From the President’s Desk: COMMUNITY
Community is an often-used word with a variety of meanings. One, “a society of individuals of diverse kind,”
may be applied to social and state entities, associations, orders, nationalities, fraternities or the body of people in
a state.
We need to look beyond this definition, however, to evaluate our community. So what do we look for?
1. Are its members visionary -- being able to see beyond today and to plan for tomorrow? Do they show
hospitality, being able to move the boundaries of themselves to accept others without making
them feel like “outsiders”?
2. Does it have pride brought about by a feeling of ownership of cooperative efforts where individuals
see their own roles as well as the group’s?
3. Does it accept responsibility corporately for its citizens. Do individuals accept responsibilities to and
for themselves and their families?
4. Does it practice serving the greater community with youth programs, senior services, police and fire
protection, doctors, hospitals and other necessary governmental and civic organizations that hold the
common interest? Do the individuals accept the need for their input and participation for the
common goals of everyone?
5. Is compassion present in the community? Does the greater organization show compassion for/to the
individuals by providing charitable services for those deserving them? Do the individuals support these
organizations by giving or serving?
6. Last, is there a sense of spirituality that allows people to worship in their own way and, yes, not to
worship if they so choose? Churches can be the cornerstone of a community, especially where
cooperation based on common values and projects crosses denominational lines. God wants us all to
be what He intended. Realizing He doesn’t need us, but we need Him, we can move forward hopefully
in a spirit of unity with each other and Him.
We believe that our community exemplifies these values.
This is the second edition of Developing Horizons Magazine and we want to thank all that have supported it
through donations, subscriptions, and advertisements without which we cannot survive. May God richly bless
all of you and your families.
Joe Hale
http://myvfw.org/nebraska?s=picture
The true definition of “I’ve got your back.”