The National Conference on Citizenship released America's third Civic Health Index at its 2008 Annual Conference held on September 22.

The creation of America's Civic Health Index and report was a cooperative effort of the NCoC, The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship & Public Service at Tufts University, and the Harvard University's Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America.

The 2008 survey finds that Americans are actively engaged with this year's presidential election; however, not many people expect to work on the issues raised in the campaign after Election Day.

View "America's Civic Health Index: Beyond the Vote"

WASHINGTON — In the wake of John McCain and Barak Obama's unified call for an increase in public service and volunteerism last week at the Service Nation Summit in New York, the focus now shifts to Washington, where former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will address leaders of the country's major volunteer and civic organizations as they convene at the annual National Conference on Citizenship on September 22 to discuss ways to continue civic involvement after Election Day.

A highlight of the conference will be the release of America's Civic Health Index — the definitive statistical report on the health of civic engagement in the United States. Among the findings in the new report is that more Americans are taking an active interest in the current presidential campaign than in previous national elections and are willing to support programs to boost civic involvement after the votes are counted.

Time Magazine Columnist Joe Klein will moderate an intergenerational panel discussion on engagement and action "Beyond the Vote." Panelists include Alan Khazei, Founder and CEO of Be the Change, Barb Quaintance VP of AARP, former Congressman Bob Edgar, CEO of Common Cause, Ian Rowe, Vice President at MTV, and Maya Enista, CEO of Mobilize.org. Political consultant Joe Trippi will moderate a discussion on the Internet community and community between Founding President of Facebook, Sean Parker and William Galston, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution.

Philanthropist and industrialist Eugene Lang will be presented with the "Joseph H. Kanter Citizen of The Year Award" to honor his lifelong commitment to civic participation.

An afternoon work session with national leaders in civic engagement is to be held at the Newseum.

WASHINGTON — With Congress poised to take up the Kennedy-Hatch National Service bill (S.3487 - Serve America Act of 2008), a new report to be released Monday by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) shows broad public support for such measures that cuts across party lines.

America's Civic Health Index — the definitive statistical report on the health of civic engagement in the United States — reveals that citizens overwhelmingly support changes in laws and policies that would encourage greater citizen engagement between elections.

Among the report's findings is that public support is strong and bipartisan for providing young people with the opportunity to earn tuition money by completing a year of national or community service, with 87% favoring such measures. Eighty percent favor holding a national deliberation forum on a major issue and requiring Congress to respond to what citizens say, and 73% would like to see service-learning (combinations of classroom learning and community service) required in schools.

"Volunteer service is the lifeblood of our republic," Sen. Orrin Hatch said, "It brings out the best in people and strengthens our communities. I'm heartened to see such so much desire on the part of the American people to help strengthen our democracy."

The full report will be released at the annual National Conference on Citizenship on September 22 at the National Archives. Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor is keynote speaker for the event.

The Kennedy-Hatch bill would incorporate America's Civic Health Index as part of the National Service Act and expand the ways our government collects data on civic indicators.

"Americans are deeply engaged in 2008 and seeking a more substantial role in governance," David B. Smith, NCoC's Executive Director, said. "Their support for institutionalized engagement shows a renewed desire to serve in their communities and have a voice in solving our nation's most pressing problems."

The National Conference on Citizenship is the nation's leading advocate for civic participation and the only organization in the country chartered by Congress to do this work. NCoC is non-profit and non-partisan. Its research, educational programs and outreach to public policy leaders foster a more active and engaged citizenry.

Among its other activities, NCoC convenes an annual conference on civic participation that is attended by several hundred foundation executives, corporate executives, policy-makers and non-profits concerned with the quality of national and community service, American history and civics education and engagement in the political process -- NCoC's core areas of interest.

This is the third annual America's Civic Health Index and was a cooperative effort of the NCoC, Civic Enterprises, The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship & Public Service at Tufts University, and Harvard University's Saguaro Seminar: Civic Engagement in America. The 2008 report is based on a nationally representative survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, analyzed by Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg and Peter Levine at CIRCLE, and informed by the NCoC Civic Indicators Working Group.

"We are seeing incredible support for national and community service from our nations leaders and our general populace," John M. Bridgeland, CEO of Civic Enterprises, NCoC Advisory Board Chairman, and Co-Organizer of ServiceNation said. "It is inspiring to have great patriots like Senators Kennedy, Hatch, Clinton, Obama, and McCain all supporting this legislation."