By Lynn Norwood
March, 2006
We are entering the most hopeful season of the year. The buds are just beginning to open on the trees, daffodils are poking their heads from the damp earth, and occasionally the crystal clear sun bursts through the clouds to glaze us with the promise of summer’s warmth. But there is just enough chill in the air, grey in the clouds, to warn us the long cold winter is not over yet.
As we prepare for the seasons events it is important that we focus on what makes us strong, what makes us a group, and what we are trying to accomplish. We have differences of opinion, and there are as many opinions as there are people within our organization, but as we approach this pivotal election year we must summon the strength, the discipline, and the courage to use our assets wisely and accomplish our long term goals.
There is much promise for immediate gratification through a big win in November but we must be prepared for the long fight. There is much impatience (for haven’t we been patient long enough!) for our voices to be heard. But in order to be strong, to really achieve success, we must always keep our long term goals in the forefront of our minds.
What are our long term goals? I think most would agree we want out of this war. We want some form of universal health care, we want our children to have the math and science education that they will need in order for them to compete for jobs on the global market, we want the United States of America to represent its people—a people who are caring and generous, considerate of their neighbors, cooperative in the management of this ever shrinking globe.
So I implore you—my wonderful compatriots on this ever more important journey—to consider how you can help. Consider how you can forward our long term goals. Think about the ways you can contribute to the process. A little consideration goes a long way. A small contribution can make the difference. A moment of your time can be just what’s needed. Please consider marching in the parades, creating a poster, or assisting on one of the committees with your unique talents. You can make the difference between failure and success. Good luck to us all in this important year and though it is hard to be positive all of the time, take a moment to ask, what have you done to make our goals a reality? What will you do?