Cody, Wyoming is a unique place that resembles what it truly means to be a community that thrives. There are two ways in which a community is built: 1) as the individual people who make up the population, and 2) as the place in which we live.
Forward Cody is all about
people and collectively, a community of people. Cody is blessed with a wide diversity of people rich in culture, background, and experiences as well as, ethnically, socially, and spiritually. But, the one common characteristic that makes us all truly Cody is our pride and our love of the community.
This type of community is best expressed in the African term –Ubuntu. The word loosely defined means “I am because you are.” It embraces the idea that humans cannot exist in isolation. Even though we may seem isolated geographically, we all depend on connection, community, and caring — simply, we cannot be without each other.
I see evidence of Ubuntu in Cody all the time. In fact, it’s what makes Cody much more than just a common domicile for 10,000 people. Even as you are reading this, someone in Cody is reaching out, taking on someone else’s burden, or pain or tribulation as their own. In Cody, people in trouble receive help. And it’s much more than just the Community Food Bank or Volunteer Medical Clinic or Bikes for Kids. But beyond these great examples of people reaching out are the people who still open doors for others, pick up litter on the streets or simply look you in the eye and say, “How are you?” and mean it. Cody is special and it’s noticeable to those from other places.
A well-known writer wrote that the biggest ills of society boil down to three things:
- Individualism-“It’s all about me.”
- Hedonism – “If it feels good do it.”
- Minimalism – “I’ll do the least I have to do to get by”.
In watching things happening in other places on the news, I can see his point. These attitudes threaten who we are as a people and who we are as a community. Therefore, we all carry the responsibility to hold on to the connection, the community, and the caring. And, more importantly, to pass it on. UNBUNTU.
The underpinning of Cody is not comprised of a select few. It is made possible by the collective participation of ALL of US. That is why it is so important to come together as a community to support the positive improvements and fight together to maintain the integrity of this great place!
We have something special here in Cody. And we each have the responsibility for it to persevere. Here is how we know we WILL survive as a rural community:
- Evidence of community pride.
- Emphasis on quality business and community life.
- Willingness to invest in the future.
- Active economic development program.
- Strong support for education.
- Community participation in decision-making.
- Willingness to grow with the times.
Cody, Wyoming IS because of YOU. And it will continue to thrive and grow because of YOU.
Forward Cody is here to support our local economy and community. We are a member-based business that seeks to provide the needed resources for our community to continue to persevere and succeed!
With your help, we can continue doing just that. Thank you to all of our members and active participants in our community that continue to make Cody great!
