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This week I met with several women from our church to discuss how to start growing our membership. We lost people during the pandemic who stopped coming to church. Our church is facing a challenge. Most of our members are over 60. The women know people in the community better than most of the men.
I suggested, "Instead of focusing on growing membership, what do people in our community need, we can help with? This changed their thinking. The women produced creative ideas like a community movie night, morning walk followed by coffee, a game night, or a women's craft session. They focused on social events beneficial to people in the community. When we focus on the needs of others first, we think differently, creatively and our problems get resolved.
At 10 weeks old our youngest son needed serious surgery. It was an emotional time. We lived in Albion, Mich., a small town on I-94. The surgery had to be done at the University of Michigan's pediatric hospital 60 miles away. Fortunately, Lynnda's mother lived in Albion. She watched our oldest two children while Lynnda and I were in Ann Arbor for the extensive surgery. We felt sorry for ourselves with all our problems. The surgery went well. Our son needed to be in the hospital for several weeks to recover. We began to talk to the other families there. One child had been in the hospital for over a year. Every time it appeared he would get to go home he spiked a temperature. John, was a pleasant two-year-old. He had been at U of M hospital his entire life. Worse, both his parents abandoned him. The nurses had "adopted" him. As Lynnda and I got to know the other parents we learned how lucky we were. We began to focus on others and their needs by being good listeners. Offering encouragement and finding ways to be of service to others helped us through our challenges. It put them in perspective. Our son made a full recovery. He went on to play college sports.
I was a child when John F. Kennedy became president of the United States. I don't remember watching his inauguration live. I have seen the video hundreds of times. He said, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."
Imagine how great our country would be if everyone thought that way. Many in our country, including some in Washington, focus on "What can our country do for me."
There are places where voters elected socialist candidates. Socialism is an economic and political system where the government owns the means of production like factories and resources rather than private business owners. Its goal is to share wealth "fairly" and meet human needs instead of making a profit. The problem is that governments are historically slow and inefficient. It does not consider human nature. Without a profit motive why be efficient, work hard and work long hours for no significant benefit. Hence less is produced to distribute. Those who receive money from the government have no reason to work if there is no significant benefit. They can sleep in and go fishing.
America is prosperous and can help to feed and energize the world because of personal liberty and economic opportunity in the United States. Doug Weed, presidential historian, special assistant to President George H.W. Bush and author said, "You can't help the poor if you are poor." When churches, colleges or other humanitarian organizations need money they approach people or organizations who have money. In the USA there is no limit on how successful we can become.
Shale Crescent USA is encouraged to see the promise of the American Dream is alive to most of the companies we work with who want to expand to the USA. At SelectUSA when prospects come to our booth if their first question is about economic incentives (what can they get from our government), they are not a good prospect. Incentives are part of every decision on where to locate later in the process. When we were in Turkiye our first meeting was with a CEO whose company already has U.S. customers. They are looking to expand to the USA and manufacture their product here. The CEO told us, "I'm looking for a small city or small town to locate in. We want to be a big fish in a small pond. We will bring high-wage jobs. Our goal is to be part of community and help our new town in other ways." The CEO's mind set is on giving to their chosen community. How can they help? In two hours, he never mentioned incentives.
At SelectUSA we had a 3-hour dinner with the CEO of another Turkish company. Like the other CEO, he wanted to get to know us and build a relationship. He does business with his friends. People he can trust. Their goal is to have a good relationship with the state and the community they choose to locate in. They will bring over 200 jobs to the community. He wants to do more than just bring jobs. He showed us examples of what he does in Turkiye for the community. The community needed a technical school. He built it and funded it. The CEO thinks first about what he can give instead of what he can get. They will be coming this fall to look at sites in our region. This company will be a welcome addition to any community.
Giving is part of the American spirit. Philanthropy is part of most successful people and organizations. Nido Qubein, president of High Point University, successful businessman, author and Hall of Fame speaker said, "I can't explain it dear friends when I give with a loving heart not expecting to receive whether it is my time, expertise or money it comes back to me in abundance."
Give first with a loving heart and change the world.
Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com is director of marketing for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a masters in environmental engineering and over 40 years of experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, high school soccer coach, professional speaker, author of four books and many published articles.