VAN’s new Vital Voices discussions are one way to get involved
By Julie Roles, VAN co-chair
This weekend I watched the 2023 documentary “Join or Die” about the work of author Robert Putman (it’s available on Netflix). Putman wrote “Bowling Alone” in 2000 and was at the forefront of understanding the effects of declining civic engagement in America. The documentary argues that Americans can improve their health and help save democracy by being actively involved in their communities.
Putnam’s research focuses on the importance of informal places of connection called “social spaces” — sometimes also called “civic spaces,” “free spaces” or “third spaces.” Social spaces include clubs, churches, PTA meetings, art groups, and other places where people gather. They are places where you build social capital. Putnam’s research finds that these places counteract the ill effects of social isolation for the individual and further the well-being of our communities and society.
After visiting the United States in the 1830s, the French diplomat, Alexis de Tocqueville, concluded that civic associations set American democracy apart. The Library of Congress reports his findings this way: “Tocqueville argues that citizens in a democracy rely on associations to bring them into shared concerns with their neighbors and to empower them with a voice to influence public opinion. Association-making, he claimed, was the ‘mother science’ in a democratic society, the piece of social know-how that makes a democracy flourish.” (source)
Civicus, a global civil society alliance, calls civic spaces “the bedrock of any open and democratic society.”
These gathering places also provide opportunities for people to practice skills that make them effective citizens — listening, weighing divergent opinions, thinking critically and finding common ground for compromise.
What’s in it for the individual?
Social Connection in America just released their 2025 survey report. Among their findings is this: “There is widespread social isolation in the U.S., with too little social interaction, few relationships, and disengagement from community life. Lacking these objective aspects of connection points to a major vulnerability, because we cannot have positive, nourishing human connection if we don’t have enough connection.”
The U.S. surgeon general has identified social isolation and loneliness as important public health concerns. According to a JAMA report, “loneliness is associated with increased risk of heart disease, dementia, stroke, anxiety, and depression. In contrast, improved social connection is associated with increased longevity and better social, emotional, and physical well-being.” (source) Being a part of just one group that meets regularly can make a big difference in alleviating isolation.
Constant news cycles and increased use of social media make it easier than ever to simply avoid in-person connections. The loss of social capital that comes with connection is hurting us all.
Why this is on my mind?
Promoting civic engagement has been in the Vital Aging Network’s mission since our inception. Encouraging the voice of older adults to be at the table and building community are founding principles.
The turmoil in our current economic, political and social environments calls for us all to consider our roles in making the world we want to live in. That is also true for organizations such as VAN.
Being a convenor and creator of social/civic spaces is a role is particularly well suited to VAN. Our Wellness 50+ teams demonstrate the power of older adults coming together to build social capital and community. They have been doing so for more than ten years.
Vital Voices
Now, VAN wants to expand our work in providing additional opportunities for civic engagement. In January, we will launch our Vital Voices community discussions to provide opportunities for people to have meaningful conversations, build community and support each other in taking actions that further the common good. Learn more about these discussions.
We are excited to do our part to build social spaces and further the goals that we share with Mr. Putman: rebuilding civil society.