When citizens actively make contributions of time, money, and/or goods to meet the needs of those in their community, they contribute to the civic health of the community and the State.

Like the other four STRID components, the Responsibility Score at 48 has remained largely unchanged since last year, down only one point, and fourth behind Social, Trust and Information. While that lends validity to the measurement, it also is not surprising that a dynamic as important, widespread and multi-dimensional as civic responsibility is not easily or quickly changed. Still, in light of the economic pressures faced by all New Yorkers, it is noteworthy that Responsibility has not declined.



Volunteering is an important aspect of Responsibility and, as such, we will give extended treatment to volunteer motivations, actions, obstacles and opportunities in this report. Also, to enhance volunteering and in turn Responsibility in New York, the State Commission on National and Community Service and its Regional Volunteer Centers have launched an exhaustive study of the manner in which nonprofits recruit, train, utilize and review volunteers.

Assessing Need and Volunteer Attitudes: Many New Yorkers are aware of persistent needs in their communities. When asked what they identified to be the single greatest need, 20% responded with economic opportunity, followed closely by promoting education at 18%.*

According to CPIS data, New Yorkers continue to be generous in their donations to charities that seek to address many of these perceived needs. Eighty-nine percent of state residents donated items like food, blood or clothing to the needy in their community. In fact, 25% made donations more often than once a month. Over the last 12 months, 69% of New Yorkers have contributed money or other property to a local charity and 51% have donated to a national or international charity.**

Neighborhood Involvement: Some New Yorkers choose to address community needs by working with neighbors to solve problems. The CPIS 2011 reports that 76% of New Yorkers responded they have helped a neighbor or community member with some project or need. Analysis of the Census Current Population Survey suggests New York State ranks 39th in the country for doing a favor for a neighbor at least a few times a week (13.6%). New Yorkers who are unemployed perform favors a few times a week or more often at a slightly higher rate of 14.7%, while those who are employed do so at a rate of 12.2%.

The CPIS investigated whether New Yorkers assisted neighbors or community members with some project or need. Only 24% reported not doing so in the past year, while 22% have assisted with such needs more than once a month. While many New Yorkers may not formally volunteer, clearly a quarter often serve and three quarters assist a neighbor or community member with some project or need at least once in the past year.

Americans distinguish themselves in their communities through leadership. According to analysis of the Census Current Population Survey, 9.1% of people nationally reported serving as an officer or committee member in an organization. New York lags behind in this indicator, with 6.2% reporting such leadership.

Leaders are important assets in their communities. They are more engaged nationally in other forms of civic engagement than non-leaders. For example, of those who are an officer or committee member for a group or organization, 81% have reported voting in the 2010 election, 62% have contacted or visited a public official, and nearly 70% have bought or boycotted a good or service.(22)
In the Community Participation and Involvement Survey 2011, 13% of New Yorkers reported being group leaders. Of those involved with groups, 37% reported serving as an officer or committee member of a local club or organization in the last year. New Yorkers aged 18-34 involved in groups reported filling such positions at the lowest rate (21%) compared with other age groups, including New Yorkers 55 and older (45%).

While many New Yorkers contribute time and resources to address the needs they see in their community, the legitimate requirements of many are great. Given the pressures so many New Yorkers face to simply keep their own households above economic water, it is commendable that New Yorkers are as ‘responsible’ as they are. But it is also necessary that New York seek to bolster its efforts to address the growing needs of its population.