Caring for community! Caring for your neighbor
By Barbara Kyle, Troutdale City Councilor
written for The Mt. Hood Gorge Connection, August 2006 issue
Last Thursday night my husband Kelly and I were invited to attend an
organizational meeting for an Eagles (Fraternal Order of Eagles) group in
Troutdale. You may know their motto “People Helping People”. I read with
interest the hand out asking “Want to soar with the Eagles?” Did you know the
Eagles sponsor research for cures for many diseases, or that their group helped
sponsor many important social programs that have had an impact on each of our
lives: Workmen’s compensation, The Social Security Act and “Jobs After 40” just
to name a few.
That meeting made me think about statistics that show our country has
experienced a steady decline in volunteering or participating in other forms of civic
engagement over the past 20 years. Fewer petitions are signed, fewer people
vote during elections, we join fewer clubs or organizations, we know less about our
neighbors, and even visit with friends and family members less often.
For the past several years, research has been conducted to determine the
reasons for community bonds weakening. That research also shows that
communities with high levels of civic/social involvement are better places to raise
children, and when parents and communities get involved, there is an
improvement in educational performance, lower crime rates, less depression due
to isolation. Active communities take a personal interest in their neighbors, and
consider social problems to be at least partly their own and will try to resolve them
within their community than refer them to a social service for resolution.
The factors getting the blame for civil dis-engagement are: less free time,
suburbanized cities, aging population and electronic media.
“No Time” is the most popular excuse.
“The ‘burbs” and the commute to work reduces the time allotment for anything
social.
“Aging population”. (My mom has been a pair of helping hands to many for as
long as I can remember. Recently her health has slowed her down, but that hasn’t
prevented her from helping collect furniture and clothing for a neighbor whose
home burned, calling a friend at the hospital or organizing a meal for a local family
that has suffered the loss of a loved one. Mom is from the “long civic generation”
(born between 1900 and 1935), the generation that is known for being more
socially involved than their children (Baby Boomers—which would be my
generation) or their grand children (the Gen X’ers). I found an article on the
internet that said “Baby Boomers” compare favorably with their predecessors but
have a more sporadic and short-lived record of civic engagement than the “long
civic generation”. I wonder if that will change as we age and have more leisure
time?)
“Electronic Entertainment”. Leisure time used to mean a card game with friends,
visiting with neighbors, a trip to the library, a club membership, or even Sunday
dinner with family. TV came along and we isolate ourselves behind closed doors
and in front of the TV.
Last winter mom called me to say OPB would be airing a show on Union
(hometown). I isolated myself (behind closed doors) to watch TV. The topic was
personal, a surprise, and brought tears to my eyes. “Town of Volunteers”: Union,
Oregon. Most of the folks appearing on the documentary were even active in the
community when I was in High School. The parade Grand Marshalls of the
Eastern Oregon Livestock Show (since 1907) were the paternal grandparents of
my children. The Tarters, lifetime residents of Union, were honored for many
years of civic involvement. Our family traveled to Union for their special event, but
we had no idea we would watch the parade, many familiar faces and the
grandparents on an OPB documentary.
I believe a community can grow and improve when we care about our neighbors,
and citizens and public servants make the effort to connect. The difference
begins with each us. Do you know your neighbor? Do you know your public
servants?
If you are interested in “People Helping People” (the newly forming Troutdale
Eagles Group) they meet every other Thursday, 7:30 to 8:30, Godfather’s Pizza
in Troutdale. (only about 50 charter memberships are still available.) Visit www.
troutdale-oregon.com for local contact information.