FINDING HOPE IN THE SMALL STUFF

Recently there was a news story of a young girl who climbed to the top of a New York building to enjoy the Hudson River view, even climbing a ladder higher to the top of a chimney. Moments later she fell 180 feet to the bottom of the chimney…and survived. Authorities said she fell into a 24″ pile of soot and ashes, breaking her fall, surprising fire department rescuers and paramedics.

A pile of ashes. It’s often the little things that make a difference.

About a dozen California chapters are in difficulty. Fewer members. Recruiting challenges. Leadership succession problems. And in some cases member apathy. Sometimes it seems like there is no hope.

But there is hope in the small, everyday stuff of chapter life. With every member involved doing little things it all adds up to….making a difference.

A Little Initiative
There comes a time when members just need to get into the car, drive to some destination–a local military installation, National Guard armory, Reserve center, or home of a prospective member–and go to work, make a presentation, extend influence, and recruit a new member(s). These are days when members have every opportunity to step out, note what needs to be done, and then do it.

A Little Appointment
Chapters are having a lot of difficulty attracting members to leadership and support roles, the officer and director positions as well as committee chair assignments. Does the chapter have a chaplain? What about a public affairs officer? Or, in these times of members growing older, a personal affairs representative. Sometimes the stars come together and members stumble into an opportunity which turns out to be a good fit.

A Little Character In Action
MOAA members are highly educated, trained, and experienced armed forces officers steeped in a knowledge of the law, ethics, and social responsibility. On any number of occasions they have answered the call to duty. How can chapter members, dues paying members, fail to participate fully in the affairs of the chapter? How can they fail to heed the call to action, to duty, and serve as an officer and/or director? Where is the sense of responsibility, the work ethic, the willingness to perform, character through conduct?

A Little Act of Kindness
How many chapters examine their practices from time to time to determine the impact on members? We all know how important it is, for example, to greet visitors at the door, engage in casual conversation, and make them feel welcome. Sometimes in our luncheon or dinner meetings members sit in the same seat at the same table at every event, failing to get acquainted with other members, determine their needs, and offer support as appropriate. Wouldn’t it be something if every member set out to do a good deed, say a kind word, and provide encouragement?

A Little Extra Effort
It seems like many members are only interested in operating a luncheon or dinner club and have little if any interest in serving the wider general and military communities. It takes sacrifice to offer time, energy, personal treasure, and material things to move forward into special projects. Do chapter members write personal letters and cards to the troops overseas? Are gifts of a practical nature given to troops about to deploy? Is the local veterans hospital being supported? Sometimes it’s important to carry a heavy load for awhile.

A key question:
What little things are chapter members doing that contribute to the big things? In successful chapters one often finds lots of members doing little things, things that all add up to make the organization work. Once one or two or three step out and start to participate fully, important things start getting done. More members. New officers. Little things make a big difference.

Some might remember this Kitty Kallen song lyric from out of the past, “Little Things Mean A Lot!”

Blow me a kiss from across the room
Say I look nice when I’m not
Touch my hair as you pass my chair
Little things mean a lot

Give me your arm as we cross the street
Call me at six on the dot
A line a day when you’re far away
Little things mean a lot

Don’t have to buy me diamonds or pearls
Champagne, sables, and such
I never cared much for diamonds and pearls
’cause honestly, honey, they just cost money

Give me a hand when I’ve lost the way
Give me your shoulder to cry on
Whether the day is bright or gray
Give me your heart to rely on

Send me the warmth of a secret smile
To show me you haven’t forgot
For now and forever, that’s always and ever
Honey, little things mean a lot

There can be hope in the small, everyday stuff of chapter life because little things help others find hope. There is so much to do….members would do well just to get out there and start doing things, even little things. Others notice. Others see what’s going on. Others are encouraged.

Another key question:
What little thing can members do to help certain other members find hope? Chapter members might notice that officers and directors are struggling with certain issues. What can be done to help them pursue opportunities or solve critical problems? Sometimes it’s just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other until the job is finished.

LtCol Jay Craddock, USAF-Ret, a multi-term past president and currently Program Chair for Silicon Valley Chapter, has gained quite a reputation for his efforts to provide others with personal affairs assistance. He noticed that some families, when a member dies, just do not know what action to take. In the past he has moved in on his own, volunteered to assist, and often ended up making all funeral arrangements with military honors. He even helped with parts of the estate management and settlement process. Just recently he was called upon to assist one family again, this time with grandmother’s death, when earlier he had assisted with grandfather’s death, a MOAA SVC Chapter member. Jay does a lot of little things; he is really making a big difference.

Chapters might be in trouble and yet they can often rise out of the ashes into a successful growth situation…if chapter members will undertake to do even little things. Because little things make a big difference.

There can be hope in the small, everyday stuff of chapter life.

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