Race is in the Headlines. Again.
 
The pandemic has brought new light to long-standing racial disparities and now we've been reminded this past week of racial disparities in law enforcement. Many cities have been working on racial equity, like the 14 places prioritized by the Kellogg Foundation, but progress is slow without national support. Here is a good source of information about racial equity matters, particularly during the pandemic. For stories about some of the great work going on in communities around the country, please see our article below on COVID-19 and civic capital and the racial equity section of our website.

     
 
President, National Civic League

Coronavirus and the
Crisis of City Finances
No one knows for certain how long the Coronavirus pandemic will last, but cities will be feeling the fiscal effects of this scourge years after the crisis has finally run its course. The reason is simple: Costs will increase as localities respond to the health crisis and revenues will plunge. What lessons from past recessions can cities apply to the current crisis?
Read more.
 
Increasing Voter Turnout in Local Elections
In the latest edition of the National Civic Review, Jan Brennan discusses how voter turnout in local elections is often much lower than in national elections, especially among people of color and youth. She then offers ideas for what communities can do to encourage higher levels of voter participation in local elections. 
Use access code NCL20 to read more. 
#WeavingCommunity 
Month of Brave Connection
From Memorial Day to July 4th, #WeavingCommunity is bringing together those with military backgrounds and other individuals to share their experiences and wisdom on how to grow from this challenge. Join in a small-group video conversation about how the pandemic has affected you and how we can weave a stronger America coming out of it. Join the conversation here.
What's Working? How Civic Capital Improves Resilience
The National Civic League has been gathering COVID-19 success stories from communities that have used strong civic capital to respond to the pandemic. Read examples of how the civic capital of communities has led to an improved response to COVID-19, or share your own community's success story.  Read more.
SolSmart's COVID-19 Solar Resources and Solutions
SolSmart has gathered resources  for communities as they navigate dramatic changes in operations caused by COVID-19.  Solsmart also recently released the Toolkit for Local Governments , which provides a roadmap for governments and local stakeholders to help communities become "open for solar business." 

Civics Unplugged Presents Commence 2030
We're excited to announce that our friends at Civics Unplugged are putting together #Commence2030, a first-of-its-kind celebration of young American civic superheroes who go above and beyond for their communities and are ready to "commence" a brighter future for democracy. Learn more. 
Additional Information & Upcoming Events

COVID-19: Resources for Individuals and Governments

National League of Cities: COVID-19: Local Action Tracker Preview

A View From You: Our National Dialogue
This one-of-a-kind, national broadcast conversation offered the opportunity for residents to speak directly to community leaders, sharing what they need and the actions required by elected officials to get past this crisis.

NCDD Event Calendar
The calendar lists upcoming events related to dialogue, deliberation, and civic engagement.

Now accepting article proposals for National Civic Review
We are interested in 1,200-3,000 word articles. 
The deadline for the fall issue is September 15th. 
Contact mikem@ncl.org for more information. 


               
Thank you to National Civic League Sustaining Member 
Communities:

Asheboro, NC
Aurora, CO
Chula Vista, CA
Decatur, GA
Denver, CO
Downtown Fort Worth, Inc.
Dublin, CA
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Gladstone, MO
Hayward, CA
Illinois Municipal League
Las Vegas, NV
Oakridge Neighborhood
Rancho Cordova, CA
Roanoke, VA
San Antonio, TX
Tallahassee, FL
Tampa Housing Authority
Tupelo, MS
Thank you to National Civic League Partner Organizations:

American Society for Public Administration
Bridge Alliance
Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Foundation
CGI
Colorado Health Foundation
Comcast
Delta Dental
Government Finance Officers Association
Greenberg Traurig
ICMA-RC
International City / County Management Association
Kaiser Permanente
Kettering Foundation
National Academy of Public Administration
National Coalition on Dialogue and Deliberation
National League of Cities
National Forum for Black Public Administrators
Rawson Family Foundation
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Southwest Airlines
United States Census Bureau
United Way Worldwide
Well Being Trust
W.K. Kellogg Foundation

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