Loree Gaikowski
Executive Director, WSACD
I recently joined a webinar in regard to this very subject. In the 1960’s, the definition of a good neighbor was someone who invited you to their home, visited you in your home, exchanged goodies, and cared. When given a survey, today’s definition of a good neighbor was someone who kept to themselves and you don’t see very often. The reason for the surveys and the study? Depression rates have skyrocketed in the last 60 years and society as a whole is dividing. They were looking at a correlation between the decline in neighboring; knowing people care (whether you like it or not), and feeling you are alone and no one cares. It soon had me thinking in a small town like ours, we really are all neighbors. But how well do we neighbor?
Community development is crucial to the foundation of economic development. Are our residents happy here? All of them, born and raised and those who chose to make their homes here. Do we care about one another’s happiness or do let some feel invisible? The bigger question may be.. is it intentional, a result of our society changes in the definition of neighboring, or a fear of change within our community?
Dynamic businesses and dynamic people offer essential building blocks to community development. Do we welcome dynamics in Wessington Springs? Dynamics other than our own, like a transplant in a quiet neighborhood, can be a bit intimidating as we consider stretching our comfort zone or shutting it down altogether. Change makes us feel vulnerable. Yet, 60 years ago, in a world that was quickly changing, communities that embraced their neighbors thrived. They all didn’t need to “like” each other and be best friends, but they were challenged by a changing world to accept one another and their differences to create dynamic neighborhoods within their communities.
Growth in a small rural community relies on people. The people we have, the people we recruit, and the leadership we follow. I challenge you to think about your community neighbors (yes, even the ones that drive you crazy). How might things change if you each felt accepted and valued as neighbors? How might this movement begin to change the dynamics of our present-day community for the better? What changes would we see?
