VISIONS Newsletter - Sep-Oct, 2005 - Published Bi-Monthly |
| The Power of Association It Won't Go Away |
Stories like the one on the preceding page about Alene Hill and
ABWA are a double dose of inspiration to me. Many people
who know me well will recall that my second book was entitled
The Power of Association. Those who purchased and read the
book will hopefully recall the very deep conviction I expressed
regarding the connection between volunteerism, organizational
involvement and personal and professional growth.
Naturally that human tendency to say that I told you so stirs
within me nearly every time I hear a success story. More often
than not, the individual success story involves an individual that
looked beyond “Me” and “I” and focused on how they could be
of service. The Power of Association did not reveal any earth-
shattering recipe for success. There were no hidden 10-step
secrets “known only to the masters.” There was not a
requirement to be a member of MENSA, and thankfully for
myself, there was no requirement to be “Anglo-Saxon, White
and Protestant.”
The Power of Association only required then, and only requires
now that one involve themselves in combining their talents and
abilities with other positive-minded individuals, open their minds
to the possibilities of joint efforts, and embrace the concepts of
synergism. Knowing how to spell synergism is not a
requirement. I didn’t know until I looked it up. In fact, my
involvement in numerous organizations and causes preceded
my ever hearing the word synergism. I did the work first, and
then when someone came up with the word, I said “I’ve done
that!” The work always comes first - and then come the
rewards.
The rewards of being involved in causes and visions larger
than your own do not come as lottery winnings do. The
rewards of involvement are not huge, earth-shattering, rags-to-
riches, headline-creating overnight occurrences. In contrast to
the lottery, they occur much more than one time out of several
million, positively impacting your life not for a moment, but for a
lifetime. The rewards of involvement are almost impossible to
avoid. It is difficult if not impossible to work with a group of
positive individuals, with diverse backgrounds, talents, and
aspirations; and not come away better equipped for personal
and professional greatness. Education taught me how to make
a living, but participation taught me how to make a life!
The rewards of involvement (besides that warm fuzzy feeling)
include learning and achievement that is often delayed or
denied to those who “do it all alone.” My entire experience as a
speaker was delayed until I became involved in helping
others. Each time I have addressed an audience, whatever
rewards were associated with the experience were a harvest of
seeds I planted by being involved in organizations such as The
National Association of Investors (NAIC). My organizational
skills were sharpened by producing a membership manual (and
other tasks) for BDPA-Information System Professionals. My
experience as a writer was enhanced by handling publicity for
several organizations. Although I spent thirty-six years making
a very comfortable living, most of the aforementioned assets
were acquired outside the scope of my employment.
There were many barriers that forbade me access to the
thinking of company CEO’s and top-level management on my
job. Those barriers did not exist outside the work environment
when I became involved in causes larger than my own,
because top-level thinkers already know the value of combining
mental resources. Nearly a year ago I had the opportunity to
address investors from Australia, New Zealand and China, not
because I spent thirty-six years working behind a desk in
corporate America, but because the Chairman of NAIC knew of
my work and commitment.
The Power of Association is itself an example of the power of
diversity. In addition to my own thoughts and experiences, the
book contains bits of wisdom from several other authors and
speakers. The Power of Association has been used by
organizations to validate the rewards available through
volunteerism and involvement.
Order your copy today by calling 330-425-8776 or online by
PRESSING HERE!
ABWA are a double dose of inspiration to me. Many people
who know me well will recall that my second book was entitled
The Power of Association. Those who purchased and read the
book will hopefully recall the very deep conviction I expressed
regarding the connection between volunteerism, organizational
involvement and personal and professional growth.
Naturally that human tendency to say that I told you so stirs
within me nearly every time I hear a success story. More often
than not, the individual success story involves an individual that
looked beyond “Me” and “I” and focused on how they could be
of service. The Power of Association did not reveal any earth-
shattering recipe for success. There were no hidden 10-step
secrets “known only to the masters.” There was not a
requirement to be a member of MENSA, and thankfully for
myself, there was no requirement to be “Anglo-Saxon, White
and Protestant.”
The Power of Association only required then, and only requires
now that one involve themselves in combining their talents and
abilities with other positive-minded individuals, open their minds
to the possibilities of joint efforts, and embrace the concepts of
synergism. Knowing how to spell synergism is not a
requirement. I didn’t know until I looked it up. In fact, my
involvement in numerous organizations and causes preceded
my ever hearing the word synergism. I did the work first, and
then when someone came up with the word, I said “I’ve done
that!” The work always comes first - and then come the
rewards.
The rewards of being involved in causes and visions larger
than your own do not come as lottery winnings do. The
rewards of involvement are not huge, earth-shattering, rags-to-
riches, headline-creating overnight occurrences. In contrast to
the lottery, they occur much more than one time out of several
million, positively impacting your life not for a moment, but for a
lifetime. The rewards of involvement are almost impossible to
avoid. It is difficult if not impossible to work with a group of
positive individuals, with diverse backgrounds, talents, and
aspirations; and not come away better equipped for personal
and professional greatness. Education taught me how to make
a living, but participation taught me how to make a life!
The rewards of involvement (besides that warm fuzzy feeling)
include learning and achievement that is often delayed or
denied to those who “do it all alone.” My entire experience as a
speaker was delayed until I became involved in helping
others. Each time I have addressed an audience, whatever
rewards were associated with the experience were a harvest of
seeds I planted by being involved in organizations such as The
National Association of Investors (NAIC). My organizational
skills were sharpened by producing a membership manual (and
other tasks) for BDPA-Information System Professionals. My
experience as a writer was enhanced by handling publicity for
several organizations. Although I spent thirty-six years making
a very comfortable living, most of the aforementioned assets
were acquired outside the scope of my employment.
There were many barriers that forbade me access to the
thinking of company CEO’s and top-level management on my
job. Those barriers did not exist outside the work environment
when I became involved in causes larger than my own,
because top-level thinkers already know the value of combining
mental resources. Nearly a year ago I had the opportunity to
address investors from Australia, New Zealand and China, not
because I spent thirty-six years working behind a desk in
corporate America, but because the Chairman of NAIC knew of
my work and commitment.
The Power of Association is itself an example of the power of
diversity. In addition to my own thoughts and experiences, the
book contains bits of wisdom from several other authors and
speakers. The Power of Association has been used by
organizations to validate the rewards available through
volunteerism and involvement.
Order your copy today by calling 330-425-8776 or online by
PRESSING HERE!
| Order Your Signed Copy (And one for the person you loaned your other books to!) |