Involvement in community service has to be “one by each.” Someone has to understand a person’s situation well enough to invite them into something they would be willing to say yes to; this is the only way they will begin to experience a sense of satisfaction from involvement. I have seen this occur to some degree over the last couple of years in the work I am doing at InConcert Sierra. Some people who were reluctant to join the board became drawn to it by the quality of the organization. The beauty of the music has also helped to attract people to the organization. Again, when a person gets a sense of personal satisfaction, they begin to offset the costs of time, energy and commitment. So inviting others into community involvement has to be on an individual basis, not en masse. And we need to do this so our leaders are replenished as the aging process moves some people to less activity. A form of succession planning needs to continue to take place.
20. One final question: It is often said that the quality of life in our community is highly attractive and unusual. Do you believe this to be true? (If yes): What are the three or four things about our community that you most value and make you want to continue living here?
Yes, but I don’t think we are alone or unique in this regard. Part of the fun is being able to say that this place is very special. Having lived around the country, around California and in Europe in a number of communities, I have seen many lifestyles. But I also continue to be reminded when I visit my grandchildren in the Bay Area that this area is special. Far less materialism and expediency go on here. We are a very mixed community, which is a strength (although not mixed in an ethic minority sense), and we are a microcosm of people from all over the US and every walk of life; this includes problems with people with limited economic resources, and some behavioral problems like drug abuse.
This community changed significantly in the late 60’s and 70’s when the three golf course communities were developed (Lake of the Pines, Alta Sierra, and Lake Wildwood). These developments attracted lots of relatively affluent people of middle-age and older, at a stage in life where they were willing to try different things. This brought resources to the community and helped to establish a number of nonprofits, a larger number than most communities our size. For example, there is considerable support for our libraries, for organizations like The Friendship Club and Big Brothers/Big Sisters, for the excellent schools we have, and for Sierra Community College. There are also a decided number of people in this community who are willing to put their shoulder to the wheel to make it even better. And our physical surrounding and beauty also make this an attractive area in which to live. So yes, in our own way I think this community is unique and we are playing to certain strengths, including the arts community which most communities of our size do not have.
20. Do you have anything else you’d like to add as we close?
No.
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