December’s CivicMeet will be our inaugural meet-up. We'll focus on introducing the CivicMeet concept and encouraging attendees to take ownership as members of the CivicMeet community. Activities will create an opportunity for participants to get to know each other and brainstorm areas where they want to see innovation in government and the social space.

Questions? Email civicmeet (at) publicinnovation.org

// FAQ //

Q: Who is behind CivicMeet Sacramento?
A: Public Innovation -- a nonprofit startup committed to making the Sacramento region a global leader in public sector innovation -- is the initial sponsor of CivicMeet Sacramento, but we are actively seeking co-sponsors for future CivicMeets. If your organization is interested, please send an email to civicmeet (at) publicinnovation.org.

Q: What is CivicMeet, anyways?
A: In short, CivicMeet is what we make it. Read more about the CivicMeet concept.

Q: I’m not a “creative type.” Why should I attend?
A: Everyone has creativity within them. We can help you gain your creative confidence!

Q: Do I have to come with an idea?
A: No! Just bring your passion and the ideas will follow.

Q: I don’t work in or around government. Will I fit in?
A: Absolutely. We need diverse perspectives to identify the “pain points” that comprise the citizen experience. Using those, we’ll develop collaborative solutions.

Q: How is this going to make a difference if we’re not part of government?
A: Government is not a monolith. We’re redefining the role of citizenship to accommodate co-creation.

Q: What is co-creation?
A: Co-creation is a strategy that emphasizes the generation and ongoing realization of mutual value between companies and their customers -- or, in our case, government and citizens. It views markets as forums for firms and encourages active customers to share, combine and renew each other's resources and capabilities to create value through new forms of interaction, service and learning mechanisms. It differs from the traditional active firm – passive consumer market construct of the past. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Co-creation

Q: What exactly do you hope to accomplish?
A: We want to build a community of civic innovators and social entrepreneurs that will serve as a catalyst for infusing a culture of innovation in government and the nonprofit sector.

Q: Will there be food and drink?
A: We’re working on that, but have no budget. If you can help, please shoot an email to civicmeet (at) publicinnovation.org.

Q: Hmmm... I’m still skeptical. Has this ever been done before?
A: Yes! Let Jake explain...