Discussions and Commentary

NCoC engages in Research, Discussion and Solutions to real world issues. We apply this strategic approach in 6 primary civic focus areas, highlighted here.
NCoC believes addressing an issue occurs in three primary strategic phases: research, discussion, and solutions. The discussion phase is an important element in understanding challenges and animating research findings, as well as turning them into action plans and solutions in communities. This is why NCoC is committed to using our website as a platform for ongoing discussion and commentary about issues facing the civic sector.

Here, you will see a list of our featured discussions, broken down by focus area. Scroll over the title to see a brief description, and click to read the article and join the discussion.

For all featured discussions sorted by date, click here.

Ongoing Discussion Series are also generated on the following topics:
The Meaning of American
Can Engagement Strengthen the Economy?
Public Policy Chat

Discussions by issue area are here:
Title Date Type
Public Policy Chat: Mary Ellen ArdounyThis month, NCoC Communications Fellow Alice Murphy talks to Mary Ellen Ardouny about the connection between education, workforce investment, and environmental conservation and what this connection could ... June 26, 2012 discussion
Civic Engagement and Employment: NCoC Continues the Conversationby Kristi Tate, Director of Community Strategies, NCoC June 13, 2012 discussion
A Good ManAn Interview with Mark K. ShriverMark Shriver is the son of the late Sargent Shriver—lifelong activist and first director of the Peace Corps—and has authored a soon-to-be-released book on his father’s legacy, entitled ... May 25, 2012 discussion
Public Policy Chat: John BridgelandThis month, NCoC Communications Fellow Alice Murphy talks to John Bridgeland, President and CEO of Civic Enterprises, about service-learning and how the U.S. has progressed on its promise to be a service ... May 17, 2012 discussion
Paul Loeb Explores the Soul of a CitizenWith over 135,000 copies in print, Paul Loeb’s Soul of a Citizen has become a classic handbook for budding social activists, veteran organizers, and anyone who wants to make a difference—large ... May 7, 2012
Who Took Civility Out of Politics?Democracy fundamentally entails controversy and, as is often said, reasonable people may disagree about social issues and policymaking. But recently, many question if civility has left politics all together ... May 1, 2012 discussion
Public Policy Chat: Julie MurphyIn this month's Public Policy Chat, NCoC Communications Fellow Alice Murphy talks to Julie Murphy about volunteerism and how the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act has progressed since President Obama ... April 18, 2012 discussion
Why Tuesday?by Jacob SoboroffHave you ever asked yourself why we vote on Tuesdays? In this guest post, Why Tuesday? Executive Director Jacob Soboroff highlights a TED Active talk that discusses the historical legislative reasons America’s ... April 11, 2012 discussion
Responding to the Data Revolutionby Kristi TateNCoC has used civic health data for years to understand civic life in communities across the country, and to take an evidence-based approach to their work. Community Strategies Director Kristi Tate ... March 19, 2012 discussion
Public Policy ChatNCoC.net's Public Policy Chat provides a monthly feature on legislation and policies that affect NCoC's focus areas (civic learning, corporate citizenship, giving and volunteering, social capital, and ... March 14, 2012 discussion
Showing 21 to 30 of 130
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7  ...  13 »