Common Ground.
Common Good.
The Citizens League is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers people to engage in civic life and public policy to make Minnesota a better place to live and work for everyone.
Recent News
Citizens League To Welcome New Board Members in 2018
Jessica Bell, John Knapp, Damon Shoholm and Kurt Zellers to join Citizens League board in 2018 The Citizens League will welcome four new members to its Board of Directors in 2018. At the Citizens League's Annual Meeting last week, members approved the election of...
Whose Streets?: Just the Facts
By David Schimke A new generation of protesters is becoming increasingly vigilant and disruptive. Lawmakers, citing public safety, are writing legislation to deter their behavior. For many Twin Citians, the week of July 4, 2016, remains seminal. The holiday took place...
To Afflict the Comfortable
By Neeraj Mehta For many people of color, protest isn’t a strategy to be analyzed—it’s a matter of life and death. Any debate or conversation about injustice, problem solving, or social change should begin by acknowledging that we often have different experiences,...
Citizens League Honors Dr. Josie Johnson & Susan Kimberly at Annual Civic Celebration
Thanks to all who joined us for this year's Civic Celebration honoring Dr. Josie Johnson and Susan Kimberly! Each year the Citizens League invites its members, partners and others in the community to the Civic Celebration. It’s an opportunity for other politically...
The Dangers of Disruption
By Rep. Nick Zerwas Why I want to increase penalties for protesters who block traffic Our country relies on the American people to be able to create and have constructive dialogue. Citizens can get involved in their community through communicating with their elected...
Injustice Demands Disruption
By Sarahjane Blum Legislation to address activities that are already illegal chills dissent In late May, some 100 people, led by members of the Dakota community, convened in protest of artist Sam Durant’s sculpture Scaffold, which was being installed in the...
Current Work
Interconnected: Rural-Urban Conversations
This conversation series – hosted by the Center for Rural Policy and Development and the Citizens League – bridges the divide between urban & rural Minnesota by exploring our shared challenges and how to design a future that works for our unique communities. All discussions are recorded and can be listened to and viewed online.
Capitol Pathways
With the long-term goal of making our government truly representative of our communities, the program opens access to the Minnesota Capitol to the next generation of leaders of color. Through this program, interns build relationships with established Capitol leaders, gain exposure to various kinds of careers in policy, get real-world experience in career fields they would like to learn more about and build a strong professional resume in the process.
Strengthening Public Service
Citizens League is embarking on a new project to dig deeper and explore the unique challenges and barriers to public service, with a particular emphasis on non-elected roles and people who make our state’s local governments work.
Events
The Citizens League hosts forums for civil discussion across Minnesota. Our event series includes events that are open to the public, member-only and workplace events to help inform and engage Minnesotans on important policy and civic leadership discussions.