How can more people be inspired to civic involvement?

What motivates Charlotteans to vote? Volunteer? Hold political conversations or attend events?

The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute and Johnson C. Smith University, with support from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Google, have spent the past 11 months studying civic engagement in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. The project, “Charting the Civic Landscape in 2016,” sought to better understand how Charlotteans behave civically online and off, with a focus on those who are paying attention but may not be actively engaged.

More than 1,000 people participated in surveys, interviews and focus groups, and we would like to share what we learned.

TWO DROP-IN INFORMATION SESSIONS

  • Friday, Sept. 15, 4-6 p.m. at Camp North End, 1824 Statesville Ave., Charlotte, NC 28206. Facilitated group conversations take place at 4:15 p.m. and 5 p.m. Camp North End’s Friday evening entertainment will follow the info session.
  • Thursday, Sept. 21, 5-7 p.m. at McCrorey YMCA, 3801 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC 28216

The info sessions will be child-friendly and offer refreshments. Click here for more information.

The project leaders will also take part in JCSU’s Latino Advisory Board Meeting in mid-September. The event will be presented in both English and Spanish. Click here for more information.

All sessions are free, but please RSVP so that we provide enough refreshments.

If you can’t make the sessions but are interested in learning more, project leaders will share their report at the Urban Institute website later this year. For more information, email Diane Gavarkavich, d.gavarkavich@charlotte.edu.