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Strategies to I mprove Communities <br />A Case Study in Civic Engagement <br />Noblesville, I ndiana <br />Civic engagement has been a passion of the mayor of <br />this fast growing I ndiana city since hetook office on <br />January 1, 2004. M ayor John Ditslear wasn't yet <br />mayor when the Community Vision for Excellence <br />initiative started in 1993. Its mission wasto measure <br />progress on a variety of i ndi cators so that Noblesville <br />would continueto beagreat community for <br />residents and visitors. The goals of Vision <br />Noblesville (as it is now called) include helping all <br />residentsfind meaningful employment, a healthy <br />lifestyle, life -long learning opportunities, social <br />services assistance when needed and available <br />volunteer options. <br />Noblesville's 2o lo National Citizen Survey was <br />instrumental in alerting Mayor Ditslear of the need <br />to enhance community volunteerism. According to <br />thesurveyfindingsthat year, participation in clubs <br />or civic groups was not as strong as it was in other <br />communities. Thesamewastruefor attending or <br />watching public meetings and the number of <br />Noblesville residentsthat 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 27% <br />in Noblesville <br />Watched a meeting of local elected <br />officials or other City- sponsored 28% <br />public meeting on cable television, <br />the Internet or other media <br />Volunteered your time to some o <br />group or activity in Noblesville 45 /o <br />Percent of respondents who did each at least once in last <br />12 months <br />Being ableto 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 M ayor <br />Ditslear. <br />To create a solution, he began a one year part -ti me <br />pilot program that focused on increasing <br />opportunities for and participation in volunteerism. <br />This resulted in thecreation of avolunteer program <br />for community special eventswhich has been very <br />successful and continuesto grow. Thiswasfollowed <br />by hiring a ful I -time manager of Vision Noblesville. <br />Vision Noblesville has brought together a wide <br />variety of community membersto review long -term <br />issues for the city and determinethe best way to <br />address these issues. Data are intentionally <br />combined with community stories to help craft <br />solutionswhich engageall sectors— government, <br />business, education, and nonprofits. Currently, <br />Vision Noblesville has 16 teamswhose 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 Noblesvilleteam members <br />volunteer their timeand expertise. <br />I n the coming years, new Citizen Survey results <br />alongwith other datawill help thecommittees <br />m easu r e t h ei r success in achieving each of t h e i r <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 likea <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 />M i le Post — modeled after the Boulder report — <br />Civic engagement - Park Cty <br />% of respondents who participated last 12 months <br />4 � <br />+.p bitch Y. rtr rma, a I!yl Ebkh, the bus, walk ar dde your bike. Thls <br />.Wd br as silnP €e. walking to yaur ravnntr lunch put W Inking dw bus m <br />the ne.rl big nvninunity evem. <br />Go to a. pubile meetltrg. Bleb Surit i 0 -1y and Park r'iry are revising <br />their general plans this yen,, They half frequent meetings for public input <br />egad! Many arc drop in end stoat feature interactive ways afwnighing in <br />Aet 1­11y. IM, 3 a'claeh news is geeting yen down, try ro da suineWing <br />right in w., own trighbnrhuod- Take dce glaW l problem o[climate change <br />- parkeitygrecn.ntg i prog °L�w Carbon th." can Iwtp you and yum <br />fiiceds cur nmim,en, tog Hhw.. <br />© 2014, National Research Center, I nc. Page 12 <br />