Ely has a lot going on. Here at EFS, we offer regular opportunities to get together around a shared interest, from the new Backyard Herbalism club to the Ely Area Writers Group and the Ely Photographic Collaborative to Makers Morning. We have Rotary, AAUW, EMPOWER, Braver Angels, a Fiber Arts Guild, and multiple quilting guilds with clear outlines to membership. I know of groups that meet to write advocacy postcards monthly; that meet to ski Hidden Valley weekly; that play board games; that discuss politics on both sides of the aisle; that hike monthly; that carpool to the Virginia food co-op; that go to monthly trivia; and so many more.
On Tuesday evening, Lacey Squier, of Boundary Waters Connect, and I hosted a screening of the documentary film, Join or Die. Chronicling Robert Putnam’s research into American civic infrastructure, the film lays out why, according to Putnam, our individual engagement with group or club infrastructure is crucial to the function of democracy.
While watching the movie, I found myself wishing the filmmakers gave us more time with the groups across the country they highlighted. How are the people living out Putnam’s research? How do individuals, us regular Joe’s feel about the impact of clubs on their life? Luckily, I don’t need the film to do all that work for me. As I began listing above - we have quite the fertile ground for exploring why people join clubs and what they get out of them! Putnam’s research demonstrates that power is gained through organizations. Participating should make us feel less alone, more connected. Does our experience here in Ely support Putnam’s research? Lacey and I want to bring that question to the forefront of our ever-present conversations about connection, belonging, and living.
We were thrilled to watch the film with 75 people at Ely’s Historic State Theater. 40 of us stayed after the film to dig deeper into the conversation. What gives people the strength to join a new group? How do we create feelings of home and belonging even as our neighbors move or as the seasons ebb and flow?
I invite you to consider these big questions with us. Where do you feel like your voice is heard, like you hear the voices of others? Where do you feel power? Are you a part of any regular meetings - whether it’s to play broomball or to govern a nonprofit organization via board membership - how do those ties add meaning to your life?
Next time we run into each other, whether it’s here at EFS, at Tuesday Group or on a ski trail - I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time,
Lucy Soderstrom
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