Effective Community Leadership

Ten Steps to Effective Community Leadership
By Brian Tubbs

How many times have you heard people at neighborhood bars, restaurants, or ball games complain about their community? How many times have you been a part of those moan-and-groan sessions?

Stop complaining and start making a difference. As the saying goes, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Don't be a grumbler. Be a leader. Here are ten steps you should master on your way to being a respected and effective leader in YOUR community:

1. Make sure you are first a good citizen.

The key to good citizenship is loyalty. Do you respect the institutions of your community and country? In other words, do you just "mouth" the Pledge of Allegiance or do you live it? Does your life reflect that of a respectful, law-abiding, tax-paying, constructive citizen? Are you the kind of citizen that adds to society or takes away from it? In any organization, a good leader must first be a good example. It is no different with your nation, state, or municipality. So, obey the law, maintain a good attitude, register to vote, and be an example.

2. Know who your elected officials are – at each level of government.

Call your local Registrar and verify the political districts of your residence along with the elected official that serves each of those districts. For example, each state has two U.S. senators and a governor. Get their names, office numbers, and addresses. Find out what U.S. House of Representatives or congressional district do you live in? Get the district number and then the name and contact information for your U.S. Representative. Repeat this process for the state legislative districts you live in - you should have a state-level senator and a state-level representative or delegate. Then, go to your city or county level and finally, if you live in one, your town. Once you know your elected officials, the levels in which they serve (national, state, or local) and their contact information, you're ready to start contacting them - and influencing them.