YOUR TURN
By Ron Oldham
Reprinted from The Seattle Sun and Star

Get involved. This group can show you how

As Americans we all praise the values of democracy. Having the freedom to do as we choose, to go where we please, and to choose our own leaders are values that we hold important. We measure other countries by our standards and try to "export" our values and system to others.

Yet, we are often poor examples of what it takes to be a participatory democracy. Most of us are hesitant to get involved. If you don't believe that, try to organize an active block watch program, find someone to serve on the local PTSA fundraising committee, or locate volunteers to do a community project.

Our electronic media tends to isolate us, not bring us together. We can see nearly everything that goes on in the world via a television screen. We surf the internet in front of a computer terminal. Email may improve communications in some ways, but it is not an effective group process. We tend to withdraw, retreating into our houses, apartments or condos. We seldom know the neighbor three doors down.

The result is a lessening in the quality of our community life because solutions for many of our community problems demand participatory action. Neighborhood problems don't get fixed when you peek out from behind the blinds at them. Community improvements don't get made when no one shows up to ask for them. Our elected leaders don't get good feedback when you are home glued to the latest episode of "CSI Miami" or "Law & Order."

This is where a small nonprofit corporation named Seattle Neighborhood Group (SNG) asserts itself as an essential part of Seattle's community fabric. Under the able leadership of Kay Godefroy, SNG identifies community problems, organizes and encourages residents, and supports them in solving their own problems. SNG doesn't receive large government grants or have a staff of dozens. They work with smaller pots of money which they leverage with a multitude of other resources (including volunteers) to do what is needed.

SNG works with closely with folks at the grassroots level, but they are not reluctant to head down to City Council or to whatever level of government necessary to build support and to create collaborations that strengthen our communities.

SNG supplies the encouragement and motivation to get problems solved and projects moving. They are a catalyst for making participatory democracy work in Seattle. When specific crime problems plague a neighborhood, SNG can help neighbors solve the problem by bringing in the Seattle Police Department, the City Attorney's Office and other resources. If the problem is systemic and chronic, SNG will advocate for legislative change.

In 2004, SNG reached out to 1,400 residents of public housing to help them prevent crime. They held 52 community meetings attended by 1,000 people. They trained landlords, block watch groups and other citizens in crime prevention techniques. They developed a website that provides information on crime prevention, meetings, education, legislation, training and links to many other agencies and resources.

Thank you, Seattle Neighborhood Group, for helping us live up to our obligations as citizens in a democratic society.

Ron Oldham is retired from Seattle Housing Authority, where he was in charge of property management. He is a volunteer with Seattle Neighborhood Group.

# # #