Through our Civic Engagement Initiatives, we reach out to the community seeking ways of making our collective voices more powerfully heard. By taking courageous stands as a Club on issues congruent with our values, we provide strong civic leadership.
Our work on Civic Engagement work is implemented on three levels:
- Through programs and special projects.
- Through collaborations with other civic organizations.
- Through endorsements of ballot issues and position statements on city policy issues.
- Cincinnati City Council Calendar
- Cincinnati City Hall Calendar
- Hamilton County Commission Calendar
- Hamilton County Commission
- State of Ohio Legislative Calendar
- Unites States Congress Floor Calendars
2025-2026 Annual Report
Civic Engagement (CE) objectives included 1) review and advocacy around proposed City and State legislation; 2) collaboration with other partner organizations; 3) CE facilitation via WCC committee support, especially Programs, Communications, Membership, and the 2026 National Speaker Forum.
Among other publications, we reviewed City and State legislative agendas (i.e. City Planning Commission, six City Council Committees, and Ohio’s State House and Senate). The Board addressed legislative initiatives, communicating WCC positions on active legislation via verbal public testimony or in writing, consistent with WCC’s mission and values. At the local level:
- Ongoing testimony was provided relative to Hyde Park Square rezoning, urging City Council’s adherence to existing community plans and design standards.
- In position statements supporting two November 2025 ballot levies, WCC endorsed 1) a 10-year renewal for CPS general fund operating expenses supporting student achievement; and 2) the Great Parks of Hamilton County levy to fund continued management and protection of Hamilton County Parks (both approved 9/22/25).
- In response to two proposed City Income Tax Increases, the Board submitted a written statement (1/26/26) to the Mayor and City Council with six considerations, including more civic engagement before going to the voters.
- An editorial on potential adverse impacts from proposed plans for downtown Piatt Park was published in the Enquirer.
At the State level WCC submitted letters and/or positions regarding the following bill: SB 763, which effectively banned Ranked-Choice Voting. We followed up with a program about alternative voting methods on May 14, and are currently following many pending bills that may impact civil rights in Ohio.
To leverage resources, collaborate on forums, and solicit co-sponsors for events and programs, we reached out to partner organizations and leaders including: League of Women Voters (LWV); Elizabeth Chasteen Day, Amnesty International, OH; Elizabeth Bartley, Invest in Neighborhoods; Steve Goodin, Charter Committee; Karl Kadon, retired US District Attorney; Connie Roesch, Cincinnatus; Eric Russo, The Hillside Trust; Lucy May, WVXU; Matt Koesters, Fortify Democracy; Louis Blessing, III, Ohio State Senator; University of Cincinnati School of Planning, and Sierra Club.
As reported in our weekly Updates and Bulletins, civic engagement efforts addressed government, social justice, education, and the environment. The VP for Civic Engagement worked closely with the Program and Membership committees to produce timely relevant motivational programs and events that engage members and encourage broader civic engagement around the WCC core values.