dispatches from the new world of work

Tomorrow Is the First Day of the Rest of Our Lives!

In response to my 1 November "political post," Dave Wheeler wrote, among other things: "This election cycle is soon to end. I for one will make it a point to go out and become active in my community again. It's time to put the 'citizen' back in citizen government …"

Brilliant, Dave!
Let's heed his words—and turn them into deeds!
Now!

When folks bitch about government in a seminar, my automatic response is, "So why don't you run for the school board?" (Or whatever.) This particular path is, of course, harder in Milwaukee than in Tinmouth VT. But there are always numerous things, many quite small and achievable, of abiding local significance to get involved in. The world is, in fact, not all that flat—and Local Engagement is, was, and will be forevermore the Centerpiece of democratic government.

For those who made new friends while doing campaign work, in particular—take advantage of these new civic-minded colleagues more or less immediately. How, now, immediately, can we begin to harness this outpouring of civic virtue into the service of pressing local, typically non-partisan needs? For those who were engaged in Internet politics during the campaign, how might we convert these amazing, mostly new in many cases, networks into vehicles to promote the common good in a way that bears little or no relationship to national party concerns?

Almost 50% of us will be licking our wounds tomorrow morning. Fair enough. But how about, on Thursday, or at the weekend, beginning—no kidding, tiny steps—to harness our newfound activism for the local public good?

Tom Peters posted this on 11/04/08.

Comments

Great suggestion. Let's not forget how hard we all worked to make a difference this election season. One side of the coin is that if we take our positive energy and fully engage -- great things can happen. The other side of the coin is if we take the negative energy that has brewed and festered and organize around that -- I fear we may self-destruct. Having followed several blogs out there during this election, there are a lot of angry angry unreasonable people out there. How do we turn that anger into positive? But maybe "the sun will come out tomorrow . . . . "

Posted by Janice at November 4, 2008 10:04 AM

Or how about if we click our heels and wake up to lower wages, people getting laid off in droves, and widespread government corruption that has sunk the financial industry as well.

We really need to wake up to reality and fight corruption and greed first. If I voluteer to work on the school board, that isn't going to change the broader problems I'm, we're, experiencing as a nation.

This is a problem that needs to be addressed fully from the top-down in my opinion.

Posted by Scott at November 4, 2008 10:40 AM

Thank you, Tom Peters. I was very pleased to see Dave Wheeler's quote. He is a wonderful person that I met on this site. He practices what he preaches as seen in the work he does for single working parents. Here is his site: http://swpz.blogspot.com/ Bravo, my friend! Your work is laudable indeed.

Posted by Judith Ellis at November 4, 2008 10:41 AM

As my wife said last night "No matter who wins I will still work for the causes that matter to me."

Posted by Greg at November 4, 2008 11:27 AM

Right on! Your suggestion to maintain that activist/involvement momentum is great.

A community activist once gave me great advice: "Don't get mad. Get organized."

It works.

Along with friends and neighbors, I've accomplished more than ever expected with tiny bottom-up block clubs and school boards. Even if the end result isn't 100% of what you had hoped to achieve, you have still built a strong community along the way that you can mobilize later when needed. At the very least, it can show others (like your kids) that you’ve got to "walk the walk" and channel your energy into things that are important to you and your community.

Posted by Joy at November 4, 2008 3:05 PM

I canvassed for the first time ever over the weekend. The energy and enthusiasm in my candidate's headquarters was enough to power a spacecraft. That is what we need to bring to right the wrongs of the issues that are our issues. Every day. No matter who wins. No licking our wounds this time. We don't have time for that.

Posted by Lynne Gilliland at November 4, 2008 3:18 PM

Only one problem with this concept Tom - why wait till tomorrow? Today is the first day of the rest of my life. And Dave is a brilliant role model - A person who has been among the muck and bullets learning leadership at the sharp end. I learn much from him.

Posted by Trevor Gay at November 4, 2008 4:46 PM

As Tip O'Neill said: "All politics is local."

Posted by Wally Bock at November 4, 2008 6:31 PM

Superb idea.
Saying that at your seminars will inspire many I am sure. Change does happen by getting involved in a safe arena like the school board. The exposure shows you what is being said in the community which can be missed if you are at home getting the news through your habitual media.
Tom, your blog is always inspiring.

Posted by Jacoline Loewen at November 4, 2008 7:07 PM

What incentives do companies have offer their folks a living wage rather than a minimum one? What are our elected representatives, who rely on the campaign contributions of business folks to stay in office, going to do to mandate they pay a living wage? I would answer NONE and NOTHING!

Tom is absolutely on point when he suggests running for the School Board can be a terrific way to improve and strengthen one's local community. The availability of quality schools and a skilled workforce are critical factors in a communities economic growth and development. The more businesses they attract and retain, the greater the revenue they generate. Improving schools also increases the capacity of their students to excel personally and professionally. It's a win-win...for citizens and communities alike!

Many of the problems our country and corporations face today were caused by those at the "top". Those who have no real accountability. Enron, AIG, et al, ad infinitum! Be it arrogance or ignorance, the actions of those at the top, not those on the front line, caused many of the problems. Top-down isn't working. Bottom-up can.

Each of us has the capacity to be a People Advocate and Change Catalyst. We each have a voice and a vote to make it heard. As they say "ain't nothin' to it but to do it".

Tom...Happy Soon to be 66th and thanks for this forum...and a million other things I've learned from your work over the years.

buy cheap brand viagra

Judith and Trevor...thanks for your kind words, encouragement and sharing of your expertise over th past year! You're the best...

Posted by Dave Wheeler at November 5, 2008 2:19 AM

Top down or bottom up, makes no difference. A change in CULTURE will make the only difference to the majority. In a true culture change, our peers lead each other to a better union.

Posted by Cameron at November 14, 2008 9:57 AM