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Participation is key in everything.
Whether you are on a sports team, part of a community service project, hold an elected office or are a member of a church choir, it simply is not good enough to just show up and expect everyone else to do the work. We all must accept our roles in order to get the task accomplished.
In order to participate, we also must be knowledgable of the situation. We have to be willing to learn and make changes in our way of thinking from time to time.
Part of that is through communication.
Whatever the situation, I've noticed that some of the biggest progress can be made by simply sitting down and talking with each other, being willing to listen to the other sides of the issue, look at other information and be open to accept there may be other explanations we haven't though of. It's not always going to work, but hopefully it can help us to at least understand each other better for work in the future.
It's never a good idea to be so stubborn to go into a situation with a "My way or the highway" mentality.
There are many governmental meetings in our communities, yet a relative few of our residents actually attend no matter what time of day they may be held. There have been many times over the years where I may be the only non-government person in the audience. That's my job. I'm there to report on the actions taken during these meetings.
But these are the people you elect to represent you, to be your voice, to make decisions for your benefit and the benefit of your community. Why aren't you there? Why aren't you participating?
If you hear a rumor, or better yet read a new report, of some action being discussed by your local officials, instead of further fueling the rumor mill, why don't you attend a meeting? Why don't you call your councilmember of your county commissioner or your legislator to find out what's going on?
Speak with each other. Work together. Participate.
You can't expect to learn and be informed by sitting in your home or your office and being a keyboard warrior. Staring at your computer screen and steaming about something when you may not have the full picture isn't going to solve the problem.
We all want to see our communities move forward and for the people to succeed. Well, we're only as good as the effort given.
With that in mind, this is my challenge to all of our residents. Take some time to attend a council meeting in your town, or your county commission meeting. Maybe there is a park board or a planning commission or some other committee. Find out when they meet. Attend a meeting or two. All you have to do is sit down, watch and listen.
Take it a step further. Call up your councilmember, commissioner or other official. Schedule some time to meet and discuss any concerns you may have. Ask them questions about the topic and learn what is going on and why. You may not get the answer you want, but hopefully you'll leave with a better understanding.
My challenge to those in government would be this: Make sure you set aside time in your busy schedules for the people. You represent them. You need to know what concerns they have in order to be effective in doing so.
You have regularly scheduled meetings, but how about the occasional town hall session? Set up a time where there is no specific agenda and listen to the questions of the people in your community.
It's amazing how many problems active participation and communication can actually solve.
(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)