What Makes Community Values So Important?
Community values are not just a set of rules or guidelines; they are a continually evolving expression of community members' needs and aspirations.
From his keynote presentation, From Conflict to Conversation, Matt Lehrman helps community leaders reflect on the local relevance of values expressed in the Preamble to the US Constitution.
Humans are social beings who thrive on connection and belonging, which is why articulating shared values is essential to building a sense of community. For cities, towns, school districts, nonprofits, and even big businesses, the choice of values sets the standard for the quality of their united identity.
However, having a mere statement of values is not enough. Even more important is the inclusive process of crafting them. By bringing people together to discuss what matters, a diversity of perspectives and experiences can be represented. This process also fosters a sense of connection, ownership, and investment in these values, making them more likely to be understood, upheld, and respected.
Community values are not just a set of rules or guidelines; they are a continually evolving expression of community members' needs and aspirations. A community that involves everyone in the process of articulating its values cultivates a strong sense of civility and togetherness.
As President Eisenhower famously said, "plans are worthless, planning is everything." That holds true for community values as well. It is not enough to simply have a set of values; rather, it is the ongoing process of coming together to articulate and embody a fresh take on the values that are meaningful in people's daily lives that truly matters.
