Civic Action Week

Civic Action Week 2024 will take place April 7-13!

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 will center around the Pathways for Civic Action and Social Change. We recognize that 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.

If you, your student organization/group, class, etc. would like to propose an event to be included during Civic Action Week, please complete this short form no later than March 21. If approved, your event will be added to the website and promotional materials. 

2024 Civic Action Week Calendar

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 is affecting 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)

Tuesday, April 9

• Service with Intention, 6-7pm in Olmsted CR 310/311. Join the Office of Community Engaged Learning in discovering you or your organization's "why" to be involved in service. This interactive presentation with Nathan Carter & Abby Axell will allow you to dive deeper into personal/group identity, how to lead with purpose, and best practices in regard to community engagement. 

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. Contact amanda.martin@drake.edu. 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 and plant cold-weather crops, and clean up litter that has acquired over the winter.  (Pathway - Direct Service). 
• Interfaith Conference - participants are invited to drop in when and where they are able! Friday - sessions starting at 3:30pm in Meredith Hall and visits to Hindu Temple and Cultural Center of Iowa and Islamic and Education Center. 

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). 
• Interfaith Conference - events happening from 7:45am-8:30pm including guest speakers, film screenings, and a visit to Wat Lao Buddhavas and others. (Events continue to Sunday, 10am-1:30pm). 

All Week 

• Check out events that the Disability Coalition and Residence Hall Association are hosting this same week for Disability Awareness & Inclusion Week! These have a great tie-in to Civic Action, as well. Follow @disabilitycoalition.du
• Food Recovery Volunteer Shifts will be available all week! Collect leftover food from the dining halls and deliver to a local non-profit. (Pathway - direct service) 
• Stock the Block - Donate to the Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood - Drop off your donations of non-perishable goods and personal hygiene items to one of the 9 Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood. (Pathway - Philanthropy)
• Griff Gives Back - Donate Adult Dog and Cat food to the Griff Gives Back project.  (Pathway - Philanthropy)
• Volunteer! Visit www.drake.edu/dugood for other volunteer opportunities. (Pathway - Direct Service)
• Follow along with @DrakeService on Instagram to see daily challenges you can do to be a more responsible, active citizen and have a chance to earn prizes! 

Share your Impact

Tag us on social media @drakeservice #DrakeServes to let us know how you're participating in the week. For each tag, you'll be entered into a raffle to win prizes such as a Griff #DrakeServes T-shirt!