Sid Burgess

All Hands on Deck

// February 27th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Take Action

“A community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm.”

First appearing in a play by the brilliant Henrik Ibsen, this phrase holds so much truth for communities today.  When we think of leadership within a community, we think of the city council, the head of Public Works, the president of the Chamber of Commerce, or even the guy who organizes the FFA fundraiser . . . but rarely do we think of ourselves, the “common citizens,” as leaders.  We stand heroically ready to pitch in when someone organizes a beautification effort or fundraiser, but step hastily aside if someone calls for a volunteer to assume a leadership position.

Why this fear of being in charge?  Well, certainly one reason is that leadership carries responsibility.  Suddenly the problems become yours to solve, others are looking to you for direction, and any failures are chalked up to your record.  Not exactly fair.  But if the community is running like a ship, with all hands on deck prepared to take leadership if necessary, the intimidation factor goes way down.  Leadership becomes something that anyone can do, if not perfectly then at least acceptably.

Let’s embrace a can-do attitude when it comes to leadership within the community.  It doesn’t have to be huge.  Maybe it just means giving your cell number to the Friends of the Library so they can give you a call if they need someone to host a children’s activity, or taking the initiative to organize a painting party for the peeling fence around the park.  When all hands on deck are flexible enough to “play captain” from time to time, more work gets done . . . and it takes a lot of pressure off the real captain and his crew.  Give your community leaders a break – by becoming one!

New Years Resolution for Your Neighborhood?

// February 1st, 2010 // 2 Comments » // To Ponder

Heading into a new year, I am curious how many of you took a moment to reflect where your neighborhood is at and where you want it to go.  I was talking to a good friend of mine on Twitter about this.  We are quick to forget that in order for the concept of our Republic, as set forth by our founders (and more specifically the winning faction, the Federalists) to work, we must be as focused on our responsibilities as we are our rights.   In order to preserve our rights, we must also acknowledge our civic responsibilities and of course attempt to fulfill them.  If we don’t we will most assuredly create a vacuum.  The easiest way to help reduce the size and scope of government, is to see to it that the needs of your city are met by you and others before the city makes an effort to meet them.  Patrick Henry warned us about leaving things alone…

This, Sir, is my great objection to the Constitution, that there is no true responsibility – and that the preservation of our liberty depends on the single chance of men being virtuous enough to make laws to punish themselves.

So, what civic goals do you have for your community?