“The generation we’re in needs a Declaration of Interdependence, in which we’re all working together to build connections and achieve the Great American Dream.” This statement, from Maury Giles, the recently selected CEO of Braver Angels, at the National Civic League Board of Directors’ meeting, highlights the aspect of our civic engagement work that emphasizes relationships among members of each community.

The work of Braver Angels fits well with the theme of our next All-America City Award, America at 250: Strengthening Civic Health and Building Trust. In the coming year, we will celebrate communities that are helping to build a sense of belonging and trust that feeds civic health, which we define as the capacity of a community to engage all residents in problem-solving and activities to improve the quality of life for everyone. Read more.

Doug Linkhart

President

National Civic League

Across the country, people are asking how we’re supposed to talk to each other anymore. A Seattle Times ‘Between Us’ series described eroding shared facts, outrage-driven media, and growing conflict, and asked readers how they navigate disagreement. Jillian Youngblood responded with a reminder that we don’t have to figure it out alone—democracy innovations like citizens’ assemblies and facilitated meetings are working to help communities move forward together. Read more.

In many communities, public meetings have become tense and unproductive, leaving officials facing hostility and residents feeling unheard. Traditional formats often create limited interaction, and mistrust, with feedback arriving too late to matter. Across the country, cities are charting a different path, rethinking room layouts, adding facilitated deliberation, engaging residents before meetings, and closing feedback loops. Better public meetings are not only possible, they’re happening. Read more.

The National Civic League's Civic Genius team is partnering with the City of Raleigh to conduct a civic assembly, a process for problem-solving, centered around group discussion from a representative body of the community, which will help shape the city’s next Comprehensive Plan. Using a lottery selection process, a representative group of residents will provide input on the city's bus service, ensuring diverse voices are included in local decision-making.

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#AAC2025 Community Celebrations

New Pro-Democracy Narrative Playbook

America’s Best Defense Against Authoritarianism?

Since June, League team members have been crisscrossing the country to celebrate the incredible communities named 2025 All-America City Award winners. At each stop along the way, we’ve witnessed deep local pride, powerful storytelling, and the joyful energy of neighbors working together to strengthen civic life. Here’s a snapshot of the parades, festivals, and meetings that inspired us along the way!

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A major new national effort to strengthen democracy through shared, evidence-based narrative strategies will launch on December 8. Led by Metropolitan Group in partnership with Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE), the Pro-Democracy Narrative Playbook Initiative aims to provide free, open-source resources to help communities communicate more effectively about democratic values and civic space.

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In a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges, national service isn’t just valuable, it’s vital to our nation’s security. Participation in national service programs make volunteers more resistant to extremism, disinformation, and ultimately authoritarianism. As Ken Syring wrote recently in NCR, these programs are more than service opportunities, they are America’s strongest defenses against authoritarianism. Read more.