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Almost five years ago I discovered the The National Civic League . I called their Denver office and learned (at that time) they worked exclusively with cities. Living in an Ohio township, I was disappointed, but they said "feel free to use any of our information". "Are you working to advance citizen democracy and good government in your community?
If so, the National Civic League can help. By informing, uniting and empowering citizens, we are making democratic institutions and systems more accountable, inclusive, and responsive to residents in thousands of communities across the country.
Theodore Roosevelt, Louis Brandeis, Marshall Field, and other visionaries founded NCL in 1894 to promote municipal reform and community democracy. NCL is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to building community. We help business, government, community groups (non-profits), and individuals work together to solve critical problems. We also serve as a resource for anyone interested in cutting-edge community building practices."
Sounds simple enough. What's a community? I think we are all part of larger communities starting with ourselves, families, neighborhoods, schools, churches, civic organizations (or any organization for that matter) city/township/village, county, state, nation, world, etc. The next question would be: As an individual and a community, are You surviving and thriving? It's May, 2008, in NEOhio. Gas is at $4.00 a gallon, food prices are increasing, many are just barely surviving, few are thriving, so I'm assuming a negative answer.
For the purpose of this article, the three townships Hiram, Mantua and Shalersville, and two villages, Hiram and Mantua, that make up the Crestwood School District is the community being considered.
More from the National Civic League:
WHAT IS OUR DESIRED FUTURE?
Communities that deal successfully with the challenges they face have a clear sense of their past and also have developed a shared picture of where they want to go.
- Is there a shared sense among residents of what they want the community to become?
- Has the community completed a strategic plan to implement a community-wide vision?
- If a community vision exists, how is the vision being used?
- What are some examples of the community’s positive self-image?
- What makes the community special and unique from other locales?
Remember, the National Civic League is geared toward cities that have full time mayors or city managers, departments of people who provide the services and run the day to day operations, and city charters that allow them to tax for services provided.
Township and village governments are the least costly form of local government, and provides few options to generate tax income. Townships and villages usually do not have departments of people running the day to day services. Most day to day services provided deal with fire and rescue, roads, and/or police departments. Of these five Crestwood Communities, only the two villages have police departments.
Here's a 'critical' question: Do your businesses, governments, community groups and individuals communicate with themselves and each other? It seems the correct answer is: Yes, no and sometimes. Two out of these three answers means there is room for improvement.
Communication is critical. Businesses, Individuals, Non-profits (community groups) and Government are critical. The BING Thing is when those Businesses, Individuals, Non-Profits and Governments begin communicating in such a fashion that all of the Community residents not only survive, but thrive.
Crestwood Times can be one portal (Thing) to Crestwood Area BINGs. Businesses: It's hard to shop locally unless you know what products and services are available. Individuals: People are every community's largest asset. Non-profits: Public and private. Governments: Local, County, State, Federal.
The Crestwood Area BING Thing is waiting for You. You are the center of every commUnity. What do you want to know about your community? What do you want to share with others about your community? What are your dreams, ideas and visions? Let us know! |
