Encouragement from one of our founders, Theodore Roosevelt:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
President, National Civic League
2021: A Year of Civic Engagement and Good Governance Milestones
Safeguarding Elections
through Advocacy and Reform
New Equity and Inclusion Director to Augment Racial Equity Work
In 2021 we saw the importance of civic engagement and good governance with a renewed realization that community collaboration makes for more equitable and thriving communities. As we reflect back on this year of recovery, the League celebrates our achievements and looks forward to the challenges and opportunities that await in 2022. Read more.
As chronicled by multiple organizations and news outlets, 2021 saw more legislation introduced pertaining to voting rights and election administration than ever before. The attempt to fundamentally change elections is not likely to let up, so advocacy and electoral reform efforts will be essential in safeguarding our elections in 2022 and beyond. Read more.
Candice M. Williams has been named as the new Program Director for Equity and Inclusion at the National Civic League. Candice brings years of academic and professional experience to this new role, having led diversity, inclusion, and youth-oriented civic engagement programming in educational and community settings.
Dubuque's Equitable Poverty Reduction & Prevention Plan
Derek Okubo:
Inspiring Collaboration
and Equity
Countering Ageism & Creating Age-Friendly Communities
The All-America City of Dubuque, Iowa has formally adopted an Equitable Poverty Reduction & Prevention Plan. The plan—developed with community stakeholders and residents—addresses eight key determinates of poverty within the city to reduce, alleviate, and, ultimately, prevent poverty. The plan’s implementation will further engage residents and will continue to examine existing programs for success over time by analyzing data and identifying trends and best practices through an equity lens. Read more.
One of the National Civic League’s longest-serving staff and board members, Derek Okubo, is transitioning away from direct involvement with the League after nearly 30 years of service. Derek left the board of directors in December due to term limits. Derek worked for the League between 1992 and 2011, serving in multiple leadership positions. Today, Derek serves as the executive director of Denver’s Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships.
The last 18 months have taken a toll on us all, with our older adults—particularly those historically marginalized—being hit the hardest with health, economic and social hardships being exacerbated. During this webinar, we learned how the pandemic has impacted cities’ age-friendly efforts and how communities can counter ageism and social isolation. Lastly, speakers shared the creative ways communities have supported and engaged older adults during this difficult time. 
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Additional Information and Upcoming Events

National Day of Dialogue
January 5, 2022

All-America City Award: Letter of Intent Deadline
January 10 , 2022

National League of Cities:
Congressional City Conference
March 14-16, 2022

Webinar Recording: So You Want to be a 2022 All-America City

NCDD Event Calendar
The calendar lists upcoming events related to dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement.

Now accepting article proposals for National Civic Review
We are interested in 1,200-3,000 word articles. 
The deadline for the fall issue is March 15th. 
Contact mikem@ncl.org for more information. 
What We're Reading
Thank you to National Civic League Sustaining Member Communities:

Algoma, WI
Asheboro, NC
Aurora, CO
Danville, VA
Decatur, GA
Denver, CO
Dublin, CA
El Paso, TX
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Gladstone, MO
Hayward, CA
Illinois Municipal League
Las Vegas, NV
Miami Gardens, FL
Oakridge Neighborhood, IA
Rancho Cordova, CA
Roanoke, VA
San Antonio, TX
Tallahassee, FL
Tampa Housing Authority
Tupelo, MS
Wichita, KS
Thank you to National Civic League Partner Organizations:

American Society for Public Administration
Bridge Alliance
Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation
CGI
Comcast
Google
GrantWorks
Government Finance Officers Association
International City / County Management Association
Kettering Foundation
MissionSquare Retirement
Murray and Agnes Seasongood Foundation
National Academy of Public Administration
National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation
National Collaborative for Health Equity
National League of Cities
National Forum for Black Public Administrators
Next Fifty Initiative
Rawson Family Foundation
SolSmart
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Southwest Airlines
United States Census Bureau
United Way Worldwide
Well Being Trust
W.K. Kellogg Foundation