Paying it Forward: Get In, Grass Fire!
“Come on, get in. We got a grass fire!” 38 years ago, Clay Skelton heard the call to action from then Chief Butch Fuller and volunteered. Unique but effective, as Chief Skelton leads the Joy VFD today. Praising his long serving predecessor, Skelton pays it forward with the next generation of volunteer firefighters.
Our neighbors risk their lives to protect ours, available at all hours. Our community benefits from an extensive network of volunteer fire departments enabled with equipment, capital funds and services from private and public sources. Citizens and businesses have access to fire insurance at reasonable rates.
Spending time with volunteers is energizing. Meeting volunteers who risk health or injury that threatens their livelyhood for the good of community is humbling -- families united in service, husbands and wives to extended families, all walk the talk of service to others.
It’s been 40 years since I’ve fought a grass fire. I’ve been invited onto boards to bring my skills and connections to serve. Sometimes tough calls are required to serve the mission. Rightsizing is never easy or fun, requiring a range of skills. The Executive Director and all board members need to accept the need for change and participate. Given the wide range of missions of the 200+ nonprofits in our area, there are any number of threatening challenges in play.
After serving for a couple of years as a board member on one nonprofit, I filled the 10 hour a week Exec Director position for 15 months. As we decided to diversify our long-term savings CD at two banks rather than one, I learned of delinquent state and federal filings that were cleared with lots of persistence. Then it's time for a change as interests and past judgements lower the joy of service. Time brings a new Executive Director and new board joining with fresh ideas to meet the mission.
We each have time, talent, treasure and testimony available in varying degrees and have different opportunities to serve. Last week was the 43rd anniversary of my mother’s suicide; I’m glad organizations like The Opal Center are available to listen in times of dire need. Our mental health is important too.
Be safe, be kind and volunteer to make your community better! Stay cool.
Free Ukraine
Service Above Self,
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Paying it Forward: Get In, Grass Fire!
