Keene Kicks Off the NH Civic Index Forums

Last night at Keene High School, some 50 citizens gathered to discuss the results of the NHIOP’s NH Civic Index. After weeks and months of planning, it was great to take the Civic Index on the road and start a community conversation about citizenship. Following a presentation of the survey’s findings by Dr. Dean Spiliotes, our director of research, participants broke into five small groups to discuss strategies that could strengthen youth civic learning and engagement. My small group discussed different ideas that could improve teenagers’ civic knowledge (information about elected officials, what they do, and our political institutions). One idea that was echoed by other groups is to tap into local civic and community leaders’ knowledge of civic and political institutions. These folks could be a tremendous resource to schools (teachers and students) in better understanding how local and state government functions and how young people can access that system. We will be compiling a summary of last night’s conversations and posting that on the nhcivicindex website shortly.

Finally, I want say a big word of thanks to the members of the planning team who helped organize the event last night, especially inviting people to attend. Thank you to Mayor Blastos, Councilor Phillips, Cristi Carson at Keene State College, Susan Newcomer at the Keene Chamber and last but not least, Kim Carter (faculty and students) at Monadnock Community Connections School - who took this on as a civics class project and learned valuable lessons about community organizing.

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