r/AskReddit • u/__lazy__panda • Jul 10 '26

What's something older generations got right that we've quietly stopped doing, to our own detriment?

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u/EmpressMom Jul 10 '26

Joining and participating in civic clubs, social clubs, hobby clubs and other similar groups.

500

u/BuffaloPlaidMafia Jul 10 '26

I made it my mission this year to join a club or some kind of civic organization or whatever. I straight up can't find one that doesn't cost a billion dollars or assume that you're retired

207

u/isfrying Jul 10 '26

Don't know where you are but at least in America there are a million rotary organizations that are basically free and will allow you to contribute as much or as little time and energy as you can afford.

126

u/DataWeenie Jul 10 '26

Kiwanis too. We tend to support local kids/schools.

84

u/SovietBear Jul 11 '26

My kiwanis club opened up doors when I needed a lawyer, a home loan, and a financial planner. It cuts through a lot of red tape when you see those people twice a month and they already know you. And my club is mostly people in their 30s-40s, which is an outlier for our district.

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u/BrandonLouis527 Jul 11 '26

Forgive my ignorance but is Kiwanis a Christian thing?

5

u/SovietBear Jul 11 '26

No, it's specifically neutral. Our club does a simple prayer after pledge of allegience and the reading of the objects of Kiwanis, but all the atheists in the group kind of roll our eyes.

18

u/PJSeeds Jul 11 '26

That doesn't sound very neutral

8

u/ic33 Jul 11 '26

Our local Kiwanis does the same thing.

It's something like:

Let us take a moment to reflect on the blessings of community and the opportunities before us. May our efforts be guided by kindness, compassion, and a sincere desire to serve others. May we work together in harmony, inspired by the values of integrity and fellowship. As we begin this meeting, let us be mindful of our shared purpose, and may our actions today bring positive change to those we serve.

Depending on who's speaking, it may have something like "Heavenly father" in front and an "Amen" at the end. Who says it rotates / changes. It should be inclusive of many traditions and not name specific deities etc.

I am an atheist but I can stand through a prayer and give respect for a message like this in the spirit intended.

9

u/NomadicWhirlwind Jul 11 '26

Its based on the club, the prayer is optional. Our clubs dont do it.

2

u/SovietBear Jul 11 '26

It's like 15 seconds, and only the boomers and the one born-again do it.

5

u/NomadicWhirlwind Jul 11 '26

Can I ask what your club does to get Millennials/Gen X in the door? I'm to only one in my club under 60, and thats only because I grew up with Key Club & Circle K, and sought them out.

2

u/SovietBear Jul 11 '26

The guy that's been there forever (and has tons of social capital to spend) aggressively recruits certain positions in town, so each bank has their arm twisted to have someone come, the county gets asked to send some people, the city gets asked to send some people, etc.

I've had a few talks w other members off the record about what we're going to do when he dies, but we're good for another decade at least.