Checklist: Putting It All Together - Your Civic Engagement Journey
Use this checklist to develop a personalized, integrated approach to civic engagement.
Integrating Diverse Civic Skills
Created a visual map of my civic toolkit with key skills from the course
Drew connections between skills that naturally complement each other
Identified sequences (which skills typically precede others)
Highlighted my current strengths and areas for development
Circled 2-3 skill combinations that seem especially powerful for issues I care about
Analyzed what different civic scenarios require
Practiced selecting appropriate skills for specific situations
Planned how to integrate multiple skills for maximum effectiveness
Identified 3-5 core values that guide my civic engagement
Created a simple ethical framework for making civic choices
Developing a Personalized Approach
Identified my top 3-5 strengths relevant to civic engagement
Listed the issues or causes that most deeply motivate me
Realistically assessed my time, resources, and constraints
Noted relevant experience or knowledge I bring to civic work
Reflected on which roles I most naturally gravitate toward
Determined my preferred scale of work (local, regional, national)
Considered how I typically relate to others in group settings
Clarified my beliefs about how meaningful change occurs
Identified working styles that suit me best
Created a personal civic approach statement that feels authentic
Creating a Practical Action Plan
Identified 2-3 specific entry points related to issues I care about
Listed potential barriers and strategies to address each one
Inventoried resources I have and those I need to acquire
Named 3-5 people who could support my initial engagement
Planned 1-2 initial activities designed to build momentum
Developed 3 specific, achievable goals for the next 1-3 months
Created 2-3 direction-setting goals for the next 6-12 months
Articulated a broader vision of what I hope to contribute over several years
Established concrete indicators that will show I’m making progress
Designed a simple tracking system for my civic activities and learning
Created regular reflection questions to support ongoing learning
Navigating Multiple Issues and Limited Time
Assessed 3-5 issues based on where I could have meaningful impact
Created a simple urgency-importance matrix for current concerns
Identified potential leverage points where focused effort might yield outsized results
Considered where my unique skills and perspective are most needed
Noted any strategic opportunities created by current circumstances
Realistically assessed time available for civic engagement weekly/monthly
Developed strategies to maximize the impact of each hour I invest
Identified opportunities to integrate civic engagement with other parts of my life
Listed responsibilities I might delegate or share with others
Created a seasonal approach that allows for varying levels of intensity
Developed clear criteria for what falls within and outside my scope
Created a decision framework for evaluating new requests or opportunities
Envisioning My Role in Strengthening Democracy
Reflected on how my civic work relates to broader democratic health
Clarified what specific role I see myself playing in the democratic system
Identified pathways connecting my actions to larger democratic impacts
Considered how I can embody democratic values in my approach
Reflected on what legacy I’d like to leave for future democratic participants
Articulated what being an active citizen means to me personally
Identified the responsibilities I believe come with citizenship
Considered the rights I value and will defend for myself and others
Developed a vision of the democracy I hope to help create
Identified sources of realistic hope about democratic possibilities
Integration Reflection
Evaluated whether my approach plays to my authentic strengths
Considered if my plan is realistically sustainable given my circumstances
Assessed whether my focus allows for meaningful impact
Reflected on how my civic engagement connects to larger democratic values
Identified specific next steps to begin or deepen my civic journey
Remember: There’s no single “right way” to be an engaged citizen. Democracy thrives not when everyone participates in identical ways, but when diverse citizens bring their unique gifts to the shared project of self-governance. Your particular contribution—whatever form it takes—matters.