Who will lead?

A good friend was being interviewed on a radio program one morning. The subject of public service was being discussed.

My friend spent his working life in the military, retiring as a sergeant in the Indiana National Guard. Following “retirement” he served as the executive vice president of the local Chamber of Commerce in his town. Following retirement from that “life” he served as forum moderator for the local League of Women Voters prior to each election.

He knows something about public service.

He was bemoaning the fact that fewer and fewer people are willing to serve as leaders in their communities.

It is no secret that Republicans and Democrats need more people willing to run for public office. It is also no secret that public office at every level requires more study time than ever before.

A mayor I know in a nearby town said only half joking one day, “I probably make $1.50 an hour.”

I respect him. He didn’t get into politics to make money or gain a reputation or to have power. He did it to continue to serve his community after a lifetime of public service as a firefghter.

Leadership is so important and often pays so little.

If there are fewer people willing to lead does that mean every program should continue? I think not.

I am a believer in programs that meet people’s needs but I also believe that leadership can breathe new life into a failing organization.

I remember attending a meeting for a high school alumni association that had been failing for years.

The school in question had been closed decades earlier due to school consolidation in that county. There were three alumni in attendance at that business meeting. I don’t recall why I was there, but I was interested so I observed the meeting.

A friend of mine conducted the meeting and there were two elderly women in attendance.

The question was raised, “Should we abandon the annual meeting.”

One voted yes, another voted no and it was up to the third people to break the tie.

The annual dinner meeting was attended by very few people and the three at this meeting were steering the future of the alumni association.

One of the women was almost in tears and said she could not cast the deciding vote to end the association’s dinners.

So, the alumni association limped along for a few more years.

Then, someone decided to be a leader and through their enthusiasm others caught the vision and today that alumni association is thriving. But it took leadership.

We have many wonderful organizations in Clay County but we have a lot of gray haired (and bald) people, too.

I am not saying you have to be young to be a leader but you have to have the vision, the energy and the desire to see good things happen.

Who will step up and be a leader? Will you? Let’s not just keep good things going. Let’s lead our community into growth!