A Nice Pleasant Surprise

At our General Body meeting on June 9, the Steering Committee for United Way Young Leaders Society had the pleasure of meeting a number of new people interested in community involvement and the work of the United Way. One such young leader is James L. Cartee III, who graciously wrote a post for us on his first impressions...

Walking into the grand ballroom with an open bar and a small table of appetizers for delighted guests (everyone likes a good party), I set eyes upon a familiar face, Matt Chapman, the president of the United Way Young Leader’s Society. I had exchanged several emails with Matt over the last few weeks about the society and how I might get involved with a zealous, enthusiastic bunch of business professionals and volunteer entrepreneurs seeking together to make a difference in our beloved city of Birmingham, Alabama. I was relieved to at least know one person since Matt and I went to high school together, but individuals like Jennifer quickly made me feel right at home.

I brought amateur photography and writing skills to the table where I gladly shared my recent photography and poetry book with Jennifer Dome, co-chair for the Communications Committee. We seemed to strike up a rapport instantly, considering many of our talents and skills lined up in the same general interest categories. I did not really need to investigate the other committees much further. It was like two stars aligned with the suggestion Matt had given me from the very start to meet up with the Communications Committee members. Like all the leadership involved, Jennifer cordially welcomed me to the group and offered different ways I could contribute to the already astounding success of this young elite and eager team who clearly affect the lives they so desperately seek to serve.

Being involved in our community is easy. I think sometimes individuals lack the initiative because there is this initial hesitance that one day doesn’t really matter or I just won’t fit into that social clique. Frankly some people become complacent with bills, a job, and maybe a few small family activities a week. We are in the middle of a crisis here in our home state with storms that turned metropolitan areas into desert wastelands, and our brothers and sisters of Alabama cannot wait for persons to be compelled. Sometimes you must just do. Do not overanalyze, complain, or criticize. Just go do something for someone else!

By doing you find where you are needed and where your specific gifts and talents lie. I did not know what to expect from the Young Leaders meeting...if I expected anything it was a lemonade stand with a bunch of uptight country club folk from our well-to-do suburbs around Birmingham. I found quite the opposite to be true—these were just normal people trying to do extraordinary things by focusing on the small things we can each do for each other. There were no big heads. In fact, most people, including Jennifer, were humble and just generally friendly.

So I and the rest of those who have just started with the Young Leaders would love to see you in action, but most importantly, you must discover where you fit in. Although love at first sight might be a dramatization of what happened for me Thursday night, there was a homey feeling about this group of people. Regardless of who it is or what, seek and you shall find. If you search for your calling, the funny thing is, when you least expect it, you might find just what you’re looking for.

Glad to contribute my thoughts here,
James L. Cartee III