The Change Engine
Civic Engagement 101
Ever wonder who decides what happens in your neighborhood? You do — once you know how. This path shows you how your city works, who your leaders are, and how to make your voice count. With videos, music, and real stories from Houston.
Beginner 160 min 5 modules
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Modules
5 modules1
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
— Margaret Mead
What Is Civic Engagement?
Civic engagement is about making a difference in your community — and it goes way beyond just voting. From volunteering at a food bank to speaking up at a school board meeting, there are dozens of ways you already participate. This module helps you see the power you already have.
Eric Liu — Why Ordinary People Need to Understand Power (TED)
Schoolhouse Rock — Sufferin' Till Suffrage (voting rights) PBS — Let's Talk Civic EngagementA Change Is Gonna Come — Sam Cooke
30 min introductory
Objectives: Define civic engagement in your own words, Identify at least 5 forms of civic participation beyond voting, Understand the six sources of civic power, Recognize that everyday people drive real change
2
All politics is local.
— Tip O'Neill, former Speaker of the U.S. House
How Local Government Works
Your city government affects your daily life more than Congress does — from potholes to parks to public safety. Houston has a strong-mayor system with 16 City Council members. This module breaks down who does what so you know where decisions that affect your neighborhood actually get made.
Crash Course — Federalism
Schoolhouse Rock — Three Ring Government (3 branches) National League of Cities — Forms of Local GovernmentWhat's Going On — Marvin Gaye
35 min explainer
Objectives: Describe Houston's mayor-council form of government, Explain the roles of the mayor and city council, Understand the difference between local/state/federal government, Know what an ordinance is
3
If you don't have a seat at the table, you're probably on the menu.
— Elizabeth Warren
Finding Your Representatives
You have people whose literal job is to listen to you — from your Houston City Council member to your state representative to your U.S. congressperson. This module helps you find out exactly who they are, how to reach them, and what to say when you do.
Noah Tesfaye — Restoring Youth Civic Engagement (TEDx) Tiana Epps-Johnson — Voting in the 21st Century (TED) Texas "Who Represents Me?" Lookup ToolFight the Power — Public Enemy
30 min interactive
Objectives: Identify your Houston City Council member by district, Look up your state and federal representatives, Understand district vs at-large representation, Learn how to write or call an elected official
4
Democracy is not a spectator sport.
— Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund
Attending Public Meetings
City Council meetings, school board sessions, and neighborhood planning meetings are all open to you — and your voice carries real weight there. This module walks you through what to expect, how to sign up to speak, and how to make the most of your two minutes at the microphone.
Dave Meslin — The Antidote to Apathy (TED) PBS — Civics Made Easy Buen Vecino — Public Comment Tips (bilingual)Lean on Me — Bill Withers
30 min practical
Objectives: Find Houston City Council meeting agendas and schedules, Understand the public comment process, Prepare a clear 2-minute public comment, Identify other types of public meetings you can attend
5
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.
— Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail
Making Your Voice Heard
You do not need to run for office to make change. Writing letters, organizing neighbors, starting petitions, using social media, and having informed conversations — these all count. This module gives you a toolkit of practical actions you can start today.
Katie Fahey — A Crash Course in Making Political Change (TED) Schoolhouse Rock — The Great American Melting Pot Understanding Houston — Civic Engagement DashboardGlory — Common & John Legend
35 min action
Objectives: Choose at least 3 advocacy actions you can take this month, Write an effective letter to an elected official, Understand how grassroots organizing works, Connect your personal interests to a civic cause
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