Civic Index

From the National Civic League

The Civic Index is a self-assessment tool for measuring a community's civic capital - the formal and informal relationships, networks and capacities that communities use to make decisions and solve problems. You can use this tool in a small group - with partners, community members or others to spark conversation about community strengths and areas in need of improvement.

Source: https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/resources/civicindex/

The Health Collaborative is using the Civic Index to help us better understand the civic strengths and challenges in the Dan River Region. Your responses will help us prioritize areas of opportunity so that we can work together to develop strategies for improving our region's civic health.

Question Title

* 1. Which part of the region are you thinking about as you answer these questions? It can be the community where you live or where you work.

Danville

Caswell County

Pittsylvania County

Other (please specify)

Choose the response that best reflects your rating for each factor. Consider the full diversity of the community, not just those you usually engage.

Question Title

* 2. Engaged Residents

	We don't have this	This is a challenge for us	This is a moderate strength	This is a real strength
We have many resident-initiated and resident-led community/neighborhood organizations and activities.	We have many resident-initiated and resident-led community/neighborhood organizations and activities. We don't have this	We have many resident-initiated and resident-led community/neighborhood organizations and activities. This is a challenge for us	We have many resident-initiated and resident-led community/neighborhood organizations and activities. This is a moderate strength	We have many resident-initiated and resident-led community/neighborhood organizations and activities. This is a real strength
In community meetings, people tend to work collaboratively to solve problems; instead of being critical and confrontational.	In community meetings, people tend to work collaboratively to solve problems; instead of being critical and confrontational. We don't have this	In community meetings, people tend to work collaboratively to solve problems; instead of being critical and confrontational. This is a challenge for us	In community meetings, people tend to work collaboratively to solve problems; instead of being critical and confrontational. This is a moderate strength	In community meetings, people tend to work collaboratively to solve problems; instead of being critical and confrontational. This is a real strength
Neighborhood councils and community groups reflect the community's diversity and regularly work with city officials to provide input into decision-making.	Neighborhood councils and community groups reflect the community's diversity and regularly work with city officials to provide input into decision-making. We don't have this	Neighborhood councils and community groups reflect the community's diversity and regularly work with city officials to provide input into decision-making. This is a challenge for us	Neighborhood councils and community groups reflect the community's diversity and regularly work with city officials to provide input into decision-making. This is a moderate strength	Neighborhood councils and community groups reflect the community's diversity and regularly work with city officials to provide input into decision-making. This is a real strength
It is easy to find residents to serve on local boards and commission, or run for office.	It is easy to find residents to serve on local boards and commission, or run for office. We don't have this	It is easy to find residents to serve on local boards and commission, or run for office. This is a challenge for us	It is easy to find residents to serve on local boards and commission, or run for office. This is a moderate strength	It is easy to find residents to serve on local boards and commission, or run for office. This is a real strength

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* 3. Inclusive Community Leadership

	We don't have this	This is a challenge for us	This is a moderate strength	This is a real strength
We have a wealth of trusted, respected leaders across all sectors and levels.	We have a wealth of trusted, respected leaders across all sectors and levels. We don't have this	We have a wealth of trusted, respected leaders across all sectors and levels. This is a challenge for us	We have a wealth of trusted, respected leaders across all sectors and levels. This is a moderate strength	We have a wealth of trusted, respected leaders across all sectors and levels. This is a real strength
We have programs to develop leaders from all backgrounds, ages and sectors; especially those from traditionally marginalized communities.	We have programs to develop leaders from all backgrounds, ages and sectors; especially those from traditionally marginalized communities. We don't have this	We have programs to develop leaders from all backgrounds, ages and sectors; especially those from traditionally marginalized communities. This is a challenge for us	We have programs to develop leaders from all backgrounds, ages and sectors; especially those from traditionally marginalized communities. This is a moderate strength	We have programs to develop leaders from all backgrounds, ages and sectors; especially those from traditionally marginalized communities. This is a real strength
Local leaders work together to build consensus, and set aside their own ego to focus on getting things done for the whole community.	Local leaders work together to build consensus, and set aside their own ego to focus on getting things done for the whole community. We don't have this	Local leaders work together to build consensus, and set aside their own ego to focus on getting things done for the whole community. This is a challenge for us	Local leaders work together to build consensus, and set aside their own ego to focus on getting things done for the whole community. This is a moderate strength	Local leaders work together to build consensus, and set aside their own ego to focus on getting things done for the whole community. This is a real strength
Leaders and community members face challenges head-on, instead of ignoring tough conversations or decisions.	Leaders and community members face challenges head-on, instead of ignoring tough conversations or decisions. We don't have this	Leaders and community members face challenges head-on, instead of ignoring tough conversations or decisions. This is a challenge for us	Leaders and community members face challenges head-on, instead of ignoring tough conversations or decisions. This is a moderate strength	Leaders and community members face challenges head-on, instead of ignoring tough conversations or decisions. This is a real strength
Government advisory boards, commissioners reflect the full diversity of the community *and* exercise real decision-making power.	Government advisory boards, commissioners reflect the full diversity of the community *and* exercise real decision-making power. We don't have this	Government advisory boards, commissioners reflect the full diversity of the community *and* exercise real decision-making power. This is a challenge for us	Government advisory boards, commissioners reflect the full diversity of the community *and* exercise real decision-making power. This is a moderate strength	Government advisory boards, commissioners reflect the full diversity of the community *and* exercise real decision-making power. This is a real strength

