LEADERSHIP - If I Can Do It, Anyone Can Do It
Hank Alkema presented an inspiring message to all of
us yesterday. For me personally, I wish I had heard his message years ago
because it may have changed how I went about my membership in the Stanwood Camano
Rotary Club over these past 15 years. As a charter member of the club, I
spent the first 13 years of my membership simply being a member. There is
nothing wrong with that, but there is so much more that I was missing by not
taking the next step - being a leader. Finally a couple years ago, I was
asked if I would be Vice President. Reluctantly I agreed. It was then that I
was told that if I were Vice President, the following year I would be President
Elect, and the following year I would be President. Did I really want to
make that commitment? I really wasn't sure. After careful thought, I said that
I would and so the process began that led me to today.
As Hank was giving his message, I thought back to all
of the members who have come and gone. Lots of members and lots of Past
Presidents; many of them, following their tenure as President decided to leave
the club for one reason or another. Most of them moved to another area or
changed careers so the reasons were legitimate. I miss them all because they
made significant contributions to the club and helped shape it into what it is
today. But we still have many great leaders of our past that are still
active members of the club and I try to draw on their experience whenever I
can.
So what can we all do? For one, we can all
listen to each other. We have a group of members who have a long history of
Rotary and they have much to offer the group. Second, don't be afraid to share
your ideas. New members are sometimes reluctant to give their opinions or make
suggestions for fear that they will not be well received. Don't be afraid to
say what you have to say. And third, get involved. Be a leader. And that
doesn't always come about by being an officer. You can chair a committee, or
even serve on a committee. Participate in a project where you can become an
active participant in the club. With each act of participation you will gain
confidence in your ability and demonstrate to the group that you are ready to
take a leadership role. And then when someone comes up to you and asks if you
will be Vice President, you wont hesitate like me and question if you want to
make the commitment. Instead you would raise your hand like Hank did and say
"Count me in. If Jim can do it, I can do it".