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
There’s No Stimulus Like Serviceby John Bridgeland and Alan Khazei“Democrats in Washington say the nation needs more jobs. Republicans say the economic stimulus isn’t working fast enough.” In a Politico op-ed, NCoC advisors John Bridgeland and Alan ...	July 17, 2009	op-ed
Social Media and A New Model of Civic Engagement by Nick TroianoWhile there remains a vibrant debate over whether social media is creating new activists or just enhancing the tools used by existing ones, it is clear there has been a fundamental change in the way citizens ...	July 7, 2009	discussion
United We Serve“It's been said that our true calling in life is where our heart's greatest gladness meets the world's deepest need,” said First Lady Michelle Obama as she launched the White House’s ...	June 23, 2009	discussion
A Civic Return on InvestmentWhat’s our bottom line?A Civic ROI evaluation model is intended to encourage the measurement of investments through a lens that recognizes, rewards, and upholds the importance of ensuring that outcomes of investments lead to ...	May 26, 2009	discussion
Funding and Fostering Local DemocracyWhat Philanthropy Should Know about the Emerging Field of Deliberation and Democratic GovernanceAs the philanthropic community grapples with the question of how to support innovative and effective forms of democratic governance, PACE (Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement) has released a guide ...	May 19, 2009	publication
Stepping Up or Holding Back?How are neighbors strengthening communities in the economic crisis?The 2009 Civic Health Index, set to be released at the NCoC Annual Conference September 9, will examine the relationship between financial health and civic health, including ways civic engagement has increased ...	May 8, 2009	discussion
President Obama Signs the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America ActWith the signing today by President Obama of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, America takes another step toward more fully supporting both the capacity and the willingness of its citizens to serve. ...	April 21, 2009	discussion
In Transparency, We Trust?An NCoC Featured DiscussionIn challenging times punctuated by accusations of wasteful spending, special interests, and corporate greed, individuals are demanding accountability, respect, and trust from the governments and institutions ...	April 9, 2009	discussion
Congress Passes Historic Civic Engagement LegislationOn March 31, Congress passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, a legislative initiative to expand and improve service opportunities for all Americans, harness social innovation toward public good, ...	April 1, 2009	discussion
Hot TopicService in the NewsLast week President Barack Obama addressed Congress and the rest of the nation with his plans to restore America. The president highlighted the importance of the Serve America Act to the spirit of renewal ...	March 3, 2009	discussion