A time to look ahead
January 30, 2006
By Cam Tait
Raise your hand - or give your mouse a couple of clicks - if you've ever had a few knots in your stomach the days leading up to a new board president taking the helm of your organization. Whether you're a staff member, a client, a donor, or even a fellow board member, the transition is usually a little uneasy.
Perhaps we're afraid of the unknown. What will it be like to work with the new president? Does he/she have people skills and know how to bring a relationship to the next level? How safe is your role? Are you having sleepless nights because you believe that the new president might have friends and might want to use them?
And what about all the things that you've been working on - proposals, position papers, planning? When you boil everything down, what do those three things, combined together, help foster? Dare I whisper 'hope'? Is there a danger that you could lose all that hard work? Or, will the new administration embrace what you've done?
Clients and staff members have other concerns. As a client, will the new president uphold the same strong standards for services or will they slide just a little? Donors might also be a bit hesitant to dole out more money until they see proven stewardship.
There's another thing we must factor into the equation. When someone steps into a new position, they bring their own ideas, their own special interests, and their own resources. Sometimes, those resources are people, and sometimes those people happen to be friends - friends who are respected for the skills they can bring to the table. So, why do we view that as a potential problem rather than a plum possibility?
One of the answers may be that obvious cliché: we're afraid of change. Sometimes, we become so set in our ways that we don't want to journey down new paths. It's human nature, I suppose. But aren't we faced with change every day? Without trying to sound self-righteous or pompous, I wonder what would happen if we began each day knowing change would be part of it?
Sorry, I digress.
I will admit that, yes, I do have a blue blazer in my closet, and a blue suit, and my wife doesn't even have to ask anymore what my favourite colour of tie is. She knows it's blue. But despite my favourite color being blue, I don't consider myself a true Conservative. I do, however, feel that every new leader in a new position should be given a chance...a chance without any clouded visions or negative thoughts as they start down the road ahead. I was a little disheartened to hear some federal candidates - those who came out on the losing side, of course - fill the airwaves and newspapers with doom and gloom predictions.
As Canadians, we have spoken. There might be some trepidation in the next little while, but it's time to look ahead.
Mr. Harper, you have the reins. We'll strap ourselves in and see where we go.
Cam Tait is a sports reporter and columnist for the Edmonton Journal. He covered community investments and volunteers for 19 years. E-mail Cam at cam@charityvillage.com with thoughts, suggestions or ideas.
Opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of CharityVillage.com®.
