Thom Peters

Those of you who love high-brow films most certainly didn’t miss the 2006 Adam Sandler classic, “Click.” In it, a workaholic husband and father finds a universal TV remote that allows him to fast forward and rewind parts of his life. Complications ensue.

While I admit I enjoyed the movie, it was the premise that captured my interest. What if we could reset our lives with the click of a button (complications not included)?

I knew a nonprofit director who moved from the big city to work with an organization in a small, coastal community. She left behind traffic, sirens, and hordes of people, to what most of us would call serenity. Six months into her tenure I asked how she was enjoying the small-town life. Her reply surprised me as she said the quiet was very difficult for her, even making it hard to sleep at night. Within a year, she was back to the big city.

My friend Larry Webb, business owner and philanthropist, has been a big supporter of the Leelanau Conservancy in Northern Michigan. Larry is one of those donors who does not find naming opportunities important to his giving. In fact, when he was asked about a naming opportunity for this project, jokingly answered, “Just put my name on a tree.”

Have you ever had the “bucket list” conversation? You know the one. People share their list of extraordinary things to do before they die. It’s a conversation I have resisted. It isn’t the list part; it’s the die part.

April is National Volunteer Month. Over the next few weeks the Donor By Design Team will be reflecting on the impact volunteers have on our communities and our world. The series begins with Thom reflecting on the qualities of “reluctant leaders.”

This January, the DBD Team is making resolutions to help us be better. Today Thom tells us why we need to resolve to trust our volunteers.  

I love working with volunteers and, in the right circumstances, I love volunteering.

When I’m not traveling, I work out of my home. This involves lots of video calls and, as my dad called it, “paper work”.  There are certainly good qualities to this (dress shirt on top, jammies on bottom) but there are also times I need to work in a more stimulating environment. And for me, that often means my local library.

A note from the author – remember, your results may vary.

My neighbor Ben is a really good kid. I have enjoyed watching him grow into a fine young man. When I was asked to write a reference letter on his behalf for a college scholarship, I felt no hesitation. And when Ben received notice that he was a recipient, I was honored to be invited to attend the awarding ceremony.