National Conference on Citizenship
Encyclopedia
The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) was founded in 1946 and was later chartered by the United States Congress
in 1953. NCoC was created in order to be a leader in promoting our nation’s civic life by tracking, "measuring and promoting civic participation and engagement in partnership with other organizations on a bipartisan, collaborative basis. The organization focuses on ways to enhance history and civics education, encourage national & community service, and promotes greater participation in the political process”.
“This republic, after all, was not founded by men who sat in their seats and waited for somebody else to do the job; by men who were so engrossed in their private affairs that they had no time to give to public questions. Furthermore, the system of constitutional representative democracy, private competitive business and civil and religious liberty, which they established, is not going to be maintained much longer unless we arouse ourselves from our lethargy and meet the rising tide of collectivism with intelligence and decision.” – Henning W. Prentis, Citizenship In A Republic
Founded in 1946, in the aftermath of the Second World War, NCoC was inspired by efforts of a diverse group of Americans and created with the goal of capturing and perpetuating, in peacetime, the spirit of cooperation and civic energy fostered during wartime. With the collective attention of the nation returning to domestic affairs, NCoC was imagined as a vehicle to highlight the critical importance of civic responsibility to the health of our republic so that all citizens might dedicate themselves to upholding continuously our concept of government and the democratic way of life.
The First NCoC was held on May 17–18, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA
In 1953, the goal of the Congressional Charter was to empower “the NCoC to translate its ideals and objectives into realities. Plans for the future include both long-range and immediate projects and activates. The Conference will initiate and conduct some of these activities directly. Other, it will encourage and assist organizations and agencies in States and communities to initiate and carry on.”
There are approximately 1,478,000 non-profits in America—94 of them are chartered by Congress.
In 2006, the NCoC, convened a working group to create the first “America’s Civic Health Index.” This index is now the preeminent annual measure of civic engagement in the US. Utilizing a variety of indicators the CHI provides a unique insight into civic trends within the nation, state, or local communities. The Civic Health Index focuses and continues to share American’s attitudes, beliefs, and values towards government and about certain social issues.
The 2009 Conference, themed Civic Health in Hard Times, took place September 9, 2009 and focused on measuring civic return on investment and how meaningful public engagement could lift our country out of economic downturn.
Featured NCoC Speakers have included: Justice Antonin Scalia
, former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
, Justice Anthony Kennedy
, Senator Robert Byrd
, Senator Harris Wofford
, Senator Bob Graham
, Jean Case
, Sonal Shah
, Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie
, Scott Heiferman
, Craig Newmark
, & Sean Parker
.
This year’s conference will be held on September 17, 2010 and is themed BIG Citizenship: Citizens as Catalysts and Innovators.
1954 – 9th Annual Conference – The Three Branches of our Federal Government, Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow.
1956 – 11th Annual Conference – The Voting Citizen
1957 – 12th Annual Conference – Imperatives for Peace
1958 – 13th Annual Conference – Citizenship in a Changing World
1960 – 15th Annual Conference – America: A Government of the People, for the People, by the People.
1961 – 16th Annual Conference – What We as Citizens Can Do for Our Country
1962 – 17th Annual Conference – What Can I Do for My Country in a Changing World?
1963 – 18th Annual Conference – American Citizenship: Showcase for Freedom
1966 – 19th Annual Conference – Supports of Freedom: The Law & The Ballot
Named for NCoC’s long-time chairman, the Citizen of the Year Award is granted to a private citizen who has exemplified active citizenship in contributing to the public good.
Past winners have included: TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel (2010), Philanthropists Eugene Lang
(2008) & Ray Chambers
(2007), Educational Pioneer Irasema Salcido (2006), Congressman Lee H. Hamilton
(2005), and Senator Harris Wofford
(2004).
The Franklin Award is given to outstanding individuals in federal service who are working to strength citizenship in America. The award bears the famous Franklin quote, “A Republic if you can keep it", his response when asked what style of government the Constitution
would create.
Past winners have included Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
(2010), Justice Antonin Scalia
(2009), former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (2008), Justice Stephen Breyer
(2007), and Senator Lamar Alexander
(2005)
This award recognizes a notable veteran who defines their citizenship and service to our country, both in uniform and beyond.
Past winners are Derek Blumke (Student Veterans of America) (2010), Lt. Eric Greitens
(2009).
Jane Addams Award, Scott Heiferman (2005); Young Citizen of the Year Award, Robbie Bergquist and Brittany Bergquist (2007).
America’s Civic Health Index received a new level of recognition through its inclusion in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed into law in May 2009. The Act formalized a partnership between NCoC, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Corporation for National and Community Service to develop, refine, and implement an annual civic health assessment.
