FLASHBACK: 20 Clues To Community Survival

A decade ago, the Dorchester Times ran the following. We thought it would be a good time to republish this blast from the past as a reminder to all our readers.

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In a recent editorial, we mentioned that Dorchester has been able to escape school consolidation and loss of population. Both are crippling many small communities, including some in our immediate area. But one look at main street reminds us that our community is not immune to the struggles facing Small Town America.

The most recent issue of VISIONS magazine, published by the non-profit Heartland Center for Leadership Development, lists 20 clues to community survival that were compiled following a case study of small towns that thrived even in the midst of the 1980s farm crisis.

We encourage of area residents to read the following and recall them often:

CLUES TO COMMUNITY SURVIVAL

1.) Evidence of community pride. ("Successful communities are often showplaces of care, attention, history, and heritage," the study says. We think Dorchester gets very near an "A" grade in this category.)

2.) Emphasis on quality in business and community life.

3.) Willingness to invest in the future. ("In addition to the brick-and-mortar investments, all decisions are made with an outlook on the future." This is being done much more in 2019 than it was in 2009.)

4.) Participatory approach to community decision making. ("Even the most powerful opinion leaders seem to work toward building consensus." We see this happening more with younger residents getting more involved in planning committees and new groups like Renew Dorchester.)

5.) Cooperative community spirit.

6.) Realistic appraisal of future opportunities. ("Successful communities have learned how to build on strengths and minimize weaknesses.")

7.) Awareness of competitive positioning. ("Local loyalty is emphasized in successful small towns, but thriving communities know who their local competitors are and position themselves accordingly.")

8.) Active economic development program. ("There is an organized, public/private approach to economic development." This is one area Dorchester needs help with.)

9.) Knowledge of the physical environment. ("Relative location and available natural resources underscore decision-making.")

10.) Deliberate transition of power to a younger generation of leaders. ("People under 40 regularly hold key positions in civic and business affairs in strong communities.")

11.) Celebration of diversity in leadership. ("Women, young people, and newcomers are elected officials, business leaders, and entrepreneurial developers." Personally, we'd rather see competent, visionary, and strong leadership even if they all look like gingerbread men, but whatever.)

12.) Strong belief in and support for education.

13.) Problem-solving approach to providing health care and housing older residents. (This, too, remains a challenge for Dorchester. We must be a place where older residents not only can live at home, but want to live at home.)

14.) Strong multi-generational family orientation. ("The definition of family is broad, and activities include younger as well as older generations.")

15.) Strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life. ("Churches, schools and service clubs are strong influences on community development and the social network.")

16.) Sound and well-maintained infrastructure. ("Leaders work to maintain streets, Main Street buildings, water systems and sewage facilities.")

17.) Careful use of fiscal resources. (We think Dorchester does this well, leaving luxuries to be paid for with donations, such as the new splash pad provided by money raised through the Dorchester Community Foundation.)

18.) Sophisticated use of technology resources.

19.) Willingness to seek help from the outside. ("People seek outside help for community needs, and many compete for government grants and contracts for projects and services.")

20.) Conviction that, in the long run, you must do it yourself. ("Thriving rural communities believe their destiny is in their own hands. Making their communities good places is a pro-active assignment, and they are willing to accept it.")