Civic Participation

From health.gov, plus a link to the CommunityCare of Lyme archives

Shared 3/6/24

Civic participation encompasses a wide range of formal and informal activities, such as voting, volunteering, participating in group activities, and community gardening.¹ Some are individual activities that benefit society (e.g., voting) or group activities that benefit either the group members (e.g., recreational soccer teams) or society (e.g., volunteer organizations).¹ In addition to the direct benefit that civic participation provides to the community, it also produces secondary health benefits for participants.^2,3  This summary focuses on the relationship between civic participation, health, and well-being.ⁱ

One way civic participation improves health is by building social capital, which is defined as “features of social organization such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit.”⁴  (health.gov)

As we enter the mayhem of mud season, we also enter a month of town meetings. This month is an ideal opportunity to assess your civic participation. As the quote from health.gov above suggests there are many ways to participate. Go to town meeting. Engage in discourse. Vote. Offer to give a neighbor a ride so they can attend town meeting.

If you are looking for ongoing opportunities for civic participation be sure to stop by the Community Coordinators’ tables at Town meeting on Tuesday, March 12th in the Lyme School. Representatives from the different organizations, boards, and committees of Lyme will be present to help you learn about ways to get involved in the community. (There are many!) We’re eager to see you at town meeting!

To learn more about the benefits of civic engagement, review CommunityCare of Lyme’s Civic Engagement page, with posts shared throughout March 2023, exploring many aspects of community involvement.

Works Cited:

“Civic Participation.” Civic Participation – Healthy People 2030, health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/civic-participation. Accessed 6 Mar. 2024.

Every Wednesday, CommunityCare of Lyme lifts up a wellness topic, embracing the widest possible definition of individual and community well-being. We include local and national resources, individual and group programs and practices, and personal stories, videos, or songs that have something to teach us all. We are always seeking guest contributors! 

If you have a wellness-themed topic you would like to share or learn more about, please reach out to shelby@cclyme.org

Shelby Wood
Manager of Volunteer Participation
CommunityCare of Lyme
Shelby@cclyme.org
802-468-7776 (cell)
603-795-0603 (CCL office and help line)