In order for the young people to be accepted they must have the approval of a mentor which in most cases is their local Church pastor. Just as beauty surrounds the camp in the way of mountains, rivers and trees, the young people applying for staff positions must have that type of beauty within. It goes a long way to ensure that the best result comes out of the camp experience for both the campers and staff.
In order to make decisions about the potential staff member, we ask their personal reference about their character and reputation. Sometimes, something that they have done in the past can come back to haunt them and keep them from participating at the camp. If they would be allowed to go, their effectiveness could be hindered simply because of a damaged reputation brought on by thoughtless acts.
We have probably all suffered this when we have acted foolishly and something has tarnished our reputation and our effectiveness was severely hampered. We need to realize how valuable a commodity a good reputation can be for us.
Corporations are starting to take notice that how the public perceives them and the products they sell goes a long way to help them compete effectively with their competition. This Business Week article chronicles that it takes more than just hyping your product, it means that the product has to produce the results that are advertised.
That is much like our personal reputations. If we say we are going to do something, we better follow through with it. Our reputation depends on it. People will soon find out that we are all talk and no substance. If we want to be counted on as a trustworthy person we better conduct ourselves in a trustworthy way.
In Kevin Eikenberry's blog, he gives us five ways to serve others as a Leader. One of the areas of service is that of caring. Do those in our sphere of influence know that we care? When they do, they can trust us and we can move forward in our relationship with them. Let them know by your actions that you care for them and want what is best for them. As Eikenberry states, everything that you may enact will not always be agreed on but your reputation will be enhanced when they see everything that you do is motivated by servant leadership.
Finally, I thought that you might be interested to know that on this day, May 18, 1980, the Mount St. Helens volcano in Washington state exploded, leaving 57 people dead or missing. That has been 29 years ago and many of us have that memory etched in our minds.
What we saw happen in the way of service and leadership at that time was outstanding to say the least. Many people risked their lives to help others -- we became a better society for it.
Until next time,
Jerry de Gier
Thank you Jerry :)
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