Imagining Our Civic Future: A People-Powered Path Forward with June Klees

What if the future of our democracy isn’t shaped solely by policymakers, but by everyday people choosing to engage, connect, and lead? What are we doing today to create the thriving, inclusive communities we hope to see in the future?

Planting Seeds for Civic Engagement

June Klees, a leader in the Civic Wellness Movement/ Waging Dialogue and a dedicated educator, believes that change starts with empowering individuals. Through her work in the Civic Corps program, she nurtures a generation of students to be discerning consumers of information and active participants in their communities. By honoring veterans, fostering civic diplomacy, and encouraging hands-on engagement, she is planting seeds of transformation that will continue to grow for years to come.

Beyond the classroom, June takes an initiative to bridge local civic leaders with regional, state, and national resources. This work emphasizes the power of conversation—of connecting people across differences and fostering healthy, productive dialogue. Civic engagement, she argues, isn’t just about voting or policy—it’s about continuous participation in shaping our communities.

Overcoming the Fear of Conflict

One of the greatest challenges of our time is the avoidance of conflict. As a society, we’ve become fearful of disagreement, retreating into echo chambers rather than engaging in meaningful conversations. Debilyn Molineaux points out that we must reclaim the ability to disagree while still valuing and respecting one another. By building the courage to engage, we can create a culture where differences aren’t threats but opportunities for growth.

June echoes this sentiment, reminding us that we already navigate differences in our daily lives—at work, in our neighborhoods, and within our families. The key is to transfer these skills into civic life. She envisions a future where civic education is reinvigorated in schools, equipping young people with the tools to discover their civic identity and contribute in ways that go beyond just running for office. Civic engagement is personal—it evolves with each stage of life, much like a well-thought-out civic life plan.

Imagining the Future—Together

To build a better future, we must embrace imagination and intentional action. If we want the future to be a time of stronger civic connections and shared responsibility, we need to start now. By fostering civic dialogue, strengthening educational opportunities, and encouraging ongoing participation, we can ensure that future generations inherit not just the benefits of democracy, but the mindset to sustain and improve it. As June puts it, “If we don’t keep imagining, we risk losing the very progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve.”