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* 4. Collaborative Institutions

	We don't have this	This is a challenge for us	This is a moderate strength	This is a real strength
We work with other communities to address local and regional challenges.	We work with other communities to address local and regional challenges. We don't have this	We work with other communities to address local and regional challenges. This is a challenge for us	We work with other communities to address local and regional challenges. This is a moderate strength	We work with other communities to address local and regional challenges. This is a real strength
Local government, nonprofits, philanthropies, schools, civic associations and businesses collaborate effectively to solve community problems.	Local government, nonprofits, philanthropies, schools, civic associations and businesses collaborate effectively to solve community problems. We don't have this	Local government, nonprofits, philanthropies, schools, civic associations and businesses collaborate effectively to solve community problems. This is a challenge for us	Local government, nonprofits, philanthropies, schools, civic associations and businesses collaborate effectively to solve community problems. This is a moderate strength	Local government, nonprofits, philanthropies, schools, civic associations and businesses collaborate effectively to solve community problems. This is a real strength
We have many trusted organizations that bring people together to resolve pressing conflicts and challenges.	We have many trusted organizations that bring people together to resolve pressing conflicts and challenges. We don't have this	We have many trusted organizations that bring people together to resolve pressing conflicts and challenges. This is a challenge for us	We have many trusted organizations that bring people together to resolve pressing conflicts and challenges. This is a moderate strength	We have many trusted organizations that bring people together to resolve pressing conflicts and challenges. This is a real strength
We have regular, established opportunities for information-sharing and decision-making across various sectors.	We have regular, established opportunities for information-sharing and decision-making across various sectors. We don't have this	We have regular, established opportunities for information-sharing and decision-making across various sectors. This is a challenge for us	We have regular, established opportunities for information-sharing and decision-making across various sectors. This is a moderate strength	We have regular, established opportunities for information-sharing and decision-making across various sectors. This is a real strength

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* 5. Embracing Diversity, Equity

