Get the Trucks out of the Garage

On a recent morning there were several dedicated community leaders that came together to work on the future direction of United Way for Southeastern Michigan. The issues on the table were large and complex. The working session took place in a meeting room at a local agency called the Judson Center.

While the broad community issues were being discussed, you could hear through the partition a group of young children --- who happen to be autistic --- singing a song together. For those familiar with Children's music -- it sounded like Raffi. The teachers of the group were helping make the first day of being at the Center a safe and secure one for each child.

At United Way we work with partners like the Judson Center to ensure progress is made with vulnerable populations. We also work with the wider community to ensure that cooperation and coordination are taking place to maximize efforts and resources.

At that moment in the Judson Center, I was reminded of our Board Chair's --- Tony Earley---- comment at a recent Board meeting. We had just wrapped up covering a wide range of issues. Tony reminded everyone, we need to stay focused on the larger picture while not getting to far from the knitting. He gave the analogy of that as the leader of a power company they must work on new sources of energy, but when the winter storm comes, he also needs to make sure the 'trucks get out of the garage."

The work of community isn't an either/or. It is an AND. We need to make sure the children right next to us are safe, secure and growing. We also must make sure we are doing everything possible to steward the resources and time of community to make the greatest impact. These aren't mutually exclusive. Rather, it requires us to work on the overarching issues while staying close to the reality of today. Or in Tony Earley's words --- "get those trucks out of the garage."