It goes both ways.
On one side of the coin, citizens need to take the responsibility to get involved. They need to attend public meetings, even if it is three hours of budgets and spreadsheets. They need to belong to service organizations, which bring together a diverse group of people to better their community. They need to appreciate what is already in place, while working together to make it even better.
On the flip side, our leaders, both in the government and in community organizations, need to include others when making decisions or considering projects or determining what will happen 5, 10, 20 years from now.
That feeling of inclusion is important if a community is going to grow and thrive.
If we want our young people to feel like they are really part of the community, they need to be heard and their opinions respected. If we want new-comers to get involved, they need to be asked and feel valued. If we want our community to work together, we need to make sure everyone feels included and feels needed.
Ultimately, people want to have a say in what their community should look like and what their community needs. And that involves work.
The easy button for any government agency or community organization is to go it alone, to do it themselves, without asking for input or help or outside opinions. To some, an ideal world is where everyone pays their taxes and doesn’t ask for anything or who pays their dues but doesn’t get involved or even show up.
But that doesn’t lead to long-term growth or a deep attachment to a community or organization. People who have been asked to contribute and had a role in a decision being made are the ones who are going to work to make their community better.
In my ideal world, our parks are so full of giggling children and laughing parents that we have to replace the equipment every few years or even consider the development of more green space. Our downtown streets are so full of people out and about - walking, shopping and visiting - that the road is occasionally shut down to traffic. Our service organizations have so many active members that they have to take turns volunteering for community projects.
And we have city council meetings with people standing along the back wall waiting to be heard about the budget. We have school board meetings packed with residents there to celebrate the students’ accomplishments and ask questions about the curriculum.
According to a recent study from the Knight Foundation, people will fit in better if a city has incorporated community feedback. People want to feel included, like their voice has been heard and that their opinion matters.
Governments are used to a top-down approach without an emphasis on engagement. But the best project will involve a variety of people and a host of organizations with wide-ranging opinions and ideas who have come together to meet the needs or the community.
This has a ripple effect on the rest of the community from workforce development and youth engagement to development and resilience. If citizens feel like they have value within a community, they are more likely to be involved. They are more likely to donate their time and money. And they are more likely to give their support to a project or idea.
Research has shown that community-driven programs, along with welcoming spaces, foster higher levels of attachment and trust. It is not solely up to the government to create everything we want and need in a community, but those projects which are coordinated by the government agencies need to listen to their residents, they need to ask their opinions, they need to include them in the discussions as well as the decision.
Communities which take the step to include as many residents as possible will be stronger, will be more vibrant, and will continue to create a better quality of life for everyone. By making people feel included and needed, we will make McCook an even better place to call home.
Jeremy Shaw named April 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
While the Bison Alumni Newsletter will still be available digitally, a new printed service is available.
During a recent performance at the Fox Theater by the Lied's Arts Across Nebraska, there was one group who was not thanked: those who showed up for the event, which is a big deal.
Mark Friehe named March McCook Volunteer of the Month.
Although the Bodensteiners no longer live in Southwest Nebraska, they are still connected and wanted to see if prosper and thrive.
From long-term projects to weekly events, you cannot say "there is nothing to do" or "nothing is happening."
With the goal of reaching 200 subscriptions, the Bison Alumni Newsletter is launching a subscription service.
Long-time volunteer Don Harpst was recognized as the first McCook Volunteer of the Month in March 2025.
McCook's youth survey shows that young people now value safety in their community, something McCook provides.
Building Connections in McCook Matters June in McCook will be abuzz with fun events including a Youth Summit, hosted by McCook Community Foundation Fund. Our young people in Youth Change Reaction will host the first Nebraska Community Foundation gathering for youth, which will bring youth from across Nebraska to McCook. While still in the planning stages, our students identified that McCook is great because of connections . Our young people easily recognize how critical this factor is to people attraction, to people retention, and to improve their futures. What I miss most about my high school classroom is connections with students and colleagues. In education, I taught first, second, and sometimes third generations in families. My husband, Greg, and I are not McCook natives, but I eventually knew who was related to whom and usually where the parent(s) were employed. Going to the grocery store meant greetings from students and sometimes their family members. I officially retired from my high school classroom nine years ago in May. When you retire, the most-asked question becomes “What do you do with your time?” I try to maintain those connections and make new ones by belonging. For the past seven years, Sharon Bohling and I have volunteered to help plan and organize Bison Days for our high school students, which took place February 10 and 11. It would not happen without the financial support of McCook Community Foundation Fund, plus the McCook High School, local businesses, and the talented people of Southwest Nebraska who say “yes” when one of us reaches out to ask for the donation of time and talent. I would venture that they allow us to be on the Bison Days’ committee because we both have connections within our community—it’s certainly not our computer savvy. Connections can also solve a problem. Recently, I signed up to help a local family in crisis. My morning plan revolved around delivering my donation at a designated drop-off place. That didn’t work out. Fortunately, I still work with youth in various capacities, so I know that Keri Wilkinson works for Camy Bradley. Keri was an organizer for the family fundraiser, so I walked in Camy’s office hoping to find Keri. She was not there, so Camy and I visited briefly. She knew someone (who I did not know) who could possibly give me further direction. Only in a town with connections are you able to interrupt someone’s business, have her reach out for you using her connections , and offer to keep the donations for me until Keri’s return. Another great example of connecting can be found over coffee. Dee Friehe and I are longtime teacher friends. During a chance meeting at the grocery store a few weeks ago, she shared how she was there following a funeral service and was gathering supplies to deliver supper to the grieving family that night. She also updated me on her group of adults who meet for coffee on Thursdays at Ember’s, which varies from 8-28 depending on the day. She recognized the need for adults moving to McCook or folks just wanting to get out to make connections . Dee’s husband, Mark, also hosts his own group of men who are new(er) to McCook. She regaled me with stories of their Christmas party and other special gatherings. Wanting to call McCook your home is solidified by building connections . Ronda Graff has written about McCook Connects which matches a McCook person with someone new to the community of similar interests. I earned my McCook Connects’ T-shirt welcoming a young family with children. We have since spent many hot summer days sitting on bleachers together cheering on our 4-H horse kids while they show their horses. Warning: I connected them with a “free” new-to-them horse. Be careful connecting with me or you’ll probably own a horse. You do not have to be retired to connect in this community. Volunteering is a surefire way to meet people. McCook has many civic groups looking for new faces. Attend a church here; we have many welcoming congregations. Go to ball games or school concerts, attend concerts in the park, learn a new skill through the college, show up at a Third Thursday event or invite the neighbors for a BBQ. Take your youngsters to story hour or Move and Groove at the library. Go watch an event at the Kiplinger Arena. You can even take it a step further: Make a friend or call a friend and invite him/her to go with you. It is human connection that keeps us healthy and happy. If McCook Community Foundation Fund can help you connect in some meaningful way, please reach out for advice or support. *** While Pam Wolford may be retired, she is just as busy serving on the McCook Community Foundation Fund committee and started a new Learn and Return Scholarship with MCFF, while stepping up to grandparent whenever the call comes in.
