Generally known to be engaged in the affairs of the community (6)
I believe the answer is:
public
'generally known' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for public that I've seen before include "Open to everyone" , "Accessible to all" , "Serving the people" , "Strangely enough, these English schools are not" , "Unconcealed" .)