Patrick's Next Challenge: Keeping People Checked In
November, 2006
At their best, our political leaders inspire all of us to participate actively in our democracy. President Kennedy’s call more than 40 years ago to "ask what you can do for your country" was certainly the most famous in this regard -- and perhaps the most successful, inspiring an entire generation toward greater commitment to public service.
Last month’s election gives many of us the hope to think that, maybe, that sense of optimism and service may be upon us again. We now have an exciting opportunity presented by a leader who has underscored the importance of civic engagement in his campaign and plans for governance.
Deval Patrick’s margin of victory borne of a grassroots campaign shows that voters in the Commonwealth want to come back into the political process. They want to get reconnected to each other and to the issues that shape their communities. They don't want to bowl alone. They want to act, together. But they may also need an outstretched hand to get them started.
For the past five years, we at Social Capital Inc. (SCI) have been working in a variety of Bay State communities, engaging thousands of citizens where they live and work, providing them with the skills and opportunities to discuss issues and collectively improve their neighborhoods. We have turned people's hope for connectedness and change into action. And with the promise of a new administration and the potential for substantive, lasting engagement across our citizenry, we would like nothing more than to have others in this state, led by our incoming governor, to join us in this effort. We would hope that, in particular, Governor-elect Patrick might translate the energy of his campaign into a sustainable increase in our civic vitality by considering some of the following:
Create a network of “bridge builders”: SCI’s experience points to the importance of having people on the ground who are focused on inviting people into civic life. Rather than creating a new program, we could identify, support and connect local bridge builders who work within the existing infrastructure to strengthen local communities. This effort could be kicked-off with a Civic Summit that allowed local leaders to exchange best practices for civic engagement and helped individual citizens determine how to get invoved. A list of “Ways to Stay Checked-In” could also be distributed at the Inaugural, offering citizens practical things they can do to shape policy and build bridges in their communities.
Deploy new old-fashioned technology: Social networking sites such as Meet Up, MySpace and Facebook have become the rage, and Move On has demonstrated the power of the Web to mobilize people for political action. Yet technology as a tool for strengthening civic culture remains largely under-utilized. We at SCI are preparing to launch a Dorchester community website, using open source software originally created by the Howard Dean campaign, that will allow neighbors to connect and participate in civic life. Cutting-edge technology along with traditions like the welcome wagon can foster old-fashioned neighborliness.
Celebrate diversity and unity: Along with other local partners, SCI has coordinated a wide array of projects that help people appreciate differences while building common ground. Teaching youth about the civil rights movement has been a launching point for discussing today’s issues of diversity and civil rights. Uniting families in Downtown Woburn through a diverse array of music has helped strengthen community bonds. Sharing family stories of immigration in Dorchester has helped people appreciate their own unique story as well as what they have in common with their diverse neighbors.
Educate for citizenship: Creative approaches are needed to educate and motivate the next generation of citizens. SCI youth have run local candidate debates, greatly increasing students’ interest in the political process. Dunk the Vote has used basketball as a tool for encouraging young people to check back into public life. Innovative ways to expose youth to the democratic process need to have their place alongside the “basics” for civic life to thrive in the long-run.
There is no one-size fits all solution to reinvigorating civic life in our 351 cities and towns. And our experiences have shown us that it is often hard and sometimes tedious work to translate inspirational rhetoric and good intentions into real change for people. But it can be done. Continued leadership from Governor-elect Patrick combined with practical local innovations can go a long way toward sustaining the vision of hope and civic energy that has been created by the campaign.
By David Crowley, Founder and President of Social Capital Inc.
www.socialcapitalinc.org
© Social Capital Inc., 2006. Feel free to share with proper attribution.
At their best, our political leaders inspire all of us to participate actively in our democracy. President Kennedy’s call more than 40 years ago to "ask what you can do for your country" was certainly the most famous in this regard -- and perhaps the most successful, inspiring an entire generation toward greater commitment to public service.
Last month’s election gives many of us the hope to think that, maybe, that sense of optimism and service may be upon us again. We now have an exciting opportunity presented by a leader who has underscored the importance of civic engagement in his campaign and plans for governance.
Deval Patrick’s margin of victory borne of a grassroots campaign shows that voters in the Commonwealth want to come back into the political process. They want to get reconnected to each other and to the issues that shape their communities. They don't want to bowl alone. They want to act, together. But they may also need an outstretched hand to get them started.
For the past five years, we at Social Capital Inc. (SCI) have been working in a variety of Bay State communities, engaging thousands of citizens where they live and work, providing them with the skills and opportunities to discuss issues and collectively improve their neighborhoods. We have turned people's hope for connectedness and change into action. And with the promise of a new administration and the potential for substantive, lasting engagement across our citizenry, we would like nothing more than to have others in this state, led by our incoming governor, to join us in this effort. We would hope that, in particular, Governor-elect Patrick might translate the energy of his campaign into a sustainable increase in our civic vitality by considering some of the following:
Create a network of “bridge builders”: SCI’s experience points to the importance of having people on the ground who are focused on inviting people into civic life. Rather than creating a new program, we could identify, support and connect local bridge builders who work within the existing infrastructure to strengthen local communities. This effort could be kicked-off with a Civic Summit that allowed local leaders to exchange best practices for civic engagement and helped individual citizens determine how to get invoved. A list of “Ways to Stay Checked-In” could also be distributed at the Inaugural, offering citizens practical things they can do to shape policy and build bridges in their communities.
Deploy new old-fashioned technology: Social networking sites such as Meet Up, MySpace and Facebook have become the rage, and Move On has demonstrated the power of the Web to mobilize people for political action. Yet technology as a tool for strengthening civic culture remains largely under-utilized. We at SCI are preparing to launch a Dorchester community website, using open source software originally created by the Howard Dean campaign, that will allow neighbors to connect and participate in civic life. Cutting-edge technology along with traditions like the welcome wagon can foster old-fashioned neighborliness.
Celebrate diversity and unity: Along with other local partners, SCI has coordinated a wide array of projects that help people appreciate differences while building common ground. Teaching youth about the civil rights movement has been a launching point for discussing today’s issues of diversity and civil rights. Uniting families in Downtown Woburn through a diverse array of music has helped strengthen community bonds. Sharing family stories of immigration in Dorchester has helped people appreciate their own unique story as well as what they have in common with their diverse neighbors.
Educate for citizenship: Creative approaches are needed to educate and motivate the next generation of citizens. SCI youth have run local candidate debates, greatly increasing students’ interest in the political process. Dunk the Vote has used basketball as a tool for encouraging young people to check back into public life. Innovative ways to expose youth to the democratic process need to have their place alongside the “basics” for civic life to thrive in the long-run.
There is no one-size fits all solution to reinvigorating civic life in our 351 cities and towns. And our experiences have shown us that it is often hard and sometimes tedious work to translate inspirational rhetoric and good intentions into real change for people. But it can be done. Continued leadership from Governor-elect Patrick combined with practical local innovations can go a long way toward sustaining the vision of hope and civic energy that has been created by the campaign.
By David Crowley, Founder and President of Social Capital Inc.
www.socialcapitalinc.org
© Social Capital Inc., 2006. Feel free to share with proper attribution.
