Editorial

Leadership is vital for rural progress

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

We know community leadership is important. We also know that the responsibility for the future rests with our young people. But, from time to time, we need to be reminded that long-time community members hold the key to continued progress.

Because, in order to keep our small towns thriving, those in the mid to later years must help build leaders for the future. The need is pointed out in the ninth annual Nebraska Rural Poll, which reveals that those in the 19-to-29 year old age group are the most under-represented in community leadership roles.

Why? There are a number of reasons, of course, but among the most significant causes cited by the young adults are that: "No one asked me," 45 percent; "I don't know enough about the issues," 35 percent; and "I haven't lived in the community long enough," 23 percent.

"This is a great argument for leadership education," said John Allen, a rural sociologist with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "We need to start early to show (young adults) how and mentor them. Part of it is education and the other part is to invite them into civic leadership, give them a role and help them feel a part of the community."

Randy Cantrell, who also serves as a rural sociologist with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has some specific advice on how older community members can get the young involved. "Somebody is really going to need to go knock on the door. You need to sit down, visit with them and tell them that it's okay that you're young ... we need your energy."

It's not that young adults don't step up to the plate. They do at key times, such as during the campaign to win approval for the elementary school bond issue in McCook and the economic development fund in Curtis. The 19-to-29-year-old age group also takes an active role in athletic endeavors, including Midget League baseball, YMCA sports and golfing.

That involvement is a good first step. But, in their 20s, young adults also need to start thinking about doing their part in other community activities, whether it be through service clubs, the chamber of commerce or running for public office.

In this regard, townspeople can learn from people in agriculture. "Farmers and ranchers are the most engaged in terms of civic involvement," Cantrell said. "I think that's important. They may have more opportunities to serve because of ag-related boards, but they respond to that and step up."

It's also due to farmers' and ranchers' sense of responsibility. Their livestock, their land, their crops all depend on their care. Without it, the ag operation would wither and die.

And so it is with towns, too. We need leaders. We need someone to take responsibility, not only now, but in the years to come. By inspiring the young to lead, we will not only be uplifting them; we will be uplifting our communities.

Complete results of the IANR's rural poll are available at: http://cari.unl.edu/ruralpoll.htm

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: