A key component of United Way's new approach to community building is increased civic engagement. But what is "civic engagement," exactly? And how will it help build a better Central Texas?

"Civic engagement" is a term that casts a wide net. For starters, we want to get more people caring about their neighborhoods, their city, their county, and the entire Central Texas region. This is no simple task, especially given the myriad distractions and concerns the average citizen faces day-to-day. Gas prices, day care, the demands of a hectic workplace, traffic, exercise, etc. — all of which makes turning a blind eye to community problems easy.

But we also believe that Central Texas is a caring community, where the opportunity to fulfill our potential is always within reach. So we want to grab peoples' attention, shake them up a bit, show them that yes, there are people facing severe problems and dire circumstances, and yes, everyone can make a difference. We believe that once people are made aware of what's going on in their community, most will want to lend their support.

There are tons of ways to educate the public. For starters, we'll be advocating for issues every chance we get — in this newsletter, in various public media outlets, in emails to our donors, in conversations with community volunteers and leaders, etc.

Once someone is paying attention to a specific issue — homelessness, educational opportunity, poor health care options for the poor, domestic abuse, environmental destruction, etc. — we want to give them options to "chip in" and leave their own mark. Most often, we'll give them volunteer opportunities that match their particular interests and abilities. That's where Hands On Central Texas comes in — the volunteer "arm" of United Way Capital Area. Hands On Central Texas connects thousands of people to thousands of volunteer projects throughout the year, finding ways to create ongoing relationships between citizens and nonprofits in need of their helping hand and expertise. This year, Hands On also launched "Volunteer Project Leader Certification" training sessions, wherein ordinary volunteers become "supersized" and learn how to design, create, and implement their own volunteer projects. These (free) training sessions epitomize the "civic engagement" theory — by transforming casual volunteers into actively engaged, "tuned in" citizens who have the tools and know-how to make their own unique impact on their community.

But that's not all.

Consider the upcoming Harwood Summit. Taking place September 18 and 19, the Harwood Summit, presented by St. David's Community Health Foundation and supported by United Way Capital Area, brings Richard Harwood, author of Hope Unraveled, to Austin. The Harwood Summit will be the platform for a community-wide launch for community engagement. It will bring together 500 public innovators, thought leaders, and potential volunteers for the express purpose of understanding and committing to efforts that will engage the community around a shared vision and challenge our community to increase civic engagement. The Summit will include an evening reception, a two-hour training the next morning, and a two-hour lunch with Rich Harwood to discuss his bestseller.

And then there's some good news. According to a comprehensive report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service, Austin ranks 3rd in the nation in volunteer rate, and 7th in volunteer hours. Not too shabby. And as proud as Central Texas should be of its capacity for altruism and compassion, there's still room to improve. With the efforts of United Way and countless other organizations across the region, we think we can make Austin the city for volunteerism in America.

United, we can do anything.

• 13,550 Income Tax Returns prepared (30% increase from last year)
• $17,130,000 in total refunds, with an average refund for single parent households of $2,737
• 12,817 Tax related calls handled by 2-1-1 staff/volunteers (double the calls from last year)