Sounds simple, right? At first glance it seems to be a manageable goal to many of us I'm sure, however there are also those who assume they can operate a company any which way and still profit or reap the benefits regardless of ethics or values. There are even small business owners who clamor loudly about the need for local residents to help keep them afloat, who may proclaim everyone should flock to their establishments to "shop small", when in reality some of these same individuals might go do their own spending online or at big box retailers. You can't have it both ways; for the most part (and for the long haul), cornerstones on which a collaboration of active community support are built upon DO in fact revolve around a process of giving, helping one another and a sense of participation.
Over the weekend I was able to see those aspects once again put into place as multiple people and establishments came together to create a successful fundraising event - not just for any organization but for one which operates with integrity, cares deeply about their mission and values the people who lend a hand. They are, in turn, well-respected, admired and greatly appreciated in their town and that's a big deal. While at their fundraiser yesterday, I became even more keenly aware of this formula as I stood and watched the interactions between volunteers, sponsors, shopping and customers.
I don't think there's any doubt that some of the primary and most critical ingredients for such a recipe center around the following: integrity + quality = respect. It is, by the way, a wonderful thing to be a part of such an effort; I was thrilled to just observe from a distance the continual stream of people who came to support a worthy cause. Maybe it was the vibes of kindness or the generosity of those who gave, or perhaps it was just due to the holiday season, but I did get a little emotional at witnessing what they have built, and I realized again what I knew: there really are no shortcuts.
