About the Demonstrations: Civic Business | Civic Education | Civic Non-Profit Civic Organizing Inc. | Renewing the Public Congregation Civic Business Governing Member: Kowalski’s Markets Civic Business builds the capacity of business institutions to contribute to building the a civic infrastructure. Civic Business does this in partnership with other MACI demonstrations to help create a world that is abundant and just. The Need for Civic Leadership American businesses do an excellent job of applying innovation to produce goods and services needed by society and of providing economic opportunity that fuels prosperity. In doing so, business has the potential to be the backbone of a stable society in which both private wealth and public wealth can thrive. As consumer society has grown in significance, business institutions have taken on greater prominence. Today, rather than cathedrals or halls of government, it is the skyscrapers of commerce that dominate the landscape. Yet, rather than using its influence to build a better society, business has tended to use it simply as a tool for short-term, private gain. Once a prime generator of civic culture, business no longer sees “civic” as a top priority. At the same time, business organizations are having difficulty maintaining effective internal operations. It is becoming harder to find consensus on values that transcend individual needs and, increasingly, individuals lack the political skills needed to get things done. Civic Business believes that these issues are indicators of a systemic break down in our civic infrastructure. Civic Business and MACI provide a structure for accomplishing these goals and, together, we are rebuilding the public square. Pilot Projects Kowalski's Markets has completed a pilot project and has been certified as a Civic Business. They are applying democratic principles and civic organizing practices within their organization. The results are helping them to be a more effective business and to better meet their obligations as an institution in a democratic society.

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