In This Together

Building community is everyone’s business. It starts in the home and moves to neighbors. Getting involved in neighborhood activities helps expand to other blocks in your neighborhood. Being an active member of community-based organizations like schools, charities, service groups and church, really brings connections to the task. An enjoyable task at that!

At work we can be community minded as well. Helping to design and maintain attractive business communities is a voluntary activity whether in an industrial park or a downtown retail shopping district. This work ensures pleasant surroundings for both employees and consumers. Ample parking, seasonal plantings, healthy trees – all are a part of the environment that supports healthy businesses.

Community building includes enriching a community’s human qualities as well. Are the local schools supported well enough to enthuse and prepare students for their lives ahead? Career development is one outcome, so are effective citizenship commitments we instill in our students. And art, music – the so called ‘soft’ attributes of a community – are they abundant enough to positively affect the quality of life for the younger generation?

Ron Shaich is a founding partner of Panera Bread. He made this quote in the December 2, 2012 issue of Parade Magazine:

“My message to corporate leaders is this: Unless we take care of the society we live in, there won’t be any society left to support our businesses.”

That’s a powerful statement. It is not just the responsibility of the business community, however. The task belongs to each and every one of us. Citizens, home owners, apartment dwellers, church goers, employees, employers, kids, retired elders and everyone in between.  We have much to contribute to our community and society at large. Knowing this is one thing. Doing it is another thing.

My experience is involvement in good works is addictive. Do a little and you are drawn into doing more, not because you ought to, but because you see the need and feel great doing the work.

Another bonus? You meet the best people who share the work with you. Fun, intelligent and purposeful. What could possibly be better? And it doesn't raise our taxes, either!!

June 7, 2013