Civic habits build on one another and education fosters civic engagement. There is a strong connection between forms of engagement, and they tend to create a reinforcing cycle. Citizens who are involved in volunteering or belong to one or more groups are more likely to be involved in political action and stay in contact with friends. Further, Americans who keep in frequent touch with friends, family, and neighbors are much more likely to remain civically involved. The best boost for our nation’s civic health is to ensure all children graduate from high school and complete college, enhancing the likelihood that they will become active volunteers, joiners, givers, and participants in the lives of their communities, state and nation.

NCoC will continue its efforts to support civic learning, national and community service, political activity, and other civic efforts. This data aims to serve as a basis of conversation among individuals, nonprofits, businesses, foundations, and policymakers. This dialogue should identify specific community needs and lead to tangible policy and practical solutions. NCoC is willing to help facilitate these dialogues and to assist local organizations as well as federal and state legislators in this capacity.

The bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act represents an important leap in unlocking the power of our society’s most valuable resource — its citizenry. A critical next step is the development and collection of new measures of civic engagement that broaden our understanding of the term and more accurately capture the full range of participation. These include metrics associated with social innovation, online engagement, corporate citizenship, social capital, public service, trust among individuals, and confidence in institutions. These are crucial indicators to understanding what an informed, engaged, giving, and trusting citizenry will look like in the 21st century. The National Conference on Citizenship remains committed to championing civic engagement in all its forms and helping to define modern citizenship.