"Running Commentary"
JITTERY At Jitters
Four or five months AFTER Father’s Day, my youngest daughter sent me a Father’s Day card. She found it on her desk under a big stack of paperwork, obviously having forgotten to mail it.
The unexpected late arrival made me laugh. What a nice thing – to get a heartfelt card out-of-season, out of the proverbial blue. Even nicer when it’s from one of your children.
Allow me to quote from Sara’s note … “I appreciate your love and support, and admire you for your love of life. You have a willingness and eagerness to always try something new – no matter what your age. I’m so glad you’re young at heart.”
Wasn’t that a nice thought? And those qualities are what I’ve always strived for – to be young at heart and open to trying new things.
Let's go back in time – in 1995, I was chosen to be the new president and CEO of a large chamber of commerce in a prosperous county just outside the city of Philadelphia.
I got that prestigious gig against very steep odds – I hadn’t even applied until the 11th hour and 58th minute, after the chamber board of directors had already culled the list down to five or six finalists, out of hundreds of qualified candidates.
My expectations were absolutely zero – I submitted my resume almost as a lark. I still had my private law practice and knew next to nothing about running a chamber of commerce.
Obviously, my late application and resume caught someone’s eye, and I was added to the short list of candidates. It was a position for which I had absolutely no experience – another reason my candidacy was a long shot at best.
Guess who got the job.
I stayed at the chamber just short of 15 years, retiring in 2010. I had two things going for me during my long term as president – for starters, I was very good at raising money, something every non-profit organization needs. I generated huge $upport from major corporations such as Merck and Verizon – my organization was the envy of other regional chambers of commerce who weren’t so lucky. And the other thing? I was creative in developing new programs for chamber members.
In other words, I was willing to try new things.
I was willing to fail and fall flat on my patootie.
One of the new programs I developed was called “Hot Java At The Watercooler.” The premise was this – people who worked at large companies are able to kick around ideas when they congregate at the company water cooler. Small businesses needed a water cooler of their own – and that’s where the chamber came in.
Twice a month, small business owners got together to talk about their businesses and meet other members of the chamber. The casual, lighthearted program was highly popular. Networking 101. It was a big hit.
Fasten your post-Thanksgiving seatbelt.
Skip ahead to December 1, 2021 – Wednesday.
Could I interest you in joining me for something new?
This upcoming Wednesday, I’m inviting readers to gather in the back room at Jitters Coffee House, here in Concordia. The premise is similar to the Hot Java program I created 20 years ago at the chamber. I really don’t know very many people in Concordia, and I thought this would be a good way to meet people and make new friends.
The format will be casual conversation, and there will be a little storytelling involved – I plan to read several old columns I’ve published in previous years in other newspapers in other cities. Stories from my personal archives, going back all the way to 1989.
Come and go as you please. It will be very informal. There’s no pressure to participate or speak, other than introducing yourself. I fully expect the gathering at Jitters to be fun and informative, and perhaps you too will meet some new people.
If enough interest is shown, I have Gretta’s approval to make this a regular Wednesday morning event at Jitters – chatting and talking about anything and everything.
Please note … three subjects will be off-limits: Politics; Religion; and Vaccinations. Those hot potato items don’t fit with the fun, casual atmosphere I’m expecting. I never write about politics and religion in my columns because those are individual choices people make. Moreover, regardless of my personal views, I’m never going to convince anyone of anything.
By the way – if you are a small business owner? You are welcome to tell us about your business and what you do. A free promo!!
Can you spare $1.00? That’s the admission charge we’ll be collecting. Why charge admission? It’s a marketing technique – if something is free, people tend to think it has no value. If they have to PAY for something, they are more inclined to attend. I’ll gladly waive the fee for anyone who is poor, infirm and destitute – but you must be ALL THREE! (Smiley face!)
I’m calling the group “Jittery at Jitters.” If you want coffee, arrive early and pay at the bar. Avoid the rush! (Joke!) Preregistration isn’t required, but I’d love to know if YOU plan to attend. You can email me at: Rmykl@gmail.com
If you’re in a pandemic funk? Snap out of it! Join us at Jitters for some Jittery fun and casual conversation. I’ll throw out an introductory question for anyone brave enough to answer it – “What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?”
If you want to hear my craziest things? Come out Wednesday.
I’ll save you a seat.
Note: Operation Assault, Ed. 2.0 updates on Wednesday!