12 Meaningful Ways To Get Involved In Your Community

Millennials have received a bad reputation from other generations as entitled, selfish, and socially inconsiderate. However, this isn’t the case. I promise I’m not just saying that as a biased millennial. According to the 2012 Millennial Impact Report, 73% of millennials volunteered for a nonprofit organization. Four out of five volunteers said they did so because of their passion for the cause.

Some people may argue that millennials are only donating their time, but that isn’t the case either. Research also showed that nearly 83% of young Americans donated money to a nonprofit last year. Our generation desires to be involved and active members of our communities.

Whether you recently moved to a new town or live in the same city you grew up in, there are always meaningful ways to get involved in your community. Here are some more suggestions!

Meaningful Ways To Get Involved In Your Community

1. Join the Rotary Club or Young Professionals Group

Rotary is an international service organization with the motto: “Service Above Self.” Their purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services, encourage high ethical standards, and advance goodwill and peace worldwide.

1.2 million individuals work hard in local clubs to tackle their communities’ toughest challenges and bring about positive change.

Young Professionals groups can be found in most towns and have nationwide groups that are primarily focused on bringing together young, influential community members and creating a strong network for these individuals to draw upon and continue to build their careers.

2. Vote in Every Election

One of the most important aspects of being an active member of society is voting in every election. Despite the importance of voting, research done by the Knight Foundation found that only one in five eligible voters show up for mayoral elections.

A more discouraging statistic is that young people vote at lower rates in local elections than any other group.

Local elections have the most significant immediate impact on our daily lives. Who your community elects will determine how your neighborhoods look and feel, whether and how our streets are kept clean and safe, how our roads and transit work, and what it’s like to have a job, start a business, and have kids in our places.

Politics isn’t the most appealing act of community activism for millennials to participate in, but it is one.

Click here to register yourself to vote right now!

3. Know Your City Councilors

While this may be another less glamorous side of community activism, your city councilors are the people who affect change in your city. Their job is to listen to what their constituents want and need. If you have a problem or see something that you think needs to be changed, visit with a local city official.

If they don’t know what people want, they won’t be able to do anything about it. Additionally, city council meetings are open to the public if you are ever curious about things happening in your town.

4. Shop Locally

Local shopping is an easy way to get involved in your community and support your neighbors. By forgoing big chain stores and giant corporations that dominate the economy, you’re supporting local entrepreneurs and putting money straight back into your local area.

Also, getting to know local business owners can be very beneficial in building your local network. Contact your Chamber of Commerce for a list of the businesses and their owners in your town.

Another way to find local businesses to support is on Etsy. Many independent artists and creators use Etsy to sell their items online. You can search on the site for your city or town to find people in your area who are selling products. Start shopping on Etsy today!

5. Get Involved through a Religions Organization

If you are religious, getting involved in an organization that aligns with your beliefs is another way to be active in your community. Being an active member will allow you to meet many people, volunteer for worthy causes, and connect with a higher purpose. Religious organizations always have events going on in your local area, from book clubs to softball leagues.

6. Volunteer

One of the most meaningful ways to get involved in your community is to volunteer your time and energy to an organization or group you feel passionately about.

Volunteering will help you become a more well-rounded person and connect you to many other individuals to you may not have been introduced otherwise. Some examples of large organizations that have local branches all across the country are:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• Humane Society of the United States
• Habitat for Humanity
• American Red Cross
• YMCA
• YWCA
• United Way Worldwide

Other volunteering options include retirement homes, after-school programs, public libraries, and soup kitchens.

The most important thing to remember about volunteering is that you will get as much out of the experience as you can give to the greater good. This is especially true if you contribute to a cause or organization you feel passionate about.

7. Attend Philanthropic Events

This option may not seem like something many millennials want to do in their spare time. Local philanthropic events are typically where influential and vital community members donate their money to good causes and socialize with others.

It is an excellent place to connect with essential individuals in your town who will appreciate seeing a civic-minded and conscientious young person.

8. Organize a Block Party

While we may know our neighbors from a friendly conversation while getting the mail or waving as you pass them on your way to work, not many millennials have close ties with their neighbors. One way to get to know the people who live near you is to host a block party.

Have everyone set up food, drinks, and seating areas in one spot on your street. Make it a come-and-go event after the workday or on the weekend. It’s such a great, simple way to get to know one another better.

9. Check out your Community Calendar

Simply Google “name of your town, community event calendar,” and a list of upcoming events in your area should pop up. Whether there’s a local film festival, an art gallery opening, or a BBQ in the park, most of these events are free. They are also a perfect way to get involved, have a great time, and meet people in your community.

10. Beautify the City

Do you ever pass by an empty planter outside your favorite coffee shop or see a vast empty land without a tree? Why not get a group of your friends together, pitch in for some new flowers or a small tree, and spend an hour or two making your city a more beautiful place you are proud to call home? In addition to beautifying your city, you will also be helping the environment.

11. Get a new hobby

Maybe you’ve been feeling the urge lately to learn how to write a short story or how to perfect your yoga poses. Think about taking a class through your local community college or public library. There should be options that are low-cost or free! Then, while you acquire a new skill, you’re also meeting new people.

If you want to learn more about finding your new favorite hobby, read our article How To Get Started With A New Hobby Today!

12. Start a Group or Organization

Maybe there is a particular cause that you feel passionately about that isn’t already being represented in your community. The Millennial Impact Report also found that more than half of young people are motivated to volunteer by their interest in meeting like-minded people. You can bring people together for a common goal by finding a need within your community and addressing it.

These are just a few simple ways to get involved in your community. If you have any other ideas, feel free to share those in the comments below! Let’s continue to break down generational stereotypes by proving that millennials are civic-minded individuals involved in their communities.