PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: I was about to retire from the military, almost 21 years of wearing green and tan and telling time on a 24-hour clock. My language was spiced with acronyms that only other Marines completely understood, and my world of experiences centered on a profession that was closer to a religion than a corporation.

My wife, being the wife she is, decided to jump-start my transition to the private sector — you know, polishing my “rough edges” — by announcing “we” would be volunteering during the upcoming holiday season. My life has never been the same.

My first volunteer experience was at the Ronald McDonald House in San Diego. It was a donor appreciation event, and I was working the beverages. In the three or four hours I was there, I got an awakening to the types of folks who volunteered. I also learned about the importance of volunteering for a worthy cause.

There were business people: CEOs and CFOs and founders and owners of companies. There were people who had been touched by the horrors of childhood cancer; some had survived, others volunteered in their memory.

There were guys and gals from all different kinds of races, religions and ethnic backgrounds. It was also apparent that many of these folks had hectic schedules and had to balance jobs, school, kids and families. Yet with all the diversity in the room, the one thing that everyone had in common was the desire to take care of sick kids, support their families, and beat cancer. The cause transcended all differences.

An unknown author wrote, “Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.”

Years have taught me that unknown author knew what he or she was talking about. From Big Brothers Big Sisters to the Red Cross to the folks greeting returning troops in Bangor, there are many worthy programs that need people with every talent imaginable to help them run. There is room for visionaries, accountants, doctors, nurses, administrators, HR professionals, bankers, construction workers, family caregivers, seasoned professionals, and anyone else willing to help.

For you folks who are self-proclaimed leaders. If you really want to find out your leadership abilities, join a nonprofit as a volunteer. If you can rally other people and move toward achieving the organization’s goals, you just might be a leader.

However, if you’re sitting on the sidelines after a couple of months, grumbling that everyone else “just doesn’t get it,” leadership and motivation might not be your forte. Even if you do not make it to be the chair of the board, the good news is this: stick around and be a good follower for a while. All good leaders are good followers, too.

While some might grunt and say I am out of line with my last comment, I know accomplished leaders like Jack Welch, Bill Gates, and Gen. Colin Powell completely agree with my statement. As a matter of fact, in many business organizations today, if you do not successfully volunteer in the community, you do not move up the corporate ladder. You might not get paid to volunteer, but as one person I volunteered with said, “The benefits are priceless.”

The Mid-coast area has hundreds of worthy causes to get involved with, and as far as I know, every single one of them could use another volunteer. Call the United Way, Volunteers of America, or the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and find out what volunteer opportunities are available.

In the end, volunteering is not about you, the good feeling it brings, or the possibility of moving up the corporate ladder. It is about the mission of the organization you are volunteering for. It is about kids, literacy, helping others, finding cures, breaking down barriers, helping the less fortunate, and making a better future for all communities.

As Helen Dyer put it, “Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud.”

I, for one, am already very proud of the Mid-coast area, but I am also willing to work and volunteer to make our future as bright as possible. How about you?

UPCOMING EVENTS: “You Tubin’IT!” The Social Media Business Success Seminar is July 10, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Priority Group Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. The presenter is Jim Bouchard (Think Like a Black Belt). Participants will actually record and upload a simple promotional video. Bring your smartphone, tablet or computer with camera.

“How to REALLY Get LinkedIn” is presented by Jim Bouchard (Think Like a Black Belt), who built and continues to expand his speaking business using social media. The Business Success seminar is July 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Topsham Public Library. Bring your laptop or tablet with wireless connectivity.

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 MyChamber- App 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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