With the transition to a New Year, many people start the process of making New Year’s resolutions. It’s a time to make new goals, many of which can be personal, professional, or somewhere in between. The New Year marks a perfect time to reevaluate these goals and make a significant transformation. One possible area of improvement is civic engagement and responsibility.

One of the easiest ways to become civically responsible is to pay attention to what is going in our community. Another way to become engaged in the local community is to volunteer your time with any number of clubs, organizations or churches. There are many different types of civic engagement in a community, whether it is addressing community problems and potential solutions, charity fundraising or joining a local civic organization. The local newspaper is a great place for people to find out what is happening in the community and where there are opportunities to get involved.

One of the most important ways to become involved in your community is to take part in the electoral process. Registering to vote, voting, campaigning or working directly with a local candidate or cause, or running for an office yourself can affect change in our world. Becoming a part of the democratic process lets your voice be heard and will impact the future. 

Communication between elected officials and constituents has always been a cornerstone of the democratic process. Lawmakers make decisions based on their core beliefs, but also from learning what is important to their constituents and the general public. Communication between elected officials and those who elected them is vital to our government.

I am making a resolution to continue to keep my constituents informed on important issues affecting the 21st District, and encourage you all to include an aspect of civic responsibility into your New Year’s resolutions.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.