Actions I can take to make this a better place to live

[vbird53]

Spurred from much of the reading, listening, and researching that I've done lately from many different sources (including shockernet) I think it would be really cool to create a thread listing specific actions that an individual can take to create a place that would become his/her ideal place to live.

Regardless of politics, laws, reform, or general attitudes, I still believe the individual has complete power over his/her own life in the United States, but it's becoming more difficult to recognize some of those freedoms. Many get stuck in a rut, and feel that they have no hope. With some simple solutions that could be listed in this thread, we could offer some concrete methods or strategies to change that trend.

Feel free to list those solutions in this space.

[ShockerGorilla]

Getting a job should be numero uno.

[vbird53]

I'll start:

Join a community coalition. Whatever the coalition's focus is up to you, but joining a group that has a mission that you can get behind and applying yourself as a contributing member gives yourself a sense of pride.

[ShockBand]

Do something, other than just give money, for someone else in your community, whether it be via an organization like a church or non-profit or even just for a neighbor. This past summer I helped on a Saturday morning with other members of my church on a work day at Brookside UMC in the Planeview neighborhood. We did many repairs, painted the medical clinic, and met some wonderful people. Take one day a year at least, and give of your time and talent, and not just your pocketbook.

[shocklight]

I'll start:

Join a community coalition. Whatever the coalition's focus is up to you, but joining a group that has a mission that you can get behind and applying yourself as a contributing member gives yourself a sense of pride.

V, I think you have your mind in the right place. We have that now, name a cause, there is an orgination already doing things. Mostly faith based, but not exclusive to faith base.

Throw out government funded organizations. Our government should be focused on making everyones life safer and better. That way we could have more freedom and security, to feel like we could help others.

[vbird53]

I had a conversation the other day with a long-time Wichita Public School Couselor, and he made the remark that he's often heard about the status of Wichita schools being poor. Most on this board would agree. His sentiments were that the people make the school, not the school district. If more would take pride in where they send their children, and would provide some solutions for change instead of complaining about the status, the Wichita schools might see some positive influence.

[shocklight]

The cause I think, that would make the biggest impact on America would be, get America off drugs!

Americans who use illegal drugs are the USA's largest problem.

How much money is wasted every year by, border patrol, prisons, courtrooms, healthcare, police and our schools. This is with out doubt, the problem that has brought America down.

Americans that use illegal drugs ARE the problem! They are not part of the solution, unless they give up that life.

[WuDrWu]

His sentiments were that the people make the school, not the school district. If more would take pride in where they send their children, and would provide some solutions for change instead of complaining about the status, the Wichita schools might see some positive influence.

I agree completely and it's for EXACTLY that reason that I took my child out of public school and went to a private one. Very few care. Teachers.....maybe, MAYBE half. Other staff....again maybe half. Parents? Ha, laughable. Maybe 10% and that is being generous.

[Downtown Shocker Brown]

His sentiments were that the people make the school, not the school district. If more would take pride in where they send their children, and would provide some solutions for change instead of complaining about the status, the Wichita schools might see some positive influence.

I agree completely and it's for EXACTLY that reason that I took my child out of public school and went to a private one. Very few care. Teachers.....maybe, MAYBE half. Other staff....again maybe half. Parents? Ha, laughable. Maybe 10% and that is being generous.

I just moved so my kids could go from one "fast growing" school district to another. Screw that...I'm naming names. We moved from Maize district to Goddard District. The schools as a whole are much more organized, inviting, and the teachers interactive. You know the day you walk into school where your kid will go during the expansion they are doing, unlike Maize where my oldest would have been going to (probably, but no one knew for sure!!) 4 schools in 4 years in the same district. Minimum of 3 depending on how they decided to route the kids based on address.

Goddard has a plan, expansion included, so you know where your kids will go, and how each will be affected. The parents are inviting, engaging, and the teachers actually seem to care. Don't get me wrong, there are some great people at Maize also, but top to bottom Goddard is far ahead of Maize, which many would agree is head and shoulders above Wichita.

Little bit back on topic, I think the one thing I have started to do more, is get your kids involved, and get involved with your kids. Take your kids out to the park, to a museum, to a ball game. Go to things other than your own interest. Go to things they are interested in. Engage their interest and help them develop an identity, instead of some misguided, popularity following, selfish think for yourself first and only.

[Maggie]

I think this issue begins and ends with the individual taking personal responsibility for their own lives and that of their family. To receive without having earned corrupts at every level. Charity, volunteer work, etc. is not a problem in this country – Americans as a whole are, without question, the most generous people in the world.

With regard to schools, parents should show more concern over the education of their child. However, it is often the case that those concerns, even when expressed, tend to trivialized, ridiculed or marginalized. As a result, parents rightly come to the conclusion that some school administrators, teachers, etc. are tone deaf to their suggestions and those same officials don’t consider themselves accountable to the community…to parents – rhetoric and public proclamations aside.

Deep down, and sometimes not so deep down, they believe the masses are ignorant and only they know the best way to “teach” children. They use their perceived position of “authority” to intimidate parents and suppress dissent. This even happens to teachers in the system if they disagree with a teaching edict from the school board (my sister before moving from Wichita to KC taught in the public school system in Wichita and frequently expressed frustration with this very issue – and although I am biased – I have never known a teacher that worked harder or cared more about her students than my sister).

[RoyalShock]

As ShockBand alluded to, giving money is nice, but actually doing something is better. Both is fantastic.

The motorcycle club I belong to is having a benefit for another enthusiast in our small community who is dying of cancer (he's only in his 30s).

http://www.myspace.com/rideforrogers

The friendship displayed to him by members of our group who knew him led him to accept the salvation of Christ. Now it's time we take care of him and his family by helping with mounting medical bills.

Sorry for the plug but the timing just seemed right. It is this type of thing that profoundly affects people's lives in a positive way.