Civic Action Week is a campus-wide week of events for students, faculty, staff, and the broader community to learn, engage, and encourage collective responses to persistent societal challenges.

Civic Action Week centers around the Pathways for Civic Action and Social Change. We recognize there are many strategies needed to create change; the Pathways include: Community Engaged Learning & Research, Community Organizing & Activism, Direct Service, Philanthropy, Policy & Governance, and Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Responsibility.

Consider participating in one or more of the events happening that week!

Monday, April 8

• SNAP out of Food Insecurity, 2-3pm in the Olmsted Breezeway. Join the first-year Changemaker Scholars to learn about food insecurity and how it affects college students. Learn about the many resources that are available for students, and discover ways to get involved! (Other tabling events will occur April 16 from 1-3pm and April 18, 9-10:30am). (Pathways – Community Organizing & Activism, Policy & Governance)

Wednesday, April 10

• Civic Action Week tabling, 12:15-2pm in the Olmsted Breezeway. Swing by to learn about Civic Action Week events, grab some swag, and share why or how you like to give back to the community.

Thursday, April 11

• Careers in Social Change Virtual Panel. 4-5pm on Zoom. Hear from professionals on how they have used their career to create change. Panelists include George Scott of YMCA Greater Des Moines, Kathryn Lehmann with FEMA, and Annelise Tarnowski, founder of the Rook Room.  Register on Handshake. Sponsored by Office of Community Engaged Learning and Career Services.

Friday, April 12

• Findley Elementary School First-Grade Visit to Drake. Drake has adopted the first grade class at Findley Elementary School and on April 12 the students will visit campus for a morning full of activities. Start your day off the best way! Anyone from the Drake community is invited to welcome the students when they arrive at 9:30am with a “Welcome Tunnel” at the University entrance of Meredith. Form a line from the front doors down the sidewalk. Drake students have the opportunity to promote a college-going culture for youth in Des Moines. Contact abigail.axell@drake.edu for more information.  Hosted by the Office of Community Engaged Learning. (Pathway – Direct Service)
• Sprout Spring Volunteer Day. 2-4pm. Help prepare the beds for spring planting, plant cool-weather crops, and clean up litter that has acquired over the winter.  (Pathway – Direct Service). 

Saturday, April 13

• Drake Constitutional Law Symposium – “Climate Change, the Environment, and Constitutions.” 8:30-1pm in Cartwright Hall, 213. Prestigious speakers will discuss current environmental topics. (Pathways – policy & governance, community organizing & activism)
• Sprout Garden Compost Pile Sifting, sponsored by DEAL. 1-2:30pm at the Sprout Garden. Sift through completed piles, break down garden waste, and prepare to build a new pile. (Pathway – direct service).

Learn more about events and opportunities. Follow along on Instagram @drakeservice.

 — Amanda Martin, Community Engaged Learning