The Evergreen State Society serves Washington as a center for civic initiative. This mission focuses our attention on the conditions that encourage community engagement throughout our state
This mission also leads us to build on our close wor
We do these things by communicating both in traditional forms and on the Internet, by convening groups to discuss and debate critical developments, by serving as a clearinghouse for best practices and to link individuals with complementary interests, by recognizing and honoring outstanding accomplishments of individuals and organizations, and by advocating with governments and other institutions for policies and programs that give encouragement or, at a minimum, do no harm to commitment of energy to civic well being.
Civic initiative is a unique asset. It grows when it is used. It must be shared to be effective.
Civic initiative is not an accident. As the events of our century prove only too clearly, oppressive power can crush it. Small insults and petty diversions can discourage it. Shortsightedness and opportunism can derail it. Yet wise public policies and generous leadership foster civic initiative. It blossoms when people believe in its power. It flourishes when people witness its effects. It expands when nurtured in a creative and respectful spirit. Civic initiative knows no boundaries of class or culture. The pride Washingtonians feel in our long and strong tradition of civic generosity and innovation is pride of accomplishment not comparison. A fair reading of history confirms that cooperative action for a common good can be found in every corner of the globe under conditions of every sort from utter deprivation to embarrassing excess. Yet civic initiative is characteristic of some eras, some places, some communities. It is missing or little known in others. We have been fortunate to live in a place and time when it could be taken for granted.
Now observers of the American scene describe disturbing declines in many key indexes of civic involvement over the last several decades.
| PTA Membership: | 1964-12 million | 1994-7 million |
| League of Women Voters membership: | down by 42% | since 1969 |
| Jaycees membership: | down 44% | since 1979 |
| Red Cross volunteers: | down by 61% | since 1970 |
| Proportion responding that "most people can be trusted" | 1960-58% | 1993-37% |
No single act can guarantee a healthy climate for civic initiative. No exhortation can reverse deep changes in routines of everyday life across the nation and around the world. But we can give greater attention to the place of civic initiative in Washington's communities. We can make a greater commitment to opening possibilities for positive civic acts. We can pause to consider ways to avoid damage to people's good intentions. We can work to create more opportunities for the expression of community spirit.
So much good can be done by encouraging the power of civic initiative. The Evergreen State Society seeks to use its energies and resources to widen the field where that power can further the best aspirations of communities throughout Washington. We look for allies wherever they may be found. We invite you to join in this adventure.