National Conference on Citizenship

The National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening civic life in America. They pursue their mission through a nationwide network of partners involved in a cutting-edge Civic Health Initiative, annual cross-sector conferences, and engagement with a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations interested in utilizing civic engagement principles and practices to enhance their work. Connecting people for the purpose of strengthening civic life is NCoC's goal. At the core of NCoC's joint efforts is the belief that every person has the ability to help his or her community and country thrive.
NCoC was chartered by Congress in 1953 to harness the patriotic energy and national civic involvement surrounding World War II. In 2009, Congress named NCoC in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, expanding their Civic Health Initiative to become the nation's largest measure of civic engagement.
For the past 10 years NCoC, together with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and state and community level collaborative networks across the nation, has documented the state of civic life in America in city, state, and national Civic Health Index (CHI) reports. NCoC plans to establish CHI partnerships in all 50 states and the District of Columbia by 2020.
The Civic Health Initiative has been an incubator for programs such as the Civic Data Challenge and The Civic 50. The Civic Data Challenge was a national competition to turn the raw data of civic health into useful applications and visualizations. The Civic 50 is an initiative to identify the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation.
The Annual Conference on Citizenship is NCoC's signature event. Held in proximity to Citizenship Day (also known as Constitution Day) in the fall, NCoC convenes leaders in the field of civic engagement to exchange information and to discuss ways to progress their shared mission of encouraging Americans to become fully involved citizens. In addition to the Annual Conference, NCoC has partnered with institutions to host and convene programs, events, webinars, and discussions throughout the year.
After 2013, NCoC expanded their programs to promote national service. They took a leading role in the creation of the Service Year technology platform. They worked in partnership with the Franklin Project at the Aspen Institute. The platform is an online marketplace designed to increase service opportunities for Americans between 18–28 years old. It brings together young people seeking service positions, organizations seeking service members, and funders looking to support these efforts.
Mission statement.
NCoC is a congressionally chartered organization dedicated to strengthening civic life in America. We believe every person has the power to help their community and country thrive.
History.
Origin: (1946-1953).
Purpose of NCoC: To Support and Strengthen the Efforts of the People in Maintaining the Blessings of Freedom and Justice and in Protecting and Perpetuating the Principles and Ideals upon which this Nation is Founded; to Develop a More Thorough Knowledge of Citizenship Rights and Responsibilities; to Inspire a Deeper Devotion to Citizenship Obligations; to Encourage Ever More Effective Participation in Citizenship Activities and to Promote a Spirit of Cooperation on the Part of all Citizens – to these High Purposes, the National Conference on Citizenship is Dedicated.
Founded in 1946, in the aftermath of the Second World War, NCoC was inspired by efforts of a diverse group of Americans and created with the goal of capturing and perpetuating, in peacetime, the spirit of cooperation and civic energy fostered during wartime. With the collective attention of the nation returning to domestic affairs, NCoC was imagined as a vehicle to highlight the critical importance of civic responsibility to the health of our republic so that all citizens might dedicate themselves to upholding continuously our concept of government and the democratic way of life.
The First National Conference on Citizenship was held on May 17–18, 1946 in Philadelphia, PA
Congressional Charter.
On August 13, 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a bill that was passed by both houses of Congress that incorporated the Conference; allowing the NCoC to now operate under a Federal Charter. A Federal Charter is federal statue that establishes a co-operation between the government and organizations, agencies, or institutions.
In 1953, the goal of the Congressional Charter was to empower “the NCoC to translate its ideals and objectives into realities. Plans for the future include both long-range and immediate projects and activates. The Conference will initiate and conduct some of these activities directly. Other, it will encourage and assist organizations and agencies in States and communities to initiate and carry on.”
There are approximately 1,478,000 non-profits in America—94 of them are chartered by Congress.
Present: (2004- Present).
In 2006, NCoC convened a working group to create the first “America’s Civic Health Index.” Utilizing a variety of indicators, the Civic Health Index (CHI) provides insight into civic trends at the national, state, city, and demographic level.
In 2009, Congress named NCoC in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. This legislation codified and expanded NCoC's CHI helping it become the nation's largest and most definitive measure of civic engagement.
In 2012, NCoC launched two new programs:
In 2013, NCoC started its partnership with the Franklin Project at the Aspen Institute to develop a Service Year technology platform. This system aims to be a 21st-century tool that will increase the number of organizations that can provide national service opportunities and make it easier for young Americans to identify those positions.
Structure.
Board of Directors.
The National Conference on Citizenship's current Board of Directors consists of Barry Byrd, Lattie Coor, Philip Duncan, Paula Ellis, Eric Federing, Garrett Graff (Chair), Hon. Bob Graham, Gail Leftwich Kitch, A.G. Newmyer, Craig Turk, Michael Weiser (Chair Emeritus), and Erica Williams.
Board of Advisors.
The National Conference on Citizenship's Board of Advisors consists of the following individuals:
Programs.
NCoC's current programming includes the Civic Health Initiative, consisting of the Civic Health Index, and the Annual Conference on Citizenship.
Civic Health Index.
The Civic Health Index (CHI) is at the center of NCoC's work. At NCoC, “civic health” is considered the way that communities are organized to define and address public problems. Communities with strong indicators of civic health have higher employment rates, stronger schools, better physical health, and more responsive governments. For the past 10 years NCoC, together with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and state and community level collaborative networks across the nation, has documented the state of civic life in America in city, state, and national CHI reports. CHIs use a range of indicators including volunteering, voting, connections to civic and religious organizations, trust in other Americans and key institutions, and other civic behavior and attitudes.
