"The only way to truly get what you want out of your community is to take an active role in defining that community."
 

I am a huge proponent of building a community, not just a city. The city will certainly do its part with events such as National Night Out, Freedom Fest, Merry Main Street, and others, and I will continue to push for additional events that bring us together as a community. Individuals and neighborhoods also have to do their part here in promoting a sense of community by having block parties and other social events.

Getting Involved In Your Community - Why do some people volunteer for everything and others don’t volunteer at all? Before I moved to Frisco in early 1999 from Massachusetts, I was not as heavily involved in my community. I always left it up to others and when problems arose or decisions were made, even decisions I didn’t like, I just accepted them as the way it was. I now know that I could have made a difference.

Many of the great people I have met here in Frisco have also moved here from some other place-- most of them from out-of-state. A lot of the people I know get involved in different committees and organizations because this is their home now and they want to make a difference. They, like me, no longer want to leave it up to faceless others, and want to be an active member of the community’s growth and culture. It is also a great way to meet new people – people who may have interests similar to yours.

So how do you get involved? Fortunately in a growing city like Frisco, there are endless possibilities. If you live in a homeowner’s association, talk to the board members and see where you can help. Your homeowner’s association is not the only place to get involved. Did you know that the Fire Department and Police Department both run academies for citizens? These are free classes that happen 3 or 4 times a year. I’ve gone through the Police Academy and it is a great way to learn more about law enforcement and what the local police are doing to keep you safe. Call the Police department and ask them about it.

How about our schools or youth sports organizations? If you have children, have you joined your school’s PTA? Do you help with your child’s sports team? The people involved in these organizations are volunteers who give freely of their time. Their payment is the reward that comes from helping and watching children learn how to play a particular sport or participate in a special event at school that wouldn’t happen without volunteers.

To go back to the question I posed at the beginning of this subject, why didn’t I get involved as much before moving to Frisco? I don’t know. Perhaps the status quo was good enough or I didn’t think one person could make a difference. That thinking couldn’t be further from the truth. One person can make a difference and you will never know until you prove it to yourself and get involved in some type of group, organization or committee. It’s easy to get involved. Read the paper to see what’s happening. Or talk to a neighbor or a friend who is already involved in something.

Everybody I know who volunteers for one thing ends up volunteering for multiple things. Yes, we are all busy with our daily lives of work, family or whatever. However, the reasons are simple – they meet new people, they make a difference in somebody’s life, they get personal satisfaction and they make this community a better place to live. Take a few minutes and think about what you would like to get involved in. I am sure there is something that will hold your interest, add to your social life and provide you with a rewarding experience. I speak from experience when I tell you that getting involved has opened up many new doors and many friendships that I will cherish forever – and I am just getting started.

Political Advertising Paid for by Matt Lafata
Last Updated: July 2007