What is civic engagement?
Growing up, I was totally the type of nerd who ran for class president (I even ran against my then-boyfriend, now-husband), planned a school walkout with some friends, and in college, interned at a policy think-tank that hosted large events for students. These experiences, along with my career in the non-profit and public sectors, have taught me that community doesn’t just magically exist on its own. Rather it takes all of us to actively participate in our unique ways to build, sustain and grow stronger, more resilient communities.
That’s where civic engagement comes in. Civic engagement refers to all the ways in which we can actively participate in our communities – volunteering, serving on a board or city commission, being an active member in church or another civic group etc…
Why should I get involved in my community?
Military spouses and significant others are so incredibly skilled whether it’s in the arts, entrepreneurship, or teaching, the list goes on. But it’s not just our diverse skills that makes us an invaluable addition to our current or next community we will call home. We have also built a rich perspective on what community means as a result of frequent moves.
Not only will our communities benefit from our participation for these reasons, but I personally find that civic engagement brings me a strong sense of belonging and fulfillment. It’s a great way to bloom where you are planted, make new friends, explore interests that you can’t in your day job, build your resume, and feel like you’re doing good in the world.
Ready to get involved?
Below is a list of resources I’ve compiled that may serve as a helpful jumping-off point to assist you in identifying opportunities to get involved in your community! Let’s go out & get involved!
Base-Related Community Engagement
1. Key Support Liaison Program:
A great way to get involved and support your fellow military families. Wives of the Armed Forces offers some great blog posts here and here to learn more.
2. Spouses Club:
A lot of bases have a spouses club which has a rich history across the Armed Forces. Spouses clubs typically raise money through hosting different events that fund philanthropic work (e.g., scholarships for military dependents, grants for local non-profits) and are a great way to make friends. Here is a great article from Military.com to learn more.
3. Squadron Event Volunteering:
Oftentimes there are ways to get involved in your spouse’s squadron throughout the year whether it’s through a cookie drive, blood drive or can-collection event. It’s helpful to reach out to a key spouse to find out more information.
Community Engagement
1. Volunteering:
There are a million different ways to volunteer whether it’s at your church, local food pantry, or at the local library. A great place to start is to look at the website for your local United Way. United Way has local affiliates in all 50 states which provide services to 95% of the US, and often compile volunteer opportunities for your area. By first searching your zip code on this website, then clicking on the link for your local United Way’s website, you can then view volunteer opportunities under “Get Involved” or “Volunteer.”
2. Volunteer on a Board:
Lending your expertise as a volunteer board member for a local non-profit or foundation can be a meaningful opportunity to make a lasting impact. Here is a great deep-dive article that walks through how to identify and get involved on a local non-profit board.
3. Leadership Development Programs:
Many cities or states have “Leadership Development Programs” or “Young Professional Development Programs” that connect like-minded individuals who want to grow as professional and community leaders. The best way to find these programs is to google search the name of your city followed by “leadership development program” or “leadership” followed by the name of your city.
4. Professional Associations:
Whether its business management or human resources, professional associations offer a great way to network with professionals in a similar field. This Indeed article shares a helpful deep-dive on this topic.
Political Engagement
1. City Boards or Commissions:
Cities typically have boards or commissions (e.g., ADA Access Board) that reserve a combination of seats for elected city commissioners and community members. As a community member, you typically fill out an application to join one of these boards. Every city is different, but you can start by visiting your local city’s website or contacting your city.
2. Run for Office:
Definitely one of the more involved options on this list – running for office whether it be at the local, state or federal level is a huge undertaking. The Military Spouse J.D. Network offers “A Military Spouse’s Guide to Running for Office,” that you can find here.
3. Advocacy:
Here is a great deep-dive into advocacy from Wives of the Armed Forces.
4. Unions:
Many professions have unions (e.g., teachers union) which offer ways to get involved in local, state and federal advocacy. Here is a helpful list of unions.
I hope this resource list is something you can use now or revisit when looking for ways to feel more connected to the people and places around you. Our communities are stronger when we get involved!
Meet Kristen
Hi, howdy, hey! My name is Kristen, and I currently live in Enid, America with my husband and favorite Aussie pup, Smokey. Undergraduate Pilot Training brought us to Vance AFB, where we will stay for my husband’s FAIP assignment. I’ve always been a traveler at heart, and as a military spouse have enjoyed exploring the hidden gems of lesser-visited parts of the country.
I have a background in the public service and nonprofit sectors and hold community near and dear in both my personal and professional life. As a strong believer in growing where you are planted, I’m excited to see where in the world the Air Force will plant us next.
