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The concept that puts individuals at the core of a community building process, sometimes independently of traditional institutions. Citizen-centered approaches allow “ordinary people” to come together, deliberate, and take action on problems or issues that they themselves have defined as important in ways they deem appropriate—whether through volunteering, voting, activism, or organizing. The common thread of participation in and building of one’s community. It means improving the quality of life, making a difference, and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, trust and motivation among people to give back. Elements of civic engagement include community service, participation in groups, connection to information and current events, connection to individuals and organizations, and political involvement. A corporation’s holistic approach to “doing good,” the CEP is about improving the quality of life, making a difference, and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, trust and motivation among people to give back. This includes programs and initiatives that provide and support activities such as volunteering, pro bono service, in-kind giving, philanthropy, sponsorship, cause marketing, neighboring, and nonpartisan information sharing. (See also: “Civic Engagement”) The measure of how communities are performing in civic activities. It is determined by the levels of at which individuals are participating in civic engagement activities, such as political activity, service, and giving, as well as their levels of trust and connectedness, both to each other and to information and current events. Organizations that promote involvement in the political process, including voting and election participation, expression of political voice, creation of public policy, facilitation of town hall meetings, and opportunities for deliberative dialogue. The process through with a corporation demonstrates its commitment to giving back, often through development of a “Civic Engagement Program” which allocates financial and human resources toward improving communities in which they operate. Being a participant in an organized coalition or institution, including memberships in associations and community organizations.