On Day 37 of 40 Stories in 40 Days, we revisited the Why of Leadership Austin: making a positive impact on civic engagement and social connectedness in Greater Austin. Today, we highlight some of the work we’ve been doing to begin measuring how effective we are at achieving that goal.
Essential 36 – 2015 partnered with The Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life at The University of Texas at Austin Moody College of Communication to publish our first report on this topic, “Civic Engagement in Austin: Views on 10-1 Geographic Representation”. That was followed in 2018 by The Greater Austin Civic Health Index, a partnership of Leadership Austin, The Strauss Institute, The RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at The University of Texas at Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, and The National Conference on Citizenship.
The data points that are measured in these reports are important because they influence indicators of overall civic health such as high rates of employment, strong schools, health and wellness, and responsive government. Leadership Austin uses them to guide the direction of programming and curriculum so that we can respond to leadership gaps in the region as they arise.
We encourage you to read through the reports. What resonates with you? Where could you affect change? At home? In your neighborhood? At your office? Where you worship or volunteer? These are the questions we ask the people in our programs every day. Because we are all leaders – Leadership Austin shows you how to be a great one.
“Civic Engagement in Austin: Views on 10-1 Geographic Representation”
The Greater Austin Civic Health Index
In 2019, Leadership Austin was selected to participate in Measuring What Matters, a teaching program that helps nonprofit organizations learn how to use data to amplify their work. We learned a lot! We also completed the triennial survey of Leadership Austin alumni with our partners at Cambia Information Group. Stay tuned in the coming weeks and months as we present new data about the difference our alumni are making in the region – as we continue working toward our Why.
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