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Other Initiatives Focused on Civic Engagement, Volunteerism, etc.

Note: Coyote Helps does not yet exist as a nonprofit. All of the information on this web site is PROPOSED.
Please see the home page for more information about this idea for a nonprofit.

Coyote Helps is a proposed nonprofit that will be focused on helping to make online, interactive spaces kinder and more public-spirited, by mobilizing online to volunteers to engage in activities that help make the Internet a place where people can more easily engage with the human, environmental and community causes they care about most, as well as explore new causes.  the human, environmental and community causes they care about most, as well as explore new causes. This would be done through leveraging online volunteers and existing online resources - online communities, volunteer matching platforms, apps, information-sharing sites, etc. - to help people connect with causes they care about and to learn about issues from credible sources, and to help nonprofits, NGOs, government programs and other mission-based initiatives connect with potential supporters. 

In-person initiatives.

There are several initiatives working to increase a sense of community and civility, as well as encourage civic engagement. Coyote Helps is not affiliated with any of these organizations, but wants to recommend them for those who want to promote civic engagement and community-building and more civility offline as well as online. 

In the USA, these include:
The League of Women Voters. a nonpartisan, grassroots organization working to protect and expand voting rights and ensure everyone is represented in the US democracy. The League encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education, and advocacy. It is for everyone, not just women. One of their biggest activities is registering voters.

Emerge: recruits, trains, and provides a powerful network to Democratic Party women who want to run for office.

The Lugar Series (Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series): works to increase the preparation, number and influence of Republican women leaders in elected and appointed governmental positions at the local, state and federal levels.

Carter Center Events & Volunteering. Nationwide opportunities, not just in Atlanta, Georgia.

Clinton Foundation Events & Volunteering.

Presidential Libraries - there are 14 Presidential libraries and museums with a physical presence and onsite programs in various parts of the USA. All have regular events talking about US politics, and often not just related to the legacy of the President the library is named for. Most have onsite volunteering opportunities.

The Smithsonian. The Smithsonian strives to provide Americans and the world with the tools and information they need to forge Our Shared Future. A variety of events, online and off, as well as a plethora of volunteering opportunities.

Individual political parties. Political parties in your community engage in voter registration drives and welcome volunteers to help.

Justice For All: Courts and the Community. The initiative involves the federal courts of the Second Circuit, which comprises the states of Connecticut, New York and Vermont. This is a circuit-wide civic education initiative to increase public understanding of the role and operations of the courts and bring courts closer to the community. 

Center for Civic Education. Its mission is to cultivate an informed and thoughtful citizenry committed to democratic principles and actively engaged in the practice of democracy.

United Nations Association USA. Members have a commitment to global engagement and a belief that each of us can play a part in advancing the UN’s mission and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

World Affairs Council of the USA. Supports, strengthens and represents a national network of 90 nonpartisan organizations working to deepen their communities’ global perspective.

Your city may have an official Leadership program. These are often called something like Leadership Springfield or whatever your town's name is. These programs are often hosted by the local Chamber of Commerce.  These are civic engagement programs designed to help professionals better understand the institutions and critical issues shaping our region. You apply to be a part of the program and, if accepted, you can expect to meet monthly and explore key aspects of civic life in your city, including local and state government, public safety, land use, education, housing and infrastructure, and arts and culture. The program provides a comprehensive view of how the region works and encourages graduates to be more engaged in their communities, as nonprofit board members, as members of government advisory boards, and even running for office.

If you engage in any of these activities, you would NOT be doing so through Coyote Helps - you would be doing it entirely on your own. But in such volunteering, it could help you gather information that you would then want to share online as a volunteer with Coyote Helps.

Simple local, offline acts.

There are lots of easy ways to get involved locally, off-line, in your own community, to be more civically engaged and to help build community and civility. These include:
And what's great about doing any of these activities is that it would help you become an even better online volunteer with Coyote Helps!

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