To be civilly engaged is to:
Recognize that, beyond your primary responsibilities of family life and professional work, there is a civic realm that needs tending.
Advocate for the recognition of problems and collective action towards addressing them.
Put your energy towards the areas where you can make the most impact.
Recognize your own limitations of time & knowledge, and press your civic leaders (elected officials, school & agency leaders news media, advocacy groups) to better share and present information about their areas of responsibility.
Recognize the humanity in others, that their needs and values may be different from yours, and finding your common ground is essential