Civic Engagement

Question 1:

You are working in the City Manager's Office in a local City, and you're boss - the City Manager, serves on a planning committee that is working on a regional plan for growth. This plan will lay out an urban blue print for the future, including areas reserved for agriculture and opens space, and residential districts, and areas for business/job development.

Your City Manager is a strong believer in Civic Engagement. She feels the public needs to be part of this dialogue. However, not everyone on this committee is comfortable with the prospect of involving the public. Your City Manager has asked you to make a five minute presentation to the Committee on the importance of Civic Engagement in the creation of this long term plan. In as few pages as possible, describe what elements you would include in your presentation. Why is Civic Engagement important? (Remember your audience!)

For your second question, choose one of the following:

Question 2:

We have discussed the value of diversity in a couple of contexts...first, from a sociological/equity perspective, and more recently, from a cognitive sense of utility. What is the value of diversity from both perspectives? What does government lose by simply putting a sign on the door that says "open for business?"

Question 3:

Discuss the difference between "The old public service" paradigm, and "the new public service, and the role that Civic Engagement played in both schools of thought.

Question 4:

How does Civic Engagement build social capital and community capacity?