I think this is so great.
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Lake Elmo, a neighboring town, is taking a stand and taking initiative to try to change how we talk to each other. They know that they can’t stop disagreements, but they are going to try to “Improve the level of civility in public discourse”. How great is that?
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They say many things on the website that I loved, but this line stood out.
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“Civility is about advocating for your beliefs without degrading someone else in the process.”
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In addition to changing how we talk to each other, they want to encourage civic engagement. What city wouldn’t want their citizens to be engaged and plugged in?
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It’s hard to open yourself up to be engaged. I get it. That’s why it’s always the same people volunteering…for everything.
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I’m sure you see it in your town too. The same people offer to help out at church, with t-ball, with school stuff and with city stuff. Those volunteers aren’t any less busy than other people, they just put themselves out there.
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It’s also hard to put yourself out there these days. Our every action is scrutinized and commented on through Facebook, in blogs and articles. People can be vicious and anonymous. I blogged about it earlier this year.
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Good luck Lake Elmo! I don’t live or work in Lake Elmo, but I will take the pledge! I will Speak the Peace. I hope more people will engage in their communities, pay attention to how they interact with each other and how they speak to each other. It can’t possibly hurt right?
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So, go forth and volunteer for something for goodness sake!
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If you are looking for something to volunteer for tomorrow (Thursday, May 23rd) come plant flowers in the pots on Main Street with the Mainstreet Stillwater Independent Business Alliance (IBA). We’ll be doing our annual Spring planting. We’ll be meeting in front of my shop at 8:30am! Bring your gloves!