My friend asked me to guess what the two contentious issues were. I was correct in assuming that same sex marriage was debated, but wrong about item number two. I incorrectly guessed the usual suspects of the Affordable Care Act, minimum wage and budget priorities. But the second "hot topic" I would have never imagined: whether or not a plank should be to support an alternate currency (e.g.:Bitcoin).
A digital currency is an online transaction that allows people to convert dollars (euros, etc.) into bitcoins which can be used to complete transactions. The bitcoin economy is currently unregulated so the value of coins can increase or decrease, leaving opportunity for speculation and risk (like stocks). Delegates debating the currency wavered (largely based upon age demographics) on whether to embrace the new technology or whether it was the first step in abandoning the gold standard in the US and moving us to a carbon-based economy with credits being the unit of value in trades.
It struck me that this is indicative of the political process and change efforts in general -- decisions are made in early parts of the process that go unnoticed. People don't get involved early and thus they forfeit their ability to shape an issue. Once it becomes publicly known there may be an uproar by constituents, but by then it has been voted on and moved along with affirmation, making change harder.
Would I think of not voting in an election? Never. But that ballot does less to shape the issues on the table than the one cast in a small town community center on a Saturday afternoon in March. Think of what matters to you -- politically, in your community or in your organization and lend your voice to it from the start.
--- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com
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