An Engaged Community

The community should identify and implement strategies to encourage all its members to be involved citizens. Highlighting success stories through various media of citizen engagement will help sustain high levels of community involvement. We should also continue to identify new “community sparkplugs,” leaders who can volunteer time on city boards and commissions. Reaching out to high-school and middle-school students to involve them in local decision-making will help create tomorrow's local leaders, even as we ensure their representation in the decisions of today. Continually communicating news, information and opportunities for involvement to community groups, schools, businesses and other organizations will help achieve a higher level of civic engagement in the community. We should encourage community associations and stakeholders to play a greater and more representative role on city boards and commissions and in community matters in general.