CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
In 2009 Justice Sandra O’Connor charged the founding O’Connor House Board to create a vision and mission to ensure good governance for Arizona.
Thus came O’Connor House’s mission . . .To create an Arizona where important policy decisions are made through a process of civil discussion, critical analysis of facts and informed participation of all citizens. And its Mission . . . To continue Justice Sandra Day O’Connor’s legacy of solving important social, economic, and political problems through “Civil talk that leads to civic action.”
CURRENT PROJECTS
Chaired by Elva Coor
The results from the 2010 Arizona We Want Gallup Poll and the 2011 Arizona Civic Health Index revealed core deficiencies that must be addressed if good governance is to be ensured in Arizona. For O’Connor House Civic Engagement is the vehicle and SpeakOut AZ is the convening, collaborating and catalyzing project with the objective that Arizonans understand why government matters, how it works, and why participating in civic and social activities improves their communities.
To learn more about Civic Engagement and SpeakOut AZ, click here or contact
Julie Gustavson - Project Coordinator
julie@oconnorhouse.org
602-682-2019
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SpeakOut AZ Civic Engagement Project Spring Update
With the new growth that nature brings, SpeakOut AZ is also experiencing a spring season bonanza.
Below are three recent highlights:
SpeakOut Prescott – A revitalized Prescott team now has a new name and will host the Northern Region SpeakOut AZ Network Meeting on April 16. A primary focus is advancing civics education in schools through iCivics and finding ways to engage more citizens into the effort.
SpeakOut Maricopa County – Citizens from different regions of Maricopa County have combined forces and added new members to work with their communities. Leaders of organizations, including the Multi-Housing Association, the Phoenix Revitalization Corporation, and the League of Women Voters are among the members of the expanded SpeakOut Maricopa County Team. These committed organizations are engaging others by:
- Facilitating a deeper appreciation of civic responsibilities that leads to increased civic participation and improves the quality of life for others.
- Providing a personal approach to help participants get to know one another and develop leaders within their groups.
- Working to discover and strengthen friendships, respect, and common interests to build healthier communities.
SpeakOut Pinal – Is working to mazimize the use of iCivics in Pinal County schools. “We also have the capability and intention to extend the use of iCivics into after-school programs,” stated Gordon Brown, SpeakOut Pinal Co-Chair. “We are currently in the early stages of putting together a “tools of democracy” toolbox, to include several programs geared to providing students with opportunities to use the skills learned from iCivics and get involved in their community,” he added. Gordon's core 35-member team includes his new Co-Chair, Jill Broussard, Pinal County Superintendent of Schools. Gordon and Jill are successfully working to engage individuals who have not typically been involved in civic affairs.