Photo Courtesy – Helen’s Place Photography
A while back, I shared a system for making a difference in the world by adopting the Be BAD Philosophy. In a nutshell, be bolder, better, more authentic, and deliberate in your life—with your clients, and within your community.
If you’re making these kinds of choices, you’ll likely notice improvements in various facets of your personal life and in your general outlook, overall. You might also notice the impact you’re having on some of your clients because they are performing better or advancing within their chosen professions as a result of working with you. But how would you measure the scope of your personal effect on the community you serve?
I saw this unfold yesterday during an annual awards ceremony, and my eyes were opened to the possibility of how a single person can significantly impact a community, and how a community can impact an individual.
Cathy, the person at the epicenter of this event, runs a small print ad company in Williamsburg, VA where she’s lived for years. I met her two years ago when she joined a committee I chair at the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance. As a member of the Ambassador Committee, she is tasked with getting the word out regarding upcoming events, reaching out to chamber members and connecting them with professionals in the area, and being an all-around community resource. Cathy delights in her volunteer work— and rightfully earned the “Ambassador of the Year” Award in 2015 as a result of having interacted with more members than anyone else on the committee. Unfortunately, when I called her name at the ceremony, she wasn’t there to receive it because she was undergoing chemotherapy. For many in the audience, this was the first time they’d heard of her illness.
As the shocking news settled in, and in the months following, the vacant chair at our meetings constantly reminded us of Cathy and her struggle. We called her from time to time to check in and see how she was doing, hoping she’d eventually return. Then one day, we received an email from her, joyfully reporting she would once again be joining our group.
Our committee was elated to see Cathy getting back into the swing of things, making phone calls, and meeting with new and old members alike. By the end of the year, despite being absent for a good portion of it, she had done the impossible and won “Ambassador of The Year” for the second time in a row.
Again, I had the pleasure of announcing her achievement at this year’s award ceremony, and she was there to receive it in front of an audience of over 250 people. Tears welled up in her eyes as she expressed gratitude—not just for the award, but for the work itself which, she said, had given her something to look forward to during the most trying days of her treatment. She also acknowledged people she’d met during her site visits who’d encouraged her when she was losing her hair and feeling terrible. She told us that her volunteer work and her community had been a source of inspiration and had given her strength to win her battle with cancer.
When she was finished with her brief words, everyone in the building jumped to their feet, clapping with deafening applause. I witnessed a sea of bright smiles, cheers, tears, and admiration for this wonderful person who’d touched so many of our lives.
Making a difference in the world does not always start with some grandiose idea requiring an army to execute it. On the contrary, what I witnessed at this ceremony was subtler and far more profound: Cathy simply wanted to help her community; she had no career ambitions, no ulterior motive, no hidden agenda. Her dedication was driven by a genuine desire to serve, and in return, the community genuinely wanted to help her however they could.
It’s refreshing to know we still live in a world where people are seen, heard, valued, and appreciated.
I am very proud to be part of it!
