A Small Group of Concerned Citizens….
This blog title reads as the intro to a newscast.
But here is where it came from:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
-Margaret Mead
I learned of that quote for the first time over fifteen years ago as a member of the Junior League of Dayton. As I recall, it was on a magnet, and it resonated with me.
My parents and grandparents set a stellar example of the importance of giving back. My college choice in the University of Dayton also embodied serving others as often as possible. So, it is of no surprise as I look back on the last two decades of my life and see volunteerism and serving the community as a core value and where I allocate as much of my time as possible.
And then a friend through my son’s school called in July to let me know of three extremists running for our local school board.
I was angry and frustrated. But scared more than anything else.
The incumbents included our pediatrician and dear family friend – someone I deeply respect.
And these extremists wanted to mess with our truly remarkable public school system.
It was fascinating to then see the convergence of concern for our community, volunteerism and local/regional/state politics.
FBF readers – I felt fairly isolated within our school district in relatability in how I saw the world, especially with progressive social issues. We are all polite Midwesterners here who don’t really engage in political conversations with strangers. Even in the presidential election last year, there were no signs on out entire street.
We typically go about our business, wave to neighbors, keep our heads down, and privately hold our own beliefs.
But we all know that has now changed with the extreme right movement.
So the convergence of social care and politics occurred first with a gathering of incredible parents over the summer.
In a few minutes, my life permanently changed for the better.
I brought a PowerPoint to organize our next steps and think through how we would proceed in getting our school board incumbents re-elected. Truth is I don’t really know how to lead a conversation without slides at this point in life…
What happened next honestly still astounds me and feels a bit higher level and magical.
We assembled a group of committee members, connected with the candidates, and ran what we can now say was a truly successful re-election campaign.
It was a gut-wrenching experience. Seeing what some people in our own community truly believe in is awful. Taking the high road day in and day out is as difficult as it gets.
But the time, talent, and resources brought to the table were just remarkable and life changing.
Plus – the true magic?
Our local elected officials – across party lines – endorsed and supported our incumbents to keep experienced, qualified and reasonable people on the board of our stellar school district.
This has to be repeatable. Across the board.
It can’t be a black swan moment.
Neither political party is meeting the needs of their constituents – nationally, regionally, and locally.
We must rely on one another to affect any change that we want to see happen.
Grassroots works, friends.
More than we could have ever thought possible.
8,854 votes more.
Upside – from this campaign – I know there are dozens and dozens of people now who will give it their all to make change happen that makes sense for the elected role in our community.
More to come – but had to share what was truly the most defining experience for the last year.
And the photo?
Two incredible women – Emily D and Emily S. They were in the trenches with me every single day for months. And this is what we looked like when we found out we won. Life changing, friends. And we can all do it again.
Together.