Get Involved…Stay Involved!
"Alone we can do little, together we can do so much." - Helen Keller
My answer to the question, "Why do I serve?" is not one of heartfelt sentiment or great inspiration, it is simply for the love of my country, my fellow man, and the industry that I am proudly associated with. I have a history of joining professional organizations, i.e., the Greater San Antonio Builder’s Association, (GSABA), to make a difference and to help ensure that those whom I love and care about, as well as future generations, will be able to live and practice free trade where there is all the opportunity in the world through hard work and dedication to do anything you want to do and be anything you want to be.
People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons, especially wanting to help others. Instead of considering volunteering as something you do for people I challenge you to begin to think of it as an exchange.
Consider that most people find themselves in need at some point in their lives. Today you may be the person with the ability to help, but tomorrow you may be the recipient of someone else's volunteer effort. Even now you might be on both sides of the service cycle: maybe today you’re planning on helping on an industry related committee, while last month your local church group brought you dinner while you were dealing with a family medical emergency.
Volunteering also includes "self-help." If you’re active in your professional organization you’re adding your effort to the work of others to make everyone's lives better. As long as you are truly serving through your volunteer work, isn't it wonderful that such an exchange occurs? In fact, it tends to strengthen your commitment to volunteering when you can see the benefits to both the recipient of your efforts and to yourself. And it is much more comfortable than "charity" because it upholds the self-esteem of those with whom you volunteer.
As the title of the article states: GET INVOLVED…STAY INVOLVED!
This article was contributed by Ed Hall of Elegance in Design Custom Homes. Ed has faithfully served the building industry whom he considers his “family” with passion, integrity, and determination. Ed currently serves on the Board of Directors for GSABA, and is the immediate past Chairmen for the Custom Builder’s Council. Ed also is a board member for the Texas Custom Builder’s Guild, and sits on a number of non-profit organizations. To learn more about Elegance in Design Custom Homes please visit www.eleganceindesign.us.
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