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Greater Seattle Civic Health Index - Success and the Work Ahead

CityClub is pleased to present greater Seattle’s first Civic Health Index measuring the strength of our community in:

  1. Volunteering
  2. Neighborliness
  3. Voting
  4. Belonging to Groups
  5. Philanthropy
  6. Political Voice

 

Civic Activity

Greater Seattle

US/National

Volunteering

35.7%

26.8%

Group Membership

46.8%

35.1%

Talking with Family & Friends via the internet

70.5%

53.6%

Contributing $25+

60.3%

50.0%

Engaged in one or more non-electoral political act

40.2%

21.6%

 

We are proud to say that greater Seattle is one of the most civically engaged regions in the country, but our report suggests that this success can easily evaporate if we do not implement new strategies for engaging all citizens of greater Seattle. The findings and recommendations presented in the greater Seattle Civic Health Index will improve the civic health of our community in one or more of these categories.

 

Chart: Comparison of degrees of civic engagement, by education

(Click image to enlarge)

College graduates are almost twice as likely as high school graduates to make a donation of $25 or more, volunteer, and attend a public meeting where issues are discussed.  But only 71% of King County high school students graduate and only about 40% attend college.   Making matters worse, Washington State is not living up to its constitutional mandate to provide adequate funding for its public schools, and consequently ranks 37th among states for awarding bachelors degrees.

The findings in our Civic Health Index point to the importance of high quality education – including civics education – and opportunities for community involvement for greater Seattle youth.

 

 “Our strengths in political action, group leadership, internet connectedness, and non-electoral participation must be focused on restoring educational equity and excellence for all our children. Our economic prosperity and the future of our civic vitality depend on it.” (Page 21)
 

DOWNLOADS: Civic Health Index Report cover

We have created three different ways for you to access greater Seattle’s Civic Health Index findings, recommendations, and conclusions.

1. Full Report

  • All findings and recommendations for improving civic health in greater Seattle in all 6 categories
  • All conclusions reached concerning the civic health of our region

 

2. Civic Health Index Executive Summary

  • The Executive Summary and the recommendations for all six categories in a succinct four page document

 

3. Civic Health Index PowerPoint

  • Use the PowerPoint as a visual tool to convey important findings and recommendations.

 

 

LEARN MORE!

Request a CityClub discussion on Civic Health, customized for your group.  Please contact Lilah Steece.

 

How you can become further involved:

CityClub will be re-measuring the civic health of greater Seattle again in 2013 and our goal is to boost every metric documented in this report.  Please help us!  The full Call to Action can be found at the conclusion of the Executive Summary, and more concisely at the end of the PowerPoint.  By outlining simple steps that all individuals and organizations can take, the Call to Action is a way for you to see a more prosperous Seattle.    

Set a goal for how you and/or your organization can improve civic health in your community based on the detailed recommendations in the Civic Health Index and Executive Summary.  Expect great social and economic prosperity for Seattle when all citizens are involved with and connected to their community. 

 

CALL TO ACTION:

  1. Spread the word about the Civic Health Index to your constituents through your newsletters, meetings, or links to CityClub.
  2. Request a speaker to address your organization or speak at your event about the civic health of greater Seattle and how you can implement simple strategies to improve it.
  3. Keep track of any changes you have made or have seen and share them with us so they can be highlighted in CityClub events and media, and documented in the future report.
  4. Get involved in your community individually or with a group by following even one of the recommendations mentioned in all three Civic Health Index tools.

 

“There are many kinds of civic participation and service, formal and informal. From voting and volunteering to exchanging tools with neighbors and attending arts and cultural events—all of these activities build and strengthen our community. We must recognize, count, and celebrate the diverse ways Seattleites engage and contribute.” (Page 19)