5 minute read
The Rural Leader Defined
Karen Pittman
18 RuralLeaderMagazine.com What is a rural leader? More to the point, who is a rural leader? A rural leader can be characterized in many different ways. The bottom line is that a rural leader is a person who excels in improving the welfare of the people in a rural area. This improvement can take many shapes and forms. Many rural leaders do not realize the importance of their roles; many rural leaders just do what comes naturally to them.
The focus is often on the politicians who represent rural areas - United States senators and representatives as well as state officials. County commissioners, school board members, county officers as well as those employed by the county have to figure out, day by day, how to best serve their constituents with a small, usually limited tax base. Municipalities in rural areas often have many demands but little funding. Unless these rural counties and communities have good representation in the state and United States legislatures, funding is often difficult to obtain. Elected officials are important, but the truth of the matter is that volunteers account for many rural leaders. Quite frankly, many of these people may not even realize they are rural leaders. These people see a need in their community, and they try to fill that need. Those leaders can occupy many roles. Some are church members in churches where the membership tops out at twenty-five. Some are volunteer fire and rescue workers. Some are people who continue devote their time to contacting their legislators in an effort to improve their communities and the surrounding areas. Some are the people who show up at events in an effort to support a community’s efforts to survive and be noticed. Some are people who see a renovation need and volunteer to raise money. Some are people who spend time improving the landscape at the entrances of a community to make certain that the best possible view is presented. The list of rural leaders is endless. Rural leaders not only try to improve the welfare of the people in an area, they also try to promote that area. Rural leaders believe in people. They believe that people deserve the best services that can As a rule, these leaders don’t get named in state or regional publications. They are often not recognized by their local chambers or leadership organizations. It doesn’t matter to them. The act of doing, the act of improving the lives of the citizens in an area is more important to the rural leader than the recognition of others.
be offered even if the area is remote and/or poor. It is safe to say that rural leaders face unique issues. All leaders, those in metropolitan areas to those in towns of less than three hundred, face issues. Rural leaders often do not have easy access to resources or services that would improve the lives of the people they serve.
On the other hand, rural leaders often have advantages not available in highly populated areas. First of all, rural leaders have the advantage of knowing the people in the community. If a rural leader does not know somebody, in all probability they can find somebody who does. A personal connection is much easier to make for a rural leader. Once an individual realizes there is a personal reason to be involved in a cause or a vision, it is easier for them to throw themselves into a project.
A rural leader has a vision. This vision does not have to be all encompassing. The vision can concern the immediate area, a few people, several counties and a large population. A rural leader sees a need and figures out a way to try and fill that need. It may take more than one try. It may take several years. It may involve much discouragement, but a rural leader keeps going until a successful outcome is reached. The outcome may not be the original vision, but it is guaranteed that the outcome improves the welfare of the people concerned.
Another characteristic of a rural leader is that no recognition is necessary for this person to continue in his or her efforts. Rural leaders serving small populations usually do not see the big awards. As a rule, these leaders don’t get named in state or regional publications. They are often not recognized by their local chambers or leadership organizations. It doesn’t matter to them. The act of doing, the act of improving the lives of the citizens in an area is more important to the rural leader than the recognition of others. As a matter of fact, most rural leaders would prefer to see their communities honored and recognized than themselves. For many rural leaders, it is a matter of love and devotion to a community and its people.
Rural leaders are selfless. They know their efforts will largely go unrecognized by the general public. Good newspaper and Internet coverage looks at the population of an area and acts accordingly. Larger populations get more services, news coverage and attention. It often seems that the only people who are doing anything are those in large communities and counties. That is not the case. Rural leaders are constantly working to improve the lives of those around them, often at a high personal price, whether it be money or time.
Rural leaders are the ultimate volunteers. They know the rewards are limited; the recognition is often non-existent. It doesn’t matter to them. They move forward. They consistently try to find ways to improve their communities and the lives of the people within these communities. They see a need, and they take steps to meet that need through every avenue available to them. They never seem to give up on a community or a cause, and usually, if they do, they have found another way to approach the issue.
Rural leaders are part of the landscape of the United States, of Georgia and specifically, the southwest Georgia region. They work tirelessly for a better life for their families, their friends, their neighbors and their fellow community members. They incorporate ideas into everyday life, and they try to lift up the people around them. Rural leaders are essential to the infrastructure and to the improvement of a community. They are the people that made the United States what it is today, and they are the people who will carry this nation into the future.— “Rural leaders are the ultimate volunteers. They know the rewards are limited; the recognition is often non-existent. It doesn’t matter to them. They move forward.”
