Overview
Goal: Our state will foster a climate of inclusion that encourages active participation from everyone living in our community.
We all gain when everyone participates in society--by running for office, getting involved in community, starting a local business, donating to a charity or lending time and talent as a volunteer. People must also believe they are valued members of their community, and have a voice in shaping it. Our region has a rich history of strong civic engagement. But our rapidly changing cultural, business and demographic landscape brings new challenges. How well we meet the demands of an evolving Minnesota will determine our citizen participation in the next century.
What's happening
Overall, we have active residents who feel that their work can have an impact, as part of a larger community that can work together for common goals:
- In 2012, Minnesota retained its #1 rank for voter turnout, continuing to far surpass the national voter turnout numbers -- while just 54% of voting age residents nationwide voted, about 72% of Minnesota voters did.
- With about 38 percent of Minnesotans contributing time and energy to organizations in 2011, we outpace the national volunteerism rate by about 10 percentage points. Our state ranked fourth in the nation in the percentage of residents volunteering.
- In a 2011 statewide survey, about three quarters of Minnesota adults reported they can make a difference in improving the quality of life in their community.
Making connections
A strong economy and business climate provides resources for community involvement and fosters employee participation in their communities.
event spotlight
Minnesota Compass Annual Meeting
Meeting participants used principles of innovation introduced by keynote speaker Alex Cirillo to find new ways to address racial gaps in Minnesota.
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