I get asked regularly, “What is the most powerful thing I can do in my community to get involved in the community?”
The answer is really simple: Walk into our Town Hall.
Our town hall is the hub for all the activities in our community and is more than just a brick-and-mortar building in the center of town. Town Hall is the location where ideas are debated and codified into ordinances by our elected officials through various meetings. This is where a team of town's leadership are managing the day-to-day operations of the town, ranging from trash collection to tax collection. Town hall is an institution with a diversity of responsibilities serving our community.
Here lies an opportunity to humbly observe how our local city operates and is managed. There is no better way to start this discovery than by introducing yourself and sharing what you love about our community.
Here are five simple things you can do when you walk into our town hall:
1. Meet Town Staff
Take the time to meet the staff that are working in our town. These are the people who have the job of implementing the policies and programs as directed by our town council. They're working on the business of the town by writing ordinances, administering codes, and preparing meeting agendas.
Take time to meet these people and learn about their jobs and the various projects they are working on. Ask lots of questions and learn about how things work in our town. Share what you love and want to see more of. Ask how to enact change for things that are not so loved by you and your neighbors. This breaks down barriers and opens the door for you to have a positive conversation and share ideas to improve our community.
2. Introduce Yourself to Elected Officials
There are numerous ways to introduce yourself to our elected officials. The easiest way to meet a mayor or council member is to attend a council meeting. Depending on the size and formality of the meeting, you may be able to introduce yourself before or after the meeting to these elected officials. In a more formal setting, sign up for public comment. Use the 2–3 minutes of public comment to introduce yourself to the town council. During this first introduction, share one or two things you love about our town. Provide details that make that part or place in the town unique and loveable.
3. Attend Meetings
Every council meeting and appointed board, such as the planning commission, have regular meetings with a posted agenda. You will learn that every town has a process that starts and ends with a meeting. There are meetings to start the process, which are titled “workshops” or “first readings,” and there are meetings to make final decisions that will include votes for ordinances or plan approval. Take the time to review agendas to understand the content of the meeting and attend the meetings with topics that interest you. It is always best to participate as early in the process as possible through public comment.
4. Volunteer
There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities in our local government. If you have the time or passion to serve our community, volunteer for an appointed board, commission, steering committee, or working group. These are the groups that the town council appoints to aid them in the decision-making process. These are the groups that are engaged early in the process and have a significant voice in steering the vision for your community.
Once you introduce yourself, do not be surprised if you are invited to become a volunteer. Our town needs your input, and since you already walked into city hall, you might as well stick around. The Okra Strut and Irmo Out Reach are a great way to get involved.
5. Engage with the Chamber of Commerce
Another vital aspect of our community's infrastructure is the Chamber of Commerce. Much like town hall, the Chamber serves as a central hub, albeit for businesses and economic development initiatives. It's where local businesses converge to network, collaborate, and advocate for policies that benefit the local economy. Engaging with the Chamber allows you to understand the economic pulse of our community, learn about upcoming projects or initiatives, and even contribute ideas for fostering economic growth. Whether it's attending Chamber events, joining committees, or simply reaching out to Chamber representatives, your involvement can significantly impact the economic vitality of our town. By building relationships with local businesses and understanding their needs, you can further strengthen the fabric of our community and align your efforts with the broader goals of sustainable growth and prosperity.
Links:
Irmo Town Hall <--click links
Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce
*If you would like to add to the conversation email me at GabrielPenfield@gmail.com