The "M" Word (it's not Market)

I am a member of many organizations. At my church, I serve as a Deacon. I support various volunteer groups. In my profession I am a member of various committees including serving as a governor for the region's MLS. I take part in community associations like Toastmasters where I serve as President of a local group and serve as the Sponsor to a new fledgling group. Not to mention the local area real estate investor association where I am a board member. To say the least, I'm involved.

But, this article is not about me. It's about something I've observed while experiencing life in community. It's about us and who we are, how we see ourselves.

For a while I thought it was me, that I simply found myself taking part in groups on the decline. I no longer see it that way. Each of these groups at one point or another has raised the question of the "M" word: Membership. That word always seemed to closely follow the word "struggling".

Now, as our economy is officially in recession (labeled nearly 12 months after it began) we begin to truly feel as a community the anxiety of financial uncertainty. Will this be our common thread? Will we be able to let go of our pride, our individualism? Will we be drawn back to one another? Will we once again come together as a community?