This year, the Longmont Chamber will host its popular “Unity in the Community” event, now in its 25th year. I found that anniversary number hard to believe, but here we are. Unity started in 1999 with the name “Meet Your Elected Officials.” At that time, there were some disagreements between Longmont and neighboring communities and the Chamber stepped up to create an event that would foster a supportive environment for residents and elected officials of several communities to come together. Over time, the initial reason for hosting the event thankfully went away, but the event now with the name “Unity in the Community” is more relevant than ever.
A few years ago, Jessica Erickson, the former President/CEO of the Chamber’s partner organization, Longmont Economic Development Partnership (LEDP) invited author and speaker Bruce Katz to Longmont. Mr. Katz in his presentation and in his book “The New Localism” talks about the rise and growing influence of local leadership and the necessity of it in response to frustration many Americans have had with national leadership. The point here is not to dismiss national leadership especially when it is good, but to make a point that our involvement and connection at the local level is vital. Each year, after Unity is wrapped up, the Chamber staff will hear stories of new business connections made, non profit volunteers recruited, friendships reunited and more.
The Longmont Chamber hosts Leadership Longmont each year, a course for up and coming Longmont leaders, in each class, I’m reminded that Longmonsters know how to get things done. In the class, we meet with leaders across the public sector and many industries in the private sector. All of these leaders will tell you that it takes people coming together to accomplish great things and that’s what Unity in the Community does. Sure there are lots of great activities and food at Unity but at the end of the day, we will walk away a more unified and connected community ready to tackle more work together. If Mr. Katz is correct in his research, we in Longmont are well suited for the future; let’s keep it that way. I invite you to join us and our presenting sponsor High Plains Bank on August 23rd for the 25th Anniversary of Unity in the Community- we’re going to party like its 1999.
