ABOUT US

Engaged Citizens of Hillsborough County (ECHC) is a grassroots organization based in Amherst, NH. We help residents of the county understand local and state issues and discover civic engagement opportunities that resonate with them and suit their interests and availability. We are unaffiliated with any political party or other organization.

We seek a just, vibrant future for residents of Hillsborough County and the state of New Hampshire, where citizens: 

• Are empowered to advocate for themselves and their communities with their local, county, state and national governments and are knowledgeable about how to do so effectively.
• Feel confident in their understanding of our system of government, candidates and key issues.
• Feel connected to their local community.
• Feel confident that the candidates they support and elected / appointed officials are accountable and properly aligned with our local, state and national interests .

Our activities include:

• Researching and sharing factual, objective information about candidates, issues, and pending legislation.
• Encouraging well-informed voter engagement and civic participation. 
• Strategic engagement with local, state, and national organizations whose missions align with ours.
• Hosting events for our members and the broader community.
• Encouraging member support for local charities and community members in need.

By creatively combining the skills, talents, interests, and resources of our members and partner organizations, ECHC’s impact will be greater than the sum of the parts. We equip members with resources to make change and achieve our common goals.

ECHC members are neighbors and friends from your own Hillsborough County communities. 

We are:

• Proud Americans, dedicated to the US Constitution, democratic principles and ensuring our country remains free, fair and worthy of our ideals.
• Concerned about the day-to-day threats to our cherished and hard-fought democratic institutions and norms.
• Searching for constructive ways to engage in our governance process and trusted organizations to join.
• We are everyday people of conscience, conviction and with a willingness to stand for what is right and just. We put in the effort to organize, research, analyze, connect the dots, plan and communicate. 

We encourage Hillsborough County residents to join and participate in ECHC in whatever capacity or intensity suits their needs, availability, and interests.

Visitors are welcome to follow us on social media (see links in the footer) and use the helpful public resources available on this website. 

Members are invited to join our mailing list (which we will never sell or share with others) and receive regular news flashes and status reports, along with invitations to ECHC sponsored events. [See signup button in purple section below.]  Membership is open to all residents of Hillsborough County, New Hampshire who share a respectful, good-faith interest in the welfare of our neighbors, communities and nation. We welcome all members, regardless of their political affiliation. 

Volunteers are always welcome! We are seeking members who would like to help lead ECHC activities overall and in individual Hillsborough County communities. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Becky Stoughton at Becky@EngagedCitizensNH.org for more details.

ECHC was started in the summer of 2025 by Amherst resident Becky Stoughton to help answer the question: “What can I do to better understand and have a constructive impact on the issues that affect my community?”

Becky began researching existing organizations and initiatives, sifting through websites, action alerts, newsletters, articles and podcasts, attending meetings and generally trying to make sense of it all. Several friends expressed interest in hearing about what she was learning, and a rudimentary email newsletter was started. Recipients were encouraged to share it with others. Membership began to grow. 

It became clear that many people wanted to understand the issues shaping our communities, but frequently lacked the time to track legislation, attend forums, or research the candidates and warrant articles in upcoming elections on their own. Many members expressed relief knowing there were others in their community who shared similar concerns and were interested in working together, as much as each was able, to influence how the future unfolded.  And it was clear that people weren't looking for someone to tell them what to think or how to act —they were looking for accessible information, meaningful connections, and practical ways to participate.

As summer 2026 approaches, our near-term focus has turned to preparing ourselves and others for the upcoming primaries and general elections, while continuing to build strong communities. With the launch of our website and growing our social media presence, we aim to become scalable and sustainable so we can continue to encourage active civic engagement in Hillsborough County.