How can we encourage community engagement in government?

I recently read a study by the Case Foundation regarding civic engagement and how to get more people involved in community decision-making. The 25-page report called "Citizens at the Center: A New Approach to Civic Engagement" can be found as a link from this page http://www.casefoundation.org/spotlight/civic_engagement

A very basic summary is this: How can we move beyond volunteering and voting as means to participate in civic society? Americans feel more socially isolated and powerless today with respect to civic issues than at any time in recent history. The need is to promote efforts to allow ordinary citizens with opportunities to connect with others and work collectively toward defining common issues and ways to address them. Efforts need to be citizen-driven and inclusive of young people. A study showed that we need to start giving young people opportunities to experience connectedness to their government at younger ages, not just civic lessons in high school; the age of 12 was cited as an ideal age to start some form of community participation that makes an impression on the child to want to stay involved. Some of the "most robust forms of local participation" are found at the city government level. With the rise in technology and trust of the internet as a forum for idea exchange, the role of formal organizations "shifts from being agenda-setting leaders to supporters or diffusers of information and resources across wider networks."

If you take a look at this report, I would be interested in your comments. Feel free to email me at lkelly@sonomacity.org or call me at 933-2215.