By: ALISHA VASQUEZ
Staff Writer
Community engagement is one of the most important things because you are improving your local community. People unite together and can work on projects that may solve an “issue or problem” in the community (Bassler, 2008). While going through this process we learn why taking action in a community is important. People use skills they may already have, and some can obtain new skills to increase improvements in a community which is important.
To begin, the main reason people should participate in their community is because they will be more “engaged” (Bassler, 2008). Local citizens will be allowed to make some decisions, and they can have more responsibilities. That will increase the likelihood that they will make the idea into reality. When people participate in the community they will use skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. It is important to participate in your local community because it “provides a more comprehensive approach to community development” (Wilkinson, 1991). In doing this citizens make relationships with others. People who participate in their community want to give back to the relatives who raised them because they are now older and they have other priorities. When you go out to help I believe that you have to put all differences aside and “build your community by keeping your purpose in mind” (Brower, 2022). If you do not have your heart and your mind in the same place you will not work as efficiently. It is truly bringing your community’s morale down. Also when people participate in their community it shows that they care and want to improve the city they live in.
In addition, the reason why people should be engaged and participate in their community is that they can make “[more] sustainable public decisions and improve the liveability of local communities” (Hussey, 2023). If people did not participate there could be unnecessary projects, but if we people are hands-on fewer problems occur. I think that it is important for people to speak out and address the “community needs” (Hussey, 2023). Nobody knows what the community needs besides the community. For example, if people from a specific part of town say that there are no parks close by they may ask them to build one closer to them. People should be able to agree or address their concerns. Maybe that area is affected by homelessness so that may not be the best idea to put children in that setting. While participating you have to create friendships because you want people to hear your thoughts. In society today we learned that “peer-to-peer influence is becoming more powerful than top-down information sharing” (Crozier, 2022). I agree with this statement since most people just go to meetings and air out their concerns, but people who have helped the community consistently are not going to like that. So it is very important to make friendships or else people will not see eye to eye with you.
In conclusion, many people do participate in their communities. Some people may not know the benefits they gain such as friends, problem-solving skills, and communication skills. This is a very important factor that people do not address. If people want to see a true change in their community then they need to be hands-on. That is why it is important to be involved with your community in some shape or form even if it is attending a city meeting twice a year; it is better than doing nothing.
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Work Cited
- Bassler. “Why Community Engagement Matters.” Plone Site, https://aese.psu.edu/research/centers/cecd/engagement-toolbox/engagement/why-community-engagement-matters.
- Brennan, Mark, and Mary Kate Berardi. “Importance of Local Community Action in Shaping Development.” Penn State Extension, https://extension.psu.edu/importance-of-local-community-action-in-shaping-development.
- Brower, Tracy. “How to Build Community and Why It Matters so Much.” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 12 Oct. 2022, https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2020/10/25/how-to-build-community-and-why-it-matters-so-much/?sh=6a8e54ff751b.
- Crozier, Matthew. “5 Reasons Why Community Engagement Matters.” Granicus, 4 July 2022, https://granicus.com/blog/5-reasons-why-community-engagement-matters/.
- Hussey, Sally. “Why Is Community Engagement Important?” Granicus, 7 Apr. 2023, https://granicus.com/blog/why-is-community-engagement-important/.