Third Ward Councilman Sam Shoge is on a mission to introduce his generation to civic engagement—how a community functions—and the best way, he says, is to set an example for others. That includes putting out fires. And, no, that’s not a metaphor for solving business problems. It’s real fires. The house burning down kind.
At 25, aside from being Third Ward Councilman, Shoge, with Nina Burton, has been busy founding the Young Professionals of Kent County, an organization designed to help motivate young people get involved with the community that sustains them.
Shoge’s recent call to action on the group’s Facebook page states, “Our generations perspective, voice, concerns, and fresh ideas are totally lacking throughout many programs we take for granted. These institutions are looking to pass the mantle of leadership on but cannot find suitable replacements and are therefore forced to remain in their positions and apply outdated logic and planning. It is time that we step up.”
The Washington College Admissions counselor says that he was really motivated by Sabine Harvey during one of the council meetings when she expressed dismay over the lack of engagement in Tea Party organization by younger people. “As people retired from it and with only five or six volunteers left, the burden is too much. That takes a toll on everyone and endangers the success of the festival,” Shoge says.
The YPKC now boasts 120 members between the ages of 21-40 and is planning to hold their first meeting in December of January to talk about identifying non-profit organizations that might be contacted for employment possibilities.
“I’ve always had it in me to be involved with my community. When I was younger I considered the Naval Academy as a path to being of service to the larger ‘community’ of the nation but I made different choices and went to Elon University in North Carolina. But I’m still drawn to ‘active’ participation.
And that led Shoge to consider becoming a Chestertown volunteer firefighter after Circuit Court Clerk and friend Mark Mumford suggested it.
“That idea really struck me. Firefighting and emergency response work is service work on a fundamental level and if I can fit it into my life I really want to go through with the training,” he says.
And the training is not for the faint of heart.
Bill Duly, Deputy Chief of Chestertown’s Volunteer Fire Department says that new firefighters spend 24 hours familiarizing themselves with the equipment before they begin any field training.
“After that they will have 150 hours training on and off site. At that point they will have up until two years to complete all requirements to be approved as a Firefighter 1 status,” Duly says. “We encourage Sam and we’re always looking for new volunteers to work with the department,” he added.
Shoge says that even though his life is busy at the College, and as a ward councilman, he hopes to balance his schedule so that he can work on his Firefighter 1 rating.
“It really does resonate with my need to lead by example, be of service, and get more people in my generation involved in this great community,” he says.
The Spy encourages him to go for it!
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Jim Luff says
Three cheers for Sam! While the population in the town and county have not changed much in fifty years, or more, the demographic has changed. For too long, our youngest and brightest have left the area and only returned when they are looking toward retirement. A viable community is one in which there is a good mix of the population. Young professionals of Kent County, it is your time!