Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas Shares Key Findings from Civic Health Index at State House Event

Montpelier, VT – Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas held a reception Wednesday evening at the State House to share key findings from Vermont’s first ever Civic Health Index – a report measuring how civically engaged Vermonters are across the state and in relation to the rest of the country.

The report was created in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), UVM’s Center for Rural Studies, SerVermont, Up For Learning, and Vermont Humanities. Leaders and representatives from each organization gathered in the Cedar Creek room Wednesday evening to give remarks and meet with legislators. The report found that Vermont ranks high in the nation in areas such as volunteering, attending public meetings, collaborating with neighbors, following the news and contacting their representatives. Vermont’s Civic Health Index also includes results of a survey of 2,500 students grades 7-12, offering a greater understanding of how youth civic health compares to that of adult Vermonters.

“We were thrilled to join Secretary Copeland Hanzas to celebrate Vermont’s first-ever Civic Health Index, which reveals the state’s exceptional civic health foundation. Vermont’s impressive national rankings — particularly in civic action and collaboration — showcase a deeply engaged citizenry committed to democratic values,” said Cameron Hickey, CEO of the National Conference on Citizenship. “What makes Vermont’s efforts truly stand out is how the Secretary’s office expanded traditional civic metrics to include cultural engagement, media literacy, and youth participation, providing a more comprehensive view of Vermont’s civic ecosystem. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Vermont to expand data collection and more effectively measure the impact of their incredible work.”

Following the release of the report in January, the Secretary of State’s office held several community conversations around the state, from Brattleboro to St. Johnsbury, to gather feedback and further input on how to improve Vermont’s civic health. Some themes that have stood out include: more K-12 civic education opportunities; more community conversations about these important issues; and an increased investment in arts and cultural resources. The Secretary of State’s office is also gathering civic engagement ideas from communities around the state in order to share and replicate them statewide, so that more people feel welcome to participate in civic life.

“It was great to bring all of our partners together to highlight this report and the potential it represents,” said Secretary Copeland Hanzas. “It might not be surprising that Vermont ranks high in many areas of civic health, but there’s lots of room for improvement. I’m excited to keep working with our fantastic partners, and with our legislature, to keep advancing Vermont’s civic health.”

ORCA Recording of the event: VT Secretary of State – Civic Health Index: State House Reception LIVE 3/12/2024 5:00pm

Link to the full report: https://sos.vermont.gov/media/3bgn4wip/vermont-chi-final-1-13-25.pdf

Link to the Secretary of State’s Civic Health Index webpage: https://sos.vermont.gov/secretary-of-state-services/civics/civic-health-index/