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MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS October 9, 2003 by Linda Hirvonen Delta County Economic Development Alliance Volunteerism Quality of life. It’s a term that gets bandied about often, but is hard to pin down. It is something the UP agrees we have in abundance. But what is it and how can we influence it? One very good way to enhance just about any permutation of quality of life is through volunteerism. October 26th is national Make a Difference Day. It is a wonderful concept- getting mass groups of people out on a single event to spruce up, fix up, and generally improve the multiple facets of each US community’s quality of life. Businesses should not exempt themselves from this process. Encouraging the corporate family to get together on their own time or on company time to complete a project will not only improve the community but should also help form or cement the bonds between employees and/or administration. It also gives businesses a good time to reward good employees. Those who volunteer to do these kinds of events exemplify the attitude we want in employees. Feeding the troops is an easy way to both reward their service and spend some off-task time to build camaraderie. This column has a dual purpose. First, to encourage businesses to get involved in community and volunteerism. It is difficult these days for non-profits to get the help they need from the corporate citizens. Right sizing and cut backs across the recent past have left employees and managers without the time to serve on boards and to volunteer in the schools, for instance, that corporations used to have. The other purpose is to thank those whose volunteer efforts have touched my office in the past week. My predecessor Ray Schieber is #1 in my book. Ray, who retired from IBM before retiring as EDA director, still comes in at least once a week. He loves to research and analyze, and he is always coming in with interesting things he’s found on the Internet. Watch the next column for a discussion of some very interesting information he’s uncovered about Delta County spending patterns! Our board of directors are all volunteers and represent a variety of business sectors. Tom Butch, Butch Rosemurgy et al, is our chair; Michael Nardi, First Bank, is vice chair; Mickey Wieceich, Charter Communications, is secretary; and Dave Nemacheck, Heynssen’s Selins, is Treasurer. Also serving on our board: Alan Yeck/Michael Allkins- Bay College; Tari Calouette, Daily Press; Paul Harvey, EMP; Brian Horst, City of Gladstone; Mary Hurley, MeadWestvaco; Marilyn Kinsey, citizen; Dick LaCosse, PACE International Union; Steve Lillie, UPPCO; Vickie Micheau, Chamber of Commerce; Dave Schultz, Delta County; Jerry Smith, IBEW; Matt Smith, Northern Michigan Bank & Trust; Doug Terry, City of Escanaba. Thank you for your work! Another community volunteer is Dave Rivard, formerly EDA board chair and MichCon Community Relations rep. He serves on so many board that I can’t even count them. He was also very actively involved in our 10th Anniversary Celebration to thank the citizens for their support of economic development. SCORE volunteers are also important to the community. Jim Fagan has spent countless hours with manufacturers in our area. Forrest Hensley, Jack Manning, Don Breault, Ted Breitenbach, Kip Ahola, and Foy Arbour have also worked with area businesses in the past year. The Econ Club board members work hard to give us high quality informational events and networking opportunities. Board members include Michael Allkins, president; Margaret Noreus, vice president; Linda Hirvonen, secretary; Tom Zerbel, treasurer; Laurie Kaufman; Jeff Magowan, Jack Manning, Mike Nardi; Kel Smyth, Rich Warner. Last Friday, I took a group of Michigan Community College Association spouses on a tour of our community. Lou Ham and Judy Lafean met us there to tour the museum and lighthouse even though they are closed for the season. The lighthouse and museum are wonderful tourist and local attractions and, like the Bonifas Art Center that we also visited, rely on volunteers to keep them running. It is always dangerous to name names, as we will always forget someone. Several people I cannot possibly forget are the RSVP volunteers who do so much for the EDA and the Chamber. Bill and Rosemary Schoen, Loraine Benson, and Lorraine Johnson are mainstays not only here but also at multiple locations throughout the community. All the RSVP volunteers make a difference in our community. With which organizations do I volunteer? Escanaba Noon Kiwanis and board; Michigan Works! the Job Force Board; UP Economic Development Alliance and board; M-TEC Advisory board; Michigan Economic Development Association & running for board; League of Women Voters; American Association of University Women; Greater Federated Women’s Club; Bonifas Art Center campaign co-chair (formerly also on their board); Delta Force facilitators/advisory; and now, Friends of Public Broadcasting. This list does not include those groups where I only give money. Groups I have served here also include United Way campaign chair & co-chair; OSF Home Health and Hospice Advisory board; WBFAC; Family Coordinating Council; MSU-E Advisory board; and probably more that don’t come immediately to mind. Getting involved has many benefits for both the giver and the receiver. What many people don’t see is that these efforts directly or indirectly affect us all. Just as economic development is a “do-it-yourself activity,”(The Memphis Manifesto), so is community development. It takes everyone finding time to devote to something that person thinks is important. If each of us just spent one day a year in service to others, imagine how we could all benefit. Perhaps readers who haven’t already given their day will find something to offer either with co-workers or with family on October 26th. Come Grow with Us in Delta County! Linda A Hirvonen, Executive Director Delta County Economic Development Alliance 230 Ludington Street Escanaba MI 49829 (906) 786-2192 or fax (906) 786-8830 |
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