Survey to look at how we live
Social capital - defining it isn't as simple as crafting one pithy sentence.
But research on the subject indicates communities rich in social capital tend to have desirable attributes - higher achievements in education, better performances in government, faster economic growth and less crime and violence.
Mike Burton
But what is social capital? Even Mike Burton, Central Minnesota Community Foundation affiliate coordinator, who has a passion for the subject, concedes it can be difficult to wrap your arms around. Burton describes social capital as the "web of relationships that gives us a sense of connection, belonging and community."
Do you live in a place where people help each other? Do you greet strangers in passing? How much to you trust people or government? Are you socially or politically active? Do you volunteer? Do you spend times with friends?
During the next two weeks about 500 lakes area residents will receive survey calls that will be used to measure social capital. The respondents are randomly selected and answers are anonymous and confidential. Burton said the 12-minute survey will help measure something the area hasn't looked at before - something he calls "social connectedness." And he believes the survey's benefits can be long lasting.
The survey says:
- The social capital survey will take about 12 minutes to complete.
- About 500 residents will receive calls asking them to participate during the next two weeks.
- Survey results are expected in November.
Measuring social capital
Dimensions of social capital, or benchmarks for how a community is connected, emerged in a national study.
- Trust - Do community members trust neighbors, co-workers, shop clerks, police? Do they trust people of different racial groups?
- Participation - How many community members vote? Are they interested, knowledgeable, and active regarding political issues? Do they read the newspaper regularly? Do they participate in neighborhood associations, sports leagues, hobby groups, labor unions, trade groups?
- Leadership - Are people engaged in civic groups, clubs or city and school affairs? Are people taking leadership roles?
- Friendships - How often do people socialize with friends, co-workers, relatives and to what degree do these relationships include people of different races, economic classes and faiths?
- Volunteering, giving and faith - How much time to people give to charities and volunteering? Do people volunteer at places of worship and are they attending services regularly?
"I'm convinced it's a tool to make things better," Burton said. "We are using a tool that has been effective around the country and using it as a basis to do better."
Why should people take part in the survey?
"If you take the few minutes to do the survey you are providing a very important community service contribution to help a variety of committed, caring organizations do their very best to serve the community and help maintain its quality and do proper growth and planning," Burton said.
The social capital survey was designed by the Saguaro Seminar at Harvard University. A social capital survey was completed in St. Cloud in 2003. Burton said the survey here will provide a point of comparison to other communities of similar size in the nation and to attitudes of central Minnesotans in general. It also may provide a glimpse at comparing or contrasting views from different communities within the lakes area.
"It's the 10,000-foot view of the community instead of the ground level," Burton said.
Robert Putnam, a Harvard University professor and author of "Bowling Alone," says Americans are more socially isolated than they were 20 years ago. Why does that matter? Putnam says it means Americans are more lonely and less involved in their communities. He pointed to declining memberships in groups and clubs, even drops in blood donations and charitable giving.
But the changes were not limited to the overall community. Putnam reported significant drops in social interaction between people - as in fewer dinner parties, civic meetings, even family suppers.
Is a community better when neighbors say hello to each other or help shovel after a snow storm? Burton thinks so. And he says the survey can help point to areas where the community can strengthen its weaknesses.
The survey is sponsored by the Central Minnesota Community Foundation. Partners in the endeavor are the Brainerd Dispatch, Brainerd Lakes Area Development Corp., Brainerd Lakes Chamber and Central Lakes College. The Little Falls-based Initiative Foundation has invited the group to submit a grant to help fund the survey's cost and follow-up planning.
"This is going to make a difference in this community," Burton said.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.