A long time ago in a leadership camp, I completed an
exercise called the Lion, the Owl, and the St Bernard. After answering a series
of situational questions, each leader was diagnosed as one of the three
animals. Each animal has its beneficial leadership traits and also its flaws.
Recently, I had the privilege of representing our Columbia
II chapter of the South Carolina Writers Association at the Chapter Leaders’
summit. To a one, the board members who introduced themselves at the summit
said they were no longer actively writing; board service takes up too much
time.
When it was my turn to introduce myself, I said I’d been
reluctant to serve the organization because I am focused on writing and
submitting. To date, I’ve submitted 17 times this year, weekly and more, to
literary journals, agents, and small presses. While I was only a substitute
representing our chapter for our lead who couldn’t attend, I told the group I
was there to serve in whatever capacity I could for the weekend and beyond as
appropriate.
One phrase that came up again and again was “What are people
getting for their membership fee?”
I think that’s the wrong question. When a volunteer-run
organization focuses on the transaction of membership, it diminishes the spirit
of service on which it must rely for participation, leadership, and engagement.
We join the SCWA because we want partners in this part-time
pursuit of writing. We want an organization that supports us and promotes us, a
place to learn and grow in the craft. We join the SCWA because we are learning
how to be something different, something new.
We are being changed by our experience. That is worth the
price of admission.
I blog monthly for our chapter not to promote my own work,
but because doing so enhances our chapter’s web presence. And because doing so
reminds me to practice the art more frequently. When I haven’t written anything
in days, I will come to this blog and be creative and expressive, and
supported.
SCWA members should want to serve. They should want to give
of themselves because in doing so they enhance our community.
I suggested to our conference chair that we look inside our
organization for faculty members. Our literary journal should recruit
non-submitting members as readers. We could have regional half- and one-day
events that focus on craft and are instructed by chapter members. The SCWA
could sponsor webinars that provide tips and tricks, writing education at all
levels. These sessions could be open to members and would-be members alike. None
of these ideas can happen without process definition. In that capacity, I can
serve.
Servant leadership has never been my style. I’ve been a lion
– all bark and charge without hesitation or fear. I’ve been an owl – analytical
and thoughtful, cautious and curious. I think I’m just now coming into my St.
Bernard skill set – nurturing and compromise-seeking.
I’m being changed.
We all have gifts and knowledge to share. So, let’s share.
Let’s serve.
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