To bring about positive changes in your community, you have to become involved. I suggest the following steps:

- Begin involvement on your own level, where you are comfortable. Rarely do you jump in at the top.

- Let gospel principles govern your conduct, but in individual community involvement do not give the impression that you officially represent the Church.

- Practice in private. Write letters as a beginning exercise in presenting your position on issues. You don't have to mail them unless you feel comfortable doing so. Rewriting letters until you are comfortable with them is an excellent exercise in editing out emotion and clearly stating facts and opinions.

- Go to meetings even if you can't, or don't want to, initially speak in public. If you want to make a statement on an issue, write it down, put it away, read it later, and rewrite it. Practice an oral presentation in the mirror or in front of family or friends.

- Last and most important, make community involvement a matter of prayer. what you do and how you do it should always be discussed with the Lord. Before I go to a meeting, I offer a prayer that the Lord will guide my words. I also pray for inspiration to know when to speak and when to be quiet. Last, I frequently pray that I willnot be deceived by the adversary, but, instead, will be able to know the truth and be a leader for righteousness in the Church and in my community. - Cindi Benedict, Waterford, Conn.

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How we did it:

Study issues, then vote

Read and study the issues, then vote. Candidates also appreciate someone who can help them with their campaigns.

Let government officials know that you are interested in what they are doing. Often you can be appointed to a committee simply by expressing an interest in serving.

I became involved in my community by running for public office. Although I did not win the election, I have had the opportunity of sreving in several appointed positions that have given me a great deal of satisfaction. - Diana H. Rigby, Farmington, Utah

Share responsibilities

I first became involved in the community when I heard there weren't enough people running for the town council where we lived. I decided to run and was unopposed.

Two years later, the mayor resigned and the town council asked me to take his place. I then learned that many things were not being taken care of. So I delegated certain areas of responsibility to the town council members.

The Church taught me how to delegate, but many people do not understand delegation. Since I stepped down as mayor, the next two mayors have thanked me for bringing organization to our town. But all I did was what I learned in the Church. - Charles Watson, Plainfield, Ind.

Have pleasant attitude

Having a pleasant attitude toward the people you deal with seems to have helped bring about a change in our community.

When I first moved here, I had heard that others had tried to get the area cable television company to run cable TV out to our community without any success. But I decided I would go the source (the cable company manager) and find out why they wouldn't do it. I figured I had nothing to lose.

All it took was a brief meeting with the manager to find out their reason (they had only looked into running it along one route, which was sparsely populated) and then an offer of an alternative suggestion (using another road, which they weren't aware of and which met their requirements).

I've found that people you deal with generally have a tendency to treat you the way you treat them. - Ginny DiRaimo, Port Kent, N.Y.

Be a catalyst

Be a catalyst. Get to know your community leaders, and put them in touch with other leaders who may be conducting successful projects or programs.

Volunteer for service in community programs, such as roadside cleanup and beautification, vacant lot gardens, waste disposal and recycling, special educational programs and/or assistance to the needy. - Flora B. Friend, Millers Creek, N.C.

Enlist support

Several years ago an inappropriate incident occurred in one of the classrooms in the middle school of our small town. This triggered a response from several of the mothers, myself included. When the school board didn't accept our suggestions, we decided to circulate a petition among the citizens. At the next school board meeting we presented our petition, complete with a significant number of signatures. This action obtained the desired results.

Most residents of a community want positive progress, but in order to get it, a person must have substantial backing, and then present the proposal to those in a position to act. - Glennis Y. Roper, Ranier, Ore.

Prepare with prayer

"I feel sick, probably because of the movie we saw at school," said my 9-year-old.

This wasn't the first or second time that the children reported that they had seen a violent movie. I knew I had to do something about it. It's not easy for some of us to speak up. I mustered courage and set an appointment with the principal. I prepared with prayer and read inspired articles by General Authorities on the subject.

I was heard! The result came soon. A week later, my 12-year-old came home and reported that the principal had announced that only "G" -rated movies would be shown at school. - Adela E. Graf, Alamo, Texas

Show love

It is important to show genuine love.

As I have served for a decade in a community group with a minister of another faith, one of the greatest rewards has been the love and fellowship that has developed between us, our families, and members of other denominations. - Dallas D. Erickson, Libby, Mont.

Pride spread like fire

Our county (birthplace of President Ezra Taft Benson) was suffering an economic pinch and a general feeling of complacency, pessimism and overall poor attitude.

A couple of committees came up with some ideas that set a little fire of enthusiasm under a lot of others, and soon the blaze of a new spirit spread.

One group put together financing to purchase a local movie theater to begin showing movies in the winter and live stage productions in the summer.

A yearly "Bloomfest" resulted from the chamber of commerce placing redwood planter boxes around each of 91 trees along Main Street.

The enthusiasm spread to a group that began a Festival of Lights, and the Christmas season has suddenly burned brighter.

These things have only been going for one year, but the rejuvenation in our community spirit is unbelievable. - Kristen Beckstead, Preston, Idaho

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How to checklist:

1. Study important issues, vote, and speak up for ideals.

2. Run for office or volunteer to serve in your own way.

3. Enlist support from others, and share responsibilities.

4. Pray for guidance, and show love, kindness to others.

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WRITE TO US:

July 16 "How to be a better neighbor."

July 23 "How to overcome the negative aspects of jealousy."

July 30 "How to keep your career from dominating your life."

Aug. 6 "How to keep children from quarrling."

Aug. 13 "How to care for aged parents."

Aug. 20 "How to make the dinner hour a family time."

Aug. 27 "How to encourage and increase reverence in Church meetings."

Sept. 3 "How to overcome an addiction to TV sports."

Sept. 10 "How to appreciate and preserve the beauties of nature."

Sept. 17 "How to supplement the family income without leaving the home."

Have you had good experiences or practical success in any of the above subjects? Share them with our reader in about 100-150 words. Write the "How-to" editor, Church News, P.O. Box 1257, Salt Lake City, Utah 84110. Contributions may be edited or excerpted and will not be returned. Material must be received at least 12 days before publication date.