Since the dawn of time, civic engagement has been vital to democracy. Today, that matters more than ever. After a bruising election cycle that left many people wondering, “What’s next?” civic engagement offers a lifeline to communities and citizens who feel disconnected and disenfranchised.

It’s a concept that is especially important — at this moment, when many marginalized communities and people across the country are questioning whether they’ll indeed have a voice in government. But here’s the thing about democracy — through public service and participation, as ordinary citizens, we can make our voices heard and come together for the greater good.

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall

Civic engagement gives us a pathway to shape the future of our community actively and, in turn, create a better system of government. It empowers us to effect change, reflecting the ideals and principles that matter to us most.

Taking up the mantle of public service means that regardless of differing political views, we can actively create a fair, just society free of inequality and discrimination.

If you’d like to participate in civic engagement but aren’t sure where to begin, try these tips:

• Seek local events: Showing up is a prerequisite to being an engaged citizen. Seek out local events that matter to your community, such as town hall meetings, forums, and charity events. Local newspapers or neighborhood social media pages are great places to find upcoming event listings.
• Volunteer: Donating your time or expertise to a local non-profit is a classic example of civic engagement. Not only does this allow you to make a direct difference in your community, but you can also impact change. Volunteering can affect change and make a positive difference in your community, whether helping out at an animal shelter or delivering food parcels to the homeless. The added benefit is a sense of well-being from doing something good for somebody else.
• Become an advocate: As citizens, we all have a civic duty to call out unjust and discriminatory behaviors and policies. Decide what matters to you, and then use your voice and platform to advocate for change. That could look like rallying your neighbors to sign a petition or writing to your elected representative.
• Stay informed: To effect change, we need to stay current on what’s really happening in government and our local community. Take time to understand the issues dominating the headlines and influencing policymaking to engage most effectively.

Like what you’re reading? Want more consciously prepared brain food?

Listen to this Harvesting Happiness episode:

This episode is part of The Good Citizen’s Election Season Survival Guide to Restoring Common Sense and Sanity in a Crazy World — produced in collaboration with renowned, fair-minded subject matter experts who provide strategies that enhance critical thinking, increase civic engagement, and foster healthy pleasure to boost personal well-being and relationship satisfaction.

Take an even deeper dive with More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness on Substack and Medium.

Dan Jasper founded Street Civics — a practical resource for citizen advocates, after noticing an information gap in civic education. Dan has worked at local, state, national, and international levels for decades and has nonprofit experience working with organizations focused on issues such as international affairs, sustainable development, social justice, climate change, and peacebuilding.