	We don't have this	This is a challenge for us	This is a moderate strength	This is a real strength
Services and opportunities are provided equitably to all groups and neighborhoods.	Services and opportunities are provided equitably to all groups and neighborhoods. We don't have this	Services and opportunities are provided equitably to all groups and neighborhoods. This is a challenge for us	Services and opportunities are provided equitably to all groups and neighborhoods. This is a moderate strength	Services and opportunities are provided equitably to all groups and neighborhoods. This is a real strength
We have policies to fight discrimination in all forms.	We have policies to fight discrimination in all forms. We don't have this	We have policies to fight discrimination in all forms. This is a challenge for us	We have policies to fight discrimination in all forms. This is a moderate strength	We have policies to fight discrimination in all forms. This is a real strength
Immigrants, new residents and under-represented groups actively participate in community events and discussions.	Immigrants, new residents and under-represented groups actively participate in community events and discussions. We don't have this	Immigrants, new residents and under-represented groups actively participate in community events and discussions. This is a challenge for us	Immigrants, new residents and under-represented groups actively participate in community events and discussions. This is a moderate strength	Immigrants, new residents and under-represented groups actively participate in community events and discussions. This is a real strength
We honor, value, and highlight the contributions of the community's full diversity in our public spaces.	We honor, value, and highlight the contributions of the community's full diversity in our public spaces. We don't have this	We honor, value, and highlight the contributions of the community's full diversity in our public spaces. This is a challenge for us	We honor, value, and highlight the contributions of the community's full diversity in our public spaces. This is a moderate strength	We honor, value, and highlight the contributions of the community's full diversity in our public spaces. This is a real strength
We are taking ongoing steps to discuss, learn about, and help address historical barriers to participation, inclusion, and employment.	We are taking ongoing steps to discuss, learn about, and help address historical barriers to participation, inclusion, and employment. We don't have this	We are taking ongoing steps to discuss, learn about, and help address historical barriers to participation, inclusion, and employment. This is a challenge for us	We are taking ongoing steps to discuss, learn about, and help address historical barriers to participation, inclusion, and employment. This is a moderate strength	We are taking ongoing steps to discuss, learn about, and help address historical barriers to participation, inclusion, and employment. This is a real strength

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* 6. Authentic Communication

	We don't have this	This is a challenge for us	This is a moderate strength	This is a real strength
We have many trusted, civic-minded sources of information and news in the community.	We have many trusted, civic-minded sources of information and news in the community. We don't have this	We have many trusted, civic-minded sources of information and news in the community. This is a challenge for us	We have many trusted, civic-minded sources of information and news in the community. This is a moderate strength	We have many trusted, civic-minded sources of information and news in the community. This is a real strength
Local government and other groups provide information in the languages that people speak and in ways that are culturally appropriate.	Local government and other groups provide information in the languages that people speak and in ways that are culturally appropriate. We don't have this	Local government and other groups provide information in the languages that people speak and in ways that are culturally appropriate. This is a challenge for us	Local government and other groups provide information in the languages that people speak and in ways that are culturally appropriate. This is a moderate strength	Local government and other groups provide information in the languages that people speak and in ways that are culturally appropriate. This is a real strength
There are many ways to communicate with and get information from government (i.e. 311, social media, text, local events, etc)	There are many ways to communicate with and get information from government (i.e. 311, social media, text, local events, etc) We don't have this	There are many ways to communicate with and get information from government (i.e. 311, social media, text, local events, etc) This is a challenge for us	There are many ways to communicate with and get information from government (i.e. 311, social media, text, local events, etc) This is a moderate strength	There are many ways to communicate with and get information from government (i.e. 311, social media, text, local events, etc) This is a real strength
We have authentic two-way communications between members of the community, the government and other institutions.	We have authentic two-way communications between members of the community, the government and other institutions. We don't have this	We have authentic two-way communications between members of the community, the government and other institutions. This is a challenge for us	We have authentic two-way communications between members of the community, the government and other institutions. This is a moderate strength	We have authentic two-way communications between members of the community, the government and other institutions. This is a real strength

