About this Event
Heartland Civic Summit, March 6, 2025
We invite you to join us at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) for a day of learning and action around civic engagement. This event, organized in partnership with UNO and AmeriCorps, features opportunities to connect with community leaders, students, educators, and change-makers in the region through a series of workshops, discussions, research activities, and networking opportunities.
Agenda
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome Breakfast: Civic Research and Action
Host: Civic Mobility Research Team
Info: Attendees will hear from the Civic Mobility in the Heartland Research team to learn more about the research project that spurred the contents of the summit. Refreshments and breakfast snacks will be available at this time.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Beyond the Ballot: Redefining Civic Power
Host: Taylor Givens-Dunn, Policy Manager, I Be Black Girl
Info: In this session, we’ll redefine civic power, moving beyond the ballot to explore how it shows up in organizing, advocacy, and everyday actions. Participants will engage in power mapping to uncover their own civic influence and discover ways to shift power toward justice while centering joy and building stronger community connections.
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Youth Elect the Omaha Mayor: What to know about the 2025 Municipal Elections
Host: Michaela Atkins, Youth Elect
Info: Did you know that our local City of Omaha Election takes place this year? This breakout session will provide participants with a background of how the City of Omaha functions, what to look for when voting in the upcoming municipal election, and how to engage with a system that is not easily accessible!
🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Messaging Workshop with the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table
Info: Workshop details coming soon.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 01:15 PM
Lunch Discussion: Electoral and Grassroots Engagement Strategies for Youth
Info: Details coming soon!
🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Crafting Your Story: Tips for Public Testimony
Host: Gab Rima, Urban Abbey and Strongly Worded Letters
Info: This workshop will focus on the ins and outs of testimony writing and the public hearing process at both the city and state levels. In this workshop, you will practice writing testimony with the help of Urban Abbey and Strongly Worded Letters.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Breakout Session: Turning Youth Civic Engagement Research into Action
Host: Civic Mobility Research Team
Info: Student researchers will provide an overview of their contributions to a youth civic engagement research project in the Heartland of the U.S., including the goals of the project, recent findings, and opportunities for participation. Panelists will then invite attendees to engage in a participatory research activity to practice conducting research in a civic setting.
🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
Civic Chats: Engaging with our Civic and Media Ecosystems
Host: Courtney Bierman, Producer, KIOS
Info: Session details coming soon
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Civic Interest and Connection Fair
Info: Are you looking to connect to civic opportunities in the region? Join us to connect with others around different civic opportunities!
🕑: 04:00 PM - 06:00 AM
SPA Open House and Networking Event | CEC 205
Info: Join us to learn more about UNO School of Public Administration's graduate and undergraduate programs public policy, nonprofit management, emergency management, or public management! At this open house and networking event, you will meet fellow prospective students, community leaders, faculty, staff, and alumni from the School of Public Administration at UNO!
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center, 6400 South University Drive Road North, Omaha, United States
USD 0.00
