After a decade of serving on the board of the United Way of Greater Moncton and Southeastern New Brunswick I have decided to step down.
It was a tough decision and a lesson on why we do things and recognizing when our desires outlive our usefulness.
I joined the board 10 years ago when my boss at the time was chairing the annual fundraising campaign.
Since then I have worked and pushed and yelled and pushed and questioned and pushed - all in the name of moving the organization forward to a proactive community builder that responds to the real needs of our community.
I've been known as the dissenter. The guy who couldn't let it go. A dog with a bone.
My theory was this. I believed we needed to change the way we approached giving. No one could give me a solid reason as to why not other than we hadn't done it that way. So I continued to push.
In the end the path is set and changes will continue to take place.
I'm not saying it was me. It was dozens of committed volunteers who ensured that we took the right path, considered all the elements and considered the impact on all the stakeholders. They wouldn't allow my bulldoze mentality to run rampant and for that I have learned so much. There were times, looking back, when I continued to push when it didn't make sense but I needed a win after so much opposition.
There were times when I acted inappropriately because my passion clouded what I know is proper decorum.
Stepping back I think my experience with this remarkable organization is a lesson we can all learn.
What's my role? Am I contributing something worthwhile or am I impeding development and evolution? Sometimes its a fine line and can be tough to determine.
My advice?
Follow you heart.
Know your community, your organization and the people who have committed themselves with you.
Know when its time to push more and when its time to keep your mouth shut.
Remember the rules you learned in Kindergarten about respect and listening before you speak.
Know when its time to fade off in the sunset - hopefully long before you have outlived your usefulness.
Finally - and most importantly - continue to give.
