Before I started my sustainable community class I thought that sustainability was just a word, applied to something that could continue indefinitely because it had little or no impact on the system in which it operates. I thought that it could be applied to building practices and lifestyle choices but what I neglected to realize was that it could be applied to communities and the social world. More importantly, it is the community that is the real root of sustainability.
Reflecting on the social capital lecture I attended a few weeks ago, I learned that our standard of living is intricately attached to how well our community functions. Crime rates, happiness, education and poverty were all closely correlated to the level of social capital experienced in a given area. So really when we discuss the issue of sustainability, we must first address the community because it is a reflection of the attitudes and ideals of its members. If the people within a community do not feel like they belong, it will be impossible to convince them of any sort of sustainable behaviour.
I also learned that getting people to participate in a community is harder than it sounds and it takes a lot more than just throwing a meeting. Leaders must be dedicated to community engagement and they must implement certain techniques that will guarantee them higher levels of success. Big decisions and plans for the future are much easier to implement if everyone is on board and have been able to contribute to the process. Future Search Conferences are excellent ways to move forward in decision making that is inclusive and doesn't only serve the interests of a few.
Knowing this I have been able to look at things in an entirely different way. I am actually thinking that community outreach might be an area of career interest or maybe something to do in my off time. I would love to participate in building a stronger community because I think it could have the most rewarding outcomes. When I get to wherever I am going after I am done school, one of the first things I am going to do is volunteer for some community function. Through this, I am going to learn and see where it takes me.
Reflecting on the social capital lecture I attended a few weeks ago, I learned that our standard of living is intricately attached to how well our community functions. Crime rates, happiness, education and poverty were all closely correlated to the level of social capital experienced in a given area. So really when we discuss the issue of sustainability, we must first address the community because it is a reflection of the attitudes and ideals of its members. If the people within a community do not feel like they belong, it will be impossible to convince them of any sort of sustainable behaviour.
I also learned that getting people to participate in a community is harder than it sounds and it takes a lot more than just throwing a meeting. Leaders must be dedicated to community engagement and they must implement certain techniques that will guarantee them higher levels of success. Big decisions and plans for the future are much easier to implement if everyone is on board and have been able to contribute to the process. Future Search Conferences are excellent ways to move forward in decision making that is inclusive and doesn't only serve the interests of a few.
Knowing this I have been able to look at things in an entirely different way. I am actually thinking that community outreach might be an area of career interest or maybe something to do in my off time. I would love to participate in building a stronger community because I think it could have the most rewarding outcomes. When I get to wherever I am going after I am done school, one of the first things I am going to do is volunteer for some community function. Through this, I am going to learn and see where it takes me.
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