Ron Rowe: The Importance to you and me of 'community'

Ron Rowe

Next to family it is widely acknowledged that the "community" in which we spend time and which we contribute time to, and find satisfaction in, is the most important framework in which people find value in their lives.

This article was prompted by an editorial written at the time of several attacks/assaults on women titled Time to reclaim our streets and our community. Which was "right on the button". A positive thing to come from this sorry saga is how the "community" reacted. There was an outpouring of tangible support from the "community" at large. And this is "always" the case when some untoward or dire event occurs to upset or threaten a "community". That "community" invariably comes together from across all sectors of that society. Witness recent events in our country through earthquakes and other phenomenon.

We have certainly witnessed this over the past four years as international, national and local communities have come together to commemorate and recognise the manner in which "communities" came and worked together in World War I to forestall those who would seek to impose their will on us by force.

Our wider New Zealand "community" lost 16,697 killed. A total of 41,317 were wounded during the war – a 58 per cent casualty rate. A further thousand men and women died within five years of the war's end, as a result of injuries sustained. While training in New Zealand 507 died.

Yet while this toll was heartbreaking that is nowhere near the whole story of "community sacrifice". The ongoing trauma, in various forms, over many years, was suffered, felt and took its toll on families and the wider "community". No "community" was immune to what took place.

When speaking with an organisation a little time back on the value and importance of "community" in this topsy turvy, fast paced yet very dependent society of ours I suggested that at the heart of our "community" are the young people who make up about one third of our population, yet the whole of our future.

For what the young people do or do not achieve, will be seen, felt and demonstrated in their lives and the lives of those who they in turn bring into the "community". And so it goes on. The challenge I put to the organisation was that it was time, now, today to bring about the "community" that we all want.

It is clear that for a strong inclusive "community" to exist, both freedom and security should exist as well. That is freedom to enjoy, share and be comfortable, to be able to speak up and take part in the knowledge that you are secure in the comfort of others of that "community".

Membership of the hundreds of clubs and societies and being involved in "community" activities is critical to the continued well-being of people in that wider society.

Of all the many hundreds of "community" organisations who have done, and still carry out amazing good works for the betterment of their communities, there is one organisation who, it can arguably be said, to be closest to and embedded in every "community" – the RSA.

RSAs evolved more than 100 years ago as a direct response to support the health, well-being and welfare of those returning, and most importantly their families too, this continues today through the massive Poppy Day appeal nationally. They all came from their communities as a direct result of people, men and women from all walks of life, backgrounds and ethnicities, putting "community" first, together, none apart, through "service" in war and conflict and in a myriad of other, non conflict, ways.

The RSAs are a beacon for "community". Why? - RSAs are of the "community". They are made up of not only current or former service men and women, as by far the greatest number of members have no personal affiliation with the services. These members too have a welfare system, separate to the Poppy Trust, to provide support as required.

In an extended interview the week before his death Sir Paul Callaghan, New Zealander of the Year 2011 and eminent scientist said. "What greater sense of fulfilment can there be than to make a difference to the 'community' in which you live."

In a similar vein when commenting on a negative situation The Hon Sir Ronald Young commented: "Time and time again I have read the comment someone should do something to stop this. Well there is no one else to stop this other than the 'community' to which you belong. What is needed I suggest is action not talk."

• Ron Rowe is a Life Fellow of the NZ Institute of Management, a former Judicial Justice of the Peace and has more than 50 years of active leadership in community-based and volunteer organisations. He is a governance and strategic adviser and is based in Hawke's Bay.