Action Groups

In 2007, the Citizens League launched this pilot program to test out another way of engaging young people in our work. In addition to the specific project chosen by each group, the purposes of the action groups were to:

  • Build the capacity of participants by building organizing skills and connecting with other leaders, and
  • Build the capacity of the Citizens League by bringing in new, diverse, and committed leaders.

Here's what the groups have done:

Public Leadership Action Group

Though most nonprofits value the contributions they receive from all volunteers, members of the public leadership action group know from personal experience that it can be difficult to find substantive volunteer opportunities. So the group organized Connect for a Cause on February 11, 2008 -- a volunteer speed-matching event that brought together area nonprofits needing volunteers with young leaders looking to contribute civically.

Energy and the Environment Action Group

The group wanted to make a difference in the environment in their community and educate the younger generation of Minnesotans in the process. This spring, they are working with elementary school classes to build rain gardens in the Twin Cities. Rain gardens collect rain water from roads, sidewalks, and roofs so that runoff water soaks into the ground slowly and pollutants are filtered through the ground rather than running into our lakes, streams, and rivers. Each garden is small, but collectively they produce substantial neighborhood and regional environmental benefits -- and the construction process is a great hands-on learning experience for children.

Materials:


April 2007

Are you a young person (18 to 25) looking to get involved in our community?

Join a Citizens League action group.

We're organizing two action groups around the broad topics of poverty and public leadership and energy and the environment.

What you'll do:

  • Frame a specific question in your topic area
  • Learn about the question
  • Make a plan to address the question
  • Put that plan into place

What you'll get:

  • Funding to complete your project
  • On-the-job training on organizing skills
  • Connections with other young leaders
  • Relationships with established civic leaders

Over the course of the project, each group will:

  • Narrow their focus to a specific question they can act on
  • Do the research to learn about the question
  • Make a recommendation on how to answer the question
  • Put that recommendation into place

Each group will be led by two co-chairs, who will have the responsibility to organize meetings, meet regularly with the co-chairs of the other groups and Citizens League staff, and keep their group on track.

The groups will be run in accordance with the Citizens League mission, principles, and operating guidelines and with the support of the Citizens League staff, but you, the participants, will be in charge.


Comcast%20-%204%20colors.GIF This initiative is made possible with a three-year grant from the Comcast Foundation, beginning 2006, for youth organizing and technology.