An unknown writer once said, “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” Although the words “mentor” and “mentoring” are not specifically used in this statement, I think it’s safe to say the author’s belief is they are not only important, but necessary.
John Crosby states, “Mentoring is a brain to pick, an ear to listen, and a push in the right direction.” I agree with Crosby’s statement, but not necessarily the same ordering! As a young, thick-head guy, my mentoring sessions were more geared toward getting me moving in the right direction. As time went on — when I started to figure out I didn’t know as much as I thought I did — mentoring became the vehicle in which I could ask questions, learn, and seek advice. It is a road that I still travel today — yes, at age 47, I still have mentors!
Steven Wallace
BBBS has a vision that all children achieve success in life. The way they accomplish their vision is to provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-toone relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. In short, mentoring!
What has now become BBBS started back in 1904, when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom.
He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble and he set out to find volunteers. Around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters. Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers Association and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
We are fortunate to have our very own BBBS affiliate in Mid-Coast Maine, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bath/Brunswick. Since 1981, they have matched adult and teen mentors to children. Their programs match children “Littles” with adult “Bigs,” who act as mentors by providing friendship, support and guidance during the child’s critical childhood and adolescent years.
Plutarch once said, “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” For as little as an hour of your time per week, you could help a young boy or girl build a brighter future. Personally, I can’t think of a better return on investment for a few hours of my time than the opportunity to help someone build a better future. I am a better person because of my mentors; I would be selfish not to at least try and pay the favor forward.
For those who feel they have benefited from mentoring along life’s way, I humbly suggest you become an active mentor to someone. Maybe BBBS fits your schedule, or maybe you prefer to mentor someone in your family or where you work.
Either way, the message I want to leave you with is to get involved!
Upcoming Events
— It’s time for you and your employees to deliver “extraordinary” customer service.
Come to a customer service seminar presented by Bob Labrie, Maximum Potential. Bob has been in the training development field for the last 28 years and always provides more than you expect! Obtain a new set of customer service concepts, principles, techniques and skill-sets at this seminar on Sept. 12, from 9-11 a.m. at Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham.
“Intentionality, a Vital Component for Delivering Excellent Customer Service” is co-sponsored by Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and Brunswick Downtown Association.
— “What does your bank need from you?” is the Business Success Seminar on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham.
It’s perfect for the micro business owner who might need to go to a bank to borrow money at some point to grow their business. Learn how to make the best, most professional impression on a bank should you pursue a loan, and what information you will need to be prepared to make such a request. The seminar is free but please register and feel free to brown bag your lunch.
— Enjoy live music and dancing to a 12- piece Oberlaendler Hofbrau Band, eat authentic German food, and earn guy’s and gal’s prizes for keg throwing and stein hoisting. Come to the first annual Oktoberfest — “Mid-coast Maine-style” on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Brunswick.
Sponsored by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Richard’s German Restaurant and Samuel Adams. Buy tickets online at http://www.oktoberfestmaine.com/.
Please go to the Chamber’s website (www.midcoastmaine.com) scrolling calendar to register for all of these events. For some the seating is limited. Don’t miss out.
Members in the News
Discover more about Chamber members at www.midcoastmaine.com or download MyChamberApp for use on your mobile phone or tablet.
THE CHAMBER proudly serves 760 businesses and organizations in the following communities: Arrowsic, Bath, Bowdoin, Bowdoinham, Brunswick, Dresden, Edgecomb, Georgetown, Harpswell, Phippsburg, Richmond, Topsham, West Bath, Westport Island, Wiscasset and Woolwich.
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