|
Main Street Matters: Glad to see we keep looking for a solution even if, at first, we disagree
by Rebecca Turner, program director · Op-Ed · May 28, 2008
I’ve heard conflict defined as “the process that begins when one party perceives the other has negatively affected, or is about to negatively effect, something that he or she cares about.” We’ve all witnessed it in West Branch.
And although I do not want to foster the distrust and animosity we’ve all grown accustomed to in our community, I do want to state, for the record, we can be proud of our culture of honesty and conflict. Frankness, after all, is what makes our weekly newspaper’s editorial pages so entertaining; and, when managed constructively, conflict is what makes Main Street West Branch’s Board and committee meetings so productive. I’m glad we care so much about this community that we’re prepared to disagree with each other in order to protect it.
Too often we see members of groups or organizations who are willing to compromise their values or positions in order to avoid discomfort (at least in the immediate sense.) Or we witness people avoid talking at all instead of searching for solutions that work for both parties.
West Branch’s Main Street program represents an opportunity for individuals and organizations in our community to work toward mutually beneficial solutions. Contrary to popular belief, we’re not a membership organization, and we don’t represent just the businesses in our community. We’re made up of volunteers from every walk of life – teenagers to senior citizens – and we have very diverse backgrounds and positions on the issues this community faces. What we have in common is our commitment to protect and enhance the quality of life this community provides.
You don’t have to pay dues, and you don’t have to show up for every meeting or event, but you have to be willing to discuss and implement solutions as a member of a Main Street committee.
This, our first monthly column (Thank you, West Branch Times), is an invitation to join us to create change in our community.
Consider attending one of our upcoming committee meetings: Promotion/Marketing on June 3 at 5:00, Design on June 3 at 6:30, Organization on June 4 at 5:00 or Business Improvement on June 10 at 5:30. For more information about any of the committees, visit www.mainstreetwestbranch.org.
Oh . . . and I’d be remiss if I didn’t pass along this very specific opportunity for volunteerism. The Design Committee is looking for one or two people with green thumbs to help them maintain the downtown flower beds and urns, this summer. Give us a call at (319) 643-7100.
You may contact West Branch Main Street at mainstreetwb@lcom.net.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
