This week I will be doing something I have never done before. I have been “requested” to attend court as a potential juror. I am sure many of you have received similar letters in the past. For many, such a request is met with a response like “Oh No! Why me?” while, for others, it is met with excitement and a hope that you would be selected, against the odds, to serve on a jury. I am intrigued by the fact that the juror summons I received directs me to attend court and be prepared to face whatever unfolds on the day. Regardless of what the result will be for me, I am pleased to be able to perform this important civic duty.
As I think of many of our recent events, I can think of several other circumstances when the People of Bethany have performed their own ‘calls of duty’ as they have met the responsibilities of their roles in positive ways:
- For example, last week Bethany Care Foundation hosted an event to increase awareness in the community about the contributions of many of our volunteers and donors that supported the building of Bethany Riverview and the new programs that will be offered within. Evelyn Buckley, a former Board chair and long-time supporter of Bethany, inspired many when she explained why she holds Bethany in such high regard and challenged those in attendance to add their financial support. At the same event, several staff members shared their in depth knowledge about dementia and during tours of the care centre, painted a picture of their visions of how we can better serve residents.
- Also, the Executive Leadership Team has started work on developing Bethany’s new strategic plan for discussion with the Board later this year – excitedly taking on one of our most important duties: setting a long term vision for the organization.
- And later this week, during Remembrance Day, we will also be reminded of the far greater call to duty performed by so many people when we recognize the contributions of our Veterans in the last century. This year is especially important because it will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I on November 11th 1918.
I sometimes feel that the word duty tends to have a negative connotation. It implies that we have to do something when we would rather not. However, by facing these duties or responsibilities with a positive attitude and doing them with pride and to the best of our abilities, we often are able to enhance the experience and achieve better outcomes for all concerned.
I would appreciate hearing of a time when you have creatively faced one of your own more mundane duties with a positive attitude, which allowed you to bring your best in fulfilling Bethany’s mission of ‘Creating Caring Communities’.
As always, I welcome your ideas, suggestions and any questions that you may have. Please feel free to send them to me at alasdair.smith@bethanyseniors.com.
Take care,
– Alasdair
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