What is the importance of active community participation?

Answer 1

There are at least three reasons active involvement is important:

1. Morally, it is the right thing to do. I believe human beings have an innate right to self-determination of matters that impact their lives.

2. Politically, it will create a sense of fairness and acceptance of the answers that are ultimately implemented. There will be less of a tendency to rebel, resist, and try to reverse the policy or practice if people have participated in the process and seen it at work.

3. Practically, it increases the likelihood of the best solution coming forward in two ways. First, compromises often are better solutions than purely ideological answers. Second, group thinking is a very powerful phenomenon among the human race, and a new, creative, and transformative answer may emerge if a large enough group of people are consulted.

Answer 2

Well if you lived in Germany 1929 you might have been interested in Hitler's plans or in Kansas talk about soil conservation or bringing electricity to farms, building a interstate system to move people and goods. It's only your community if you stand up for it. A small group with a sound plan has and still can lead great things. A poor plan could lead to well! hopefully not 1929!