Welcome to our Civic Arkansas 2026 Civic Commitments Guide, your yearlong resource for meaningful, approachable ways to stay engaged in your community. This guide highlights monthly Civic Commitments inspired by national observances, special days, and local opportunities across Arkansas.
Our goal is simple: help more Arkansans feel connected, confident, and empowered as active participants in civic life. We encourage you to choose at least one Civic Commitment each month and take part in a way that works for you. Whether big or small, every action helps strengthen our communities.
- Share your participation with us
- Post on social media using #CivicArkansas
- Invite friends, family, or colleagues to join you
If you would like us to send you reminders about new Commitments each month, fill out the brief form below. We’ll send everything you can expect for the month ahead in a single email!
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May Civic Commitments
City Council
Invite a member of your local city council out for lunch or a cup of coffee! Doing so not only supports local businesses but also gives you an opportunity to learn more about your council member’s role and the council’s impact in your community.
Mayor’s Youth Council
Get involved in your local Mayor’s Youth Council! If you don’t have one but would like to start, the Arkansas Municipal League has a great online resource with practical information on starting a youth council, ideas to maximize interest and engagement, and sample documents.
June Civic Commitments
Arkansas State Civics Bee
The Arkansas State Chamber/AIA has partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and local chambers of commerce across Arkansas to host a statewide civics competition. The National Civics Bee encourages young Americans in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The competition, modeled on traditional spelling and geography bees, gives students the chance to win recognition and cash prizes by sharing ideas to improve their communities and demonstrating their enthusiasm for civics.
The State Civics Bee competition is on June 24, 2026, at the University of Central Arkansas’s Windgate Center for Fine & Performing Arts. More information can be found here.
Why Civic Commitments Matter
Civic Commitments are small, intentional actions that lead to stronger communities, better dialogue, and greater civic confidence. When individuals participate consistently, the collective impact grows.
We would love for you to dedicate yourself to one activity each month and share your participation with us. These files may be shared in Institute publications or on our social media channels.
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