Agenda 2024: We all have a role to play in making our communities better

In some ways, it feels like preaching to the choir to talk about the importance of civic engagement in Cheyenne and Laramie County. After all, this is the place that, for going on 19 years, has come together every spring to support those in need through a large-scale event called Day of Giving.

It’s a place where, when you see an unmet need, you can join forces with other like-minded individuals through a faith community, nonprofit organization or civic group and make a change for the better. It’s a place where those with a passion for public service can put their hat in the ring, rally their supporters, knock on doors and work to get elected to the local school board, city or town council, county commission or state legislature. And, failing that, there is a plethora of nonprofit organizations always seeking volunteers to serve as board members, project coordinators and laborers.

But just as there’s no such thing as a perfect faith practitioner, there’s always room for improvement when it comes to civic engagement. That’s especially true in our current politically toxic environment, where many young people have lost faith in their ability to enact positive change, or think they’re doing their part by reposting a social media comment or attending a demonstration against the latest injustice.

That’s why we convened a group of people earlier recently who believe in the importance of civic engagement, and are actively involved in it, to find out why it’s critical to stimulate, encourage and mentor the next generation of community leaders and volunteers.

During a wide-ranging conversation, we discussed the challenges, opportunities and best practices for getting people of all ages involved. We talked about the obstacles we inadvertently leave in the paths of those who want to serve, and we discussed how to encourage those who have a good idea to run with it until they achieve success.

That’s not to say one 75-minute conversation came up with all the answers. But we hope some of the suggestions that emerged will help us to think differently about how we can work together to make a positive impact on our community.

More than politics

Before we dig too deeply into ways to encourage more civic engagement, we need to define it.

In his 2000 book “Civic Responsibility and Higher Education,” Thomas Ehrlich says, “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 non-political processes.”

In the article “What Do We Mean By ‘Civic Engagement’?”, Richard P. Adler and Judy Goggins say, “Civic engagement refers to the ways in which citizens participate in the life of a community in order to improve conditions for others or to shape the community’s future.”

That’s the first key step. To be effective at civic engagement, we must be willing to step outside of our own world — our busyness, our life challenges, our struggles — and see what’s happening in the lives of our neighbors. That doesn’t mean butting in where we’re not wanted or being a busybody. It means being willing to give even a small amount of time to lend a helping hand, whether to a neighbor or a community service organization.

Maybe you have a skill you can share with someone who needs to learn it. Perhaps you are a talented writer who could prepare an email or letter to an elected official advocating for change. Or, if time isn’t a resource you have available right now, maybe you have a few extra dollars to give to those in need.

Regardless of how much or how little you think you have to offer at this time, rest assured there’s someone in our community who both needs it and will appreciate you for giving it.

And yes, in an election year, that also means doing your civic duty by taking the time to educate yourself about the candidates and issues, then casting your ballots in both the Aug. 20 primary and Nov. 5 general election.

Getting young people involved

All of this is especially important at a time when Wyoming seems to be rapidly approaching a crossroads. Those who are actively engaged in community service work say they’re seeing fewer and fewer young people join and get involved with existing civic groups.

We’ve known for quite some time that millennials and those born more recently aren’t joiners. As a result, groups like Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions, as well as arts groups, nonprofits that support those in need and faith communities, report aging membership and little “new blood” to boost their sometimes flagging energy level.

That’s not to say there isn’t a lot of good work still being done by these and other groups. But it is a cause for concern. If Laramie County is to continue to be a quality place to live, work, recreate and raise a family, it will need the minds and hands of young people.

So, one of the main things we need to focus on is how to approach younger members of our community. We know they want to make a difference; many of them are just waiting for an invitation and opportunities for respected participation.

Key recruitment techniques

Which brings us to the first, and probably best, way to ensure high-quality civic engagement in our area: the personal invitation.

All of the flyers and social media posts in the world aren’t going to be enough to attract the attention of more than a handful of younger members of our community. Time and time again, it has proven true that when we invite someone we know to join us in an activity, it generates positive results. (And if you can mix that activity with another one they already enjoy, even better.)

But one time often isn’t enough. Studies have shown — and our panel agreed — that it takes doing any given activity at least three times before it becomes a habit. Whether that’s voting or volunteering at the local homeless shelter, it takes repetition to develop a pattern of behavior.

Sure, advertising on social media can grab someone’s attention for a few seconds. To get them to show up repeatedly, however, requires a personal connection.

It also means we need to be willing to mentor new volunteers; show them what needs to be done and how we’ve done it in the past; be willing to listen to their suggestions for new ways to achieve the same (or better) results; then be willing to get out of the way and let them do it.

Other important takeaways

Some of the other key takeaways from our conversation include the importance of giving every volunteer something substantial to do, having a well-established succession plan to ensure continuity and getting groups together to avoid redundancy.

All of this is important, and whether it’s the upcoming Cheyenne Day of Giving (May 10, with a youth event the day before) or Civic Season (five events between Juneteenth and July 4), opportunities for civic engagement abound.

The benefits to those who do engage are too numerous to count. It could connect you with a future coworker or employer. It might bring you into relationship with a clergy or congregation member from a different faith, allowing you to share ideas or team up on a larger project. Or it might just lead to a short-term conversation with someone of a different political ideology that results in greater understanding and compassion by both of you.

From that warm feeling you get by knowing you’ve made someone’s life just a little bit better to having a greater sense of ownership in the place you call home, civic engagement offers endless rewards.

The challenge for each of us is to decide what type of involvement motivates us, identify ways to engage, invite others to join us and get busy. If we do, Cheyenne and Laramie County will continue to thrive.

Wyoming Tribune Eagle

April 13