The report found that trust in the government and in other key institutions have reached new lows. Only 6% of Americans have a “great deal of confidence” in Congress, the Executive Branch, or banks and financial institutions, and major companies occupy the basement of public trust at only 5%. This is a significant change as major companies were the 3rd most trusted institution in 2000 and have fallen to 10th in 2009, and banks have fallen from 2nd in 2000, 2004, and 2006 to 7th in 2009.
CHI, however, investigated a few new indicators of engagement – more personal forms of participation. Interestingly, people with the least means are giving the most. Although people of modest means are less likely to volunteer than affluent Americans (29% vs. 50%), they are more likely to give food, money or shelter (24% vs. 21%). When looking specifically at those who do not participate in traditional forms of volunteering, 39% of those making less than $50,000 helped in other ways like providing food and shelter, versus only 27% of those in higher income brackets.
In addition to turning inward to take care of one’s family and friends, Americans are also focusing their trust toward more personal institutions—small/local businesses received the highest level of public trust with 31% expressing a “great deal of confidence.”
Organized religion also saw an increase in trust as this institution moved from 5th place in 2002 to 2nd in 2009. Participation in religious groups played a major role in resiliency—40% of those who attend religious services frequently reported an increase in their civic engagement, matched only by those who spend a great deal of time visiting their friends.
Beyond the differences between socio-economic classes, there are also interesting variations based on age and race. Millennials lead the way in volunteering with a 43% service rate, compared to only 35% for Baby Boomers. Even within a generation, there are significant differences as 45% of Baby Boomers who are still in the work force volunteer versus only 23% of those who are retired. Additionally, Baby Boomers are engaging in other ways – 38% of Baby Boomers (49% of those in retirement and 33% of those still working) gave food, money or shelter while only 28% of Millennials did the same.
(Appointed in 1950) 59th Attorney General of the United States under President Harry Truman from 1945 to 1949 and an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1949–1967.
Earle Hawkins
(Appointed in 1953) First Vice President of the Board of Directors of NCoC in 1960.
Willard E. Givens (Appointed in 1960) Past Executive Secretary of the National Education Association from 1935 to 1952.
Thomas J. Lane
Past United States Representative of Massachusetts.
Alvin M. Bentley (Appointed in 1960) Past Representative of Michigan’s 8th District
Brooks Hays
(Appointed in 1960) Past Representative of Arkansas’ 5th District and adviser to President John F. Kennedy.
Lawrence Augusta Oxley (Appointed in 1960) Past Community Organizer-Influential Social Change Advocate of his time.
J. Albert Woll (Appointed in 1958) Past General Counsel for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Special Sssistant to the Attorney General of the United States, and former United States Attorney for Northern District of Illinois.
Notable Past Chairmen
Presidents Harry S. Truman
and Dwight D. Eisenhower
(who signed NCoC's Congressional Charter) served as honorary members.
Earl Warren
Chief Justice of the United States in 1953.
Warren E. Burger
Chief Justice of the United States in 1969.
Harlan Fiske Stone
52nd United States Attorney General in 1924 and Chief Justice of the United States in 1941.
Charles Evans Hughes
36th Governor of New York, the 44th United States Secretary of State, and the 11th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Alben Barkley Past Vice President of the United States under President Truman.
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
in 1953. NCoC was created in order to be a leader in promoting our nation’s civic life by tracking, "measuring and promoting civic participation and engagement in partnership with other organizations on a bipartisan, collaborative basis. The organization focuses on ways to enhance history and civics education, encourage national & community service, and promotes greater participation in the political process”.
Mission statement
“The National Conference on Citizenship measures, tracks and promotes civic participation across the U.S. Guided by our Congressional Charter and the values of NCOC, we commission and publish the annual Civic Health Index, a quantitative means for building program consensus and measuring success with the goal of strengthening citizenship in America. In addition we hold the Annual Conference on Citizenship that brings together leaders in the civic engagement field to set concrete and ambitious goals to promote a more active and involved citizenry”Officers
- David Smith, Executive Director
- Kristen Cambell, Director, Programs and New Media
- Morgan Corr, Executive Associate
- Justin Bibb, Director, Civic Health Index
Board of directors
The National Conference on Citizenship's current Board of Directors consists of Norma Barfield, Barry Byrd, Phil Duncan, Eric Federing, Thomas Gottschalk, Martin Krall, Gail Leftwich Kitch, Dennis McGinn, A.G. Newmyer III, John Reeder, Thomas Susman, Craig Turk, Michael Weiser (Chairman), & Jocelyn White.Board of Advisors
The National Conference on Citizenship's Board of Advisors consists of the following individuals:- Diana Aviv, Independent Sector
- James BaskerJames BaskerProfessor James G. Basker is an American scholar, writer, and educational leader. He studied English at Harvard College and Cambridge University, and graduated from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, with a D. Phil in English...
