Edie is credible and her credibility inspires action.
She is a loyal member of Rotary, faithfully attending weekly meetings and genuinely taking an interest in members new and old.
Rather than sitting at the same table each week, Edie moves from table to table, always spending her weekly lunch hour with a different cast of characters. And, always making a polite plug for the Middle School Computer Program she started.
It seems years before I joined Rotary, Edie had an experience which left her shocked at the number of middle school children whose families could not afford a computer. She immediately set to work gathering discarded computers and restoring them for local families in need. Rotary members do all the work preparing computers for delivery, reviewing and evaluating student essays, purchasing additional accessories, and installing them in students' homes.
Edie, a woman in her mid-70s and a Rotary matriarch of sorts, is the creator and credible spokesperson for this program.
On Wednesday, December 15, she stood before the members of our Rotary Club holding a large mason jar filled with dimes. Edie explained that filling the jar took one year of emptying her pockets each night. Just dimes, no nickels or quarters.
With all the demure and dignity of a matriarch, this passionate woman challenged us to consider doing the same in 2011. I have no idea how many people decided to take her up on the offer, though if it is like most other things, I suspect it was few.
But I respect Edie. I love the genuine interest she takes in other people and the fearlessness with which she approaches anyone and everyone for support with her program. I love that every time she talks about the program she developed it is with the enthusiasm and energy of someone who is sharing it for the first time. I love she remains eternally hopeful that even a single person might take her up on her requests to get involved.
All of that, and more, is what makes Edie and her cause so credible. That is why on December 15, 2010 I decided I would join her in collecting dimes for one year. She has no idea of my plans and I won't tell her. Instead, I will march into Rotary on Wednesday, 21, 2011 and present her with my mason jar filled with dimes.
Maybe you will consider helping me by collecting your dimes for one year and passing them along to Edie. Or maybe you'll even ask a friend or colleague or spouse to join in. You don't know her, but it the love involved in saying, "yes" to my offer would not escape this incredible woman. Don't tell me if you plan to participate, in the same way I didn't tell Edie. Just collect as many as possible dimes between now and Wednesday, December 14, 2011. Send them to my home and I will present them to Edie on your behalf the following week.
From Day Two of Leadershape, shining off until tomorrow...