I love community and service organizations. Their mission to affect the community, and strengthen the community through change with their volunteer efforts is commendable. Organizations like the Rotary Club, the Lions Club and the Kiwanis Club do a lot of good for the community in terms of service. Their presence is very notable at various civic and even political functions.
Most members of these organizations are devoted, dedicated busine
ss men and business women who take time out of their hectic schedules to devote to giving back. They meet weekly and discuss ways to help the community by offering their volunteer services or donating needed items to families in need or children in foster care. While their goals are admirable, and they are, I wonder if there is ever a time in the service member’s life where they will cancel their membership…and move on.
I had the opportunity on this week to speak to a Rotary service club on the topic of leadership in our community. Before I spoke, I did a little networking around the room and acquainted myself with the members with little ice-breaker conversations. Some of them were quite interesting and fascinating! I met one gentleman who would celebrate his 83rd birthday in a week or so. His 83rd birthday and he is still giving back to his community. I also met a woman who was a real estate investor and has been a member of that club for over 24 years! She was very proud of herself because she had the bragging rights to what they call “perfect attendance.” That means in the last twenty-four years this woman has never, EVER, missed a weekly meeting. Not once. Then there was the gentleman that I met who was an attorney and said somewhat sheepish that he was “new” to the club. I assumed he meant literally new, as in a few weeks or months. He said he was new…he had only been a member for five years! I find this dedication and commitment remarkable for service clubs. It takes a real effort to volunteer your time and talent to civic organizations and to be able to do it diligently, no less. Groups like these organizations thrive on the dedication and commitment of their members.
If leaders would mirror the same type of dedication that you find in these service clubs, they could experience more success. Because they show up each week, give to the community with their time, talent and efforts, encourage one another and hold each other accountable, clubs like this will have lifetime members and leaders in the community. As a leader, do you think civic organizations can help business leaders become better leaders?
» Stretch Your Brain Daily in March from BrainBasedBusiness
Just as the brain shrinks when we do the same things … the same way … it grows when challenged with differences. Here are suggestions for each day in March … culled from sites in the Brain Based Business community.... [Read More]
Tracked on: February 24, 2008 6:36 PM | Permalink to Trackback