I get a little tired of people telling us that America needs to wake up, that political leaders and government officials are ruining this country – all from the comfort of their couches. Aside from voting and serving on juries, I have always said the best way to make a change, or to make things better, is to get off the couch and go to a meeting.
Des Moines resident Jon Shelness recently penned a Letter to the Editor, in Kennedy-esque fashion, prompting residents to play a more active role in community improvement, over merely imposing on elected officials to do all the heavy lifting.
What can I do to improve my neighborhood?
During the most recent election cycle in the city of Des Moines, I heard citizens ask elected officials, “What will you do to revitalize my neighborhood?” The bigger question we should be asking is, “What can I do, as a resident, to improve my neighborhood?”
I am a strong proponent of neighborhood associations because research suggests, dollar for dollar, they are the most cost-effective way of lowering crime and increasing quality of life. The problem is that only a fraction of the city’s 55 neighborhood associations functions with full boards, regular meetings and active neighbors. Please consider volunteering.
— Jon Shelness, Des Moines
Jon is not wrong. I will add to his recommendation. 1. Work with specific, actionable words and initiatives as opposed to the vague generalities parroted by politicians and public relations mouthpieces. 2. Do more! Show up and say, “Yes!” While Jon suggests participating by volunteering for your neighborhood group, which is a good step, he does not say what specific measures the group takes to achieve the lowering of crime, nor how he defines “quality of life.”
Stop using and accepting meaningless buzzwords!
Rethink and reframe the vernacular of group speak. For instance, the word “revitalize” is meaningless without concrete examples. Undefinable used-car puffery holds no one accountable for successful outcomes.
“Thriving” and “vibrant” are other non-descriptive buzzwords I find frustrating … because candidates can use them in campaign promises, but we can never hold them account for subsequent failures tied to them when specific achievements remain unmet – or are not necessarily even quantifiable.
As much as I applaud Mr. Shelness for his encouragement, restating his phrase, “increasing quality of life” – without specific attributes – will result in no measurable neighborhood improvements. If residents are in need of more green space for parks, then that is what engaged neighbors should be lobbying city hall and rallying neighborhood support to achieve.
Better, more definable terminology might include a phrase like “standard of living,” with underlining goals, like 25% higher incomes, fewer payroll deductions and less expensive rent, food, transportation, medical, taxes and other critical goods and services. Demand examples and definable terms. Ask, “What does that mean?” or “What does that look like?” or “How do did you arrive at your conclusion?”
Take real action!
Join a like-minded group, like your neighborhood association, like Jon suggests, or the Des Moines Neighbors, an amalgamation of neighborhood associations. Attend board, commission and council meetings, knock on doors for campaigns and causes, and be more engaged in local news stories and events. Volunteer to stand up and speak for organized initiatives. Apply to serve on a commission.
How ever you choose to participate in community improvement, my hope is that you engage – at the local level – instead of embarking on a keyboard-warrior campaign in the halls of the Social Media Assembly. Of course, in the spirit of First Lady Melania Trump's "Be Best" initiative.
Dan Robbins is a resident of Woodland Heights and has served on its board for several years; as chair for 2 terms.
I could be wrong, because I'm no attorney, but...
