This concept may not have as much meaning to those ex-mo's who never became totally immersed in the LDS culture but lately I have been wondering how I can find or create a social environment that can provide at least some of the things that the LDS and other active social group environments provide. What do I mean by this?
Growing up LDS, mostly outside of Utah, I was presented with numerous opportunities for personal growth by being asked to fill leadership and teaching roles. The concept is that there was a set uniform organizational structure that needed to be filled with warm bodies. In my adolescent years, there were few active members in my age group. I recognized that I had leverage in shaping programs to serve more realistic and relevant teenage needs, which is what I did. I learned important planning and implementation skills, social skills (still my weakness), and organizational skills. Over the years, I also had many opportunities to make presentations, public speaking, and teaching (with the need for preparing lessons). Some of this was even done in my home through the concept of the FHE.
One big reason that I left the church is because none of my nuclear family were being emotionally engaged. My children have become decidedly apatheistic. To complicate things further, most of them have some form of ADHD which further fueled their disdain for the conformity and boredom of church.
So, despite my efforts to set an example of secular community involvement, my family continues to follow the path of least resistance of becoming cynical couch potatoes. Rewarding community involvement and personal growth opportunities are missing. The Scouting programs haven't been a good fit. Volunteering at a food bank, animal shelter, or senior's home is not the same as being tasked to lead a group, organize an event, present a topic, etc.