OPINION: Proud to be a member of a community that ‘listens’ and acts
From www.lambtonshield.com The Lambton shield
By David Burrows on October 19, 2013 at 3:26 pm
I had the privilege of attending an important presentation at the Lambton Inn this past Thursday morning. When I say privilege I don’t mean that it was an “invite only.” It is simply the privilege of being a citizen in a community that asks for our opinion and invites all of us to participate in a procedure that will ultimately have a huge impact on the economic growth of Sarnia-Lambton.
I am referring to the “branding” of our community. Several months ago a survey was put out to all of the citizens of Sarnia-Lambton asking for “our” input and opinion. The “branding” process is to give our community a “label” or an “identity” that will make the area more recognizable to the rest of the world. It is much like a big yellow “M” and if you don’t know what that means, then I guess you have never heard of “McDonald’s”.
The first set of numbers are in. What was most interesting to me was how many people actually participated.
Ed Barlow of North Star Destination Strategies, the company that performed the survey and analysis, began his presentation by congratulating us all on the high number of participants that gave their opinion for the survey.
In fact, he said, that our community was the 2nd highest ranked for participation that North Star had ever seen, with some 1,350 surveyed.
I was shocked—not because I thought that was a high number but because I thought it was a low number.
I often hear people complain about how they have “no say” or how “nobody ever listens.”
This was a great opportunity to speak up. I thought everyone had an opinion. The survey was promoted and publicized to the community quite extensively. But according to Barlow most surveys of this kind, even in larger communities, get a response of 200-300 participants. After hearing that I was proud to be 1 of those 1,350 participants.
I won’t bore you with all the numbers and percentages of “this and that,” but I would like to mention a few notable points that were brought up at the presentation. One in particular was the need of more scheduled trains between our city and others. Our water and beaches was a positive and regular mention in the survey as well as I am proud to say that Arts, Culture & Music was a big positive.
Another interesting fact was that North Star reached out to those who live outside Sarnia-Lambton. Often our own perception of what people think of us is far different than what they actually do think. For example as a nickname I would have thought that most people would know us as “Chemical Valley.” Wrong. “The Imperial City” came in at number one.
Another valuable note is that not only does the survey focus on the “positive” of the offerings in our community. It also looks very close at the “negatives” in our community. While most of us would say that it is better to focus on the positives, it can also be said that it is important to look deep into the negatives that came from this survey in order to understand how we can turn them into a positive and therefore contributing to the economic growth of our community. I find often that people are too afraid to talk about the positives as it opens a door to bring up the negative. It is important to challenge the negative and look closely at all variables that affect our growth as a community.
“Branding” will certainly increase our chances of economic growth. There are many variables that will have an effect in the growth process. Co-operation between business and connecting communities is certainly important.
I believe the biggest factor in our growth as a community is not only economics, but in establishing relationships within the community as well as outside. And that’s where YOU come in.
I am not the first to say it but perhaps it is a reminder of what can have the biggest impact is participating and having the right mindset in our community.
I believe that the survey and opinions of the community is an important step in our growth. I also believe that it is perhaps time to take a survey and review of ourselves as individuals.
Are you contributing? Are you participating? Are you complaining? What are you doing about it? This is your community. Only in working together and participating together will it become “our” community. Let’s get back to the basic fundamentals of what works. I challenge all of you reading this to take five minutes and write down what you “Like” & “Don’t Like” about our community.
Then write down what you are willing to do to help improve it.
By the way, my favourite of the survey results so far: “Sarnia is a great place to live and raise a family!” I would love to read your comments. Please email me at david@lambtonshield.com
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