Category: Blog

Reflections on Democracy Coach Training

On September 21-22nd, GC’s newest cohort of Democracy Coaches in four program sites participated in a training workshop to prepare for the start of the school year. Below, Director of Programming Meghan Trombly reflects on the experience in a letter to the Fall 2013 Generation Citizen Democracy Coaches. Dear Generation Citizen Democracy Coach, Dragging oneself… Continue reading Reflections on Democracy Coach Training

Humble Non-Profits?

 This weekend, New York Times columnist Frank Bruni described the characteristic he most admires in Pope Francis: humility.  Specifically, Bruni noted that Francis’ tone and demeanor often reveal a man who recognizes that he does not know everything, and cannot presume to preach that of which he is not certain.  Bruni goes on to, somewhat… Continue reading Humble Non-Profits?

Walking the Walk

We profess to be a great many things. Our nation claims to be a beacon of representative democracy, a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” Yet, Generation Citizen exists because sometimes what we say we value doesn’t always match reality. So then we either reconsider our values, though in this case… Continue reading Walking the Walk

Launch of National Action Civics Collaborative

National Action Civics Collaborative Launches Campaign to Energize and Improve Youth Civic Engagement Today, six organizations from around the country launched an effort to energize and improve youth civic engagement in America.  Calling on Americans to reinvigorate civic education through “Action Civics,” they offered practical resources for educators interested in bringing action civics to their… Continue reading Launch of National Action Civics Collaborative

Incorporating Voices: A Modern Jeffersonian Meal

Last week, Generation Citizen Board Member Robert Flanders hosted a “Jeffersonian Breakfast” inspired by the dinners hosted by Thomas Jefferson back in the early days of our Republic. Jefferson would invite 10 friends to Monticello to discuss a set topic, which could range from politics to philosophy to archeology, to hear the personal experiences that… Continue reading Incorporating Voices: A Modern Jeffersonian Meal

Walking the Local Political Talk

At a conference a few weeks ago, one of the presenters asked all the participants to share a story of the first time they remember becoming politically engaged.  The story I always tell people is that I first recognized the power of individuals engaging in the political process while working on anti-genocide efforts in college.… Continue reading Walking the Local Political Talk

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Bridging The Gap: An Intern’s Perspective

Going to an independent, all-girls school in the suburbs of Philadelphia, I have been indoctrinated to believe that youth, specifically young women, play an integral role in the communities where we live and study.  Ask any of my fellow seniors about their community involvement and they will retort with a lengthy enumeration of activities. It… Continue reading Bridging The Gap: An Intern’s Perspective

Direct Democracy in California: Meaningful Civic Engagement?

Before I moved here, all I really knew of Golden State politics was Arnold Schwarzenegger, marijuana and Proposition 8. In my first semester as a graduate student at Cal’s Goldman School of Public Policy, my understanding of the political landscape—specifically the effects of direct democracy—increased immensely. I worked with a group of my classmates to… Continue reading Direct Democracy in California: Meaningful Civic Engagement?