Some of the most fundamental choices of human life result from our answer to the question, How should we live?, and by close extension, How should we live together? These choices provide the foundation for much of our value structure, and it is these individual and community value structures that frame and shape much of our lives.

America's originating values were declared in 1776 to be that all men were created equal, and that they were endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For nearly 250 years these notions have guided the development of our society. Although the interpretation of these aspirations has differed over the years, I would suggest the reliance on these values provided much of the foundation on which rests the great achievement and prosperity of America.

The dynamic nature of American society has resulted in part from the tension between two of these values -- liberty and equality. These two ideas are conflicting in application, and accordingly the extension of one necessarily infringes on and limits the other. It is the process of seeking consensus regarding the appropriate balance between these two aspirations that is the catalyst for much social change in America.

AMERICA'S VIEW of itself has tended to emphasize individual liberty. Numerous studies have revealed that citizens of developed democracies outside the U.S. consistently favor a balance of these two values that favors social equality more than liberty, while the same surveys of U.S. citizens' attitudes clearly display a greater emphasis on individual liberty.

In the early 19th century a French aristocrat named Alexis de Tocqueville spent years in this country recording his observations and conclusions about the American democratic experiment. During his investigation he found what he thought was a novel type of attitude founded on personal interest. He termed it individualism, a term that has since become much celebrated by Americans.

Tocqueville found it interesting that, even though the liberty to live as a solitary individual is a decision a free person could choose to make, this notion seldom resulted in individuals or small family groups completely isolating themselves from society. Rather, persons realized they could improve their individual circumstances by engaging with others in their community -- to collaborate and cooperate for the benefit of both the individual and the larger community. These "voluntary associations," as he called them, thus began and have remained the backbone and foundation of much social progress in our nation. Most voluntary associations begin small, but think of the ultimate impact of examples like the Suffragettes, the Red Cross, or the civil rights movement.

In the Metropolitan Richmond of today there are hundreds, if not thousands of such associations. Some of them seek to promote a political candidate or agenda, some the arts, a religious institution, a specific charity, and as many other objectives as one can imagine. A large number of these associations and organizations seek in some way to advance the common wealth of the city as a whole by providing service to other, often less fortunate individuals or groups. This type of activity helps to make possible our system of limited government and our emphasis on the sanctity of the rights of the individual. Metropolitan Richmond, like every city, has many community and social needs that will not and probably should not be met by government. These needs should be met by us, the citizens, in collaboration and cooperation with one another.

FOR MORE than a quarter-century Leadership Metro Richmond has existed for the purpose of educating, motivating and connecting a diverse group of citizens to assume responsibility for these citizen efforts directed toward the common good. Each year, more than 60 people take part in LMR's 10-monthlong Flagship Program, which is designed to offer a deep sense of civic and community purpose to individuals who have already shown their ability to lead. A typical class might include corporate CEOs, elected political leaders, clergy, community activists, and the leaders and participants in many of the community action organizations in the area.

Upon completion of this process the new LMR members join those of 26 previous classes who direct their energy for civic progress, both individually and in groups. This is the real power of LMR -- and my vision for the future of the organization: a large and diverse group of people, having a shared commitment to the total Richmond region. These persons tend to see issues as larger than one individual, especially one's self, and frequently discover the personal fulfillment that may result as they become more "other-oriented." By serving as catalysts, conveners, and examples of engaged public citizens, they become a very powerful force for constructive metropolitan progress and service directed toward the common good.

Based upon the concept of servant leadership, LMR seeks to advance the Richmond region and awaken the desire in each participant to assume personal responsibility -- to become a trustee -- for our metropolitan region and for the common good of all who call Richmond home. This is the essence of citizen responsibility to our community; the notion of a trustee being one who is committed to and responsible for the community -- acting on the need, the desire, and the ambition to work for the common good. By asking for this role, LMR is seeking to be held responsible for the maintenance and prosperity of community leadership in Metropolitan Richmond.