Resources
This page is dedicated to providing site visitors with links to our various publications and reports. All digital resources are available for free.
“Our Community, Our Future: The Role of Citizens in Solving the High School Dropout Problem” AIF 2010 – 2011 Comprehensive Report – A comprehensive report authored by the David Mathews Center for Civic Life on the 40 Alabama Issues Forums that were convened and moderated throughout 2010 – 2011. The forums were focused on Alabama’s dropout situation, and a total of approximately 1,000 Alabamians deliberated on the issue. The report outlines and identifies seven emerging themes, summarizes post-forum questionnaire results, and includes a comprehensive list of conveners. Hard copies of the report can be requested via email at cmccauley@mathewscenter.org.
2011 Alabama Civic Health Index – Co-authored by the David Mathews Center for Civic Life, Auburn University’s College of Liberal Arts, University of Alabama’s New College, and the National Conference on Citizenship, this report focuses on a wide variety of civic indicators ranging from voter participation to rates of volunteerism. Using this data, we can begin to think about how civically engaged Alabamians are, while also considering new and innovative programs and projects that can improve the democratic health of Alabama.
“Dropouts: What Should We Do?” Issue Guide – This issue guide was created for Alabama Issues Forums 2010-2011. Forum conveners and moderators can use this publication to guide concerned citizens through a deliberative forum on the dropout rate in Alabama.
“Dropouts:What Should We Do?” Issue-in-Brief – Forums participants may not have enough time to read through the issue guide in full, so the Mathews Center developed a one-page summary of the three approaches used in “Dropouts: What Should We do?” This is a helpful resource to pass out at the beginning of the forum.
“Dropouts: What Should We Do?” Post-Forum Questionnaire – Conveners and moderators are encouraged to distribute post-forum questionnaires to all participants at the end of the forum. Please mail completed questionnaires to P.O. Box 6, Montevallo, AL. 35115.
Making Things Work For You And Others: Personal Effectiveness And Community Innovation 2nd Edition - This book is a primer on what research and practice in the fields of social sciences and humanities can tell us about developing personal effectiveness by making better decisions with others. Those better decisions occur through community innovation at neighborhood and community levels. Authored by the David Mathews Center for Civic Life president, Dr. Robert H. McKenzie.
2009 – 2010 Alabama Issues Forums (AIF) Report - A comprehensive report created by the Mathews Center for the AIF democracy’s challenge project cycle. This report was presented at the Alabama Department of Archives and History on May 13, 2010.
“Rebuilding Our Community: What Should We Do?” - How can a community rebuild after being ravaged by devastating tornadoes? Dr. Bob McKenzie works to answer this question in his newest Occasional Paper. Specifically, Dr. McKenzie discusses how effective community-based decision making must include all voices and perspectives during the rebuilding stages. This paper was written in response to the overwhelming tornadoes that severely impacted Alabama on April 27.
For Communities to Work – Authored by Dr. David Mathews and published by the Kettering Foundation, this book provides a concise and comprehensive overview of community engagement and public deliberation. The David Mathews Center regularly distributes this work to community partners and Jean O’Connor-Snyder Community-Based Research Interns.
Moderator Development Handbook- A comprehensive guide to moderating and recording community forums. Includes guidelines, exercises, and appropriate questions that can be used to prompt deliberation. Adapted using the West Virginia Civic Life Institute Participant Guidebook.
