Summer events in the Monadnock region bring thoughtful discussion. Last weekend, two events focused on the value of community and the best ways to develop community
At the Amos Fortune Forum in Jaffrey Friday, Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney-Garrett presented statistical trends in political polarization, economic inequality and social engagement and offered hope that we can reverse the trends and regain a more community-focused society. At the Monadnock Summer Lyceum Sunday, Tom Wessels discussed the development of complex social systems and the role they play in understanding and building community.
One of the major points of the presentation from Putnam and Romney-Garrett is that from approximately 1900 to 1960, we succeeded in going from an “I” society to a “we” society, and even though we have fallen back into an “I” society over the past 50 years, we can become a “we” society again. Putnam noted that the Monadnock region has high levels of social capital and low levels of polarization, and in many ways, residents prove they are willing to be less “I” and more “we.”
Wessels focused on how people with various skills make a community stronger. Everyone has a role he or she can play when we take a “we”-focused look at building community based on collaboration among people with different skills. Teachers educate the children, firefighters keep residents safe and local officials set policy for towns and schools. Doctors treat people when they are sick, and veterinarians do the same for animals. Farmers and shops provide food from bread to blueberries and everything in between. Artisans and craftspeople build things, and mechanics and repairmen fix what’s broken. When people need assistance, the staff and volunteers of social service organizations are there to help.
Residents of the Monadnock region value our community. Take a minute to check out entries in the Local Pride category in our photo contest at ledgertranscript.com/Reader-Services/Advertise/Contests/2022-Monadnock-Photo-Voting#/gallery and vote for your favorite until Wednesday at 6 p.m.
We know that building community requires ongoing effort. What are your ideas for making the region stronger? Send your ideas to news@ledgertranscript.com with a subject line “BUILDING COMMUNITY.”