, Barnard CollegeBarnard CollegeBarnard College is a private women's liberal arts college and a member of the Seven Sisters. Founded in 1889, Barnard has been affiliated with Columbia University since 1900. The campus stretches along Broadway between 116th and 120th Streets in the Morningside Heights neighborhood in the borough... - John BridgelandJohn BridgelandJohn M. Bridgeland is President and CEO of Civic Enterprises, a public policy firm in Washington, D.C. and vice-Chair of Malaria No More, a non-profit launched at the White House Summit on Malaria that is creating a grassroots, global movement to engage the private and non-profit sectors in...
, Civic Enterprises (Chairman) - Jean CaseJean CaseJean N. Case is CEO of the Case Foundation, which she and her husband, AOL co-founder Steve Case, created in 1997. In June 2006 she was appointed by President Bush to chair the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation....
, The Case Foundation - Frank Damrell, U.S District Court Judge (CA)
- John J. Dilulio, Jr., University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of PennsylvaniaThe University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
- Jane Eisner, The ForwardThe ForwardThe Forward , commonly known as The Jewish Daily Forward, is a Jewish-American newspaper published in New York City. The publication began in 1897 as a Yiddish-language daily issued by dissidents from the Socialist Labor Party of Daniel DeLeon...
- Chester E. Finn, Jr.Chester E. Finn, Jr.Chester Evans Finn, Jr., is a former professor of education, an educational policy analyst, and a former United States Assistant Secretary of Education. He is currently the president of the nonprofit Thomas B. Fordham Foundation in Washington, D.C...
, Thomas B. Fordham InstituteThomas B. Fordham InstituteThe Thomas B. Fordham Institute is a based in Washington, D.C. and Dayton, Ohio. Its stated mission is "to close America's vexing achievement gaps by raising standards, strengthening accountability, and expanding education options for parents and families."... - William GalstonWilliam GalstonWilliam Galston is a political theorist. He is the Saul I Stern Professor of Civic Engagement and the director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the School of Public Policy of University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, he is a Senior Fellow of Governance at the Brookings...
, Brookings InstitutionBrookings InstitutionThe Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States. One of Washington's oldest think tanks, Brookings conducts research and education in the social sciences, primarily in economics, metropolitan policy, governance, foreign policy, and... - Stephen GoldsmithStephen GoldsmithStephen "Steve" Goldsmith is the former mayor of Indianapolis and most recently served as the Deputy Mayor of New York City for Operations, stepping down effective August 4, 2011 after a domestic violence arrest. He is also the Daniel Paul Professor of Government at the John F...
, Mayor of IndianapolisIndianapolisIndianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S... - Scott HeifermanScott HeifermanScott Heiferman is CEO and a co-founder of Meetup, a service that helps people use the internet to organize local community groups with local offline meetings. Meetup originally gained notoriety as the grassroots backbone of the Howard Dean presidential campaign in 2004...
, meetup.comMeetup.comMeetup is an online social networking portal that facilitates offline group meetings in various localities around the world. Meetup allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest, such as politics, books, games, movies, health, pets, careers or hobbies... - Walter IsaacsonWalter IsaacsonWalter Isaacson is a writer and biographer. He is the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C. He has been the Chairman and CEO of CNN and the Managing Editor of TIME...
, Aspen InstituteAspen InstituteThe Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit organization founded in 1950 as the Aspen Institute of Humanistic Studies. The organization is dedicated to "fostering enlightened leadership, the appreciation of timeless ideas and values, and open-minded dialogue on contemporary issues." The... - Amy Kass, Hudson InstituteHudson InstituteThe Hudson Institute is an American think tank founded in 1961, in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, by futurist, military strategist, and systems theorist Herman Kahn and his colleagues at the RAND Corporation...
- Daphne Kwok
- Michelle Nunn, Points of Light Institute
- Michael Pack
- Robert PutnamRobert PutnamRobert David Putnam is a political scientist and professor of public policy at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is also visiting professor and director of the Manchester Graduate Summer Programme in Social Change, University of Manchester...
, Saguaro Seminar of Harvard University - Charles QuigleyCharles QuigleyCharles Quigley , was an American actor.- Career :Born in New Britain, Connecticut, USA, Quigley He starred in many serial and movies: "Speed to Spare" - "The Shadow" - "Convicted" and "Special Inspector" with Rita Hayworth - Secret Evidence - A Woman's Face - "The Crimson Ghost" you best film....
