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01.13.26
Civic engagement at the heart of community leadership
By Roxanne Mullenberg, Leadership FMWF Chair
2026 Leadership FMWF participants engage during a session on Jan. 8.
A community is more than a place on a map. It’s the shared spaces where people gather, the relationships built over time and the values passed from one generation to the next.
From neighborhood parks and libraries to schools, places of worship and local businesses, communities shape our daily lives in quiet, but powerful, ways. At the center of a strong, healthy community lies civic engagement, the active participation of residents in shaping the decisions that affect them all.
During a recent session of Leadership FMWF, participants gained a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the community thrive and why engagement matters.
Leaders from the community gathered at State of the Cities, where the mayors of West Fargo, Horace, Fargo, Moorhead and Dilworth answered questions on growth, infrastructure, diversion efforts, public investment and so much more. Participants also gained insight into major projects shaping the metro, including Hector International Airport’s renovation and expansion, the Fargo Convention Center, West Fargo’s Master Growth Plan and Moorhead’s redevelopment efforts.
The Leadership FMWF cohort also listened to a panel discussion with the mayors, gaining further insight into collaboration and the role civic engagement plays in long-term community success.
What civic engagement looks like
Civic engagement takes many forms. It can be as visible as voting in local elections, attending town hall meetings or serving on a school board. It can also be quieter but equally impactful, such as volunteering at a food pantry, helping a neighbor organize a cleanup, mentoring a young professional or speaking up about an issue that affects your workplace or community. At its core, civic engagement is about showing up, caring enough to participate and taking responsibility for the common good.
Our community
Understanding what drives successful communities strengthens leadership at every level. Leadership FMWF participants continued that learning during an afternoon session at the West Fargo Fire Hall, where they heard directly from leaders working behind the scenes to support regional growth. Cale Dunwoody (FMWF Chamber), Matthew Andvik (Public Works of the City of West Fargo), Jason Benson (Metro Flood Diversion Authority) and Lyndon Pease (Moore Engineering) shared insight into how leaders can engage in the process and how the region continues to evolve through collaboration and long-term planning.
Building stronger connections
When people engage civically, they connect with others beyond their immediate circles, building trust across backgrounds, industries and generations. These interactions build trust and understanding among neighbors who may come from different backgrounds, cultures or generations. Over time, this shared involvement fosters a sense of belonging. People stop seeing their community as somewhere they live and start seeing it as something they’re part of. Programs like The Chamber’s Community Concierge and Icebreakers network reflect that connection in action. Established residents connect with prospective or new residents to help them feel that FMWF is the place to be for them.
Giving voice to local needs
Civic engagement ensures that decisions reflect the real needs and experiences of the community. Local governments and institutions function best when residents participate, ask questions, and hold leaders accountable. When people remain disengaged, decisions may be made without diverse perspectives, leading to policies that overlook or disadvantage certain groups.
By participating—through voting, public comment, or community forums—residents help shape priorities. They can advocate for better schools, safer streets, accessible public services, and inclusive development. Civic engagement turns individual concerns into collective action and remains at the heart of strong, effective communities.
Next steps
Civic engagement turns individual concerns into collective action. It strengthens communities when people choose to understand how decisions are made and where their voices can make a difference. Leadership FMWF is designed to build that awareness, equipping participants with the knowledge, relationships and perspective needed to lead beyond their titles and roles.
Applications for the next Leadership FMWF class open April 6. Leaders at every level are encouraged to discuss the opportunity with their supervisors or team members, recognizing Leadership FMWF as a way to build the confidence, perspective and relationships needed to lead more effectively.
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