The Chamber supports strong civic engagement for a healthy community and business climate. This resource guide provides nonpartisan information for civic engagement in the Bloomington/Monroe County area.
Government Advisory Groups
The Chamber encourages our members to get involved with Bloomington and Monroe County citizen advisory boards and commissions. Volunteer boards and commissions give residents the opportunity to provide input on local policies that affect our city and county. There are over 45 city boards and commissions as well as over 40 county advisory groups. Click here for more information about City of Bloomington and Monroe County boards and commissions.
Elections
The Chamber supports the nonpartisan work of Monroe County Election Central, which is responsible for conducting elections in this area. This includes assisting with voter registration, recruiting poll workers, and publicizing information about the election process (voter locations, deadlines, etc.). The Chamber also provides opportunities to meet with local candidates through our Elect Connect forums.
In 2020, the primary election – originally scheduled for May 5 – was postponed until June 2. The general election was Nov. 3.
In 2020, the primary election – originally scheduled for May 5 – was postponed until June 2. The general election was Nov. 3.
Connect with State Government
The Chamber is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Bloomington-Monroe County to help inform our members about the work of our state elected representatives. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, we supported the League's Legislative Updates on Saturdays when the state legislature was in session. We hope to revive those forums during the 2021 session.
Check out the Chamber's State Legislative Process guide for information about how the Indiana General Assembly works. During each legislative session, we also keep an updated bill tracker for legislation of interest to members.
In 2020, the Chamber held our annual Legislative Preview Luncheon with a panel of state representatives on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Bloomington Country Club. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Chamber hosted a Statehouse Drive-In with a catered lunch at the Indiana General Assembly Statehouse in Indianapolis as an opportunity to talk with our state representatives.
For a list of state legislators representing Bloomington/Monroe County, check out the Chamber's Elected Officials Directory.
Check out the Chamber's State Legislative Process guide for information about how the Indiana General Assembly works. During each legislative session, we also keep an updated bill tracker for legislation of interest to members.
In 2020, the Chamber held our annual Legislative Preview Luncheon with a panel of state representatives on Friday, Jan. 17 at the Bloomington Country Club. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Chamber hosted a Statehouse Drive-In with a catered lunch at the Indiana General Assembly Statehouse in Indianapolis as an opportunity to talk with our state representatives.
For a list of state legislators representing Bloomington/Monroe County, check out the Chamber's Elected Officials Directory.
Indiana Civic Health Alliance
The Chamber is a member of the Indiana Civic Health Alliance, a coalition to support more active nonpartisan civic engagement and to promote the recommendations of the 2019 Indiana Civic Health Index. The group supports two goals for 2020:
- Promote civic engagement by convening a civic education task force to study methods of instruction, programs, and educational outcomes to improve civic education opportunities for all ages and prepare policy recommendations to improve civic education opportunities and programs in Indiana.
- Increase voting turnout substantially in the 2020 elections, with the goal of moving Indiana from the Bottom 10 to the Top 10 of states in voter turnout.
Census 2020
The Chamber was a partner with the U.S. Census 2020, working with a broad coalition to ensure that our community has a high participation rate. As part of that effort, we publicized the availability of jobs to help with the Census count in 2020 in a variety of temporary positions, including census takers, recruiting staff, and office staff.
