I have to let you know writing is not my forté, but I’m so excited about Grant County OSU Extension that I am braving the letters, grammar, etc! One of my goals is to focus more on community interests than individual interests in Grant County.

Now, for all you individuals, hold on to your hats – I believe we can all be individuals as well as being a community.

So what is a community and why is it important to me?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia we find out that traditionally a “community” has been defined as a group of interacting people living in a common location. However, the definition has evolved and been enlarged to mean individuals who share characteristics, regardless of their location or type of interaction. In this sense, “community” can mean a community of interest or an ethnic group.

Thus a community can be a town, a 4-H club, loggers, a church, a fair board, friends, etc. A person expands his or her identity when they are part of a community.

The reason I believe communities are important is because as John Dickinson in his revolutionary war song, “The Liberty Song,” first published in the Boston Gazette in July 1768, wrote: “Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all! By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall!”

I believe we, yes that includes me, have become complainers waiting for someone else to solve the problem(s). It is a lot easier to complain about a problem than to work with others to address a problem or complain that others/community and government leaders have not taken care of the problem. It is a lot easier to say I don’t have time and complain about the problem than to work out the problem. It is also a lot easier to complain about the people that are taking the time to work out the problem, than to join those people to work out the problem.

I believe if we would stop complaining and work with others to address the problem, we would then be able to develop new skills to take care of future problems, be happier and have time to do our individual “thing.”

Working together is a progressive way to address community problems and make the best of our time and energy.

I challenge all of us to stop complaining and with the support of others, be a community, to address our problems. OSU Extension will gladly support any community by being a resource. We can assist by providing training, materials, and support on how to address problems.

Youth of Grant County are being sought to develop a leadership group that meets once a month. Opportunities that will branch from this group are Grant County & State 4-H Ambassadors, Grant County 4-H Camp Counselors and Eastern Oregon 4-H Leadership Opportunities. Please contact Grant County OSU Extension at 575-1911 or (Maxine.day@oregonstate.edu).

Maxine Day is the OSU Extension agent for 4-H in Grant County.