1 week Ago
In the words of Coretta Scott King, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” At a recent meeting, some facts came to my attention that were both disturbing and alarming. And only you can help lessen the challenge presented by these facts.
There is an entire generation of Baby Boomers who are leaving without having completed the most important task there is for communities. They have not put a successful succession plan in place. Every business, organization, association, community establishment, will only remain successful if they have a roadmap in place to continue.
What am I talking about? It is not unusual to hear various organizers and fundraisers lamenting the fact that “once the current leaders retire, there is no one coming up to take their place in major leadership roles or philanthropy.” What are the ramifications of this quandary? Let us look at not just the critical infrastructure organizations but also those organizations that make a town exciting, attractive, interesting, and livable. These include public spaces, parks, transportation, walkability, and community engagement.
One of the most important assets of any area can be its cultural and recreational opportunities. During the years that I was “in the business” of trying to convince physicians and their families to come to a town to work at our hospital, those elements were all on their checklist. If you could add the fact that there were entertainment centers or a symphony orchestra, that became a game changer.
Just knowing they were available without having to drive an hour or two to enjoy the arts sometimes made all the difference in the world. Each year when I speak to leadership groups, my subject matter always has a sincere pitch to get involved in the community at multiple levels. Service clubs, fire departments, and ambulance organizations need volunteers and employees, but communities also need culture and the arts.
So, volunteering and support can and must happen on all levels or a community suffers. This involvement can take many forms: volunteering, attending local meetings, supporting local businesses, or simply engaging with our neighbors. Why is this important? Because it fosters a sense of belonging.
When we engage with one another, we build relationships based on trust, understanding, and collaboration. It enhances our mental well-being. Volunteers report higher levels of happiness and lower levels of stress.
Plus, it gives us purpose and helps combat feelings of isolation. We meet diverse individuals, gain new perspectives, and develop relationships that can open doors-both personally and professionally. Lastly, it fosters personal growth.
Active community involvement and local initiatives foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity. Community involvement evokes kindness which is essential for shaping the future. Your decisions to volunteer, and to give freely at whatever level you can afford will impact lives for decades to come.
Recently, actor Jeff Goldblum was asked what he thought was the essence of life. He paused and quoted George Bernard Shaw. “This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one.
Being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it what I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live.
I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
” Nick Jacobs is a Windber resident..
