If you’ve ever grumbled about life in Burnaby, then you might want to take a look at the Q&A in our community section.
We’ve talked to Diane Gillis, founder of the Kingsway-Imperial Neighbourhood Association (KINA), about how the combined efforts of residents and businesses have changed a troubled neighbourhood into a true community.
It’s a great reminder that change really does start with us – the individuals who live, work and play in this amazing city of ours.
Sure, city hall can pass rezonings and enforce bylaws and generally keep things running smoothly.
But we, as citizens, can’t expect that our civic duties are served just by going to the polls once every few years to vote in a new city council.
It’s also incumbent upon us to serve our city in whatever way we can.
Take the folks who founded KINA. They got concerned about the neighbourhood after an incident involving guns drawn. And instead of withdrawing into their homes, locking their doors and complaining about the criminals or the cops, they reached out.
They met with city council and the RCMP and they made a concerted effort to work together to make changes that improved life for everyone – eradicating (or at least drastically reducing) the visible sex trade and street crime that had plagued their neighbourhood.
At the same time, they found a pleasant side effect: a growing sense of connectedness amongst the folks in the community.
So if you’re one of those armchair grumblers, you might want to take a second look at how you can make change.
Whether your grumbling is about traffic or safety or some other livability concern, don’t just sit home and complain.
Get to know your neighbours. Take the opportunity to get involved – through programs like Block Watch or city committees, or by volunteering with a group or organization in your area that’s working to promote a sense of community.
The more each of us takes responsibility for doing our part, the more our city benefits from having involved, committed and concerned citizens.
Everyone’s heard the oft-repeated quote from anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
So what are you waiting for?
Quit grumbling and get up and change the world.
