If you watch the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves

That was a quote I always remember from the Founders of StockPot. They literally meant it in terms of making money. But, I wanted to share how that principle applied with Meals on Wheels and our company (and there really will be a point to this that applies to the class). In November 2009, a few of us were talking about 'past lives' and how we'd done Meals on Wheels. I decided to contact Senior Services, and the idea of volunteer drivers seemed kind of new to how Snohomish County operates its program. But, we all went into it together, and we signed up for weekly delivery. We set up a voluntary sign up sheet, and the same folks started out signing up. Slowly we got up to about 6 regulars, and a half dozen sometimers. A different employee caught on to what we were doing, and informed the team that we were eligible for Campbell's Angel Points, which contributes $500 for every 25 hours you volunteer with a charity. Long story short, they submitted the teams hours, and last week we were able to present 3 $500 checks to SSSC, AND because of the total hours of the team for 2010, we were able to present a check for $6,000. Needless to say, Martha and Jane (at SSSC) were surprised and giddy over the events. The point, and how I relate leadership to all of this, is that small contributions individually, when cumulated is enormous. Leadership is about getting as many small contributions as possible, to have an enormous impact.

Gratitude

Yesterday, I went to the final meeting on our group project for the class of 2011 (best class ever.) The closing of a chapter always makes me look back at what came before, and so, as I read the section on
gratitude, I have the last nine months in my head.
I came to Leadership Snohomish excited to learn about the community I live and work in, and that my child is growing up in, and also apprehensive- feeling I had nothing to contribute in terms of actual 'leadership' (aptitude or ability.)

The first day's survey of styles revealed- unsurprisingly- my own tendency toward introversion. While I
didn't think I needed a class to tell me this about myself, I was interested to begin to look at new opportunities in working with people with different innate styles.
I was somewhat surprised when put into project groups to find myself with people who also (to varying degrees) tended toward introversion. The project we were assigned- a feasibility study for Bridgeways looking at expansion- was also the one that I felt least comfortable about. Over the coming weeks and months I found myself working with a group of incredibly intelligent, compassionate and, above all, humorous individuals. Sarri said she picked the groups at random, but I think
there may be more to it than that. Our group was supportive, efficient,effective and able to laugh at ourselves. I am incredibly grateful to have had the chance to get to know all of them and hope to count them among my friends through all our future roles in Snohomish County.

In gratitude,
Nicole