Community all around
A few days ago I got into a spontaneous conversation with a young woman in our community. She was passionate about finding ways to make our area more self-sustaining, particularly when it comes to food production. She had a few notions about how to make that happen, and I was glad to encourage her to draw others into her vision.
That 10-minute visit pushed me to think again how fortunate we are to live in a rural area where “community” comes in so many different forms. As I visit a wide variety of people in our county, whether longtime residents or newly-arrived folks, I enjoy hearing their affirmations of being part of this community.
“Community” is a wonderfully complex experience that we don’t often analyze, but we do enjoy it. I recently came across an article from 1996 that speaks to how city-dwellers can make a successful transition to rural life. The author, Wanda Urbanska (ironic name), offered her seven tips for creating community when living in rural America. How do they fit for you?
- Slow your pace. The person in a hurry is viewed with wariness, even suspicion, in the country. You’ve moved out here to smell the roses, so breathe in their fragrance.
- Be punctual. Leave yourself a cushion of time in the country. Rural Americans won’t be impressed that you’re “crazy busy” — too busy to be on time. Some view being late as valuing your own time over theirs.
- Let your individuality emerge ... gradually. Don’t spring your differences on your new community. Take baby steps.
- Pitch In. Small-towners develop webs of favors and dependencies. You can work your way into these webs by spinning some fibers of your own. Identify the need and then turn some old-fashioned good deeds.
- Join clubs, civic organizations or faith communities. But if you do so, don’t just put your name on the membership roll, take the organization seriously. Attend faithfully, help out and promote the group.
- Always donate things. When asked, contribute what you can. If you can’t make the full donation, do something. If you’re asked to give $250 and it’s not in your budget, give $25 and some encouraging words.
- Buy locally. Nothing engenders goodwill as quickly as patronizing local merchants — even if you have to pay extra. Unless you’re positively strapped for cash, buying locally helps build community.
Next Tuesday’s Geezer Forum also had me thinking about community. Erin Binall, community development manager for Bonner General Health, and Georgia Simmons from the BGH Foundation, will be our speakers for our Nov. 26 gathering.
Erin will focus on the community services that BGH has offered, and intends to expand — particularly for what she calls “a disproportionate share of the elderly, uninsured, and patients with significant health issues”. BGH continues to look for ways to “provide quality care close to home.”
Georgia will focus on the BGH Foundation’s efforts to support the various community and medical services of BGH through its philanthropic fund-raising. Did you realize that since 2008, the Foundation has raised $638,000 for specific equipment and expanded services?
Join us next Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2:30-4 p.m. in the Community Room of Columbia Bank for this Geezer Forum.
Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training of Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Contact Paul at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.