We stole Mary Beth Collins, executive director of the Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies at UW-Madison, to talk about civic health in Wisconsin, a day ahead of her statewide webinar on the topic.

Collins, a La Crosse native, will lead a public discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, hosted by the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area.

More info and registration

Collins defines civic health as “individual and collective engagement for communities to define and address public problems, work toward conditions that allow all communities and Wisconsinites to truly thrive, and promote a democracy in which all can participate.”

We discussed examples of community engagement, from shoveling a neighbor’s driveway to getting involved in a local Rotary club or, in the political realm, calling your state representative or running for office.

We also talked about some concerning trends affecting civic health, such as the decline in local media, rising polarization, and growing distrust in institutions.

We stole Mary Beth Collins, executive director of the <a href="https://commnsknowledge.wisc.edu/">Center for Community and Nonprofit Studies</a> at UW-Madison, to talk about civic health in Wisconsin, a day ahead of her statewide webinar on the topic.
Collins, a La Crosse native, will lead a public discussion at 7 p.m. Wednesday, hosted by the League of Women Voters of the La Crosse Area.
<a href="https://lwvlacrosse.org/content.aspx?page_id=4091&amp;club_id=484247&amp;item_id=2497438" data-start="431" data-end="541">More info and registration</a>
Collins defines civic health as &ldquo;individual and collective engagement for communities to define and address public problems, work toward conditions that allow all communities and Wisconsinites to truly thrive, and promote a democracy in which all can participate.&rdquo;
We discussed examples of community engagement, from shoveling a neighbor&rsquo;s driveway to getting involved in a local Rotary club or, in the political realm, calling your state representative or running for office.
We also talked about some concerning trends affecting civic health, such as the decline in local media, rising polarization, and growing distrust in institutions.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM's LaCrosse Talk. News and talk about the issues of the day for Western Wisconsin.

WIZM - La Crosse  Talk Interviews

WIZM’s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin.
Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at wizmnews.com and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities. Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.

WIZM&rsquo;s La Crosse Talk brings you the voices shaping Western Wisconsin. Broadcast live weekday mornings on WIZM News Talk 92.3 FM, 106.7 FM, 1410 AM, and streaming at <a href="https://www.wizmnews.com/">wizmnews.com</a> and on the WIZM app, La Crosse Talk dives into the headlines, local politics, community issues, and conversations that matter most to listeners in the Coulee Region. Hosted as part of the La Crosse Talk Morning Show, each episode features in-depth interviews with newsmakers, elected officials, experts, and everyday citizens offering real perspectives on the events and decisions impacting La Crosse and surrounding communities.&nbsp;Whether it's breaking news, civic discussions, or community stories, La Crosse Talk keeps you informed and connected to the place you call home.