Reduced formal civic education, a decrease in intergenerational closure, and a drop in participation in political institutions and civic organizations, voluntary associations, and community-focused entities in recent decades mean it is likely that young people are not getting adequate civic training and are therefore less able to contribute to the democratic building blocks of society in the same way as in the past. Youth in the mid-twentieth century were exposed to specific and robust civic education, a more traditional family and community structure, and varied extracurricular activities. This study sought to identify how the people and activities these youth engaged with may have played a role in forming their civic disposition, and whether said experiences contributed to their preparation and motivation to serve in an elected leadership role as an adult. A phenomenological approach was used due to its emphasis on ethical and social theory, and a semi-structured interview protocol gathered data from participants (n = 13) who were born in or before 1965 and served in the role of mayor or city councilperson in a small city. The discussion focused on youth experiences, including academics and formal education; extracurricular activities and community involvement; family, peers, and social network; and context and surroundings. Parent involvement was identified as the biggest contributor to establishing a baseline for developing a civic disposition, while formal civic education (i.e., academics) did not contribute to the desire to seek an elected office later in life. The study concludes that the modeling of and involvement in appropriate civic-focused behaviors by key adults (parents, extended family, teachers, and other community leaders) is strongly influential in the development of civic and character skills in youth. In addition, a well-rounded childhood that includes opportunities for leadership, service, and participation is important in developing a service-minded outlook in youth that is carried into adulthood. Finally, the study illustrated that even for adults with an intrinsic service mentality derived from a civic disposition that yields a propensity toward action, an intervention (i.e., an ask, suggestion, or prompt) may be needed for them to become involved in community leadership roles. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]