Here's to community groups growing stronger than ever! - TIM LOUIS

volunteering hands 1 The COVID-19 pandemic has had many negative consequences, but perhaps one of the least recognized ones is its impact on the many groups and associations vital to our communities.

Think of the very active residents’ associations, like the ones in Kitsilano, False Creek and Strathcona; Girl Guides and Scouts; the chess clubs, dance groups and older, time-honoured ones like Rotary, the Legion halls and Kinsmen clubs.

With virtually everyone in self-isolation, many, if not most, of these organisations have had to either suspend operations or go into hibernation.

I am concerned that once the distancing requirements have relaxed a bit (the pandemic is going to be with us for a long time yet) we will not return to our previous levels of engagement and support these associations that are the lifeblood of our communities.

What I see happening during these times of self-isolation is people “connecting” digitally and building a sense of community through things like Facebook and their Twitter accounts. This is a kind of community, but it’s definitely not the same thing as meeting people face-to-face at your local community centre, or dragging out your rubber boots and volunteering with the Stanley Park Ecology Society to destroy invasive weeds, or connecting with seniors at the very active Brock House Seniors Centre.

A digital community is not a substitute for a real community.

Fingers crossed that when we finally surface from our self-isolation, the community groups that are such an integral part of a healthy society will be able to count on an even higher level of participation than they saw before lockdown. After things loosen up, we don’t have to go back to business as usual in any regard — we can do even better!

For all our community associations, I hope that, once we can do so, we’re so excited to see our neighbours and fellow citizens again in person that we flood to these groups and make them stronger and more vibrant than ever.

In the meantime, why not check out some of your favourite community groups online and see how you can support them today?

Daily atmospheric CO₂ [Courtesy of CO2.Earth]

Latest daily total (May 6, 2020): 415.67 ppm

One year ago (May 6, 2019): 414.49 ppm