I have never written for a blog so I hope you enjoy starting this adventure with me. Some of you may have read articles I wrote for newsletters or other periodicals and know that I like to tell stories.
Life is a story and I find it easier to make a point that people can relate to if I tell it as a story. However, life plays by its own rules, so while I will often tell stories, my writing will express how I feel at that moment, story or not.
A while back, I read a short essay which compared two types of people in a community: those who see themselves as taxpayers, and those who see themselves as citizens.
A taxpayer has a narrow focus on himself. "They" are stealing his money (taxes) and wasting it. "They" are always passing laws that take away his rights, and there is nothing "we" can do about it. He withdraws from any involvement in his community. Instead he joins with like-minded to share resentment, paranoia, and despair. In his world, there is no hope and the future will always be worse.
Citizens utilize a different perspective. They have a sense of ownership. This is 'our" country. A citizen works for the common good and contributes resources (taxes) to build a better community and country. She participates in government by voting and contacting elected representatives. She also joins with other community members to share and learn from their diverse ideas. For a citizen there is always hope and the future will always be better. Helping others less fortunate is the right thing to do and will result in a better life for all of us.
This comparison struck me as very similar to the contrast I see between members and dues-payers. When I became a teacher and signed my membership form, I decided to become a member. It takes more work than just paying dues, but it is also more rewarding because I am working to build a better association. Just as when I left engineering to become an educator. It takes more work, but instead of building a power plant, I am building a better world for the next generation through public education.
I hope it is clear that I feel strongly about joining together for the common good. When we work together, the result is greater than the sum of the parts.
About Me
- Mike Ragan
- I would not have considered college if not for a high school counselor in suburban Philadelphia. I graduated with a degree in engineering and physics then worked all over the country as an engineer. With my wife who was teaching overseas, I studied psychology and education and received my teaching certificate at Heritage College in Toppenish then completed my student teaching while earning my Masters in Counseling Psychology from Washington State University. I became active in my association soon after I began teaching science in Kennewick 13 years ago. I took office as the WEA vice president July 2007. P.S. My favorite book is Hero Mama by Karen Spears Zacharias.
3 comments:
I'm so glad to see you here!
Mike,
Thanks for the very concise civics lesson. It really captures the essence of why I am actively involved in my union!
Gordon
Mike:
I have enjoyed reading your blog entries.
It seems to me that many people in our country, and some of our members, are in a stage of civic adolescence. They are not like children, who trust the government (or union) blindly,or like adults, who feel comfortable operating in their society (or union) with confidence. They are more like adolescents, who are distrustful of authority and feel like things are done "to" them, not "with" them.
Our challenge, as I see it, is to help members feel connected enough to their union to feel like fully functioning adults, despite the fact that they have no time in their overworked, fast-paced schedules.
A huge challenge, but that's why we have you and Mary!
A great start to your blog.
Andrew
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