CHI partnerships have changed the way governments go about their work, reintroduced civics to classrooms, redirected investments, influenced national and local conversations resulting in enhancing civic life, and bolstered a network of civic leaders across the country. By 2020, NCoC's goal is to integrate this pioneering initiative into ongoing partnerships in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
America's Civic Health Index received a new level of recognition through its inclusion in the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which was signed into law in May 2009. The Act formalized a partnership between NCoC, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the Corporation for National and Community Service to develop, refine, and implement an annual civic health assessment.
In addition to the America's Civic Health Index report, the National Conference on Citizenship partners with local institutions to release state and city specific reports. NCoC currently works with over 30 local partners.
Annual Conference.
The National Conference on Citizenship hosts an annual conference on or around Citizenship Day. NCoC convenes leaders in the field of civic engagement along with other individuals and organizations interested in utilizing civic engagement principles and practices to enhance their work. Connecting people for the purpose of strengthening civic life is the goal. Each year's conference revolves around a different theme that concerns various aspects of civic engagement on a multitude of levels, including corporate, institutional, and individual responsibility.
Featured Annual Conference Speakers have included: Justice Antonin Scalia, former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Senator Robert Byrd, Senator Harris Wofford, Senator Bob Graham, Jean Case, Sonal Shah, Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Scott Heiferman, Craig Newmark, & Sean Parker.
Past Conferences.
1953 – 8th Annual Conference – What Price, Freedom?
1954 – 9th Annual Conference – The Three Branches of our Federal Government, Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow.
1956 – 11th Annual Conference – The Voting Citizen
1957 – 12th Annual Conference – Imperatives for Peace
1958 – 13th Annual Conference – Citizenship in a Changing World
1959 - 14th Annual Conference - US Citizenship: Know It, Cherish It, Live It
1960 – 15th Annual Conference – America: A Government of the People, for the People, by the People.
1961 – 16th Annual Conference – What We as Citizens Can Do for Our Country
1962 – 17th Annual Conference – What Can I Do for My Country in a Changing World?
1963 – 18th Annual Conference – American Citizenship: Showcase for Freedom
1966 – 19th Annual Conference – Supports of Freedom: The Law & The Ballot
1968- 23rd Annual Conference - Creative Citizenship and Its Applications
1969- 24th Annual Conference - Youth Engagement
2004 - 59th Annual Conference
2005 - 60th Annual Conference
2007 - 62nd Annual Conference
2008 - 63rd Annual Conference - Beyond the Vote
2009 - 64th Annual Conference - Sustainable Impact: A Civic Return on Investment
2010 - 65th Annual Conference - BIG Citizenship: Citizens as Catalysts and Innovators
2011 - 66th Annual Conference - Redefining America's Social Impact *First year the Conference was held outside of Washington, D.C.
2012 - 67th Annual Conference - Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: Exploring the link between civic engagement and employment
2013 - 68th Annual Conference - America's Charter: Past, Present, and Future
2016 - Civic Life, Civic Health and Civic Renewal: Through the Lens of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion *Co-hosted by Tufts University's Tisch College of Civic Life 
2017 - Strengthening Civic Life in America
Awards.
Joseph H. Kanter Citizen of the Year Award.
Named for NCoC's long-time chairman, the Citizen of the Year Award is granted to a private citizen who has exemplified active citizenship in contributing to the public good.
Past winners have included: Mack McCarter, Founder of Community Renewal International (2018), Robert Putnam, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University (2017), Arthur Dean, Chairman and CEO of Community Anti Drug Coalitions of America (2016), David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of The Carlyle Group (2013), Jack Miller, philanthropist, businessman, and chairman of the Jack Miller Center for Teaching America's Founding Principles and History (2012), Jean Case and Steve Case (2011), TIME Managing Editor Rick Stengel (2010), Philanthropists Eugene Lang (2008) & Ray Chambers (2007), Educational Pioneer Irasema Salcido (2006), Congressman Lee H. Hamilton (2005), and Senator Harris Wofford (2004).
Franklin Award.
The Franklin Award is given to outstanding individuals in federal service who are working to strength citizenship in America. The award bears the famous Franklin quote, “A Republic if you can keep it", his response when asked what style of government the Constitution would create.
Past winners have included General Ann Dunwoody (2013), Honorable Norman Y. Mineta (2012), Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (2011), Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2010), Justice Antonin Scalia (2009), former Justice Sandra Day O’Connor (2008), Justice Stephen Breyer (2007), Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia (2006), and Senator Lamar Alexander (2005)
Major George A. Smith Memorial Fund “HOOAH” Award.
This award recognizes a notable veteran who defines their citizenship and service to our country, both in uniform and beyond.
Past winners are Brenda Sue Fulton (2018), Honorable Tulsi Gabbard (2013), Chris Marvin (2012), Eric Hilleman (2011), Derek Blumke (Student Veterans of America) (2010).
Role Model of the Year Award.
The Role Model of the Year Award is designed to recognize individuals who use their public presence to inspire others and give back to their community. Past winners include Alfred Morris, Running Back for the Washington Redskins (2013), and Nnamdi Asomugha, Defensive Back for the Philadelphia Eagles (2012).
Other awards.
Jane Addams Award, Scott Heiferman (2005); Young Citizen of the Year Award, Robbie Bergquist and Brittany Bergquist (2007).
Service Year Exchange.
NCoC partnered with the Franklin Project at The Aspen Institute to develop a national service technology platform called the Service Year Exchange. The system is a 21st-century tool to increase the number of organizations that can provide national service opportunities and make it easier for young Americans to identify those positions. In January 2016, the Service Year Exchange project merged with ServiceNation and the Franklin Project at the Aspen Institute to form Service Year Alliance.