Building Community - just another thought or two

In 1996, before the age of blogs, I wrote down some thoughts of my disappointment with the vision of the Democratic Party at the time and the acrimony of politics. In light of recent events and activities, I have taken out the old copy to reread.

The discussion was based on the principles of increasing community, feeling compassion and creating hope for a better future. To cut to the chase, I sent that out via the relatively new medium of email and we had a series of meetings that included Democrats, Republicans, Mormons and non-Mormons, (I lived in Salt Lake City at the time).

Below is what came from that discussion. Unfortunately, although the group was enthusiastic, it didn't really go much further than these meetings. Surprisingly, as I reread it, it sounds a bit like what Peter Gabel and the Network of Spiritual Progressives are proposing.

Below are some of the things we discussed back then with additional comments.

We would like to create a national organization that:

1. Provides resource and referral - This department would research initiatives being undertaken around the country that support the guiding principles and through newsletters, publications, consultants and other forms of communications, provide information to local and regional members.
2. Sponsors seminars, conferences and think-tanks - The organization would bring together political figures, community activists, educators, and others for discussions on values driven actions based on increased civility. The purpose would be to support change in our society. (We could certainly add spiritual progressives to that group.)
3. Supports grassroots political organization and activity - Create a political network to review, endorse and support local and national candidates who subscribe and pledge to support a values and civility based platform developed through a national and local development process.
4. Trains and provide community consultants for corporate partners and community groups - Although there is a great deal more of this going on now than there was in 1996 such as the growing move toward venture philanthropy, there are still many ways that community consultants could be used to promote the building of community between corporate partners, community groups and local communities.
5. Has member services - (or the Movement part) - In 1996 we also stated that it was important to create a sense of a movement. At that time we talked about creating a message that implies something like "I am helping my neighbor, no matter what party they are!" or other things that cross traditional lines to build community and a sense of the common good. This would include t-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, publications, and other types of message conveying materials. As the NSP is attempting, this would include local chapters and meetings.
6. Provides community needs assessment and action plans - to do the following:

• Assess previous and existing community efforts based on guiding principles
• Provide a sense of ownership for community participants
• Customize the model for the needs of the community
• Identify community based leaders, volunteers and coordinators

In specific communities:

1. Community Resolution, Mediation and Facilitation Councils - Organizations that resolve disputes among citizens and work to reestablish civility among people who differ on major issues.
2. Create Neighborhood Organizations - Community consultants would help plan, organize and implement community councils and other cross community based organizations.
3. Design and Implement Community Events - These events would be designed for the purpose of tearing down barriers that create isolation. Block parties, progressive dinners, farmers markets and other community oriented activities that could be planned by neighborhood committees. Components of these events would include discussion on cultural sensitivity, diversity and other related topics facilitated by community consultants.
4. Community support for single and working parents - Designing networks for emergency assistance/support, and other needs that reduce isolation and provide community for those without "traditional" support networks.
5. Educational Support - A program that would create homework groups and identify community members who can assist in tutoring and supporting education for neighborhood children.
6. Work projects for neighbors in need - I know of many organizations that do this now, but there could be a day once a month, facilitated by and/or in support of other organizations, where neighbors come out to help those in need in their neighborhood.
7. Political non-partisan forums - These forums could be organized to discuss and act on issues that affect the community. Based on principles of civility and common good, these could be grass roots led lobbying efforts to impact areas of community need.
8. Increased network of nonprofits and faith based organizations working together based on shared principles - Facilitated by this organization (I just added this)
   

It is not 1996, it is 2005 and I realize that there are NGOs or faith based groups that do some or all of this. I think one of the main points of difference that was true when we discussed this and still holds true today is the need to cross traditional boundaries and base these actions on shared values and principles. I am thrilled that 10 years later the Network of Spiritual Progressives is leading this charge. I really hope all of these thoughts, some how rolled together with thoughts from many others, will some day make the changes we all hope to see.

Thanks