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Rural Civic Health Programs

Get together. Get involved. Get things done.

It’s the conversations in the boardroom and around the dinner table that move the work forward in Nebraska towns. Our rural civic health programs provide strategic support to current and aspiring leaders, citizen journalists, and small groups leading tough conversations.

We partner with towns and rural areas throughout our state to fortify civic health, civic leadership, advance civil discourse, and bolster local media. Take a closer look below.

The Idea of America
Fellowship

A nonpartisan leadership experience for current and aspiring Nebraska elected officials to make meaningful connections and better understand the idea of America, why it matters, and their special role in defending U.S. democracy.

Civil Discourse
Resources

A partnership with Civity to support community conversations about local media capacity, and understanding across political ideologies. This builds upon our study about media consumption habits and preferences.

›› 2022 Crossing Divides Report on News Media Consumption Habits and Preferences

›› A curated list of civil discourse activities and resources

›› Get in touch with us to go deeper: da************@ci***********.org

Documenters
Initiative

A partnership with the Nebraska Journalism Trust, Documenters Nebraska fills a vital need for reporting and accountability in rural news deserts. This project trains and pays citizen reporters to report on public meetings and publish their notes.

Civic
Readiness

A quiz to help you assess the civic readiness of a small group and your community to make progress on a particular issue or project, and a library of action ideas. Results will provide feedback and resources to build on strengths and address weaknesses.

Civic Health
Workshops

Understand the four indicators of civic health and why they matter to thriving communities. Participants in our interactive sessions identify the strengths and weaknesses of each indicator in their community.

›› To request a workshop or presentation in your community, contact Lily Sughroue, Civic Nebraska’s director of civic health programs.

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