WELCOME TO CITIZENSHIP MATTERS

What if we saw the idea of citizenship as a verb and not just a noun. What could we do to be the changes we want to see in our Alberta?

It is easy to take our Canadian citizenship for granted, especially for those of use who won the geo-political lottery and were born here. When we do think about being a citizen, most of us focus first on our Charter Rights. Occasionally we get a sense of our citizenship Role, especially when we show up to vote. We can feel citizenship Responsibility when we actively participate in the social and political aspects of our community.

No matter how you see and express your citizenship, it matters, and we all need to become better at being a citizen. That is why I have started Citizenship Matters. Our citizenship matters as a noun and as a verb. As a verb, citizenship matters identifies and signifies what is important to us as a person. As a noun, it identifies something that we are taking under active consideration, again because it is important to us as persons.

Citizenship in a free and democratic society is the essential tool we have, as individuals, to press for changes. Those changes can be what we want to see in ourselves, but also for changes in how we are governed, by whom and to what ends. One’s citizenship is about personal agency and power, but is at its best when we express and practice it in service of others.

THE CITIZENS JOURNEY

Citizenship Matters is going to be about what I call the Citizenship Journey, and how to become better at “citizening.” This journey is for one’s personal benefits but also in personal service of the greater good for your community, your province, and your country. So Citizenship Matters it is more about the roles and responsibilities of citizenship. While our rights are important, they are best protected, preserved and promoted through good citizenship.

You are most likely already engaged in a journey of good citizening, but have not seen your actions in that light. We will, through Citizenship Matters, help you shed some light on your actions and help you to see where you are already an engaged and effective citizen. Then we will seek ways to help you broaden, deepen and extend your effective citizening efforts as you move along on your Citizenship Journey.

CITIZENSHIP MATTERS STRIVES TO BE A COMMUNITY

This Citizenship Journey will not be for everyone. It takes work, It takes skill. It takes time. And yes, it will make demands on you to press for change. But this is your journey and is about you, for you, and for you in your community. The work, skills and time demands will only be as much as you are personally prepared and able to accept, embrace and commit to pursuing.

There are community rules of respect, but no tests or judgements in the Citizens Journey. It will be a safe place to share.  We will all do the best we can, with what we have, and under the circumstances we each deal with day to day as persons.

So stay tuned. Stay attuned. And don’t tune out of the roles and responsibilities of becoming a better citizen. Join me on the Citizenship Journey and share with and learn from others in their Citizenship Journey.