Social Capital

Dear Friend,  Thank You to All for the Many Birthday Wishes I greatly appreciate the outpouring of well wishes and hugs over the past birthday week. It is comforting to live in a community where people take time out to extend their best. We are fortunate to have such a close feeling of support and care. Thank you.

Social Capital Several weeks ago, Molly and Hank Lambert introduced a gathering of interested Swantonians to the concept of Social Capital. The sociologist, Robert Putnam defines social capital as the asset or product of people coming together to tell their stories and share their concerns or barriers to growth. By taking time to listen to our neighbors tell their stories, we become more closely connected to who they are and to what their challenges might be. The good news is that by nature, we want to help. Great things can happen to communities that take time to communicate. Community Matters Breakfast Earlier this June, we began to host a series of Community Matters Breakfasts. They have attracted great attention and popularity, each date filling up over night. During our meetings, we have given attendees time to tell their stories while the rest of us listen and take notes. A wide variety of citizens have participated and instantly we have seen evidence of "social capital" being generated. People reach out, exchange emails and promise to follow up with support and future conversations. Putnam would be impressed. We are hosting our last, sold-out, breakfast tomorrow morning. If you have not been able to attend a breakfast and would like to see more opportunities - just respond to this email and we'll begin a new list. What Does This All Mean?  From the Chamber's view, we see common themes popping up where we can start to direct or re-direct our resources. For example, several participants expressed an interest in seeing more activities for our "young professionals." As a result, the Chamber, in conjunction with several other agencies, has breathed life back into the Young Professional movement in Franklin County. Keep your eyes and open for Zach Sheffler, our new YP coordinator, and a soon-to-be-announced upcoming event. This is just one example of the measurable social capital that has been generated through the simple task of taking time to listen to our neighbors. (BTW, what on Zach's list? Send me a note.) Did You Know? While during the first two thirds of the 20th century Americans were becoming more and more connected with one another and with community affairs, the last third of the century witnessed a startling and dismaying reversal of that trend. Beginning, roughly speaking, in the late 1960s, Americans in massive numbers began to join less, trust less, give less, vote less, and schmooze less. We need more schmoozing!

Please make a Chamber membership part of your success strategy. Thank you for your continued support of the Chamber in your community.

Dave Southwick