You can sit pretty under a gazebo and watch the action from afar. Or, you can jump in and help. I'm talking about being helpful, providing assistance, volunteering.
When we moved here, I was very much interested in helping at the local schools. I volunteered as a tutor in SMART, and as a member of various committees.
Then, I ran for the school board. I have served as chair and vice chair for a total of six years so far. The job is never dull. The problems we face are real and important. Especially now. Looking at how public schools have seen their budget shrink, how classes are getting more crowded, how valuable programs are being eliminated, is enough to make us all scream.
Two of my three adult children are in education. I hear their stories and compare them to those in this community. Nobody is excluded from budget woes. When we hear about states controlling employees' rights to unionize, the problem is not just fiscal. The problem is philosophical.
I'm remaining active in my community by sharing what I know; but, more importantly, I'm remaining active in a political sense too. We all should stay involved in the services and the budgets of our communities, understand its main issues, and be part of the conversation at all stages.
How about you? How are you staying involved?
