Why Citizen Engagement: Roxane White at TEDxMileHigh

Summary

The speaker recounts a tragic event that led to a reflection on civic engagement and good governance. Tom, a mentor, taught her the importance of community involvement, as evidenced by their efforts to address prison closures and economic revitalization in Las Animas, Colorado. The speech emphasizes the need for transparency, accountability, and active citizen participation in government. It calls for viewing taxpayers as customers entitled to results and urges individuals to step up, engage in dialogue, and contribute positively to democracy, highlighting the power of collective action in shaping policies and fostering a thriving community.

Takeaways

• 📞 The speaker received a tragic call about the murder of Tom, the Department of Correction Director, highlighting the unexpected and life-changing events that can occur.
• 🏛 Tom was a significant influence on civic engagement, teaching the speaker valuable lessons about involving the community in important decisions such as prison closures.
• 🗣️ The speaker and Tom faced a challenging community meeting in Las Animas, Colorado, where they were met with fear and anger, illustrating the difficulties in engaging with communities during tough decisions.
• 🔄 Despite initial resistance, the community of Las Animas eventually embraced a new initiative transforming a prison into a rehabilitation center for homeless individuals, demonstrating the power of persistence and positive change.
• 👥 The speaker emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and public engagement in government decisions, questioning why significant actions like prison closures are sometimes needed to prompt such conversations.
• 📊 There is a concerning decline in trust in government, dropping from 60% to less than 19% in a decade, which the speaker attributes to a lack of transparency and active citizen involvement.
• 🛍️ The speaker suggests viewing taxpayers as customers entitled to results, advocating for a customer-centric approach in government to increase trust and accountability.
• 🌐 The Colorado Information Marketplace serves as an example of transparency, publishing strategic plans online for public access, showing how technology can facilitate citizen engagement.
• 💼 The speaker encourages citizens to understand where their tax money is going and to hold their government accountable, stressing the importance of fiscal responsibility and transparency.
• 📚 The book 'Leadocracy' is mentioned as a call to action for individuals to consider contributing to government by stepping up and serving, emphasizing the need for active participation in civic life.
• ⏰ The speaker calls for a sense of urgency in government and for citizens to demand quick action and resolution, arguing against the common excuse of long bureaucratic timelines.
• 🗳️ The importance of voting and civic participation is underscored, with the speaker urging citizens not to be passive and to actively engage in the democratic process.
• 👶 A personal anecdote about childhood civic engagement is shared, highlighting the speaker's early lessons on standing up against injustice and the power of taking action.
• 🤝 The speaker's own journey into public service was prompted by being challenged to help solve problems like homelessness, rather than just criticizing the government.
• 🌟 Gifford Pinchot's quote is used to emphasize that being a good citizen transcends political affiliations and is a fundamental duty in a democratic society.

Q & A

What was the tragic event that occurred on the night of March 19th?

The tragic event was the murder of the Department of Correction Director, Tom, in his own home.

What did Tom teach the speaker about civic engagement?

Tom taught the speaker more about civic engagement than anyone else they've worked with, emphasizing the importance of engaging the public, especially in challenging situations like prison closures.

What was the community's reaction when the decision to close a prison was announced in Las Animas, Colorado?

The community reacted with fear and anger, yelling and screaming at the officials, and security had to escort them out at the end of the meeting.

How did the speaker and Tom address the community's concerns after the initial backlash?

They met with the community every two weeks and eventually announced the transformation of the old prison facility into a rehabilitation center for homeless people, bringing new employers and job opportunities to the community.

What is the speaker's view on the current state of democracy and trust in government?

The speaker believes that democracy is at risk and that trust in government has significantly decreased, from 60% ten years ago to less than 19% now. They emphasize the need for open dialogue and active citizen participation.

What role does the speaker believe taxpayers should have in government?

The speaker believes that taxpayers should be seen as customers, entitled to results, and that they should be treated with respect and have a say in government decisions.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to improve transparency in government?

The speaker suggests that transparency should involve sharing real data and strategic plans, like those available in the Colorado Information Marketplace, and that citizens should take the time to learn about government functions.

What is the book 'Leadocracy' about and how does it relate to the speaker's message?

The book 'Leadocracy' encourages individuals to step up and serve in government, to be leaders who can analyze, allocate, and align resources effectively, and to work towards meaningful outcomes.

What does the speaker mean by 'a sense of urgency' in government?

The speaker means that government should act promptly and efficiently on matters that affect citizens, and that citizens have the right to demand this urgency from their leaders.

How does the speaker encourage citizens to engage in government?

The speaker encourages citizens to participate actively in community conversations, to vote, and to step up to leadership roles in government, emphasizing that democracy relies on the active involvement of its citizens.

What is the significance of the quote by Gifford Pinchot mentioned by the speaker?

The quote by Gifford Pinchot emphasizes the importance of being a good citizen over being affiliated with a particular political party, highlighting the speaker's belief in the power and responsibility of citizens in a democracy.