As I sit back and try to determine how different topics run into each other, I find myself questioning the connections and how they are related to other connections that I am aware of and am part of. As I think of Semiahmoo House Society (SHS), I think of how I became part of the team and the call I made to the Executive Director a number of years ago asking if there was a way I could help with the Board of Directors? I had retired six months earlier and had been relaxing, getting to know my children again after a good number of years travelling for business, catching up on sleep and working on my golf game. Well that simple telephone conversation would lead me to a place I would never have thought possible.
My first connection was established at SHS and the next step to evolve would be the interconnections that would follow in very short order. There was the connection with the Board of Directors, where I met a number of very capable Board Members, who had dedicated themselves, through their connections, to making SHS the Society what it is today. The nature of this interconnection allowed me to learn and experience true dedication to the people that we support.
Each Member brought something special to the table and I was able to enjoy the learning, the contributions as well as the realization that I should be trying to incorporate these skills into my personal leadership and mentorship capabilities. What I was not aware of at the time was that, unbeknown to me, I was starting to establish interconnectivity with myself. I recognized how this was changing a lot of the ways I had perceived different points of view that I had developed over a number of years. Through that learning, I found that my interconnections were starting to branch out to other areas where I could work to make positive changes to the entire team, resulting in interesting and more internal connections.
As I was meeting more staff members and supported people, my connections became closer with them as well as with Board Members. Then, I was starting to reach out to our Owners, those being the residents in our community and recognizing other Societies that were in a similar line of work. Since then, many more connections have been made.
I have now been able to recognize the importance of these connections and how each connection relates to other connections whether they are mine or those of other individuals that I have come to meet. I am not unique in this situation. We are all together in how our connections interrelate and how the larger community benefits from everyone’s interactions.
As I conclude this thought process, I find myself even more excited and keener to continue to work on my connections and be able to see the interconnectivity and benefits to all. I hope that maybe some of my thoughts may strike a chord with each of you to work that much harder in trying to develop your connections and take a minute to reflect on the positive differences that you are making in the community.
Semiahmoo House Society, a non-profit organization located in Surrey/White Rock, exists to provide quality services and supports to people with disabilities and their families in the community. The Semiahmoo Foundation exists to fund, support and enhance the programs and services delivered by Semiahmoo House Society.
Rich Gorman, Chair, UNITI