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| Civic Participation |
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Community Involvement by Event 2002 |
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Community Involvement 2002 |
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INDICATOR |
Survey of residents' level of community involvement |
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STATUS |
Good |
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TREND |
Insufficient data to determine |
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DESCRIPTION |
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The data for reporting on the Community
Education and Civic Participation Indicators is
obtained by an annual phone survey conducted by
the City of Santa Monica. The only survey was
conducted in 2002, so no trend can be
determined. |
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PERFORMANCE SUMMARY |
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Meeting Attendance
The percent of Santa Monica residents who have attended a
city sponsored meeting in the last year is a measure of civic
participation in the city. Civic participation has waned slightly. In 2001, 18% of residents had attended a
city sponsored
meeting. In 2002, this dropped slightly to 16% of the population.
Empowerment
The percent of Santa Monica residents who feel that they have the opportunity to voice their concerns on major community
decisions that affect their lives is high in the city. In 2002, 68% of the population reported that they felt they had the
opportunity to voice their concerns.
Community Involvement
The percent of Santa Monica residents who have attended community events in the last year varies greatly depending on
the event. In 2002, 10% of the population attended a Virginia Avenue Park event,12% attended a block party, 27%
attended the Santa Monica Community Festival, 42% attended a concert on the Pier and 85% of the community attended
the Farmers Market. Taken together, we can see that 35% of residents participated in one or more community event in
2002.
Volunteering
The percent of Santa Monica residents volunteering for an organization located in Santa Monica is growing. In 2001, 25% of
residents reported having volunteered for an organization. In 2002, this increased to 28% of the population having reported
volunteering in the local community. This is more than a10% increase in volunteering in 2002 over 2001 levels, but only 28%
of residents report volunteering in city programs.
Participation in Neighborhood Organizations
The percent of Santa Monica residents that are active members of a recognized neighborhood organization remained
relatively constant from 1999 to 2002. In 1999, 13% if residents were active in a neighborhood organization. This increased
slightly in 2000 to 14%. This dropped slightly in 2001, to 12%, but increased again in 2002 to 13%.
The average of these percentages is 32%.
However, by way of comparison, in Southern California as a whole,
25% of the citizenry are highly engaged.
Excluding the measures of perceived empowerment
and attendance of community meetings, only 19%
of Santa Monicans are highly engaged.
Since
the last Sustainable City Report Card City
Council has been entertaining discussion
regarding the Neighborhood Resident Portal
Project, a plan to promote communication within
and among neighborhood groups using the web.
Debate continues about the precise way to
execute the plan. Funds were set aside in the FY
2005-6 budget, and await the conclusion of this
debate to be spent. |
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HIGHLIGHTS |
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Community
participation in the update of the Land Use and
Circulation Elements has been consistently high.
More than 350 people participated in the
neighborhood place making workshops and more
than 100 people participated in the industrial
lands workshop, thus taking an active role in
shaping the future of Santa Monica.
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More than 12,000 people attended this year’s
zero waste community festival which highlights
Santa Monica’s cultural vitality and
environmental sustainability.
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ANALYSIS |
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There are clear signs beyond the survey results
called for by this indicator that Santa Monicans
are engaged with their community and participate
in community events and neighborhood meetings.
There are seven active neighborhood
organizations and five active business
improvement districts throughout the community.
More than 49% of residents contacted a city
department in 2006 and almost half of all
residents attended an arts or cultural event.
Santa Monica residents have widespread awareness
of community issues. Residents and business
leaders have been active participants in the
update to the Land Use and Circulation Elements.
Further, the city’s Cultural Affairs Division in
developing a Cultural and Community Arts Master
Plan to forge a common vision of the artistic
and cultural life of the city. |
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WHAT CAN WE DO TO IMPROVE? |
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Volunteer in local non-profit organizations. |
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DATA SOURCES |
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View source material in Excel:
CECP26_CivicParticipation.xls.
Email contact for data source inquires. |
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PRINTING TIPS
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Printing tips for MS Internet Explorer |
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LAST UPDATED
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November 2007 |
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CITATION |
www.smepd.org/scpr |
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