Determining What Factors Create an Active Citizen in Helena, Montana

Abstract

“Many Americans continue to claim that we are “members” of various organizations, but most Americans no longer spend much time in community organizations-we’ve stopped doing committee work, stopped serving as officers, and stopped going to meetings” (Putnam 2000). The realm of participation stretches from the church pew to the school ground to the business office. Civic participation has become a rapidly pressing issue and needs to be addressed now. Otherwise, we may find ourselves living in the individualistic social milieu Baggett feared.