Civic engagement means participating in activities intended to improve the quality of life in one's community by addressing issues of public concern such as homelessness, pollution, or food insecurity and developing the knowledge and skills needed to address those issues. Civic engagement can involve a wide range of political and non-political activities including voting, volunteering, and participating in group activities like community gardens and food banks.

Types of Civic Engagement

The act of civic engagement can be conducted in three main ways: electoral participation, individual volunteerism, and advocacy (or activism).

Electoral Participation

• Voting
• Helping with voter registration drives or other activities to increase voter turnout
• Contributing money to candidates' election campaigns
• Participating in a candidate's election campaign
• Showing support for political parties or causes by displaying buttons, signs and stickers or handing out campaign literature
• Serving as poll workers or election judges on election day

Volunteerism

• Collecting and donating food to food banks
• Helping groups like Habitat for Humanity build houses
• Joining a neighborhood watch group
• Helping to grow food at a community garden
• Helping with recycling and cleanup efforts

Activism and Advocacy

• Taking part in peaceful protest demonstrations and boycotts
• Writing to, calling or meeting in person with your elected officials
• Contacting print, broadcast or online media about a social or political issue
• Petitioning the government or helping to gather signatures for petitions

General Civic Engagement Resources

• Kansas Leadership Center: Civic Engagement Projects
• Kansas Civic Engagement Table
• Kansas Civic Network
• Wichita City Council Initiatives
• Wichita Community Neighborhood Resources

Voting, Government Activity and Policy Resources

City, County and State Resources

• Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission - The Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission (GEC) is charged with administering, interpreting and enforcing the Campaign Finance Act and laws relating to conflict of interests, financial disclosure and the regulation of lobbying.
• Kansas Legislature - The website for the Kansas Legislature. Includes information about legislative activities for the Kansas House and Senate (bills, laws, resolutions, etc.), contact information for legislators, educational resources and more.
• Leading Kansas - Leading Kansas is a nonpartisan entity dedicated to holding elected officials accountable to the people, not their party or special interests.
• Mainstream Coalition - Mainstream Coalition is dedicated to creating a more representative and responsive government by empowering informed participation and meaningful action in the political process. They envision a Kansas political system that equitably represents all of its constituents.
• The Transparent Campaign Initiative - The Transparent Campaign Initiative is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization providing unbiased information to Kansans on their elected representatives and individuals running for office.
• Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners Meetings
• Wichita City Council Agenda, Meeting Minutes and Presentations
• Wichita Public Schools Board of Education Meetings: Agendas and Minutes

Nationwide Resources

• Congress.gov - Website for the United States Congress, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Includes information about proposed, ongoing and past legislation as well as all other congressional activity being done at the federal level.
• C-SPAN - C-SPAN is a public service created by the American Cable Television Industry. It provides access to live proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and to other forums where public policy is discussed, debated, and decided.
• Factcheck.org - A nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics by monitoring the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of media promotions, TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.
• Fairfight.com - Voter suppression of voters of color and young voters occurs in states across the nation. Promotes fair elections around the country, encourages voter participation in elections, and educates voters about elections and voting rights. Brings awareness to the public on election reform, advocates for election reform at all levels, and engages in other voter education programs and communications.
• Federal Election Commission: Campaign Finance Data - See how candidates and committees raise and spend money in federal elections. This financial data helps voters make informed decisions.
• National Coalition for the Homeless - A national network promoting voting access for low-income persons and persons experiencing homelessness.
• Native Vote - A nonpartisan organization working to promote voter education, registration, and protection for Native communities.
• OpenSecrets.org: U.S. Political Finance Data - Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, OpenSecrets is the nation's premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy.
• Tips for Contacting Your Elected Officials (UC-Berkeley) - This guide provided by the University of California-Berkeley Library provides tips for contacting your elected officials by email, mailed letters or phone.
• United States Office of the Federal Register - The Federal Register provides a means for the government to announce to the public changes to government requirements, policies, and guidance. The Federal Register includes documents such as proposed new federal rules and regulations, final rules, changes to existing rules, notices of meetings and legal proceedings, and presidential actions including executive orders, proclamations and administrative orders.
• Voto Latino - Voto Latino focuses on educating, uniting, and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Through innovative digital campaigns, culturally relevant programs, and authentic voices, they shepherd the Latinx community towards full realization of its political power.