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* 7. Culture of Engagement

	We don't have this	This is a challenge for us	This is a moderate strength	This is a real strength
We have a culture of engagement; we expect our government and other institutions to engage the full community to guide decision-making.	We have a culture of engagement; we expect our government and other institutions to engage the full community to guide decision-making. We don't have this	We have a culture of engagement; we expect our government and other institutions to engage the full community to guide decision-making. This is a challenge for us	We have a culture of engagement; we expect our government and other institutions to engage the full community to guide decision-making. This is a moderate strength	We have a culture of engagement; we expect our government and other institutions to engage the full community to guide decision-making. This is a real strength
Government agencies, nonprofits and other institutions work to learn from residents and other stakeholders before creating new programs.	Government agencies, nonprofits and other institutions work to learn from residents and other stakeholders before creating new programs. We don't have this	Government agencies, nonprofits and other institutions work to learn from residents and other stakeholders before creating new programs. This is a challenge for us	Government agencies, nonprofits and other institutions work to learn from residents and other stakeholders before creating new programs. This is a moderate strength	Government agencies, nonprofits and other institutions work to learn from residents and other stakeholders before creating new programs. This is a real strength
We make an extra effort to ensure traditionally underrepresented groups are engaged as part of community decision-making.	We make an extra effort to ensure traditionally underrepresented groups are engaged as part of community decision-making. We don't have this	We make an extra effort to ensure traditionally underrepresented groups are engaged as part of community decision-making. This is a challenge for us	We make an extra effort to ensure traditionally underrepresented groups are engaged as part of community decision-making. This is a moderate strength	We make an extra effort to ensure traditionally underrepresented groups are engaged as part of community decision-making. This is a real strength
Government, nonprofits and other groups engage people in accessible, comfortable or familiar locations, and at convenient times for residents.	Government, nonprofits and other groups engage people in accessible, comfortable or familiar locations, and at convenient times for residents. We don't have this	Government, nonprofits and other groups engage people in accessible, comfortable or familiar locations, and at convenient times for residents. This is a challenge for us	Government, nonprofits and other groups engage people in accessible, comfortable or familiar locations, and at convenient times for residents. This is a moderate strength	Government, nonprofits and other groups engage people in accessible, comfortable or familiar locations, and at convenient times for residents. This is a real strength
Local government and others engage community members in an ongoing fashion, not just when they need buy-in or quick feedback.	Local government and others engage community members in an ongoing fashion, not just when they need buy-in or quick feedback. We don't have this	Local government and others engage community members in an ongoing fashion, not just when they need buy-in or quick feedback. This is a challenge for us	Local government and others engage community members in an ongoing fashion, not just when they need buy-in or quick feedback. This is a moderate strength	Local government and others engage community members in an ongoing fashion, not just when they need buy-in or quick feedback. This is a real strength
We have formal discussions about difficult issues like race, immigration, drug addiction, etc.	We have formal discussions about difficult issues like race, immigration, drug addiction, etc. We don't have this	We have formal discussions about difficult issues like race, immigration, drug addiction, etc. This is a challenge for us	We have formal discussions about difficult issues like race, immigration, drug addiction, etc. This is a moderate strength	We have formal discussions about difficult issues like race, immigration, drug addiction, etc. This is a real strength

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* 8. Shared Vision and Values

	We don't have this	This is a challenge for us	This is a moderate strength	This is a real strength
We have a strong sense of attachment to, and pride in, our neighborhoods and community.	We have a strong sense of attachment to, and pride in, our neighborhoods and community. We don't have this	We have a strong sense of attachment to, and pride in, our neighborhoods and community. This is a challenge for us	We have a strong sense of attachment to, and pride in, our neighborhoods and community. This is a moderate strength	We have a strong sense of attachment to, and pride in, our neighborhoods and community. This is a real strength
Our community strategic planning efforts include the full diversity of the community to help identify a common vision.	Our community strategic planning efforts include the full diversity of the community to help identify a common vision. We don't have this	Our community strategic planning efforts include the full diversity of the community to help identify a common vision. This is a challenge for us	Our community strategic planning efforts include the full diversity of the community to help identify a common vision. This is a moderate strength	Our community strategic planning efforts include the full diversity of the community to help identify a common vision. This is a real strength
People have a clear sense of what makes the community unique and a shared vision for what we want to become in the future.	People have a clear sense of what makes the community unique and a shared vision for what we want to become in the future. We don't have this	People have a clear sense of what makes the community unique and a shared vision for what we want to become in the future. This is a challenge for us	People have a clear sense of what makes the community unique and a shared vision for what we want to become in the future. This is a moderate strength	People have a clear sense of what makes the community unique and a shared vision for what we want to become in the future. This is a real strength
Local government and nonprofit actions clearly align with the community's shared vision.	Local government and nonprofit actions clearly align with the community's shared vision. We don't have this	Local government and nonprofit actions clearly align with the community's shared vision. This is a challenge for us	Local government and nonprofit actions clearly align with the community's shared vision. This is a moderate strength	Local government and nonprofit actions clearly align with the community's shared vision. This is a real strength

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* 9. Civic Capital Score (Add up the number of times you chose 'this is a moderate strength' or 'this is a real strength'. The combined total will give you your civic capital score)

According to your civic capital score, civic health in your community is:
Exceptional .............. 32-27
Strong ...................... 26-20
Average .................... 19-13
Limited ..................... 12-6
Needs Improvement.. 5-0