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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August Civic Commitments
Civic Health Month
August is Civic Health Month. It’s a special time to show how voting and health are connected. When people vote, they can help make their community healthier. Every August, more than 400 groups across the country join in to celebrate and take action. Many doctors and hospitals are part of it, like the American Medical Association and children’s hospitals in different states. Together, they learn new things and work to make their communities healthier and stronger. Download your own Civic Health Month Action Kit here.
August 11: City Hall Selfie Day
City Hall Selfie Day is Tuesday, August 11, 2026! Organized by Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL), City Hall Selfie Day celebrates public service and showcases pride in local government institutions. Every year since 2016, government employees, elected officials, members of the media, and community members participate in the event across the United States and around the world.
Whether you work for a town, city, county, library, or special district (in the office or from home), everyone is invited to snap a selfie and show their local government pride. During the most recent City Hall Selfie Day in August 2025, participants reached more than 6 million people, and 2026 marks the celebration’s milestone anniversary. So grab your phone, strike a pose, and join the fun!
National Water Quality Month
- Learn where your water comes from and book a tour of your local water treatment facility to see how it works.
- Take the Water Conservation Challenge by tracking your daily water use and finding simple ways to cut back.
- And if you want to save water in your yard, reach out to local gardening groups or experts about drought-resistant landscaping, efficient irrigation, and native plants that need less water. The UA Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service has a great resource online!
September Civic Commitments
Hunger Action Month
Hunger Action Month is a national campaign held every September to raise awareness and inspire action to end hunger in America. Launched by the Feeding America network of food banks in 2007, the campaign marks its 19th year in 2026. Each September, it brings people across the country together to provide nutritious food to neighbors facing hunger. The need is greater than ever — more than 50 million people turned to food banks in the last year, more than at any point in the last decade, and food insecurity exists in every county in the U.S. There are many ways to get involved, whether by donating, fundraising, or advocating for change. You can also take part in Hunger Action Day on September 29, 2026, a key moment when people nationwide come together to fight hunger.
National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder that a little planning today can make all the difference when the unexpected strikes. One of the best ways to stay ready is to know where to turn for reliable information. Visit the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management’s Citizen Portal to learn more about emergency response operations in Arkansas, stay informed, and explore available resources. It’s worth remembering that if a disaster hits our state, more direct and timely information will come from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management before the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Preparedness also starts at home. Make sure your household has an emergency supply kit stocked and ready to go. The Ready Emergency Supply List is a great checklist to help you gather the essentials. Beyond supplies, take time to create a family emergency plan and identify any special needs your household might have, whether that’s medications, pets, or care for young children or older adults. Knowing who to call, where to meet, and what to grab can bring real peace of mind in a stressful moment.
September 17: Constitution & Citizenship Day
September 17, 2026 marks Constitution and Citizenship Day, celebrating the signing of the U.S. Constitution and honoring what it means to be an American citizen. It’s a wonderful opportunity to brush up on the document that shapes our government and our rights. Explore this interactive constitution, a fascinating guide where you can dig into the Constitution clause by clause, discover the areas where scholars across the spectrum have found common ground, and read differing perspectives on the matters still up for debate. You can even test your knowledge with a Constitution quiz and share your results with friends and family. However you choose to observe the day, it’s a great chance to reconnect with the principles that unite us.
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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