Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Want to Make American Great Again? Then Get Off Your A**.

I've been pondering this for many months and today I felt compelled to share. Lucky you!

If you are a person who believes we need to make America great again (and even if you are not), then I'm here to provide some marching orders. Get off your chair. Get involved. Get to know your neighbors. Get to know a stranger in your midst. Be a leader by example. Stop shouting rhetoric and start acting GREAT.


So many folks have talked about how America is the opposite of great today. They see it as a political slam. I see it as a personal slam. For the past eight (plus) years, I haven't had time to whine about my country feeling/looking tarnished, I've been too busy investing in my community by:
  • working every day to support my family
  • volunteering in my child's school
  • supporting local non-profits who have a direct impact on the people in my community (and by support I mean that time-tested trifecta of time, treasure and talent)
  • helping my neighbors
  • organizing regional networking and support opportunities for entrepreneurial businesswomen
  • pitching in when needed for my family and friends on a personal level, we all need a little help sometimes
This is not to say that I'm perfect. I'm far from it. But, I wonder how many armchair quarterbacks posting about the dismal state of our country have done the same?

Today my wish is to see more sharing about the day-to-day efforts each of us has accepted responsibility for and less about how much we want to see from a politician who doesn't share our space every day. 


No. More. Excuses. 

Too many times I've heard about our young people and how lazy and uninvolved they are. Its no wonder when they listen to the adults in their lives pander about how (insert any political figure's name here) is an idiot or incompetent or a liar. I value transparency in business and politics (and by transparency I don't mean a flood of shared click bait faux stories about politicians or businesses or celebrities). I also value personal responsibility. Being displeased about something is perfectly acceptable. But, that reaction should spur engagement and involvement, not whining and blaming. 

Teach tomorrow's leaders how to lead by actually doing it in front of them. They won't just grow up to be effective family, community, business, and political leaders on their own. They need those closest to them to show them how. Start small. Act local. But, keep that world view in sight. 

America is Great. The question is: Are YOU?

PS: No Republicans or Democrats or Libertarians, Tea Partiers, or Green Party Followers were harmed in the drafting of this message. Trust me, it's truly non-partisan. Everyone needs to get off their a**. 



Friday, June 8, 2012

Five Years of Fun and Commitment

I'm smack dab in the middle of coordinating the Ladies Tee Party Charity Golf Scramble right now. Its amazing how much time and effort this event requires (Seriously, why am I surprised every year and why do I set out to make it bigger, better, more amazing each year? My own fault for sure!). But, when I shake off my exhaustion and arrive at the golf course on the morning of the event each year, I'm always filled with such joy and pride.

It's pride in the team who works tirelessly by my side - whether for months in planning or for the day in serving those who play the event. It's pride in the participants who hire babysitters and take precious holidays from jobs to join us...and who show up with their purses open! It's pride in the aggregate of what we've accomplished for the Sleeping Angels Endowment and for the families whom we'll touch through our Gift of Grace when they lose their precious baby to stillbirth. And, it's pride in my community of West Michigan where more often than not small and large businesses alike say yes to supporting our Endowment and our event. They say yes to Grace.

Yep, I just made myself tear up!

Today, join me in reflecting on five years of fun and commitment to something bigger than one person. Celebrate the heart of philanthropy as seen through the lens of the Ladies Tee Party Charity Golf Scramble. Read my original post on the event...and smile at these snapshots from previous events. Then, join us...Friday, June 15, 2012 at Gracewil Golf Club in Grand Rapids. Be a player, be a volunteer, be a sponsor, be a part of our Gift of Grace through the Sleeping Angels Endowment. Thank you!

2008 -- The first year!

The first winners of the coveted tea pot trophies!

These lovely tea time ladies spurred on the idea of dressing in costume...it has become a crazy tradition at our event!

2009

Its a bachelorette party...or at least they dressed for one!

Swinger Rick Penn serving mimosas for our Morning Tea Toast!

These Dr. Seuss fans were jumping for joy!

2010
Cheers! LOL!

All smiles after winning one of the hole event tea cup trophies!

2011
This really isn't your Grandma's Tea Party, ladies! Cheers!

Partners...Kat Schoenborn, the founder of the Sleeping Angels Endowment, and me, the creator of the Ladies Tee Party!

Wowzers...look at all of those volunteers! Love this crew!

One of the take home items in our legendary Swag Bags. Carried in all of the best golf bags in West Michigan!