, Center for Civic Education - Ian Rowe, Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationBill & Melinda Gates FoundationThe Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. It is "driven by the interests and passions of the Gates family"...
- Tobi Walker, Pew Charitable Trusts
History
"Liberty is not necessarily our permanent possession. Both external and internal pressures constantly assail it. Every generation, to keep its freedom, must each it through understanding of the past, vigilance in the present and determination for the future." - Earl Warren, 1955 February 19“This republic, after all, was not founded by men who sat in their seats and waited for somebody else to do the job; by men who were so engrossed in their private affairs that they had no time to give to public questions. Furthermore, the system of constitutional representative democracy, private competitive business and civil and religious liberty, which they established, is not going to be maintained much longer unless we arouse ourselves from our lethargy and meet the rising tide of collectivism with intelligence and decision.” – Henning W. Prentis, Citizenship In A Republic
Origin: (1946-1953)
Purpose of NCoC: To Support and Strengthen the Efforts of the People in Maintaining the Blessings of Freedom and Justice and in Protecting and Perpetuating the Principles and Ideals upon which this Nation is Founded; to Develop a More Thorough Knowledge of Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities; to Inspire a Deeper Devotion to Citizenship Obligations; to Encourage Ever More Effective Participation in Citizenship Activities and to Promote a Spirit of Cooperation on the Part of all Citizens – to these High Purposes, the National Conference on Citizenship is Dedicated.Founded in 1946, in the aftermath of the Second World War, NCoC was inspired by efforts of a diverse group of Americans and created with the goal of capturing and perpetuating, in peacetime, the spirit of cooperation and civic energy fostered during wartime. With the collective attention of the nation returning to domestic affairs, NCoC was imagined as a vehicle to highlight the critical importance of civic responsibility to the health of our republic so that all citizens might dedicate themselves to upholding continuously our concept of government and the democratic way of life.
The First NCoC was held on May 17–18, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA
Congressional Charter
On August 13, 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill that was passed by both houses of Congress that incorporated the Conference; allowing the NCoC to now operate under a Federal Charter. A Federal Carter is federal statue that establishes a co-operation between the government and organizations, agencies, or institutions.In 1953, the goal of the Congressional Charter was to empower “the NCoC to translate its ideals and objectives into realities. Plans for the future include both long-range and immediate projects and activates. The Conference will initiate and conduct some of these activities directly. Other, it will encourage and assist organizations and agencies in States and communities to initiate and carry on.”
There are approximately 1,478,000 non-profits in America—94 of them are chartered by Congress.
Present: (2004- Present)
Currently, the NCoC continues to stress the importance of civic engagement, to our local communities and nationwide. The Annual Conferences have been based on the ever-changing meaning of citizenship, innovative means to become more active citizens, and how various factors, such as technology, have impacted America’s civic health.In 2006, the NCoC, convened a working group to create the first “America’s Civic Health Index.” This index is now the preeminent annual measure of civic engagement in the US. Utilizing a variety of indicators the CHI provides a unique insight into civic trends within the nation, state, or local communities. The Civic Health Index focuses and continues to share American’s attitudes, beliefs, and values towards government and about certain social issues.
Annual Conference
The National Conference of Citizenship hosts an annual conference held in Washington, DC on or around Citizenship Day. Each year’s conference revolves around a different theme that concerns various aspects of civic engagement on a multitude of levels, including corporate, institutional, and individual responsibility.The 2009 Conference, themed Civic Health in Hard Times, took place September 9, 2009 and focused on measuring civic return on investment and how meaningful public engagement could lift our country out of economic downturn.
Featured NCoC Speakers have included: Justice Antonin Scalia
Antonin Scalia
Antonin Gregory Scalia is an American jurist who serves as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. As the longest-serving justice on the Court, Scalia is the Senior Associate Justice...
, former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor
Sandra Day O'Connor is an American jurist who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981...
, Justice Anthony Kennedy
Anthony Kennedy
Anthony McLeod Kennedy is an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, having been appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Since the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor, Kennedy has often been the swing vote on many of the Court's politically charged 5–4 decisions...
, Senator Robert Byrd
Robert Byrd
Robert Carlyle Byrd was a United States Senator from West Virginia. A member of the Democratic Party, Byrd served as a U.S. Representative from 1953 until 1959 and as a U.S. Senator from 1959 to 2010...
, Senator Harris Wofford
Harris Wofford
Harris Llewellyn Wofford served as a Democratic U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995 and as the fifth president of Bryn Mawr College, and is a noted advocate of national service and volunteering...
, Senator Bob Graham
Bob Graham
Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham is an American politician. He was the 38th Governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States Senator from that state from 1987 to 2005...
