Generations of Service:

In a small community we often speak about the need for others to step up and do things or depend on others to do for us. My challenge for all of us is to step up and be the one who makes a difference.

Fortunately for all of us in our community, people HAVE stepped up in the past. Generations of local citizens in this area have taken the challenge to continue to make our community stronger. They have not done it for personal reasons. They did it because they wanted to make a difference, to continue a strong position or to change a highly active organization, like the Chamber, and lead the group in progressive activities in order to achieve a better community. This is the reason we have roads, jobs, schools and new opportunity. These people stood up and helped to lead groups in a positive direction.

People are most effective and function best in strong communities. We are charged with continuing to make Hannibal a strong community in the future.

It takes a push. The easy thing to do is to sit back and talk about what needs to be done. Then, gripe when others don’t get it done. The tougher thing and one we ALL need to work on, is to step up and offer to help. To push ourselves to get out of our comfort zone, take the step, the one we fear the most, and offer to help out.

Change can be good. My challenge is for all of us to step up and be someone who makes a difference. Become one of a Generation of Service.

If you have been a part of “Generations of Service” in the Hannibal area in the past, thank you. If not, I challenge you to begin your service now…this year. You can make a difference for a positive future, a positive future for the Hannibal area. You don’t have to begin your service in a leadership position. Begin by serving, by volunteering, to be a part of organization that does good. Then offer solutions, which move toward making our community better.

I can assure you that I will enjoy the next year as your Chamber president. I am honored to follow the footsteps of those you have seen in the presentation.

Change is good. I can promise you I will try to change things for the better at every opportunity. That is what my parents taught me. I will not jeopardize our future, another of my parent’s many lessons.

I believe in Hannibal. This is my home. I choose to live here and continue the generations of servant-leaders who believed in our future here. Please join me.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Sincerely,
Mike Scholes
President

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