I sat with my 14 year old son last night, watching a movie where a meaningful town hall meeting was held. To my surprise, he asked, "mom, is that what really happens at town hall meetings?" My reply, "it's suppose to". His reply, "well, if real things are being talked about, then I'd really love to go to one and make a difference in the community".
This is one of those moments, as a parent, when you realize you missed the boat. I fogot to teach him about REAL democracy and that the heart of change making is more than the vote: it's involvement.
The truth is, I can think of no opportunity in which my son can participate in a town meeting, even though his young creative voice is worth listening to. We have forgotten the value of the town hall gathering, and it's time to bring it back.
What I liked about Voices for Choices is that it created the THIRST for dialogue at a community level. It was a starter for something bigger brewing in the region: something we should all be excited about becoming involved in.
The Northeast Ohio Citizens League is now forming, under the leadership of Mike Gesing. And I can't wait to bring my son to those meetings. Like any new entity, there's a lot to learn - but I think the need to shape citizen voice into action will be the missing added ingredient to the regionalism picture.
The truth is, I myself have not been involved as a citizen, and as a result, I didn't teach it to my son. Lucky for me, once again, he becomes my teacher.
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