, Jean Case
Jean Case
Jean N. Case is CEO of the Case Foundation, which she and her husband, AOL co-founder Steve Case, created in 1997. In June 2006 she was appointed by President Bush to chair the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation....
, Sonal Shah
Sonal Shah
Sonal R. Shah , is an American economist and public official. Since April 2009, she has been serving as the Director of the new Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation in the White House...
, Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie
Mark Ritchie
Donald Mark Ritchie was elected the 21st Minnesota Secretary of State on November 7, 2006. He was re-elected in 2010. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. He grew up in Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University in 1971...
, Scott Heiferman
Scott Heiferman
Scott Heiferman is CEO and a co-founder of Meetup, a service that helps people use the internet to organize local community groups with local offline meetings. Meetup originally gained notoriety as the grassroots backbone of the Howard Dean presidential campaign in 2004...
, Craig Newmark
Craig Newmark
Craig Alexander Newmark is an Internet entrepreneur best known for being the founder of the San Francisco-based international website Craigslist.-Biography:...
, & Sean Parker
Sean Parker
Sean Parker is an American technology businessman and entrepreneur. He co-founded Napster, Plaxo, Causes, and Airtime, and was Facebook's founding president. His net worth is estimated at $2.1 billion.-Early life:...
.
This year’s conference will be held on September 17, 2010 and is themed BIG Citizenship: Citizens as Catalysts and Innovators.
Past Conferences
1953 – 8th Annual Conference – What Price, Freedom?1954 – 9th Annual Conference – The Three Branches of our Federal Government, Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow.
1956 – 11th Annual Conference – The Voting Citizen
1957 – 12th Annual Conference – Imperatives for Peace
1958 – 13th Annual Conference – Citizenship in a Changing World
1960 – 15th Annual Conference – America: A Government of the People, for the People, by the People.
1961 – 16th Annual Conference – What We as Citizens Can Do for Our Country
1962 – 17th Annual Conference – What Can I Do for My Country in a Changing World?
1963 – 18th Annual Conference – American Citizenship: Showcase for Freedom
1966 – 19th Annual Conference – Supports of Freedom: The Law & The Ballot
2004
- What does it Mean to be a Citizen in America- A lecture by David McCulloughDavid McCulloughDavid Gaub McCullough is an American author, narrator, historian, and lecturer. He is a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian award....
on American national identity, the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and the importance of an active, engaged citizenry.
- Fostering Citizenship through Education- A panel discussion with Amy Kass, Alfonso Aguilar, Cynthia Gibson, and Charles Quigley.
- Technology Strengthening Citizenship- A panel discussion with Gail Leftwich, Scott HeifermanScott HeifermanScott Heiferman is CEO and a co-founder of Meetup, a service that helps people use the internet to organize local community groups with local offline meetings. Meetup originally gained notoriety as the grassroots backbone of the Howard Dean presidential campaign in 2004...
, and Joe TrippiJoe TrippiJoe Trippi is a long-time American Democratic campaign worker and consultant. A mainstay in presidential politics, Trippi has worked on the presidential campaigns of Edward Kennedy, Walter Mondale, Gary Hart, Dick Gephardt, Jerry Brown and most recently John Edwards...
.
2005
- Citizenship and the Six Spheres of Influence: An Agenda for Social Capitalists- A lecture by Robert PutnamRobert PutnamRobert David Putnam is a political scientist and professor of public policy at the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government. He is also visiting professor and director of the Manchester Graduate Summer Programme in Social Change, University of Manchester...
on social capitalSocial capitalSocial capital is a sociological concept, which refers to connections within and between social networks. The concept of social capital highlights the value of social relations and the role of cooperation and confidence to get collective or economic results. The term social capital is frequently...
, its importance to functioning democracy, and how to build it.
- Benjamin Franklin: “A Republic, If you Can Keep It”- A lecture by Walter IsaacsonWalter IsaacsonWalter Isaacson is a writer and biographer. He is the President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C. He has been the Chairman and CEO of CNN and the Managing Editor of TIME...
on Franklin’s notion of active citizenship.
- A Dialogue on Freedom- A lecture by Justice Anthony KennedyAnthony KennedyAnthony McLeod Kennedy is an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, having been appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Since the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor, Kennedy has often been the swing vote on many of the Court's politically charged 5–4 decisions...
on institutionalizing freedom and the role of civic education.
- Workplaces: Corporate Citizenship- A panel discussion with Jean CaseJean CaseJean N. Case is CEO of the Case Foundation, which she and her husband, AOL co-founder Steve Case, created in 1997. In June 2006 she was appointed by President Bush to chair the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation....
