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Strategies to Improve Communities <br />A Case Study in Civic Engagement <br />Noblesville, Indiana <br />Civic engagement has been a passion of the mayor of <br />this fast growing Indiana city since he took office on <br />January 1, 2004. Mayor John Ditslear wasn't yet <br />mayor when the Community Vision for Excellence <br />initiative started in 1993. Its mission was to measure <br />progress on a variety of indicators so that Noblesville <br />would continue to be a great community for <br />residents and visitors. The goals of Vision <br />Noblesville (as it is now called) include helping all <br />residents find meaningful employment, a healthy <br />lifestyle, life-long learning opportunities, social <br />services assistance when needed and available <br />volunteer options. <br />Noblesville's 2010 National Citizen Survey was <br />instrumental in alerting Mayor Ditslear of the need <br />to enhance community volunteerism. According to <br />the survey findings that year, participation in clubs <br />or civic groups was not as strong as it was in other <br />communities. The same was true for attending or <br />watching public meetings and the number of <br />Noblesville residents that volunteered was not <br />remarkably high. <br />Attended a meeting of local elected <br />officials or other local public 18% <br />meeting <br />Participated in a club or civic group <br />in Noblesville <br />Watched a meeting of local elected <br />officials or other City -sponsored <br />public meeting on cable television, <br />the Internet or other media <br />Volunteered your time to some <br />group or activity in Noblesville <br />27% <br />for community special events which has been very <br />successful and continues to grow. This was followed <br />by hiring a full-time manager of Vision Noblesville. <br />Vision Noblesville has brought together a wide <br />variety of community members to review long-term <br />issues for the city and determine the best way to <br />address these issues. Data are intentionally <br />combined with community stories to help craft <br />solutions which engage all sectors — government, <br />business, education, and nonprofits. Currently, <br />Vision Noblesville has 16 teams whose participants <br />represent 72 different community organizations and <br />businesses. These teams are working on issues <br />ranging from enhancing the arts and creating more <br />environmentally sustainable practices to improving <br />the local workforce and services provided to families <br />in need. All Vision Noblesville team members <br />volunteer their time and expertise. <br />In the coming years, new Citizen Survey results <br />along with other data will help the committees <br />measure their success in achieving each of their <br />established goals, including the goal of increasing <br />volunteerism and civic engagement. <br />Case Studies in linking Civic Engagement for Fund Raising <br />with Measurement <br />Park City, Utah and <br />Boulder, Colorado <br />Foundations can't just snap their fingers and expect <br />money to rain from the sky. Often, potential donors <br />want information to help them understand where <br />limited funds ought to be contributed. Kind of like a <br />stock prospectus, only prettier, the Boulder County <br />Trends Report, a publication of The Community <br />Foundation for Boulder County, and the Park City <br />45°A° Mile Post — modeled after the Boulder report — <br />Percent of respondents who did each at least once in last <br />12 months <br />Being able to analyze the Citizen Survey data about <br />this issue helped the mayor plan solutions. "We <br />learned from the 2010 citizen survey that residents <br />wanted more volunteer opportunities," said Mayor <br />Ditslear. <br />To create a solution, he began a one year part-time <br />pilot program that focused on increasing <br />opportunities for and participation in volunteerism. <br />This resulted in the creation of a volunteer program <br />© 2014, National Research Center, Inc. <br />CMc engagement - Park City <br />% of respondents who participated last 12 months <br />Ditch ,roar ear frequently! [like the bus, wnlk or ride your bike, This <br />could W as simple us walking to year regalia lunch spot or Inking the basso <br />the nest big community evens. <br />Go to a public meeting, Both Summit ('luny and Park City are revising <br />their general plans this yeti, Thcy hard fregaenl meetings ear Imbue input <br />attend! Many ate drop in and iuool feature interactive wily& of weighing in <br />Act lordly. lithe 3 a'clack news is geeing you dawn. Ily ro do suntcWing <br />right in your own ncighhorhuod- Take the global problem of climate change <br />- patkcitygrecn.urg n program "Low Carbon Diet" can Imlp you and your <br />Mends cur emissions together. <br />Page 12 <br />