Beliefs

At CM'10, more than 80 people signed the CommunityMatters^® Beliefs. Now, we call on all people who care about their communities to celebrate, share, and help evolve them. If you would like to share your thoughts and feedback on these Beliefs, feel free to comment below.

1. We believe that all communities matter. Each one possesses a unique combination of cultures, landscapes, traditions, values and people – their heart and soul.

2. We believe in connections. Community is about economy and education, politics and place making, health care and happiness. We must accept that these forces influence one another and treat them as one interrelated system.

3. We believe that quality of place affects quality of life. We must protect and enhance our buildings and ridgelines, streetscapes and landscapes, while also adapting to growth and change.

4. We believe that when a community’s spirit is strong, so are its economy, its social capital and its culture. Community strength must be another bottom line: every decision, policy and action should be evaluated for its impact on the often-intangible elements that matter most.

5. We believe that all voices should be heard – youth and seniors and minorities, old timers and newcomers, rich and poor, tradesmen and professionals, the influential and the forgotten.

6. We believe in deep democracy that carries rights and responsibilities. No voice matters more than any other. Every person has something to contribute and an obligation to offer it.

7. We believe that communities that know themselves can unite. When a community takes the time to get to know itself, it will gain a sense of identity and purpose that unite people in protecting and strengthening what matters.

8. We believe that communities are a collaborative enterprise. We need the participation and commitment of as many diverse people and organizations as possible to create lasting, positive change. Together, we have the creativity, resolve and know-how to tackle our communities’ greatest challenges and enhance the places we love.

9. We believe that change is inevitable. To deny or delay it is defeatist and ultimately destructive. But we do not need to sacrifice our communities’ souls in order to grow and change.

We no longer fear change. We are ready to steer change.

We believe that Community Matters. Join us today.