• Service AlertWeather permitting, the Westlink Branch Library will be closed Friday, April 24 due to renovations to the skylight.

Civic Action Passport

the front cover of the Civic Action Passport overlaid on a photo of four people at a table

In an era where civic engagement is crucial for vibrant communities, the Civic Action Passport aims to foster active participation among Wichita residents.

This innovative collaboration between the Wichita Public Library, the City of Wichita, the Kansas Leadership Center, and Lead Wichita encourages community members to attend events and complete activities that enhance their understanding of civic responsibilities and opportunities.

You can pick up a Civic Action Passport at any Wichita Public Library location, or if you prefer, participate through the Civic Action Passport challenge in Beanstack.

Learn about Beanstack

Civic action is more than voting or attending meetings. It's about connecting with others and actively shaping the place you live.

How to Use the Civic Action Passport

Earn "stamps" by engaging in seven activities and events across seven civic action categories.

While not all activities will be explicitly listed in the Civic Action Passport, participants can identify eligible events and activities by visiting this page or visitwichita.com/wichita250/events.

If you participate in the Civic Action Passport as a family or a young professional, we have you covered with some suggestions:

Suggestions for families
Suggestions for young professionals

Participants are not limited by these suggestions though, and will complete at least 7 activities each from the following categories:

Upcoming Events

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Civic Forums

  • Create a community art project
  • View realities facing our City and "Take Action" on the State of Our City website
  • Attend a community forum
  • Host a neighborhood gathering, meet your neighbors, or take the bus
  • Have a family discussion about a topic of disagreement
  • Take a survey
  • Complete the City of Wichita Budget Simulator
  • Talk to an elected official
  • Ask a question during a community panel
  • Attend a chamber of commerce Public Issues forum or a Leading Kansas event
  • Choose an event from this page or visitwichita.com/wichita250/events

Community Events

  • Visit a local farmer's market
  • Listen to a local band or musician perform
  • Watch a community fireworks display
  • Participate in a First Friday gallery crawl
  • Attend Riverfest
  • Attend a chamber of commerce event
  • Take a selfie with a local mural and post it on social media #ICTaction
  • Attend an event that celebrates culture
  • Use sidewalk chalk to show your ICT pride in your parking lot or driveway
  • Engage with local artists
  • Visit a local park
  • Attend Open Streets ICT (Douglas, NoMar, or Shocker neighborhood)
  • Choose an event from this page or visitwichita.com/wichita250/events

Education

  • Attend a civics program at the Wichita Public Library
  • Learn about voting rights
  • Attend a Kansas Leadership Center course
  • Read a book about a civics-related topic
  • Visit a historical museum like Wichita-Sedgwick County Museum, Old Cowtown, and the Mid-America All-Indian Museum
  • Watch a documentary about history or government
  • Cheer on civic-minded middle school students at the Kansas Finals of the National Civics Bee
  • Learn and practice a mindfulness technique
  • Learn about the different chamber of commerce groups in Wichita
  • Explore the research tools available on this website
  • Apply for the City of Wichita Civic Engagement Academy
  • Attend a Research Like a Librarian program
  • Volunteer at a community non-profit or a place of faith
  • Sign up for Citizens Police Academy or Citizens Fire Academy
  • Choose an event from this page or visitwichita.com/wichita250/events

Engagement

Literacy

  • Read the book When Everyone Leads
  • Subscribe to the Kansas Leadership Center Journal
  • Get a library card
  • Write a family constitution
  • Read a book about history
  • Research media and information literacy
  • Read a book about civics
  • Attend a library event
  • Read to another person
  • Participate in a book club
  • Read a Big Read Wichita book
  • Attend a Kansas Leadership Center Journal Talk
  • Choose an event from this page or visitwichita.com/wichita250/events

Public Meetings

  • Attend a meeting of one of the six District Advisory Boards
  • View and consider applying for the city boards and commissions you may be eligible to serve on
  • Attend any City of Wichita-hosted board meeting
  • Attend a neighborhood association meeting
  • Take notes at a meeting of your choice
  • Meet a local official
  • Learn about the Wichita Documenters
  • Watch or attend a school board meeting
  • Watch or attend a city council meeting
  • Speak at a public meeting about an issue that is important to you or your family
  • Learn about the Robert's Rules of Order
  • Attend a county or state meeting
  • Choose an event from this page or visitwichita.com/wichita250/events

Volunteer

  • Participate in a neighborhood clean-up day
  • Volunteer with local access initiative
  • Explore volunteer opportunities at the United Way Volunteer Center
  • Volunteer at a polling location
  • Give a friend a ride to the polls on election day
  • Volunteer with the Friends of the Wichita Public Library
  • Learn about a local nonprofit
  • Help your neighbor with a project
  • Take action with the Kansas Leadership Center Actioneer program
  • Ask how you can help at a community garden
  • Participate in the Sedgwick County Adopt-a-Highway program
  • Serve on a board, commission, or committee
  • Choose an event from this page or visitwichita.com/wichita250/events

Related Library Resources

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