Social Connection
The most common ways Americans engage with each other are eating dinner, discussing politics, and exchanging favors with family, friends, and neighbors.

Social connectedness is the first building block of civic health and is generated through spending time with community members and staying informed on current events. At least a few times a week:
•89% of people eat dinner with members of their households
•86% receive news from television sources
•68% receive news from newspaper sources
•55% receive news from radio sources
•54% talk to family and friends online
•46% talk with neighbors

Political Action
When Americans think about civic and political engagement, the action that most commonly comes to mind is voting. In the 2008 Presidential Election, 57.1% of American residents age 18 and over reported having voted, yet less than half this number engaged in one or more other political activities, including supporting candidates, contacting elected officials, attending meetings where political issues are discussed, or boycotting products.

In 2008 and 2009, about 15% of Americans supported or donated to a candidate, 10% contacted an elected official, and 3% attended a march, rally or protest.

Belonging to a Group
Often, the most accessible on–ramps for political and voluntary action are organizations and community groups, yet only 35% of Americans participate in one or more groups. These groups are generally affiliated with religious institutions, schools, or sports or recreational activities. Of those who participate in groups, more than 10% take on leadership roles.

Volunteering and Service
26.5% of Americans served their communities through formal volunteering opportunities with nonprofit organizations. Of this group, more than 1 in 3 serve through a religious organization, and more than 1 in 4 volunteer with an education or youth–focused group. The most common activities associated with these volunteer opportunities include fundraising, preparing food, tutoring, mentoring, and providing transportation.

Working with Neighbors
Millions of Americans participate in “neighborhood engagement,” which are activities that address a community problem and are organized by neighborhood residents themselves without the help of an organization or institution. Between 2007 and 2009, about 18.6 million adults worked with their neighbors to fix or solve a community problem.