Make sure motive is honest, sincere
03/04/2007
More often than not, it seems, good things happen outside
the media spotlight.
This occurs when the people involved are genuinely focused
on a purpose and goals rather than on blazing trails of notoriety.
They gather regularly, work behind the scenes to accomplish
tasks and slowly but surely move forward and get things done.
You've got to admire folks like that. Their efforts
carry notes of sincerity and stand in stark contrast to loud politicians
or upwardly mobile, ambitious personalities who do things for the
sole purpose of being photographed or covered doing them.
In early 1970s lingo at Penn State's University Park,
academic types talked about activities or events planned for the sole
purpose of being covered by the media. These were called pseudo-events.
An example of this today probably would be the myriad
Dr. Seuss "The Cat in the Hat" anniversary activities held
in schools throughout the nation. Too often they seem to be inspired
by educators whose goals are more focused on coming up with something
unusual to single themselves out for media coverage rather than in
actually benefiting students.
But there are many other examples, too, such as politicians
who portray themselves as helping with home-building projects for
the disadvantaged by hammering in one nail under the glare of media
cameras.
The most sincere activities, of course, are those designed
to help people or communities; those that stand on their own and need
no media spotlight. Ironically, they can be the kinds of things that
ultimately do attract attention - because of the sincerity of those
involved and the worth of what is done.
The Downtown Shenandoah Inc. revitalization group -
and indeed all of the northern Schuylkill revitalization groups under
the umbrella of Upper Schuylkill Downtowns - are packed with folks
who largely quietly work in committees and subcommittees to improve
their towns.
Sure, some of their regular meetings receive media coverage,
but people working in panels focused on specific areas - landscaping,
marketing, business development, facade improvement, event planning
- largely toil behind the scenes and, truth be told, they like it
that way.
They are essential for revitalization to actually occur.
Examples of what they do surfaced at the February meeting
of DSI, when President Valerie E. Macdonald reported on several areas
where the Shenandoah group is quietly making progress.
DSI hopes to hire a downtown manager by June, she said,
adding the group has received several "promising resumes"
for the position. Members of the executive and selections committees
will meet to further discuss the candidates.
In another out-of-the-limelight DSI activity, Macdonald
noted that work on the group's downtown headquarters, the North Main
Street former pool section of the Anthony P. Damato American Legion
"Medal of Honor" Post 792, is nearing completion. Painting,
installation of electrical outlets, resetting of the layout and other
renovations have all been ongoing projects by people focused on advancing
the cause rather than themselves.
What else is DSI up to?
Members are working with the Upper Schuylkill folks
to bring about a facade improvement program by spring. They are also
planning to sponsor an Easter parade and bonnet contest April 7 and
a breakfast to coincide with the planned Aug. 19 Super Cooper II multi-year
class reunion for graduates of Shenandoah's former J.W. Cooper High
School.
Oh, yes, a photo contest, concert and community yard
sale also are in the planning stages.
Of course, the events will be publicly announced as
their times arrive, but much of the work in planning them is done
by volunteers who, frankly, could be taking a break from their own
busy schedules.
That they choose to quietly work for community betterment
speaks volumes about their motivation.
Politicians and the overly ambitious upwardly mobile
types would do well to take an example from such volunteers.
If you're going to do something to somehow benefit society,
students or your community, go to work and do it - for that reason.
If your intention is to feign a noble activity to impress
voters or attract attention to yourself, don't waste your time. Your
ulterior motive will soon become transparent.
Honest, sincere work to accomplish a goal will ultimately
prompt more admiration than pseudo-events ever will.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
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