CIVIC-US

What We Do

What does civicus mean?

Civicus is latin for the work of participating in the administration of the city or state. It describes a person who acts upon his/her duties and obligations that come from belonging to a community.

'Civis' is Latin for citizen and 'civic' is the attitudes, beliefs, and behavior that is necessary to be a citizen. A civic society is a community of citizens. In ancient Rome the citizen was a legal member of the 'res publica'. 'Civicus' meant that one enjoyed freedom as a citizen of one's town and that he/she was not a 'barbarian'. Barbarians were the uncivilized.

Three projects currently orginate from Civic-us.org. One is the "Youth/Adult Social Action Institutes" commissioned and supported by MNCASA. The other is the "Youth in Governance" work commissioned by the National School Board Association. And, the other is support of meaningful service learning through the Education Commission of the States. Click on the links below to find out more about our partners.

  1. Training in Youth in Governance, Youth on Boards, Youth Engagement, and Youth Leadership
  2. Training on the Benefits of Service Learning and How to Make it Meaningful, Memorable, and Measurable
  3. Workshops to schools and communities on how civil behavior is developed and reinforced through a caring, connected and respectful school and community climate.
  4. Civic Engagement Inventory (CEI) – a youth survey designed to assesses opportunities for learning personal and social responsibility in a classroom, school or community.
  5. Training, Coaching and Technical Assistance to Schools, Community Coalitions, and Programs Related to Youth in Governance, Youth on Boards, Youth/Adult Partnerships, Youth Engagement and Creating Caring, Connected, and Respectful School and Community Climates
  6. Clearinghouse on Best Practices in Youth in Governance, Youth on Boards, Youth Civic Engagement, Youth/Adult Partnerships, and Creating Caring and Connected Schools Happening Around America
  7. Measure Readiness for Youth Leaders – Measurement Tool of 20-30 Questions – Measure how deep they are on Civic Mindedness
  8. Sustain a National Network of Student Leaders
  9. Sustain a National Initiative with State and Local Programs/Affiliates
  10. Training and Coaching of Youth Coalitions and Student Government Groups on a full-spectrum approach to creating caring, connected and respectful schools and communities
  11. Develop and disseminate tools and resources to assist schools, communities, coalitions, agencies and organizations in community building, youth development, civic engagement, developing and fostering civil behavior, community prevention planning, and service learning.