It is almost November and in case you haven’t heard there is an election coming. 

I know, often times you want to, but you just don’t know how to be involved without the challenge of all those dreary politics and intense arguments. And I’m sorry, I won’t let you off the hook, you must vote. However, I understand, people sometimes feel democracy is only about politics. 

That to be involved in democracy you have to read boring volumes on public administration, study environmental impact reports or water quality data. Perhaps delve into the social morays of criminal justice, drug rehabilitation, immigration, social welfare, taxes, and homelessness. And if that is your thing believe me we need you to be involved. 

But here are some ideas that I have been chewing on for a minute. 

Democracy is a word, and words have different meanings for anyone who, in this case, reads them. The word democracy comes from the Greek words “demos”, meaning people, and “kratos” meaning power; so, democracy can be thought of as “power of the people”: a society which depends on the will of the people. Action has power, and by acting in your community you will make your community stronger. That seems pretty democratic to me.

There are a number of active community organizations just at your fingertips and acting now, in our neighborhoods. 

There are the service standards we know, Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimists, PTA, VFW, and of course your house of worship. These are terrific ways to be involved and have impact in your community, they are standards because they work, they work for the people in those groups and the people helped by them. 

But some folks want a specific activity, to be outside, or are just looking for a new vibe. Maybe you’re looking for something less social, even solitary. Maybe physical. 

You can adopt a tree in a curb strip near you. We need trees to line our streets, bring color, and reduce heat. Sign up to plant or water the young trees that need a helping start near you. Maybe you are an artist, we need artists to help paint those less than beautiful utility boxes (see picture above). It’s a great (legal) way to scratch that public artist itch. There are opportunities for trail maintenance and habitat reclamation in our canyons. The City of San Diego has pages and pages of volunteer opportunities, in the public library, Parks and Recreation, Police, and Fire departments.

There are other community groups that need volunteers to be active, groups not associated with government, but still contributing and perhaps recognized by government. 

I offer your local community and recreation councils. 

Allied Gardens, Grantville, Del Cerro, and San Carlos, all these have their respective groups that make things happen in the community. They do the things that make a place feel like home in the middle of the eighth largest city in the U.S. They put up holiday trees and lights, place flags, put up park benches, sponsor sports tournaments, after school programs, or concerts in the park, hold fundraisers and raffles to accomplish these ends, and they need your help too, especially as we come into the holiday season. 

So many of us are not from San Diego, and there is always something that may make you think of home that you wish we had here. I guarantee you are not alone, and you can bring that thing to your community here in one of these groups.

So, my question to you, what is your will? What will you do? 

Pope John Paul II said, “. . . your smallest actions can have world impact.”  That is a nice thought. We don’t know what our actions will inspire in others, often we don’t know what they will lead us to. If you adopt any of these ideas, there is no telling where it can take you or what effect you will have on others in your community. I have no doubt it will be a net positive. 

Begin your journey by subscribing to the Allied Gardens/Grantville Community Council contact list. Just complete the form on the “Contact Us” page at http:/aggccouncil.org.