The Office of Civic Organizing (OCO) today announced the launch of the Civic Power Pledge and upcoming efforts to increase community engagement. Civic Organizing is launching this initiative following the 2022 election season to continue civic momentum all year round. The Civic Power Pledge encourages residents and businesses to embrace their civic power and engage with their local government to build a sense of community, address shared concerns, and improve the quality of life for all Bostonians. After interested residents take the pledge, they will have the opportunity to identify issue areas they would like to learn more about to be connected with future opportunities for engagement including events, volunteer opportunities, and workshops. Civic Power Pledgers will be honored at a civic engagement celebration in spring 2023.
“Our goal with the Civic Power Pledge is to build community and keep the momentum of activism going all year long,” said Chief of Community Engagement Brianna Millor. “Change starts with everyday actions in our neighborhoods, so I encourage all our residents and business owners interested in making a difference or learning more about City government to take the pledge.”
“The Office of Civic Organizing is dedicated to empowering residents to be active members of their communities as well as fostering engagement between City Hall and residents,” said Director of Civic Organizing Henry Santana. “Our hope is that the Civic Power Pledge inspires residents from all walks of life to take small and large civic engagement actions while uplifting the ongoing civic work of residents and community organizations. We look forward to meeting with local businesses, organizations, and residents during weekly community walkthroughs to support civic engagement in every neighborhood of Boston.”
The Civic Power Pledge consists of a checklist of action items for residents and businesses to commit to. They are as follows:
Civic Power Pledge For Individuals
• Identify your local, state, and federal representatives.
• Download the 311 app to report non-emergency issues in your neighborhood.
• Visit Boston City Hall for an event.
• Get connected with your Neighborhood Services liaison.
• Support a small business in your neighborhood.
• Plan or attend a neighborhood cleanup.
• Visit one of Boston’s public parks and snap a selfie.
• Visit one of Boston’s urban wilds.
• Get connected with your local civic group or neighborhood association.
• Say hello to a new neighbor.
• Plan or attend a community event.
• Participate in the newly launched Find Your Food Pantry campaign.
• Create your own civic engagement action item.
Civic Power Pledge For Business Owners
• Host or sponsor a community event.
• Get connected with your Neighborhood Services liaison.
• Connect with your City Councilor.
• Host a neighborhood cleanup near your business.
• Partner with a community organization in your neighborhood.
• Host a community night at your business.
• Have a space to promote community events inside your business.
• Create your own civic engagement action item.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to sign the pledge online and view the checklist of civic engagement action items which is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Haitian Creole, Vietnamese, and Cape Verdean Creole. Additional translations are available upon request.
Residents who sign up for the Civic Power Pledge using this form can receive prizes like t-shirts, stickers, and pins which will be available at the City Hall To Go Truck stops as well as at future events. The Civic Organizing team will be out visiting neighborhoods each week on Fridays to connect with residents, organizations, and business owners and share opportunities for civic engagement. Additionally, all residents who sign on to the pledge will be invited to participate in a civic engagement ceremony this spring.
Civic Organizing is encouraging people to share Civic Power Pledge actions they have taken on social media with the hashtag #BOSCivicPledge and by tagging @BostonCivicOrg on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Along with the Civic Power Pledge, Civic Organizing will be uplifting the civic engagement work many residents are already committed to on social media. To nominate a resident, local business, or community organization for a “Civic Power Spotlight”, please fill out this form.
While the pledge focuses on general civic engagement, residents signing up using our form will have the opportunity to identify specific issue areas of interest like the environment, housing, public health, public safety, and more. Civic Organizing will work with community partners and organizations to connect residents to additional resources and opportunities for engagement.
Residents, businesses, and organizations looking to learn more about the pledge are invited to attend a virtual informational session on Wednesday, December 14 from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. To RSVP , visit https://tinyurl.com/OCO-signup-jpg. More information on the Civic Power Pledge can be found at boston.gov/civic-organizing. Please direct all questions to the Office of Civic Organizing at [email protected]. The Office of Civic Organizing is committed to collaborative partnerships and programs that promote engagement, awareness, and service in communities throughout the City of Boston