Today, the Atlanta Planning Advisory Board (APAB) recognized community volunteers from each of the 25 Neighborhood Planning Units (NPU) that bothered to nominate, vet and submit the information.
The NPU system, created under the leadership of former Mayor Maynard Jackson, is vital to the success or failure of our neighborhood programs, vitality, safety, and more; both now and in the future. NPUs are the eyes, ears, advocates, nurturers and protectors of all that is currently unique and needed in the future to maintain and improve the quality of living in our neighborhoods. While some NPUs are more effective than others, they all need more community members to help them become more sustainable.
It takes a village of action-oriented people to help keep our communities safe and our community organizations viable. As we invest our time and resources into these important entities, our neighborhoods reflect the cohesion…or lack of. The best security is knowing your neighbor…nosey neighbors are our best allies. Crime is always lower in communities of active and involved neighbors.
Are you active in yourneighborhood? Do you attend your local community meetings? If so, how often? If not, why not?
For those who think “they ought to do more”. “We” are the “they”. And, we need ALL hands on deck. We all have different talents. ALL our talents are desperately needed! If we ALL do a little, no one will have to do a lot. No one will get burned out and great community work will continue into the future. The long term health of our communities is dependant upon this.
If more of us would take the time to support our community organizations and churches BEFORE we need them, they would be more effective and resourceful.
I am so humbled to have been recognized among this group today. However, I am perplexed as to why only one of our City and Fulton County leaders bothered to attend the APAB Community Service Awards Program this morning. (Yes, I know the Mayor’s Masked Ball is tonight.). If only to stop in for a few minutes to salute and show support to those they expect to help them with new and ongoing programs as well as votes during election season. Without community volunteers, where will their support come from?
I’m just saying.
Your Power Connection 