Make your voice heard, and listen

When I first joined The Gazette editorial board as a community member, I worked for the City of Cedar Rapids. I am now employed by a local non-profit and I still feel the importance of volunteering my time on this board for several reasons.

I have previously written guest columns for The Gazette, so I know the process and the value it brings. I believed that joining the board would help me become a better writer and would give me a different perspective. I wanted to use this platform as a means to address social issues that are important in our city, state, and country.

There is a place for those who believe that it is important to get involved and also learn the process. Participation with other community members in voicing our perspectives and varying opinions has really inspired me to listen to others and consider all sides of a topic. It has helped me to see when I am looking at an issue too narrowly, or even incorrectly, and I am better for engaging in the process of the editorial board.

Topics I have covered include education, dialogue between citizens and law enforcement, and racial reconciliation, which have come from discussions in editorial board meetings. These conversations, held between citizens of different backgrounds and points of view, have given me a new appreciation of the diversity of thought that goes into articles printed on the editorial page.

The feedback I get from columns I've written and the discussions they have prompted allows those outside of the room to share their opinions.

Being involved with The Gazette editorial board helps the overall community and impacts our schools, businesses and personal relationships. Because we share our views on issues we feel are important, we add to the dialogue that happens across the breakfast table, around the water cooler and shapes the conversations we have with our children.

There remains a tremendous need for community engagement. Many people still receive their main source of news from the local paper and local news, but it remains vital to take time to learn and educate others on the issues. Your education will take root and grow in those whom you touch in the community.

I strongly recommend that you consider joining The Gazette editorial board as a community participant. If you are selected, please don't hesitate to make your voice heard, but most importantly listen to those in the room and in the community.

' Karl Cassell is president/CEO at Horizons and has been a community representative to The Gazette's editorial board since 2013. Contact: kcassell@horizonsfamily.org

Interested in joining our editorial board? We are currently seeking community members for 2015.