NCoC: Online Engagement

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Online Engagement

As technology becomes a larger part of our daily lives, questions have been raised about its impact on our civic health. Does technology force social isolation behind computer screens and mobile devices, or does it provide more convenient outlets to take civic action, stay connected and informed, and express political views?

NCoC believes to address community issues and challenges in any area, research must be collected, discussion must occur, and solutions must be proposed. Here, you can see research, discussion, and solutions associated with online engagement. This is meant to help explain and animate that focus area, as well as facilitate the process of moving from information to action within it.

Online Issues:Research | Discussions | Solutions

Online Research

Title	Date	Type
’Tis The Season For Solicitationsby Karlo MarceloTechnology and online engagement provide easy access and low cost ways for nonprofits to solicit donations. Mobile apps, celebrity campaigns, and bell ringers have all tried to capitalize on technology ...	December 20, 2010	discussion
What does “social giving” look like?This infographic from Blackbaud illustrates what the “social giving ecosystem” looks like, thanks to the emergence of technology and social media.	May 20, 2011	blog
Connected CitizensThe Power, Peril and Potential of NetworksThe new Connected Citizens report notes that digital technology is changing our relationship to news and information from that of passive consumer to active participant. Working at the intersection ...	May 31, 2011	publication
Report Shows Majority of Americans Civically Engaged in Their CommunitiesBoomers and Older Adults Rank High Across Several Key Categories of Civic EngagementBetween 2008 and 2010, a majority of Americans were civically active in a variety of ways, working with others to improve their communities, according to the 2011 Civic Life in America: Key Findings on ...	September 15, 2011	press release
Capital Staffers Index explores influence of social media on policyAn interesting new study from Edelman called the “Capital Staffers Index” explored the perceptions of senior legislative staff related to global public affairs and communications. Among ...	December 7, 2011	blog
Social Networking and PoliticsNew Study from Pew Internet and American Life ProjectIt turns out that birds of a feather don’t always flock together on social networking sites when it comes to politics, says a new Pew study.	March 13, 2012	publication
Network for Good Reaffirms Digital Philanthropy Trends in 2011Insights and Trends on Charitable EngagementOn March 5, 2012, Network for Good released the The Network For Good Digital Giving Index 2011, which provides important insights about digital philanthropy. Key findings include that people seem to ...	March 13, 2012	publication
Infographic: Social Media’s Impact on Giving in 2012An infographic detailing the many ways social media has helped facilitate online giving in 2012.	December 17, 2012	blog

Online Discussions and Commentary

Title	Date	Type
’Tis The Season For Solicitationsby Karlo MarceloTechnology and online engagement provide easy access and low cost ways for nonprofits to solicit donations. Mobile apps, celebrity campaigns, and bell ringers have all tried to capitalize on technology ...	December 20, 2010	discussion
Can Facebook Replace Face-to-Face? The 2008 National Conference on Citizenship raised this provocative question with Sean Parker, Founding President of Facebook and Bill Galston of the Brookings Institute. Parker and Galston discussed, ...	November 14, 2008	video
Can Social Media Reinvigorate American Democracy?There is no question that the rise of social media has impacted the way that American and global citizens interact with one another. The rapid transfer of ideas and perspectives across geographical boundaries ...	July 13, 2011	event reflection
Citizen Superheroes: Is There an App for That?Technology plays an increased role in the way citizens respond to community emergencies and, in some cases, fight back against crime. With so many ways (and likely many more to come) to engage, it ...	February 22, 2011	discussion
Discussion: Can Engagement Strengthen the Economy?6 Hypotheses on the Link Between Civic Health and UnemploymentResearch shows a connection between civic health and a community’s ability to weather a recession. We’ve posited 6 hypotheses about why this connection exists, and invite you to join in a discussion.	February 16, 2012	discussion
eCitizenship... LiterallyMan uses Twitter, flickr, blogs, video to share naturalization experienceDavid Chen took both eCitizenship and his naturalization ceremony to a new level when he used social media to share his experience of becoming a U.S. citizen. David used Twitter, flickr, personal ...	March 19, 2010	discussion
Gatekeepers and New MediaDuring the 2008 National Conference on Citizenship, panelists Bill Galston of the Brookings Institution and Sean Parker, Founding President of Facebook, agreed to disagree on the subject of gatekeepers ...	November 20, 2008	video
How Do We Ensure Information Validity?A Civic Connector Commentary by Jim NewtonThe “Civic Connector” is a daily online forum during the 66th Annual National Conference on Citizenship. The September 19 commentator is Jim Newton, Editor at Large of the Los Angeles Times. ...	September 19, 2011	discussion
Is 2010 the new 1517?In a TEDxPotomac talk, Craig Newmark referenced the reformation of the church based on the work of Martin Luther and suggested this decentralization was occurring again, nearly 500 years later, based on ...	May 20, 2010	discussion
Join the Civic Data ChallengeNCoC launched the first-ever Civic Data Challenge to bring new eyes, new minds, new findings, and new skill sets to the field of civic health. The Challenge is part of our larger effort, in partnership ...	July 17, 2012	civic health index

Online Solutions

Title	Date	Type
iCivicsiCivics (formerly Our Courts) is a web-based education project designed to teach students civics and inspire them to be active participants in our democracy.	November 17, 2008	partner
Causes on FacebookCauses empowers anyone with a good idea or passion for change to impact the world. Using our platform, individuals mobilize their network of friends to grow lasting social and political movements.	February 23, 2010	partner
Harnessing Active Citizenship: The Internet as a Tool to Engage the PublicIn Using Online Tools to Engage-and be Engaged- by The Public , author Matt Leighninger describes how a “public manager” can use specific technologies to harness the power of active citizenship ...	June 10, 2011	publication

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