10 reasons to get involved with your neighborhood’s district council
Blog by Stephanie Harr
Guest blog by Stephanie Harr
TL;DR
I met people
I learned about local government
I learned how to participate and, later, run meetings
I learned what mattered to me
I learned how to problem solve (or at least who to contact)
10 reasons to get involved with your neighborhood’s district council
Maybe you’ve heard of Saint Paul’s District Council system, founded in 1975? It has been an enduring and innovative path to citizen engagement in Saint Paul, which is to say – it’s a tool for local residents to get involved in our city and our city government. But really, a tool to engage residents – doesn’t sound that exciting, right?
Here’s my story.
When my husband and I moved to the East Side from Minneapolis and bought our first house, I didn’t know much about Saint Paul or what a District Council was. I was interested in my new neighborhood and wanted to meet people who lived here. Initially, my husband got involved in the district council by running for a board seat, and I got to know more about it secondhand while he was serving. It sounded interesting, so after he finished his term, I stepped up and ran for a seat. It turned out to be one of the most valuable experiences in my life, and not just for what it offered, but for the people I met, the experience I gained, and the experiences it led to.
Here is my list of the top reasons I recommend getting involved.
Meeting people: This is why I initially got involved, and it is still the most meaningful piece of my experience. During my time on the council, I gained a network that I still rely on today.
Learning about my electeds: I am not sure I knew who any of my local elected representatives were when I got involved. But thanks to the DBCC, I not only learned who they were, I also got to know them and the work they do.
Learning about the city I live in: I gained a deeper understanding of Dayton’s Bluff and Saint Paul — how the city is organized, how decisions are made, and the roles the city plays in serving residents and neighborhoods.
Hearing about new developments in my neighborhood: I got to weigh in on what I wanted to see in my neighborhood, influence local developments, and help the people I wanted it to serve.
Roberts Rules: Roberts Rules are not necessarily intuitive, but they are a widely-used tool to help organize a meeting agenda and keep discussions focused. This was early in my career, and learning about Roberts Rules was a valuable learning experience.
Leadership development: Serving on the DBCC gave me hands-on experience in board leadership and governance, skills I’ve continued to use when serving on other boards and working with other groups.
Learning how to articulate my ideas: Serving on the DBCC helped me practice turning opinions and values into clear, constructive input. Whether speaking in meetings, writing motions, or discussing community needs, I became more confident explaining my ideas and listening to others.
Understanding where neighborhood resources are: Through the council, I learned what resources exist in Dayton’s Bluff, who manages them, and how residents can access support. I also learned how to connect people to the right place when they needed help or information.
Strengthening my professional experience: Serving on the council was a meaningful way to round out my resume. It demonstrated leadership, collaboration, governance experience, and a commitment to community — skills that translated directly to my professional life.
Creating opportunities beyond the council: Serving on the district council opened doors to other opportunities. Some came directly from the work itself, and others came later through the relationships I built, the trust I earned, and the deeper understanding I gained of how communities and local government work.
Overall, I found the experience meaningful and rewarding in ways that I never expected, and I encourage residents, both new and long-standing, to try it out for themselves.
Photo by Nathaniel Barber
