Date of Award
1997
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Leadership Studies
Abstract
In many areas of the United States, people complain about the leaders in their communities. Historically, when people think of 'leaders' in their communities, the majority of them are predominantly white, male and affluent. The American citizen believes that a portion of these leaders are shrouded in scandal, corruption, mistrust, exclusiveness, and power. The American citizen finds difficulty when trying to enter into the elite group of decision makers. Citizens and organizations accuse these leaders of making decisions that do not reflect the best interest of society, but rather benefit themselves. As a result, Americans call out for better leadership which will close the gaps between the citizens and the communities and the problems and solutions.
The information revealed in the matrix crossing Civic Needs from a citizen and a community perspective provide significant insight into determining the direction American cities desire and need to turn to prepare for the leadership challenges of the 21st century.
As I researched numerous perspectives on what the civic needs are in America, why these needs exist, how the problems occurred, what has been attempted before to remedy the problems, and what to do in the future, I found it all very complicated. I then focused on the words written by American citizens describing what they think needs to happen in their communities. This information pool provided the most beneficial insights into developing a process attaining the goal established by these communities: Creating Positive Social Change.
Recommended Citation
Zeigler, Sara, "Civic leadership : meeting the civic needs of American communities, in preperation for the 21st century" (1997). Honors Theses. 1160.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/honors-theses/1160