OSA GOLD LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TRACK - Understanding Society, Engaging Community

The Civic Engagement Track is a yearlong program designed to provide students with an understanding of the intersections between all actors within society and the critical role each plays in the development of a just and democratic society. The track will introduce students to the responsibility of individuals, neighborhoods, private and public organizations, institutions of higher learning, and governmental institutions in civic life. Through participation in the track, students will find and better understand the necessary relationship between their personal passions for action and justice, and civic engagement within the scope of American democracy.

In the fall, students will gain greater insight into American democracy and civic life through on-campus discussion sessions, field experiences, and participation in on-line community discussions. In the spring, students will be placed in a field internship in order to better understand the inner workings of a community entity. Interning with public government or community based organizations, the field internship will enable the students to build a continuous relationship with a group and help them understand civic life from a different lens.

Using the Framework for Assessing Civic Innovations and Strategies (Knight Foundation Civic Engagement Project) as a model, the track will adopt the framework’s goals as part of its mission:

  • Increase the quantity of civic engagement
  • Increase the quality of civic engagement
  • Increase the equality of civic engagement
  • Increase the sustainability of civic engagement
Each discussion and field experience will build upon these goals in order to help students in the development of their civic engagement.

The track’s discussion sessions will be held both on campus and at various local sites following Urban Adventures. Sessions will revolve around the following topics:

Me – Actualizing Citizen versus Dutiful Citizen
    October, 2007
  • Civic Engagement Intro Session
    Thursday, October 18, 2007
    6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
    Puck Building
    295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room

    Wagner Advocacy and Social Change Series: A Conversation with Mike Edwards
    Mike Edwards is the director of the Governance and Civil Society Program at the Ford Foundation in New York. His many books and articles have helped to shape our thinking about NGOs, civil society and international cooperation. His book "Future Positive" was nominated for the Chadwick Alger Prize for the best book on international affairs and the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Promoting World Order.
    Formerly with the World Bank, Edwards led a program designed to improve the agency's understanding of, and engagement with, a wide range of civic groups. Prior to his work at the World Bank, Mr. Edwards spent 15 years as a manager in international relief and development NGOs, including periods with Oxfam-UK (as regional director for Southern Africa), and Save the Children-UK (as director of research, evaluation and advocacy). This event is being co-sponsored by the OSA GOLD Leadership Program

  • Monday, October 29, 2007
    5:30 – 6:30pm
    Puck Building
    295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor Conference Room

    Wagner Advocacy and Social Change Series: Lessons from Organizing Campaigns
    A Case Study presented Staff and Leaders of Community Voices Heard
    Since its founding in the mid-1990s, Community Voices Heard (CVH) has focused on changing public policy through grassroots organizing. From the policy debates over welfare reform and TANF reauthorization, to the City's Transitional Jobs Program and Commission for Economic Opportunity, CVH has engaged low-income people to participate in public policy processes. CVH staff and leaders will discuss their organizing strategies and share examples of how constituent participation has shaped policies that improve the lives of low-income people. This event is being co-sponsored by the OSA GOLD Leadership Program

You – Society’s Organs and Social Responsibility
    November, 2007
  • Civic Engagement On-campus Discussion Session
US - Community and the United States
    December, 2007
  • Meeting with Charles E. Rangel’s Office – Good Leadership Legislation
    Spring 2008
  • Bi-weekly internship meetings – Internships will run from February to April 2008
    March, 2008
  • Trip to Washington D.C.