, John BridgelandJohn BridgelandJohn M. Bridgeland is President and CEO of Civic Enterprises, a public policy firm in Washington, D.C. and vice-Chair of Malaria No More, a non-profit launched at the White House Summit on Malaria that is creating a grassroots, global movement to engage the private and non-profit sectors in...
, Bill McDermottSAP AGSAP AG is a German software corporation that makes enterprise software to manage business operations and customer relations. Headquartered in Walldorf, Baden-Württemberg, with regional offices around the world, SAP is the market leader in enterprise application software...
, and Michelle Nunn
2007
- What Motivates Voting- A panel discussion with Amy WalterThe HotlineThe Hotline is a daily political briefing published by the Atlantic Media Company from its headquarters at The Watergate complex in Washington, DC. It is edited by Reid Wilson with Josh Kraushaar...
, Mark RitchieMark RitchieDonald Mark Ritchie was elected the 21st Minnesota Secretary of State on November 7, 2006. He was re-elected in 2010. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. He grew up in Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University in 1971...
, Ian Rowe, and Terence Smith.
- Remarks from Justice Stephen BreyerStephen BreyerStephen Gerald Breyer is an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, and known for his pragmatic approach to constitutional law, Breyer is generally associated with the more liberal side of the Court....
- Beyond Glory- A play, written and performed by Stephen LangStephen Lang (actor)Stephen Lang is an American actor and playwright. He started in theatre on Broadway but is well known for his film portrayals of Stonewall Jackson in Gods and Generals and George Pickett in Gettysburg , as well as for his 2009 roles as Colonel Miles Quaritch in Avatar and as Texan lawman Charles...
, portraying Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
winners’ reflections on their service.
- Transformational Moments- A discussion with Brittany and Robbie BergquistCell phones for soldiersCell Phones for Soldiers is a registered 5013 charity, dedicated to helping every U.S. service member call home for free.- History :Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded in 2004, when Brittany Bergquist, then 13, and her brother, Robbie, 12, heard a news story about an Army Reserve sergeant...
, Kari Dunn, Chris Myers Asch, and David B. Smith on entering and fostering active citizenship.
2008
- Can Facebook Replace Face-to-Face– A discussion/debate with William GalstonWilliam GalstonWilliam Galston is a political theorist. He is the Saul I Stern Professor of Civic Engagement and the director of the Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy at the School of Public Policy of University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, he is a Senior Fellow of Governance at the Brookings...
and Sean ParkerSean ParkerSean Parker is an American technology businessman and entrepreneur. He co-founded Napster, Plaxo, Causes, and Airtime, and was Facebook's founding president. His net worth is estimated at $2.1 billion.-Early life:...
on how Web 2.0Web 2.0The term Web 2.0 is associated with web applications that facilitate participatory information sharing, interoperability, user-centered design, and collaboration on the World Wide Web...
is affecting civic engagement and education.
- Beyond the Vote: Action and Engagement Opportunities– A panel discussion on tapping the opportunities for increasing civic action and engagement generated by the 2008 general electionUnited States presidential election, 2008The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
.
2009
- Social Innovation in Civic Life– A panel discussion with moderator Jean CaseJean CaseJean N. Case is CEO of the Case Foundation, which she and her husband, AOL co-founder Steve Case, created in 1997. In June 2006 she was appointed by President Bush to chair the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation....
and participants Barbara BushBarbara Pierce BushBarbara Pierce Bush is the elder of the sororal twin daughters of the 43rd U.S. President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, and the granddaughter of the 41st U.S. President George H. W. Bush, and his wife Barbara Bush, after whom she was named...
, Justin RockefellerJustin RockefellerJustin Aldrich Rockefeller is a venture capitalist and political activist.Rockefeller is the youngest son of West Virginia's prominent United States Senator Jay Rockefeller and his wife, Sharon Percy Rockefeller, and is a fifth generation member of the Rockefeller family. He is the grandson of...
, Sonal ShahSonal ShahSonal R. Shah , is an American economist and public official. Since April 2009, she has been serving as the Director of the new Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation in the White House...
, and Diana Wells.
- Civic Health in Hard Times– A panel discussion with moderator Karen TumultyKaren TumultyKaren Tumulty is a national political correspondent for The Washington Post. Before joining the Post, Tumulty wrote for Time from October 1994 to April 2010. She was a Congressional correspondent as well as the National Political Correspondent based in Washington D.C...
and participants Senator Bob GrahamBob GrahamDaniel Robert "Bob" Graham is an American politician. He was the 38th Governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States Senator from that state from 1987 to 2005...
, Mark RitchieMark RitchieDonald Mark Ritchie was elected the 21st Minnesota Secretary of State on November 7, 2006. He was re-elected in 2010. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. He grew up in Iowa, and graduated from Iowa State University in 1971...
