How to Get More Involved In Your Community

(Photo : How to Get More Involved In Your Community)

The importance of community involvement has become somewhat underestimated across the country, yet it has value at both the personal and community level. 

In January, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. MLK day is an opportunity to remember the work and vision of Martin Luther King Jr. by serving your community, in the spirit in which he did. 

Leading up to the important day of remembrance, there are ways you can carry on his spirit in your own community and also enjoy the personal benefits that can bring. 

The following are some of the benefits of being active in your community and also specific ways you can get more involved. 

Why Should You Be Active in Your Community?

The following are some of the benefits you can bring into your life and your community when you're active, engaged, and involved. 

• When you're engaged in your community and active in any number of different ways, it allows you to meet new friends that you wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to get to know. It can also help you build your business network. This can help you form not just personal relationships, but it can help broaden your perspective and provide you with a sense of creativity when it comes to growing your business. 

• You'll know more about the exciting and interesting things happening in your community we you're involved. For example, you might hear about events involving compelling speakers, or you might gain access to influencers that could connect you with resources. 

• When you're involved with your community, you're helping others, which is valuable in and of itself, but it also helps you feel good. Feeling good and doing good can be important for your physical and mental health. 

• When you're involved in your community, it gives you more chances to have your voice be heard and share your vision for the place you live. 

When you're involved in your community, you're ultimately playing a role in shaping what it is and what it becomes, and that impacts everyone in a positive way. 

So what are specific ways you can get involved with your community?

Volunteer

Volunteering is one of the best ways to get involved in your community, meet new people, help people, and help yourself at the same time.

Volunteering allows you to see the perspective of others, structure your time in a unique way, and have a more well-rounded and fulfilling life. 

One of the many great things about volunteering is that you can really find what works for you.

You can choose organizations and causes you feel passionate about, and you can try different things until you find something that fits for you. 

Join Your Local Chamber of Commerce

If you're a business owner, think about joining your chamber of commerce. This can help you build your business contact network, get customer referrals, and make your business more credible.

You can also make yourself more visible in the community and gain a voice there. 

Many people don't realize that when you're part of the chamber of commerce, you're part of an advocacy group. There is a unified voice of the members, so if you see a problem or need in your community, you can voice it to the members of the Chamber, and you can all work on finding a solution together. You're influencing local government, which is an important part of community involvement. 

Take a Class

Aside from volunteer opportunities and joining civil organizations, there are other ways to be part of your community, as well.

Taking a class is a good example. 

This might include an exercise class, a continuing education class, or something you're interested in as a hobby, like photography. 

There are often community yoga classes that are held in cities and towns around the country, and many of them are free or donation-based, so that can be a good way to wade into community involvement. 

Go to City Council Meetings

City Council meetings are typically open to the public, and they hold these meetings so that people in the community can hear what's going on, get involved, voice concerns and ask questions. Going to city council meetings lets you not only interact but learn more about the direction your community is headed in. 

Visit Local Restaurants, Bars and Shops

The next time you're heading out for a meal or you need to pick something up, shop local. This is a great way to get involved in your community and support local business owners, as well. 

An example is going to a local brewery. Breweries are a popular way for people in the community to get together, and they often have events and live music, making it a fun way to get out and about. 

Volunteer at Your Child's School

If you have a school-aged child or children, volunteer at their school. Schools are a vital part of the community, and if you get involved with their school, that's by extension, making you part of the community. You're affecting your child's life in a positive way, and also potentially the lives of other children as well. 

Finally, if you don't find ways to get involved in your community that suit your interests or passions, you can always be a leader. Being a leader means that maybe you create your own organization. 

For example, maybe you want to start a group of people who volunteer at different organizations each week rather than just with one organization.

You can go online and find other people who are interested in working with you or just get out and about and connect with people. 

There's no wrong way to go about getting involved in your community and by doing so you can create a positive impact on yourself, your family and people around you. When you are part of the community you can bring other engaged, vibrant people into your life and form deep personal bonds as well.