Civic Engagement

Engaged citizens do more than vote. They act within and outside political systems to improve communities. Acting within the political system involves casting votes, working on a campaign or running for elected office. Civic action outside of the political system could mean volunteering at a school, nonprofit or community agency. Civically engaged residents work to make a difference in their neighborhoods, their cities or townships, their state, their nation and the world. Through its public policy education and leadership trainings, MSU Extension informs residents about public policy issues and processes, develop leadership capacity in communities and strengthen community capacity to solve complex problems.

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• May is bike month: Support health and reinforce place by becoming a Bicycle Friendly Community

  May 12, 2013 | Brad Neumann | Whether biking to commute or for recreation; to maintain health or the environment, celebrate May as National Bike Month and help your community become a Bicycle Friendly Community.

• Millennial invasion: Communities must meet the needs of latest generation of young professionals

  May 5, 2013 | Glenn Pape | The population of 22-year-olds is at an all-time high. what does this mean for communities in Michigan?

• Becoming engaged at any age

  May 5, 2013 | Bethany Prykucki | A public policy intern explains why he loves public service and how 4-H Capitol Experience helped him discover his passion.

• New Open Meetings Act notice requirements

  April 17, 2013 | Kurt H. Schindler | Michigan’s Open Meetings Act meeting notice requirements have changed. Notices now must be on government websites, emergency meeting notice requirements have also changed.

• Zoning moratoriums should only be done with caution

  April 17, 2013 | Kurt H. Schindler | Local governments might adopt a moratorium to prevent development until after rules are established. This can be perilous and some may question if moratoriums are legal. Do so with caution and make sure the municipal attorney is directly involved.

• Parliamentary procedure: What is a motion to rescind?

  April 16, 2013 | Julie Pioch | Board members sometimes realize the need to change their mind regarding an issue before them. One method of revisiting a past decision is the motion to rescind.

• Parliamentary procedure: What is a motion to reconsider?

  April 16, 2013 | Julie Pioch | Board members sometimes feel the need to change their mind regarding an issue before them. One method of revisiting a past decision is the motion to reconsider.

• Parliamentary procedure: How do you handle a motion?

  April 16, 2013 | Julie Pioch | A good first step to ensure effective meetings is to know how to properly handle a motion.

• HOT TOPICCelebrating Earth Day helps youth develop leadership skills

  April 13, 2013 | Kendra Wills | Many Earth Day events give youth a chance to create positive change.

• Community gardens add asset-based community development

  April 13, 2013 | Beth Clawson | Many community garden leaders use a “needs” map approach that focuses on the negative. An asset-based approach focuses instead on strengths, which reinforces and multiplies positive effects.

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