Reshaping of News Media: New Inequities and the Impact on Democracy

Are there upsides to the reshaping of American news media? My normally-rose-colored glasses brightened at the benefits listed in a recent NY Times article: a wider variety of quality news sources, at least online; more outlets for specific populations, like different ethnic groups; and greater diversity of thought. Unfortunately, the benefits are uneven, making this yet another arena in which historic inequities are getting worse and democracy suffers as a result. Read more.

2024 All-America City Award Finalists

Activating Citizenship through Deliberation

Infusing Equity into Strategic Planning Efforts

For 75 years, the All-America City Award has uncovered, celebrated, and disseminated the finest examples of American civic innovation. This year’s finalists are being recognized for the strength of their civic capital and efforts to strengthen democracy through local action and innovation. Finalists were selected after a competitive review process based on the criteria of shared vision, civic engagement, inclusiveness and equity, collaboration, innovation, and impact. Read more.

The Federation for Innovation in Democracy (FIDE) is launching in North America with the goal of advancing a democratic culture that is inclusive and responsive, holds government accountable in between elections and brings a diversity of voices to the table. FIDE is committed to fostering meaningful change by amplifying voices and promoting collaboration. The first piece of the puzzle will be FIDE – North America’s first Citizens’ Assembly School, April 18-20.

Read more..

Currently, the League is actively engaged in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, spearheading a comprehensive community development planning initiative. Leading this endeavor is senior fellow Derek Okubo. In close partnership with community stakeholders, the League is orchestrating the formulation of a vision and strategy for future community development. This entails revitalizing the downtown area and overseeing the expansion of both the fairgrounds and airport. Read more.

Teree Caldwell-Johnson

(2/24/56 - 3/31/24) 


With heavy hearts we share the news of the passing of Teree Caldwell-Johnson, a member and former chair of the League’s board of directors. Whether it was through her leadership of Oakridge Neighborhood and Oakridge Neighborhood Services or her longtime service on the school board of Des Moines Public Schools, Teree was committed to improving her community and leaving this world a little more just and a little more equitable. She will be missed by the League; we wish her family, friends, and colleagues peace and healing as we all mourn her loss. 


More on Teree's Legacy.

Welcome the League’s Newest Board Members!

Bloomberg to Help Climate Change Work in 25 Cities

Webinar: Building Trust in Elections

The National Civic League added five new members to our board of directors. Ray Baray, Chief of Staff of ICMA; T.C. Broadnax, City Manager of the City of Dallas; Adam Carlisle, Vice President of Labor Relations for Southwest Airlines; Todd Connor, CEO of Veterans for Political Innovation; and Onyeka Obiocha, Executive Director of CTNext were each elected to three-year terms.

Read more.

A $200 million, three-year initiative, Bloomberg American Sustainable Cities, was announced to help 25 U.S. cities ”proactively build low-carbon, resilient, and economically thriving communities.” The initiative builds on Bloomberg’s past work and the progress in so many cities and counties to combat climate change, the effects of which disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities


At a time when the process and outcomes of elections are increasingly questioned, join us to learn how to build trust in the electoral process within your communities. The upcoming webinar will equip you with practical tools and strategies to foster trust in each other and explore how we can make elections more fair and inclusive. Join us on April 10th at 4 pm ET.

Register.

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Additional Information and Upcoming Events


NFBPA Forum 2024

April 3-7, 2024

Baltimore, MD

Register


ASPA 2024 Annual Conference

April 12-16, 2024

Minneapolis, MN

Register


Better Together Film Festival

National Week of Conversation

April 15-21, 2024

Learn more


FIDE North America: Citizens’ Assembly School

April 18-20

Washington, D.C.

Register


Healthy Democracy

Job Opening: Program Director

Applications due April 21st

Learn more


WE WIN Together Week 

St. Louis, MO

April 23-25

Register


Participedia School

Transnational Democratic Innovations

June 10-15, 2024

South Africa, Brazil, Canada

Register


Divided Community Project Academy

June 16-18, 2024

New York, NY

Learn more. 


Now accepting article proposals for National Civic Review

We are interested in 1,200-3,000 word articles. 

The deadline for the summer issue is June 15th. 

Contact mikem@ncl.org for more information. 

What We're Reading


Strengthening Citizen Participation in Global Governance (Global Center on Adaptation)


American Schism: How the Two Enlightenments Hold the Secret to Healing our Nation (Seth Radwell)


Defending American Democracy at the Local Level (ICMA)


The Fulcrum Democracy Forum Meets Matt Leighninger, Director, Center for Democracy Innovation at the National Civic League (citybiz)


The Surprising Link Between Budgeting and Good Health (Governing)

Thank you to our Sustaining Member Communities:


Asheboro, NC

Aurora, CO

Dallas, TX

Decatur, GA

Delray Beach, FL

Denver, CO

Dublin, CA

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Hayward, CA

Illinois Municipal League

Kansas City, MO

Mesa, AZ

Morrisville, NC

Mount Pleasant, NC

Oakridge Neighborhood, IA

Rancho Cordova, CA

Roanoke, VA

Rochester, NY

San Antonio, TX

Tallahassee, FL

Tulsa, OK

Tupelo, MS

Thank you to our Partner Organizations:


AAA-ICDR Foundation

American Society for Public Administration

Apolitical Foundation 

Bridge Alliance

Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation

CGI Digital

Colorado Health Foundation

Comcast

Government Finance Officers Association

HealthONE

Howard Konar and Sandy Gottesman

Institute for Citizens & Scholars

Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability at Ohio State

International City / County Management Association

Kettering Foundation

MissionSquare Retirement

National Academy of Public Administration

National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation

National Conference on Citizenship

National Forum for Black Public Administrators

National League of Cities

Next Fifty Initiative

Rawson Family Foundation

Southwest Airlines

TRUST Network

Womble Bond Dickinson

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