An Association of Community Associations
Established: October 9th 1990
|
An Association of Community Associations |
The CAPITAL editorial staff, staff writers and reporters have been doing an outstanding job reporting on the meetings of the Greater Crofton Council (GCC). Also in doing their job, they seek out controversy - as they rightly should, because it improves the bottom line by increasing readership.
However, in doing so, the editorial staff have taken the character of former long-time GCC president Torrey Jacobsen, Jr. and put a level of negativism to it that the majority of the GCC's membership believe to be unfair (The Sunday Capital, March 9). This was followed by several editorial's by The Capital's editorial board regarding Torrey and the GCC's resolution to support Torrey's work during his five-year tenure as GCC president.
Torrey's historical passion for the greater Crofton-Gambrills community has been documented and is widely-known. At a recent GCC meeting, the board of directors, which represents the member associations, voted overwhelming in support of Torrey's previous work with the GCC and the community. Not only did he help member organizations, but also local groups that are not members but still vitally important to the community. These include schools, booster clubs, civic groups, and scholarship funds.
Torrey exemplifies the social capital's networks of local associates, individual community productivity, and social trust. Although its origins lie in the nineteenth-century, social capital's currency is the engaged mode of modern partnerships and collaborations that we form in our neighborhoods and civic groups. The GCC does not operate in a vacuum, but instead relies on the associates who work with and communicate with the membership. This includes elected and appointed officials, business leaders, interested citizens from throughout Anne Arundel County, and civic leaders.
But joining an associational structure is not enough. Responsibility demands active participation. Thus, we make an investment in social capital that is measured in community productivity. Examples include: getting development concessions that help improve the safety of drivers and pedestrians; providing direct linkages to elected and appointed officials via an umbrella organization that represents dozens of homeowner's associations and civic groups; donating to worthy causes that directly impact local citizens; and providing opportunities such as meetings and forums for developers and elected and appointed officials to publicly share their work and plans with engaged citizens who are prepared to provide candid feedback.
However, social trust has to be cultivated. It is the value or confidence that colleagues place in an individual's ability and sincerity in regards to civic engagement. They will observe and critique actions and ask themselves questions. In all fairness, only the individuals directly involved can accurately answer these subjective questions. However, it is up to the community membership to support those who unselfishly donate their time and energies to serve their communities.
Our community extends beyond our homeowner's associations. We are all in a large, growing community, like it or not. Apathy to the issues such as growth, safety and security, education, transportation, and the environment won't make them disappear. In fact, they will increase in size and complexity. As a result, we need more people like Torrey who are passionate about the issues, and without hesitation, will donate their time and energies in support of citizens they don't know or will ever meet. According to author Anthony J. D'Angelo "Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community."
