Civic Engagement Cafe

Published in the World Journal, April 16th, 2026 Issue

Welcome one, welcome all, to the civic engagement cafe—your local spot for helping. Check out our specials here, then go out and make a difference in your small town. As a reminder, all of our offerings pair best with a positive attitude and a cooperative spirit. 

Board Service Borscht — cost: collaboration — Do you know that most nonprofits, as a legal requirement, must have a governing Board of Directors? You could be the leadership a local organization has been waiting for! A board can make, or break, a nonprofit. Big or small, if there’s an org you love, reach out and let them know that you’re interested in joining their board the next time they have an opening.

Friendly Neighbor Fajitas — cost: varies — You don’t have to be best friends to look after one another and try to stay on the same team. Comes with introducing yourself and exchanging phone numbers. Cup of sugar, dinner invites, and picking up your mail while you are out of town are available as add-ons.

Changemaker Casserole — cost: passion — Finish this one in less than 10 years and we’ll put your picture on the wall! Pick a problem that matters to you and become the expert in it. Figure out who is already working in that space and join the cause. Hone your vision and don’t give up on volunteering, leading, and advocating until you see the progress you’re looking for!

Speak your Mind Salad — cost: courage — Say what you mean and mean what you say! Be informed about local issues and share with your friends, family, and neighbors! Sticking up for your beliefs when it’s hard is included. Reaching people with kindness can be added on the side (added cost: love).

Donor Dumplings — cost: spare change — A quick engagement snack, this one doesn’t demand the added time and responsibility of some of our other specials! Find a cause you love and throw some money their way. 

In our communities, we don’t have access to the same resources as large cities. From affluent funders to foundation support, rural communities operate with less. Never talk yourself out of donating because it’s “too small to make a difference.”  If everyone in my home, Huerfano County, Colorado, could find just $5 to give to a cause, it would raise over $30,000. If 50% of us gave that $5 weekly, it would result in nearly a million dollars in donations over the course of the year.  In the timeless words of James Gurney, “one raindrop raises the sea,” (for those who may be asking yourselves, yes, that is a quote from Dinotopia).

Thanks to all the ‘burgers for coming by the civic engagement cafe this week. No matter what you order, we hope we’ll see you again soon for more.