Paying it Forward: Can do, Our Time #104
When did you last attend a city council meeting or a commissioner's court meeting? You do have a chance to make input known. Can you name an elected individual for any local government offices?
Jack Browne, February 16, 2025
Whether you voted or not, or for any specific elected official or not, take the next step.
Bet one of your elected officials is making a decision that care dearly about.
Let them know what you think.
Now, you are ready to read this week’s column.
When did you last attend a meeting of your government? Think about how few attend meetings of the local government organizations that make decisions affecting generations to come.
I prepare for the few key meetings I attend. I learn by hearing insights, thoughts, dreams and fears from other community members. Occasionally I’ll speak during the public comment time slot, sharing my strong opinion or offering worthy support and appreciation for the right thing to do.
By the way, I’ve learned the hard way -- go for the entire meeting. Celebrate other’s wins and understand the challenges our local leaders face. Context matters.
By participating in these meetings, others feel the need and the issues. Things always get better when we all see the same problem. Compromise means we don’t all have to see the problem the same way, we can agree to make things a little better first.
Volunteers can participate in local governments, influencing the delivery of services that we want. It starts with taking the time to participate, and then preparing to participate in effective ways. Our leaders are available, accessible, and do make time to listen. Be brief, be right, and be gone, but LISTEN well too.
Two dozen boards in the city and numerous similar opportunities within our school districts and county government offer community members ways to serve that impact and influence generations to come.
As the February 4th council meeting, Councilor Robert Brooks shared the positive impact the Saturday February 1st neighborhood cleanup made in district two as dozens of volunteers across the entire community turned out to make things better in this neighborhood.
That Feb. 4th afternoon, the Central Wichita Falls Neighborhood Revitalization Committee met. Finding common ground enabled this group of community volunteers working with the City Planning Department to open two multi-purpose futsal basketball courts at Bridwell Park last November.
Central Wichita Falls Revitalization committee chair Michael Mitchell noted the multi-month effort by a dedicated team of community volunteers finding a way to make their neighborhood better by revitalizing a safe gathering place for family and youth activities. Kudo’s to our city staff as well.
Lots of ways volunteers make things happen. You can, too. It’s our time for a better community.
PS (not in the paper) - There are many volunteer opportunities open with the city. Find a board that works on things you care about and you can probably get on the city board that has “strong” inputs and guidance. Board member term limits may be waived for board positions when THERE ARE NO VOLUNTEERS who wish serve available to replace them.
Published Wichita Falls Times Record News, Trends Section, Sunday February 16, 2025.
Jack Browne is a community activist and technology engineer, sales and marketing executive at Motorola, MIPS Technologies and other companies. How are the children doing?