[23697] in APO-L
[APO-L] Being of Service
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Hayim)
Tue Apr 22 11:24:18 2003
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 16:15:53 -0500
Reply-To: Hayim <hayimweiss@HOTMAIL.COM>
From: Hayim <hayimweiss@HOTMAIL.COM>
To: APO-L@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
My Fellow Brothers:
Its been sometime since I have last posted on this listserve. In fact, its
been about two years. So, as normal ettiquette dictates, I will introduce
myself and then pose my topic, thought, or question.
My name is Hayim Weiss. I am currently living in Newark, Delaware. I have
been a Brother since the Fall of 1990 and have served as a Chapter Public
Relations chair, Corresponding Secretary, Delegate at the 1992 Boston
Convention, Chapter Advisor, Section Staff, Regional Public Relations
Chair, and National Convention Day Coordinator for the 2000 Philadelphia
Convention. I am a Life Member and married to my wife (and Brother),
Meredith, for going on three years this July. I am also involved with a
variety of volunteer organziations, such as the American Heart Association,
American Red Cross, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, the Del-Mar-Va
Council of Boy Scouts, and the Del-Mar-Va Council for Exploring / Learning-
for-Life, Masonry, Grange, and member of the Board of Directors of
Congregation Beth Shalom in Wilmington, Delaware. I am currently employed
as a Senior HRIS Analyst with Christiana Care Health System.
I am not sure what to make of my topic this time. In the past, my topics
have lead to much discussion, thoughts of what is and what may be, and in
some cases, debate and off-line conversation. The topic I am presenting is
not an easy one, so read it for what you can and what you will.
The topic I would like to discuss is being of service, and more importantly
being actively involved.
From the time we enter as pledges to the time we depart as alumni, there is
nothing more valued to this Fraternity than being of service. We value
service to our Brotherhood, service to our campuses, service to our
community and service to our nation as participating citizens. We value
serving others - giving unselfishly of our time, energy, and available
resources. We value giving service to worthwhile endeavors as well as we
value giving our services to those who need it the most. We value those
who serve on the homefront in times of crisis, yet equally we value those
who serve overseas to promote peace and stability in lands of war and
turmoil.
Prior and during the 2000 National Convention, I found myself doing what
most Brothers would consider normal - being of service, whenever and
whatever the call - being willing to do (and if need, above) my share.
Following the convention, I appreciated the time away and the time to
recharge my "service" battery.
Yet, that was two years ago. A couple of months probably would not have
worried me, a year probably would be well-deserved, but two - two years of
not being of service. Its as if my deli number was 1,000,000 and we are
currenly at number 10. It appeared it would take some time to get back
involved, actively involved.
This past December, I was approached by my boss to attend a meeting of the
Del-Mar-Va Council Exploring/Learning-for-Life program. I was introduced
at this meeting as being a member of Alpha Phi Omega and one of the
principal webmasters for the 2000 National Convention. My main purpose in
being there was to assist and be of service to helping them define their
web needs and internet information/marketing structure. For many of the
people in the room (most of whom are key business and govermental leaders
within the State of Delaware), the affiliation I had with Alpha Phi Omega
was seen as a positive and something they believed was a good relationship
worth promoting.
Yet, as much as I appreciated my boss's stroke of my talents and volunteer
abilities, I felt very mixed about being involved with the Council. In one
respect, I was glad that my affiliation was something others in the
community are aware of and think positively of - in an other respect, I was
sad that my involvement with Alpha Phi Omega has diminished only to that of
an affiliation, rather than an active participant - serving our Brotherhood
within active grounds.
I am fairly certain I am not alone in the world of Brothers who would
rather be more of service then be an affiliation of this organization. I
know there are many ways to be of service and equally I know there are many
needs of people and talents. Although I know this, I equally understand
that sometimes leaders need time to find ways to use us, to put us to task,
to find real ways we can be of service always not just once a year or even
longer.
The challenge of our organization is not simply to find and recruit new
members, but I believe our challenge is to find, recruit, strengthen, and
use our Brotherhood to its fullest potential. In so doing, we are not
simply being of service once and done, but rather now and forever. There
are too many organizations that look for once and done members, Alpha Phi
Omega should not just another. My friends and Brothers, our challenge is
great - but so too are our needs. If we are going to go forward, we need
to do so with strength, utilization, and direction.
As I remain of Leadership, Friendship, and Service - I look forward to
reading your replies, your thoughts, and most importantly your
opportunities you see for all to be of service.
In Leadership, Friendship, and Service,
Hayim