, & Helen Iris Torres.
Joseph H. Kanter Citizen of the Year Award
Named for NCoC’s long-time chairman, the Citizen of the Year Award is granted to a private citizen who has exemplified active citizenship in contributing to the public good.
Past winners have included: TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel (2010), Philanthropists Eugene Lang
Eugene Lang
Eugene M. "Gene" Lang is an American philanthropist who founded REFAC Technology Development Corporation in 1951. He created the I Have A Dream Foundation in 1981, and Project Pericles in 2001. He has also made large donations to Swarthmore College, The New School's undergraduate liberal arts...
(2008) & Ray Chambers
Ray Chambers
Raymond G. Chambers currently serves as United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Malaria. He was appointed to this position by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in February 2008...
(2007), Educational Pioneer Irasema Salcido (2006), Congressman Lee H. Hamilton
Lee H. Hamilton
Lee Herbert Hamilton is a former member of the United States House of Representatives and currently a member of the U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council. A member of the Democratic Party, Hamilton represented the 9th congressional district of Indiana from 1965 to 1999...
(2005), and Senator Harris Wofford
Harris Wofford
Harris Llewellyn Wofford served as a Democratic U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania from 1991 to 1995 and as the fifth president of Bryn Mawr College, and is a noted advocate of national service and volunteering...
(2004).
Franklin Award
The Franklin Award is given to outstanding individuals in federal service who are working to strength citizenship in America. The award bears the famous Franklin quote, “A Republic if you can keep it", his response when asked what style of government the Constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
would create.
Past winners have included Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ruth Joan Bader Ginsburg is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Ginsburg was appointed by President Bill Clinton and took the oath of office on August 10, 1993. She is the second female justice and the first Jewish female justice.She is generally viewed as belonging to...
(2010), Justice Antonin Scalia
Antonin Scalia
Antonin Gregory Scalia is an American jurist who serves as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. As the longest-serving justice on the Court, Scalia is the Senior Associate Justice...
(2009), former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (2008), Justice Stephen Breyer
Stephen Breyer
Stephen Gerald Breyer is an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, and known for his pragmatic approach to constitutional law, Breyer is generally associated with the more liberal side of the Court....
(2007), and Senator Lamar Alexander
Lamar Alexander
Andrew Lamar Alexander is the senior United States Senator from Tennessee and Conference Chair of the Republican Party. He was previously the 45th Governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987, United States Secretary of Education from 1991 to 1993 under President George H. W...
(2005)
Major George A. Smith Memorial Fund “HOOAH” Award
This award recognizes a notable veteran who defines their citizenship and service to our country, both in uniform and beyond.
Past winners are Derek Blumke (Student Veterans of America) (2010), Lt. Eric Greitens
Eric Greitens
Eric Greitens is a nonprofit leader, author, speaker and a United States Navy SEAL, who lives in St. Louis, Missouri. He is also the CEO of the veterans organization The Mission Continues.-Education:...
(2009).
Other awards
Jane Addams Award, Scott Heiferman (2005); Young Citizen of the Year Award, Robbie Bergquist and Brittany Bergquist (2007).
Civic Health Index
Since 2006, the National Conference on Citizenship, in partnership with the Civic Indicators Working Group, has published annual reports called America’s Civic Health Index. This series of reports has informed Americans about leading indicators of our nation’s civic health and has motivated citizens, leaders and policymakers to strengthen the foundations of civic engagement. It has been cited by the White House, New York Times, and several other publications. America’s Civic Health Index has become the leading gauge of how well Americans are connecting to each other and their communities, and measures rates of volunteering, voting, connections to civic and religious organizations, trust in other Americans and key institutions, and other civic behavior and attitudes.America’s Civic Health Index received a new level of recognition through its inclusion in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed into law in May 2009. The Act formalized a partnership between NCoC, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Corporation for National and Community Service to develop, refine, and implement an annual civic health assessment.
Key Findings
America’s Civic Health Index for 2009 shows that the economic recession is causing a civic depression. The national survey finds that 72% of Americans say they cut back on the time they spent volunteering, participating in groups, and doing other civic activities in the past year, during the same period when the economy was free-falling. Public perception supports this finding as 66% of Americans say they feel other people are responding to the current economic downturn by looking out for themselves, while only 19% said people around them are responding to the recession by helping each other more.The report found that trust in the government and in other key institutions have reached new lows. Only 6% of Americans have a “great deal of confidence” in Congress, the Executive Branch, or banks and financial institutions, and major companies occupy the basement of public trust at only 5%. This is a significant change as major companies were the 3rd most trusted institution in 2000 and have fallen to 10th in 2009, and banks have fallen from 2nd in 2000, 2004, and 2006 to 7th in 2009.
