Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual voluntarism to organizational involvement to electoral participation. In order for service to stimulate civic engagement, it needs to be connected to civic issues, knowledge, and skills. When connected in these ways, it can help individuals build a commitment to civic action, a concern for the common good, and a sense of effectiveness as a citizen. Following are some of our most relevant resources for this topic.

• Active Citizens 101
• Ask the Expert: Todd Clark of the Constitutional Rights Foundation
• Ask the Expert: Lori Jean Mantooth – Project-Based Volunteer Engagement
• NSLC Hot Topic: Civic Engagement
• NSLC Hot Topic: Citizenship

Online Course

• Moving Volunteers from Service to Civic Engagement

Effective Practices

• Generating discussions about service, justice, and civic engagement
• Creating a roadmap to civic engagement
• Creating effective citizenship education programs
• Using America's Promise Alliance curriculum to raise civic awareness among youth

Lending Library

• Civically Engaged Reader: A Diverse Collection of Short Provocative Readings on Civic Activity
• Talking Service: Readings for Civic Reflection
• By the People: A History of Americans as Volunteers, New Century Edition
• Voluntarism, Community Life, and the American Ethic

Related Websites

• Roadmap to Civic Engagement
• Constitutional Rights Foundation
• Civics and Citizenship Toolkit for Immigrants
• NYC Service Report: A Blueprint to Increase Civic Engagement (PDF)