Since the September terrorist attacks, polls have shown rising trust in government, and a strong desire to strengthen the country and individual communities through civic participation. But as memories of heroic police officers and firefighters fade, and the media spotlight on government efforts to protect citizens from terrorism recedes, that level of civic trust will likely fall. Before the patriotic fervor and appreciation for government fade, policymakers should consider ways to help people become involved citizens, working with government to better their communities and the nation as a whole.

One way to capitalize on peoples' good civic intentions is to offer direct exposure to government so that citizens have the knowledge to effectively participate in shaping their communities. A handful of cities and towns across the country have already found success in generating civic participation this way.

Perhaps the most thorough-going model is the City of Bloomington, Indiana's "Citizens Academy." Bloomington officials launched the Academy when they realized that even neighborhood association members -- with active interest in community affairs -- had little understanding of how the city operated, and how municipal policies affected neighborhood development. According to Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez: "For our system of government to function at its best, every citizen should have input on how it operates." So now every year the city provides a free, nine-week course open to anyone interested in learning what the city does and how it does it.

Bloomington's Academy is more than a lecture series. It provides interactive discussions with city officials, including the mayor and city department representatives; roundtable discussions on how programs can be improved; and tours of municipal programs and projects, such as the information technology and family services offices; and even a wastewater treatment plant.

Citizens Academy participants graduate with a new appreciation for government and much more importantly, a broader and more in-depth understanding of government to share with other citizens who want to help shape a better place to live. One graduate concluded, "The experience convinced me that our city government is doing a lot of good work. It also reminded me that communities are built and maintained by people."

With citizens clamoring for ways to help build and maintain their communities -- and our American democratic system -- we urge elected officials to take a look a the Citizens Academy model, and find ways to engage their own people in civic and political life. At least, they can offer taxpayers a chance to see their investments at work. At most, they can make citizens active participants in a commonwealth of mutual responsibility.