And Now a Word from Andy Rooney

With apologies

When the discussion at a meeting of a local organization turned to what “dignitaries” should be invited to the annual dinner, I felt an Andy Rooney minute coming on. 

Such invitations are customary.  Sometimes organizations even pay the for the dinner.  But where should one draw the line.  Check out local listings of public officials.  There are boards and offices and many impressive titles.  How high up shall we go?  County? State? Why not foreign ambassadors?  How low must we go to maintain proper form and avoid improper taint?   

And why?  Are we going to feel more important if a County Commissioner is sitting at our table?  What favors are we currying?  Are we hoping for a proclamation?  Perhaps we crave the wisdom of those placed nearer the centers of life’s stages.  Discloser’s alert, they are only reciting their lines. 

Nevertheless, there is something good to be said about our intentions.  Our organizational lives are fragmented, often competitive and all too often on life support.  

The social scientists that write about the loss of “social capital” prove their point.  People are “bowling alone,” or not bowling at all.  The social cohesion that was a great strength of towns like Tiffin, is fading away.  From the lack of front porch comradery to less volunteerism for community events to smaller memberships for luncheon clubs, we are retreating to man-caves and home theaters.  Or just a small room with one computer and a TV. 

Whether a plethora of “dignitaries” can lead us back to the community life of the past may not be the question.  It is a symbolic act.  The door, we are saying, is open.  The tables are set.  Centerpieces in place.  Speakers fingering their notes. 

We choose to represent, in miniature to be sure, the whole. 

But where do we seat the County Auditor and will the Coroner ramble on about his dissections?  Small problems to be managed, if we can at least “feel” that the “community” is present. 

Sit down, Mr. Rooney.  Sit down.