Building Bridges and Community

Well, it’s not easy. Wanting good things to happen in the community is one thing, but working through opposing forces is something entirely different. Then again, you have to do the latter to gain the former.

You know what I’m talking about. A community program or project goes off like clockwork, but a day or two later you hear grumbling about it; someone is not happy. Maybe it’s because the target group helped is Hispanic; why not whites? Or Blacks? Or maybe the program featured performers from Chicago; why not DuPage County, or even our own town? Or, why are we helping people who should have managed their own lives better so they don’t need help from others?

An editorial pointing out basic, local needs is countered with “not in my backyard,” or “is this the proper role of government? Why don’t private charities take care of this?” Maybe it’s this complaint: “Someone’s always helping someone else; when will they get around to me?”

You get the idea. What one person or group thinks is good, someone else thinks just the opposite. How can neighbors or fellow townspeople feel so differently? And does their opposition figure elsewhere in community life?

Being different than others is part of life. Feeling and thinking differently is the basis of diversity. It makes the world go around, maybe even more so than love! And yes, opposing opinions easily complicate life throughout a community. Just walk into the local coffee shop and listen to the gossip, or over exaggerated claims between two debaters! Some of these chats become downright hostile, and in a flash!

How do we get past this? How do we make openings among people that will lead to productive discussions and maybe, just maybe, an altered point of view, of understanding an issue in a fresh way? Can these opportunities be helped along? Can we be part of that healthy change?

I think yes. Let me share a story that is still unfolding.

Received a complaint that our local paper didn’t include an article about an event sponsored by the local chamber of commerce. The individual organizing the event also sits with me on the chamber board of directors. He felt that I, as editor of the paper, should have ensured his event space in the paper.

My immediate reaction: we did not get a press release or photo of the event so had no official notice to pursue. Also, publicity for the event, either before or after, should have been the task of the chamber staff. Finally, the newspaper has provided the chamber with column space for every issue; a column that is written by them and edited by the paper only for typos and syntax. The chamber did not submit copy for the issue in question.

Turns out the complainer apologized to the paper and concluded the problem rests with the chamber; but went on to state he has problems with the newspaper’s content and has suggestions for us. My reaction was just that, a reaction. And I turned down his offer to meet over coffee to discuss these matters genially. I counter offered: send written observations and suggestions to me by email and I will share with our newspaper team for follow up.

Sleeping on these matters I realized I had missed an opportunity to build an important bridge to a part of the community of which I have little contact. If the paper is to fully represent the community it needs knowledge and/or representation of the entire community.  In church that morning I continued thinking on the matter and worked at finding a constructive resolution.

When I returned home I sent a group email to the newspaper’s management team and shared with them the entire matter. I asked for their help in determining what we should and could do. I also wrote an outline of how we could include input from all segments of the community in a constructive process. They liked the approach. It was transparent and bold. It was inclusive. It was everything we claim to be: of, for and by the community.

[Reminder: our newspaper is a totally free, all-volunteer operation. It fills a void in public communication in our community. As such the Village Chronicles (Warrenville, Ill.) is, and has pursued a unique business model. It is non-profit. It is all-volunteer. There are no ‘owners’ of the enterprise. It has few assets and the volunteer corps now numbers 28 people who write, edit, sell ads, layout and promote the newspaper as an independent, community voice. This may be the only way small communities will have a paper in the future.]

With their approval I wrote an apology to the complainer and offered to meet with him and our team to discuss openly and constructively his ideas and suggestions. I shared with him my document of transparency and suggestion for community input.

We await an answer to our offer and have yet to schedule a meeting with the person. I will share with you here how this unfolds and whether we think this approach will work.

It is important to state that our team is well represented throughout the community. We hear things and know developments that keep us well informed. We do not discourage people who feel differently from us. We are not political. People who do not agree with what we report are free to write letters to the editor, author guest columns and do the same on our website. For the most part they have not spoken. We assume that we are speaking the mind of the community. And we have openly invited others to join that voice. If that voice is not being heard we are unaware of it.

Building and maintaining community takes effort. It also means active bridge building among those who perceive things differently. The effort to build common understanding and shared tasks results in stronger community. At least that is the theory. We shall see if our efforts have that effect.

March 20, 2012