Attention is repeatedly drawn to the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce's expanding activism within our beloved community. Most of the attention is positive, an affirmation of the heightened involvement of our members in local public affairs.
Our members continue to become increasingly more comfortable having their voices heard on vital issues.
The media, for its part, correctly senses this increasing energy generated by Chamber volunteers who use the Chamber as a vehicle for action.
It is exciting to see this activism recognized and to watch the business community use its expanding influence in order to improve our community.
Chamber volunteers consistently demonstrate their awareness that we are to be far more than solitary individuals.
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We are, indeed, part of a greater community. Our actions originate on an individual basis and then move outward to directly affect others within the Chamber and within the Emerald City on the Hill.
Our circles of influence often begin within organizations, such as the Chamber, and broaden to connect within larger constituencies.
Consequently, when we make ourselves stronger, we make our community stronger.
And, when our community grows stronger, community members stand to benefit by access to more opportunities, more role models, more jobs and more hope.
When we are actively engaged in our community, our efforts can have a compounding positive effect.
In many ways, we share our successes and our challenges; when one community member succeeds, our entire community is fortified.
Our community is positioned well for future success -- if we can expand the collective level of our civic engagement.
This is clearly not a time to sit back and expect others to provide solutions to our community's challenges. We must assume personal responsibility by being politically active and by remaining involved in issues that are important to us and to those with whom we commune.
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It is incumbent upon each of us who calls Duluth home to make a sincere effort to improve our community.
When individuals and organizations succeed, the outcome benefits our community.
This responsibility is ours. It is a responsibility the Chamber enthusiastically embraces and will honor with action.
David Ross is the president and CEO of the Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at 740-3751 or dross@duluthchamber.com .
