OPINION — In a moment when our national conversation often feels more fractured than fruitful, the health of our civic life depends less on headlines and more on habits — how we show up, how we listen and whether we choose participation over apathy.

Civic engagement is not a lofty ideal reserved for elected officials or policy experts. It is the everyday work of democracy. It lives in community meetings and school boards, in local businesses and faith communities, in conversations between neighbors who may not always agree but are willing to stay at the table. When that kind of engagement weakens, so does trust. And without trust, even the strongest institutions begin to strain.

That’s why it matters to recognize and learn from individuals who are strengthening civic life in practical, grounded ways. Across Arizona, leaders are modeling what it looks like to engage — not performatively, but constructively.

Here are five examples:

• Tara Jackson, who leads Arizona Town Hall, is helping create space for dialogue in a time when real conversation can feel increasingly rare. Her work brings people together across political and geographic lines, reinforcing the idea that civic engagement begins with listening and grows through shared problem-solving.

• Kimber Lanning, founder of Local First Arizona, has demonstrated that civic participation is not limited to government or nonprofits. Through her work, she has shown how local businesses can serve as anchors of community life — places where economic vitality and civic responsibility intersect, and where investment in neighbors strengthens the broader social fabric.

• Marcia Meyer, of the Be Kind People Project, is focused on the long game of civic health: preparing the next generation. By teaching young people the values of empathy, respect and responsibility, she is helping to build future citizens who see engagement not as an obligation but as a natural part of belonging to a community.

• Eduardo Nevares, Auxiliary Bishop of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix, offers another dimension of civic life, one rooted in faith and service. His leadership reflects a commitment to care for others, particularly those who feel vulnerable or unheard, reminding us that civic engagement is also about ensuring that every person feels seen, valued and included.

• And in the media space, Ted Simons of Arizona Horizon has shown how informed, balanced journalism can elevate civic understanding. By creating space for thoughtful, fact-based conversations, his work encourages viewers to engage with issues in a deeper, more meaningful way.

These leaders, all recognized recently as Civic Champions 2026, approach civic engagement from different angles but share a common thread: They are building trust. And trust is the foundation upon which everything else rests.

At a time when misinformation spreads quickly and polarization can feel entrenched, it is easy to become cynical, to believe that individual participation does not matter. But civic life is not sustained by broad sentiment. It is sustained by consistent action. It is built conversation by conversation, decision by decision, relationship by relationship.

The question, then, is not whether civic engagement is important. It is whether we are willing to practice it.

That can look like attending a local meeting, volunteering with a community organization, supporting local businesses, mentoring a young person or simply making space for a respectful conversation with someone who sees the world differently. These acts may seem small but collectively they shape the culture of a community.

Arizona’s future will be determined not only by its growth or its policies, but by the strength of its civic life. And that strength depends on people who are willing to engage —thoughtfully, consistently and with a sense of shared responsibility.

The good news is that this work is already happening. The invitation is to join it.

Don Henninger is co-lead of the Arizona Democracy Resilience Network. Jane Andersen is the Arizona state director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.