On Building Our Community - By Jess Jones

 On Building Our Community

By Jess Jones

“First, accept that there is something that only you can provide.  Now, quit telling yourself that you are not needed.”

When we think of community as a concept we often think of it as if we are separate or outside the idea.  At other times we long for a community and somehow expect that it will be created by others, someone else and when this is accomplished, we determine that we will join or take part.  We hold this image or belief of a perfected community of people who function without any difficulties or conflict, a place where there is never any issues to be resolved.  In fact, such a thing does not exist except in the minds of those who idealize the concept.  Community requires many things and the one, most necessary component is involvement.  A community is comprised of individuals and while it is a function of group dynamics, it is the individual who will determine the quality, the reach, and the health of that community. 

The function of the community is to provide support and opportunities to its individual members.  It is easy enough to feel that we as individuals have no accountability for the quality and actions of a community or to choose to simply step away from involvement whenever issues arise between people.  

So, what are our obligations to the community as the individual?  I think this can be summed up in one word: participation. We must consider what it is we contribute and ask ourselves what do we have to offer.  Each of us, according to our abilities, can strengthen our community through participation.  We can participate simply through involvement in discussions taking place in our groups that we are involved with but more than that we can step up and volunteer our time in the many different activities that are taking place.   

We have to determine that we are the strength of our community.