CHI, however, investigated a few new indicators of engagement – more personal forms of participation. Interestingly, people with the least means are giving the most. Although people of modest means are less likely to volunteer than affluent Americans (29% vs. 50%), they are more likely to give food, money or shelter (24% vs. 21%). When looking specifically at those who do not participate in traditional forms of volunteering, 39% of those making less than $50,000 helped in other ways like providing food and shelter, versus only 27% of those in higher income brackets.
In addition to turning inward to take care of one’s family and friends, Americans are also focusing their trust toward more personal institutions—small/local businesses received the highest level of public trust with 31% expressing a “great deal of confidence.”
Organized religion also saw an increase in trust as this institution moved from 5th place in 2002 to 2nd in 2009. Participation in religious groups played a major role in resiliency—40% of those who attend religious services frequently reported an increase in their civic engagement, matched only by those who spend a great deal of time visiting their friends.
Beyond the differences between socio-economic classes, there are also interesting variations based on age and race. Millennials lead the way in volunteering with a 43% service rate, compared to only 35% for Baby Boomers. Even within a generation, there are significant differences as 45% of Baby Boomers who are still in the work force volunteer versus only 23% of those who are retired. Additionally, Baby Boomers are engaging in other ways – 38% of Baby Boomers (49% of those in retirement and 33% of those still working) gave food, money or shelter while only 28% of Millennials did the same.
State-Level Civic Health Index Reports
In addition to the America’s Civic Health Index report, the National Conference on Citizenship partners with local institutions to release state specific reports in California, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Ohio.Notable Past Directors
Tom ClarkTom Clark
Tom Clark is a Canadian television journalist. He has been a substitute anchor for CTV National News, and host of Power Play, a political program on CTV News Channel...
(Appointed in 1950) 59th Attorney General of the United States under President Harry Truman from 1945 to 1949 and an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1949–1967.
Earle Hawkins
Earle Hawkins
Earle Taylor Hawkins was the eighth president of Towson State College .Earle Hawkins advanced through the state educational system from the level of teacher to top supervisory positions. His administration was affected by the phenomenal growth in higher education. In 1947, student enrollment...
(Appointed in 1953) First Vice President of the Board of Directors of NCoC in 1960.
Willard E. Givens (Appointed in 1960) Past Executive Secretary of the National Education Association from 1935 to 1952.
Thomas J. Lane
Thomas J. Lane
Thomas Joseph Lane was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts from 1941 to 1963, notable for having been re-elected after serving time in federal prison....
Past United States Representative of Massachusetts.
Alvin M. Bentley (Appointed in 1960) Past Representative of Michigan’s 8th District
Brooks Hays
Brooks Hays
Lawrence Brooks Hays was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from the State of Arkansas....
(Appointed in 1960) Past Representative of Arkansas’ 5th District and adviser to President John F. Kennedy.
Lawrence Augusta Oxley (Appointed in 1960) Past Community Organizer-Influential Social Change Advocate of his time.
J. Albert Woll (Appointed in 1958) Past General Counsel for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, Special Sssistant to the Attorney General of the United States, and former United States Attorney for Northern District of Illinois.
Notable Past Chairmen
Presidents Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
and Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
(who signed NCoC's Congressional Charter) served as honorary members.
Earl Warren
Earl Warren
Earl Warren was the 14th Chief Justice of the United States.He is known for the sweeping decisions of the Warren Court, which ended school segregation and transformed many areas of American law, especially regarding the rights of the accused, ending public-school-sponsored prayer, and requiring...
Chief Justice of the United States in 1953.
Warren E. Burger
Warren E. Burger
Warren Earl Burger was the 15th Chief Justice of the United States from 1969 to 1986. Although Burger had conservative leanings, the U.S...
Chief Justice of the United States in 1969.
Harlan Fiske Stone
Harlan Fiske Stone
Harlan Fiske Stone was an American lawyer and jurist. A native of New Hampshire, he served as the dean of Columbia Law School, his alma mater, in the early 20th century. As a member of the Republican Party, he was appointed as the 52nd Attorney General of the United States before becoming an...
52nd United States Attorney General in 1924 and Chief Justice of the United States in 1941.
Charles Evans Hughes
Charles Evans Hughes
Charles Evans Hughes, Sr. was an American statesman, lawyer and Republican politician from New York. He served as the 36th Governor of New York , Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States , United States Secretary of State , a judge on the Court of International Justice , and...
36th Governor of New York, the 44th United States Secretary of State, and the 11th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court.
Alben Barkley Past Vice President of the United States under President Truman.