Making a difference in the community
One of the July challenges for ActiveRain bloggers is to share a story about something we have done that made a difference in our community, neighborhood or town. During my very long business community, I’ve enjoyed the opportunities to be involved in many community organizations. I have served as president of a local Lions Club and have received community service awards from the Jaycees and chamber of Commerce groups. I served as president of a regional builders association and served on the executive committee of the National Association of Home builders. I served as president of a regional chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management and held leadership roles in the regional alumni group for the university I attended.
As a builder and developer, I have participated in the creation of many subdivisions and the construction of hundreds of apartments. I have raised funds for many organizations and gladly served on boards of directors when my services were needed.
As a local business leader, I have founded several businesses that were successful enough to be acquired by regional and national companies. The jobs provided by those businesses were important in the local communities.
If I try to select one activity that made a difference, it might be my several years of membership on the board of directors of a multiple campus community college system. I represented my city in that role and the community college facilities provided an economical and convenient educational opportunity of thousands of area residents. My real estate and management background enabled me to share important perspectives while serving on the board and committees.
When you live and work in a rapidly growing area, one of the most important challenges is to provide the educational institutions that will provide advance education and personal skills that will meet the employment needs of the expanding businesses in the area.
This blog was written to meet the requirements of an ActiveRain membership challenge this month.
Corsage Orchids, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG 0948
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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