. Project Reporting
- Step 11. Identify/Quantify Impacts
- Detailed Guides
- See Examples
- Download
Civic Engagement Handbook
Step 3. Consult Stakeholders and People with Experience
Enthusiasm and ambition are important, but so is direct knowledge and experience. Talk to stakeholders, those who may be engaged with or impacted by your project. Do not assume that you know more than others about the issues that you seek to address: this is particularly important if you are considering a project in a community that is not your own or an international project where you are defining the project as “helping” others.It is at this stage that you must assess whether it is best to simply join with others to support a project already underway. In a landscape where many organizations are competing for limited resources, it is vital to not reinvent the wheel and set up a project that competes with one that is already successful. You need not lead a project or create your own organization: if you want to address a problem it may be best to join with others. At this phase it is key to reflect on your own motives.
Questions to consider:
• In what community do you want to work? Are you a member of the community?
• Do you know that if the community wants the type of project you are proposing?
• Do you offer a unique perspective, talent or resource that is key to addressing an issue?
• Are you making assumptions about the community you want to help?
• What stereotypes might be at play when thinking through your project. Are you assuming that because you come from somewhere that you automatically possess useful knowledge or “know best”?
• Have you spoken to people with experience and community knowledge to learn more of what has worked and what has not?
Types of Civic Engagement
With more to come...
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Engaging in civil discourse is a fundamental element of active citizenship. These resources will help you create and host debates, learn the formal rules of argument, and see how others have done it well. -
Helping others learn the communal language is a valuable way to engage non-English-speaking community members. These guides and tip sheets will help you connect with your students. -
Living an ecologically sustainable lifestyle is more important than ever. These resources will help you reduce your carbon footprint and maintain the health of the local and global environment.
Take Action
Check out the Activism Resource Guide from the Stevenson Library!
A one-stop repository for resources related to activism & civic engagement in the U.S. Find local and national resources, activism tools, events calendars, and more.