Essay On Civic Engagement

According to author Thomas Ehrlich, the term civic engagement is defined as “working together to make a difference in our communities…through political and non-political practices” (Ehrlich, 2000, pg. vi). Civic engagement can be expressed in many various different forms such as volunteering, being involved with organizations in our communities, voting and participating in political efforts such as electoral campaigns and rallies. In recent times, however, it appears that civic engagement in the United States, specifically in a political fashion among younger Americans, has been declining. Author Robert Putnam wrote in great detail about this decline in his book Bowling Alone, stating that while many young citizens are participating in volunteer

For example, when I was in high school, I was a member of Beta Club, an organization where students volunteer for different service opportunities in the community. The group I was a part of would volunteer monthly at a local nursing home. We would meet and visit with the residents, play bingo with them, and help organize different events at the home. Another way I’ve been engaged is through participating in a service project called “Operation Christmas Child” with the organization Samaritan’s Purse. A couple of years ago, my mother and I travelled to their warehouse in Lawrenceville to help pack shoeboxes full of gifts and toys, that then get sent to children living outside the United States, in areas that have been affected by various unfortunate circumstances such as poverty, natural disasters, or war. As volunteers, we could also track the shipments and be notified that the children had received their shoeboxes. Being a part of this incredible project was an experience I will never forget. I consider myself very fortunate to have had these opportunities to volunteer, as they gave me a great sense of joy to be a part of and inspired me to continue to take part in further engagement opportunities in my community. Now attending the University of Georgia, I am a member of University Union, where we put on events to both entertain students and

Due to this, I paid more attention to politics than ever before. For the first time, I was actually watching the debates and town hall discussions to be able to get a sense of what each candidate stood for, so I could use that knowledge to cast my vote. In fact, while attending Kennesaw State in my freshman year, I went to a town hall discussion on campus with then presidential candidate, Governor John Kasich. I found myself not just going to the event to have something do, but attending the event to hear what Governor Kasich policies and ideas were. Unlike many other young Americans, during this turbulent election, I was excited to be able to go to my local polling location and cast my vote for the very first time and felt as though it was my civic duty to do