I love to see organizations thrive and continue to grow with each successive generation. Several events lately have really proven the adage that you have to change and adapt to continue to survive. Organizations are like living, breathing organisms. If they stay stagnant they will lose their relevance and die.
We hear a lot about how organizations are bemoaning the fact that this new generation is not joining. I believe the opposite, just that the organizations haven’t adapted to them yet, just as they adapted to fit us in our time.
Recently I had the pleasure of joining the former Edelweiss Equine-Assisted Therapy and current Agape East teams in a social and fundraising event. What a joy to see the vibrancy and enthusiasm of that organization, and to hear the plans they have for the future. As an old board member of Edelweiss, it did my heart good to hear them talking about the goals to bring indoor riding to Hancock County. That was always a major goal for us, and in order to make that happen, we needed a bigger partner. We had to grow. And this growth is working well.
Another exciting board filled with enthusiastic young people is the new Friends of the Theater group, dedicated to taking care of the Ricks Centre for the Arts in downtown Greenfield. Following in the shoes of the work of the Hancock County Visitors Bureau, this team is making things happen in the new climate of funding challenges. We will see if all involved will find a way for this new energy take hold. We wish them luck.
I have seen this first-hand as we have done our best to rebuild our 90-year-old American Legion Post in Greenfield. We have had some challenges in the past, and the old guard who kept the lifeblood coursing through its veins have let the new crew come in and have their head. Sure, we have and will make some mistakes and have some missteps, but as long as we honor the past and look to the future, we will probably see our 100-year anniversary in a decade.
It was fun to meet our past commander from 1993 at the county fair and compare notes with him. Such a difference, but all after the same basic mission: continuing to serve the community.
Our city and county governments and community in general are in the same never-ending struggle today. Does our county stay agricultural and rural or do we embrace the coming change our proximity to Indianapolis will bring? Do we plan for it or ignore it? Farmers are already selling land on the west side of the county and taking the money to retirement or other areas more rural than us. Will this slide farther and farther east over time?
Even retail is changing. Big box stores are being hit by online sales, strip malls are losing clients at the same time some downtown businesses are seeing a revival in shop-local movements. Socially-responsible local farmer’s markets are thriving, and more people are growing their own food. What starts as a niche movement becomes mainstream as things like gluten-free become available everywhere.
Bottom line today is use the tools of the new generation like Facebook, etc. Embrace the energy new folks bring, and don’t worry too much that some of the old ways may drop by the wayside. Not everything is worth saving, but core missions can remain safe.
I will close with my congratulations to Greenfield Monuments which I read about recently in the Greenfield Daily Reporter (“Carved into history,” July 21, A1). A business that has spanned five generations is inspiring and to be honored. When my time comes, I hope my kids will utilize the sixth generation.
Kurt Vetters, a longtime resident of Greenfield, is a U.S. Army veteran, author and local businessman. He can be reached at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].
