NCoC: Discussions and Commentary

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Discussions and Commentary

NCoC engages in Research, Discussion and Solutions to real world issues. We apply this strategic approach in 6 primary civic focus areas, highlighted here.

NCoC believes addressing an issue occurs in three primary strategic phases: research, discussion, and solutions. The discussion phase is an important element in understanding challenges and animating research findings, as well as turning them into action plans and solutions in communities. This is why NCoC is committed to using our website as a platform for ongoing discussion and commentary about issues facing the civic sector.

Here, you will see a list of our featured discussions, broken down by focus area. Scroll over the title to see a brief description, and click to read the article and join the discussion.

For all featured discussions sorted by date, click here.

Ongoing Discussion Series are also generated on the following topics:
The Meaning of American
Can Engagement Strengthen the Economy?
Public Policy Chat

Discussions by issue area are here:

Title	Date	Type
The Opportunity Cost of Civic EngagementThe cost of community involvement during a recessionRecent studies have shown interesting and varied levels of correlation between community involvement around the United States and its direct connection to the economy. UCLA sociology professor Jennie Brand ...	August 12, 2009	discussion
Civic Health Index Finds America in the Midst of Civic ForeclosureThe annual America’s Civic Health Index , based on survey data collected in May 2009, is a look at the state of civic engagement in America that reflects the impact of the economic crisis. ...	August 27, 2009	discussion
What’s in a Generation?Are stereotypes being replaced by a society-wide call to do good?Stereotypically, Millennials are characterized as engaged, while their sibiling generation, Generation X is classified as apathetic. But statistically, this engagement gap could be questioned. Both ...	February 16, 2010	discussion
What is the Role of Big Citizenship in Social Innovation and Change?by Stephen GoldsmithGuest contributor Stephen Goldsmith, co-author of the new book, The Power of Social Innovation, discusses the role of “big citizenship” fostering social innovation that empowers citizens ...	April 1, 2010	discussion
Got to have it or got to lack it?What is the role of trust in motivating individuals to organize for change? With our financial and business institutions in uncertain standing, our stocks are not our only societal asset on the decline, so is our public trust. From town hall meetings to community rallies, ...	May 11, 2010	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
Is Corporate Philanthropy the same as stealing?In a Wall Street Journal opinion article, Philosopher Jamie Whyte equates corporate philanthropy to theft. He outlines the implications corporate philanthropy has on shareholders, who are not guaranteed ...	July 23, 2010	discussion
Celebrating 90 Years of Women’s Suffrageby Elisabeth MacNamara, League of Women VotersAugust 26th is Women’s Equality Day and which signifies the 90th anniversary of the constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote. As we approach what could be a pivotal 2010 election, ...	August 26, 2010	discussion
Unlocking Social CapitalWhat is the role of digital communication and diversity in increasing civic engagement?The definition of social capital varies, though as buzzword its usage is climbing faster than the economy. As it relates to civic engagement, the idea is that social capital is what individuals build-up ...	October 15, 2010	discussion
Is Journalism an Act of Service?Rick Stengel remarked in his NCoC speech last month in Washington, DC that “journalism itself is an actual act of service…In a democracy you need a robust exchange of ideas.” If ...	October 19, 2010	discussion