"We must match our zeal for hi-tech with our passion for hi-touch lest we wire the world and short-circuit the soul."
With all the talk about FaceBook, Tweeter, on-line connection, etc., we really need to make sure we match our zeal for hi-tech with our passion for hi-touch lest we wire the world and short-circuit the soul. This catchy – but all so true - statement is a combination of a theme from yesterday (John Nesbitt, the author of the book “Megatrends” released back in the 80’s) and a line I heard some young author say recently (I can’t remember her name.)
John Nesbitt – who is still around – was instrumental in foreshadowing the hi-tech boom of the latter part of the 20th century. He highlighted, however, that all the hi-tech in the world would be meaningless if we lose sight of the ‘human need’ to touch, feel, see eye-to-eye, and simply ‘be in the same physical space’. Twenty plus years after his famous book “Megatrends” I find myself reading “The Soul of a Leader: Finding Your Path to Success and Fulfillment” (by Margaret Benefiel.) She too reasserts that innate need we have for belonging, being with each other, and finding that inner strength that comes from our connection to others. While neither of these two books is directly about our field of community development, there is a third that brings these themes together in a very potent way. The name of the book is “The Paradox of Power: From Control to Compassion” by Michael H. Crosby. (Google him. He is a Franciscan priest in Milwaukee.) Simply a great, great read.
Also on point and probably more directly related to our field is the work being done by various organizations throughout the country that are trying to respond to the current seismic shift in the economy with a combination of “hi-tech & hi-touch”. One example is something being done right in my backyard, Silver Spring.
We are bringing together the best of ‘old school’ (door knocking) with the best of today’s social media (blogs). Door knocking presses the flesh; blogs link the bytes. Our charge is simple: Let neighbors know that others care, and welcome their participation in common action for their individual and collective wellness. Our commitment is to do 20,000 door knocks and – here’s where the hi-tech comes in – document the process to maximize others getting enthused about the Neighbors Campaign. You can view the blog at http://neighborscampaign.wordpress.com/
Yes, the door knocking and blogging also intends to bring residents news about what services are available to help them through their economic crisis. And yes, the County is our partner… (We are blessed with a County where many of the elected officials and key department administrators "get it".) But, infinitely more important is the enhanced sense of caring and empathy that our community will feel… To know that someone cares; to know where to turn for comfort; to know whose house the next convening is at where people will share stories and maybe offer a hand. Door knocks alone could not get us there; neither could blogs alone… It is the innovative combination of these ‘hi-tech’ / ‘hi-touch’ techniques that will make success possible.
When training our door-knockers, one key point we've made is to ask them to visualize the inside of the house after they walk away. How does the person that just closed the door feel? Are they (a) energized to join others in the process – regardless of their personal situation; or are they (b) left simply knowing what phone number to call for help? Have we left them with (a) a sense that – again, regardless of their personal situation – they have a lot to offer others; or are they left with (b) the sense things are bad and help is somewhere out there? If we left them with (b), it is not enough… We must leave them with (a): A sense that they have lots to offer and and the excitement to do so.
When building our blog, it is critical that we drive people to people – not just to hyperspace. The blog is a tool for informing, yes. But, it is also a tool for exciting people to come together. And people come together in places and spaces where other people are: others’ living rooms; the County’s help center; the street corner happenstance gathering; accompanying others to do more door knocks; etc.
Hi-tech alone can be very efficient in mobilizing for action, getting many people to respond to an immediate situation, and disseminating information. But only good old fashion hi-touch can build long term sustainable relationships that will lead to systemic change in communities. It is through a combination of these two venues (hi-tech and hi-touch) that the soul of the community is most effectively nourished.
http://neighborscampaign.wordpress.com/
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4 comments:
OK, this is me sticking up for the introverts again. I have thought for a long time that the community organizing field is biased toward extroversion. It tends only to value neighboring activities that are face-to-face, and to minimize activities that are done alone, with one's immediate household, etc. Meetings and group activities are good for neighborhoods, but so are the thousands of individual actions and choices that happen more quietly every day. Extroverts replenish energy by being with others; introverts are drained by it. I have a theory that social networking tools are particularly attractive to introverts because we can have a sense of community without the "good old fashioned high-touch" that wears us out. So, I see social networking tools as finally offering a way for the introverts in communities to participate with the group life there. Knowing extroverts as I do, I don't think old-fashioned high touch is in any danger of falling by the wayside. The extroverted community organizers and extroverted neighbors would never get what they need from interacting only online. When I think of someone cold-knocking on my door and insisting on talking to me about the neighborhood or persuading me to go to a meeting, it makes my head hurt. But I will happily work on the neighborhood website or chat on the listserve or deliver food to a neighbor in need. So let's celebrate both the extroverts and the introverts in our communities and give them both tools with which to participate.
I think Reemberto and I are in agreement about both being important, but I wanted to introduce the concept of extrovert-bias in organizing.
I agree with Marcia regarding the bias towards extroverts in community organizing. I have worked with volunteers that will organize via e-mail, but withdraw at the thought of door-to-door outreach. When doing outreach we think about ways to reach introverts through newsletters and other passive modes of communication. We also need to take into consideration that potential organizers (people passionate about their community or a cause) may not always be the extrovert that we assume. Facebook and Youtube are ways to engage them into systems where they can have a positive impact and become leaders in their own right.
I feel your pain, Marcia and Katrina. I'm happy to write letters, call my Congressmen/City Council, and send e-mail. I've even gotten pretty good at Constant Contact, if you're familiar with that electronic tool. These are my outreach/communication tools of choice. On the other hand, I was very pleasantly surprised by my first door-knocking experience, in this case being the "door-knockee." Shortly after moving to my neighborhood about 10 years ago, there was that knock on my door. Two neighbors stood there, flyers and blueprints in hand. They filled me in on the plans of a developer to build an outrageous and incompatible development. It's scale and proximity would have had very negative impacts on our secluded little townhome enclave (and - no - there were no plans for affordable units either). The design was to go before the local government soon. They asked me to sign a petition (which I did), but - I was so impressed by their outreach - I also offered to write a letter to our Councilpeople and make some phone calls as well.
If everyone does what they can/are comfortable with, it can and does work!
You make a persuasive case, Betsy. I promise not to hide in the closet the next time someone knocks on my door. Also, I have contemplated lately the ways in which I as a middle class caucasian cannot imagine the particular problems of isolation associated with minorities and people of very modest means. Sometimes social and otherwise supportive networks can only be effective in person, and often power can only be patched together through physical shows of support. I look forward to learning more about this.
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