I interrupt this series to talk about community

Why I joined the Lions Club
 
Last night, I received a pin as I became a Charter Member of the new Fort Valley Lions Club.
 
In recent books by Jonah Goldberg, Ben Sasse, Ben Shapiro, and others, I’ve read again and again that a good and strong culture depends on healthy involvement of its people in community. Their arguments are convincing. I was involved in community during my 46 years as a college professor and college administrator and during my years as a parent of sons who were active in our community. But I have been less involved lately.
 
I still am active in my church, which has a very small membership and thus a limited reach. But I reasoned that I’m a hypocrite if I advocate community involvement on the one hand but generally follow my individualist proclivities instead of being active myself.
 
Then up sprang an announcement in my Facebook feed. I had until June 10 to become a Charter member of the new Lions Club. I live in a small Middle Georgia city that has its issues. But those who were seeking charter Lions Club members are people who I believe work towards constructive solutions, not to promote one faction or another. The International Lions Club is well known for its charitable work and strictly forbids political engagement by its members as members.
 
I remembered that my dad, a true individualist who didn’t approve of simply giving handouts, did join and advocate for the Optimists Club to contribute to his community.
 
So I got in touch with the club organizers. Now I am Lion Anna, and I will do my best, given my availability and my abilities, to serve Fort Valley.