Last Saturday evening, we installed our new Board of Directors during the Annual Awards and Installation of Officers Dinner. For those of you that were not able to attend, you missed a wonderful night.
Although only twelve months have gone by since our last installation, that time belongs to another age, and we are now one year older and many lessons wiser. We have learned that, as a nation, we can bear the unbearable. We have learned that the strength of a community depends far less on economic conditions than on the courage, resiliency, and ingenuity of its citizens. And we have learned that patriotism means much more than flying the flag or reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
If a nation is to be strong, each of its communities must strive to be -the best it can be. No city, nor town, nor village is exempt from this principle. If a community is to be the best it can be, each citizen must give to it the best of themselves. No businessman, nor parent, nor public servant, nor teacher, nor student, nor soldier is exempt from this duty. Patriotism, then, in its most powerful form, is investing your time and effort into your community, not as a passive donor to a charity, but as an active citizen who loves the city, they call home.
When I accepted the position as President of the Chamber of Commerce last year, I pledged to continue the strengthening process of the Chamber with specific intent to increase its usefulness both as a local business organization and as a vehicle of community service. Thanks to a talented and ambitious Board of Directors and hardworking volunteers, substantial progress has been made.
Now is the time to consider what comes next. The paramount responsibility of the Chamber is to invent and reinvent ways to improve the business atmosphere of Twentynine Palms, and we will do so. This, of course, means the continued reinforcement and expansion of previously existing initiatives. Beyond that, however, it is my hope to establish a President’s Roundtable this year.
The primary role of the Roundtable, which has so far existed only in the proposal stage, would be to act as a liaison between all Twentynine Palms businesses and city government and be composed largely of community and business leaders -- In other words, officials in the city government, business owners, and others with expertise in business-to-government relations--the President’s Roundtable, would draw upon the collective knowledge and experience of its members to provide eight general areas of service. You will be reading about these service areas more in the near future.
The organization of the President’s Roundtable from a written proposal into an Active, Vocal committee - is - an - ambitious goal; that I am confident we can meet if we work together. My optimism comes not from an obligation as your president to put the future in the best possible light, but from the certainty that success is assured when creative and intelligent professionals work together. I am fortunate and grateful to have the opportunity to preside over people of such character for a second year. I look forward to and want to thank you - in advance - for the work that we will accomplish together.
I want to thank you all for your contribution to the successes of the Chamber last year and for all you’ve given to the Chamber and to the community this year. Your efforts have served a purpose greater than yourselves, and greater even than our City.
Respectfully,
Michael Collins
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