Local Volunteer Resources

• Assistance League of Wichita
• City of Wichita Community Involvement
• Kansas Volunteer Commission
• United Way of the Plains Volunteer Resources
• Volunteer Kansas
• Wichita Sister Cities - Wichita is an active participant in the Sister Cities International program. Goals include community enrichment by exhibits, tours, student exchanges, and meeting foreign leaders.

Advocacy Organizations in Wichita

• The Center of Wichita - The Center of Wichita is a place to call home for Wichita's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allied (LGBTQ+) community and a safe space for youth.
• Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County - The Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County provides a safe and supportive environment for children who have experienced abuse, offering services such as advocacy, mental health support, and medical evaluations.
• City of Wichita Community Service & Investments - The City of Wichita Community Services & Investments webpage provides information on a variety of community programs managed through the City of Wichita including the Affordable Housing Fund, the Division of Community Development, the Wichita Land Bank, the Wichita Sedgwick County Community Action Partnership, and the Housing Development Loan Program.
• Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita - The Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita promotes physical activity and good nutrition for people living in the greater Wichita area through people, programs, and policies.
• ICT Food Rescue - ICT Food Rescue works to increase the availability of food to people in the Wichita area who experience food insecurity while also reducing the amount of food waste in the community.
• ICT SOS - ICT SOS is a grassroots non-profit organizations founded in Wichita, whose mission is to connect the organizations who work directly with victims of human trafficking with members of the community who are compelled to help.
• ICT Trees - ICT Trees, Inc. was established in 2023 with the mission to expand and maintain the tree canopy in Wichita. According to the organization, increasing tree coverage can help reduce urban heat, lower energy costs, and improve overall neighborhood livability.
• Kansas Black Leadership Council - KBLC unites leaders, organizers, and community members to advocate for just policies, to nurture Black leadership, and to advance racial equity statewide.
• Kansas Children's Service League - KCSL works to prevent childhood abuse and neglect, offer family support, improve school readiness, and provide parent and community education in communities throughout the state of Kansas.
• Kansas Food Bank - The Kansas Food Bank provides food assistance programs for families, kids, seniors and mobile pantries in 85 counties throughout Kansas.
• Kansas Health Foundation - The Kansas Health Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Wichita, KS that aims to help Kansas lead the nation in health, eliminate health disparities and serve as the model for philanthropic impact.
• K-State Research & Extension: Supporting Communities Program - The K-State Research & Extension webpage on their Supporting Communities Program provides information on the variety of programs they offer to help support communities across Kansas.
• Partners for Wichita - Partners for Wichita is a nonprofit organization working for the well-being of families and communities by building partnerships among individuals, organizations, businesses and congregations.
• Storytime Village - Storytime Village, Inc. is a Kansas based children's literacy nonprofit organization. With the support of parents and the community their mission is to inspire underserved children to read by providing them with free books and literacy resources.
• Wichita Animal Action League - Founded in November of 2013, WAAL's mission is to prevent and mitigate crises for animals, their owners, and the community by offering programs for people and their pets.
• Wichita Community Foundation - The Wichita Community Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that work to enrich the quality of life for all citizens in the Wichita and Sedgwick County, KS, area.
• The Wichita Journalism Collaborative - The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is a coalition of newsrooms and community partners joining forces to help meet news and information needs in and around Wichita.
• Wichita LGBT+ Health Coalition - The LGBT Health Coalition is a program of The Center of Wichita and was founded in 2011 by health professionals and community partners to improve access to existing health services and providers who serve LGBT clients and their respective needs.