Oh boy, I can’t wait for the feedback generated by this column. I’ll put on my rain gear.

I and several colleagues recently had an enormous experience working with the Kirkland City Council to pass a resolution regarding corporate personhood and money in politics.

We had the chance to see how our local council worked, the pressures they are under and how private citizens (volunteers) can become involved to the point of benefiting the community. It was a great lesson. So here goes.

The city of Kirkland now has election and reelection campaigns underway for a number of City Council seats that voter’s will choose in November.

Reelection campaigns are being held by incumbents Penny Sweet, Amy Walen and Doreen Marchione. And someone will replace Mayor Joan McBride.

Here’s what you can do: get involved. That’s what it takes to make a difference. If you favor one of the incumbents or any of their challengers, get involved and help with the campaigns. This is our city.

These are direct-action opportunities that would profit enormously from volunteers like you and me who are willing to get involved.

But I can’t stand politics, you say. Nothing ever changes, you say. Believe me, I’ve been there and done that as well. But this is our community and the council makes decisions based on the knowledge they have and the input from the citizenry (that’s us, by the way).

Look into the voting history of the incumbents, watch the videos of the Kirkland City Council meetings, get informed.

Talk to your neighbors – seek out advice and counsel on our local issues – and then, get involved, volunteer to assist the campaign of your choice, or several.

An important thing to remember here is that council members generally have other jobs; they don’t have the time to make a full-time commitment – another reason they need our assistance.

Volunteering on political campaigns gives the volunteer an enormous advantage and inside look at civics and how our government is run at both the local and national level.

This experience is not provided today to our children in school. You can demonstrate role modeling regarding activism and involvement in community affairs.

A speaker at a recent event I attended struck me with what he said. He said, “You really can’t complain if you don’t get involved.” Hmm – that hurt.

Volunteering in this manner has a leverage effect. If you can get your candidate or candidates elected, and they make the kind of representative decisions that you favor, you have changed outcomes. Imagine that.

Good luck, see you in the council chambers or ringing doorbells, or encouraging people to get out and vote.

Remember, send in suggested volunteer opportunities to the Kirkland Reporter, attn: Bill LaMarche.

Bill LaMarche is a 37-year Kirkland resident, retired, and active community, national and international volunteer. His prior career focused on coaching and mentoring profit and nonprofit executives and company/organizational participants in professional development, leadership, organizational alignment and performance management. Send in suggested volunteer opportunities to the Reporter, attn: Bill LaMarche, to: letters@kirklandreporter.com