How do you show appreciation?

You can say ‘thank you’ and 'what you do makes a difference,' until you are blue in the face and the recipient may never really feel appreciated. How do you show tangible proof that someone’s hard work is appreciated? How can you be a part of the most successful project in the world and still have the perception that no one cares whether it gets done or not? Why am I even asking these questions?

Recently I heard someone concerned about what would happen to a certain project when the committee becomes "burned out," or when it’s not "personal" anymore.

Which in essence brings up the real question here: How do you recruit volunteers who will make a project ‘personal?’ Someone who will love, nurture and care for it as much as you have.

What if there really is no one who cares whether it continues or not? What if they really do care, they just don't want to be the ones doing it? And in that case, what would make you feel so appreciated that you remain excited about the project year after year?

The questions continue to pile up without any real answers in site.

Why do you volunteer? What makes you feel appreciated?

TN Trash joins festival weekend

Good news for car enthusiasts. This year's TN Trash Car Show will be the same weekend as the Hatchie Fall Fest - October 18. I'm excited about this. Our festival is on the move and growing.

I have to admit, I know nothing about car shows, and I hope coordinators, Wayne McCool and Tim Sills, are not tiring of my many questions. Here's what I know, so far.

There will be a Cruise-In Saturday night at the festival on the court square beginning around 6 p.m. Then Sunday morning, October 19, the show will begin at 9:30 a.m., at the WOW building on Boyd Ave. Registration is from 9:30 until 1:30; judging will take place from 1:30 to 3; and an awards ceremony will be at 3:30. As always, all proceeds from the car show will go to the Haywood County Disabilities Class. For more information, and to pre-register, call 731-780-6061 or 731-432-9014.

This year will mark the 29th year for the TN Trash Car Show. The Hatchie Fall Fest is very excited that the show will be included in the festivities. Thank you TN Trash for wanting to be a part of our community's annual celebration.

T-shirt Design Contest

I know for a fact that the creative juices flow freely in our community. The talent is just unbelievable. The Hatchie Fall Fest wants to give those creative types a chance to shine by designing a t-shirt for this year's festival. Which, by the way, is October 18.

This year marks the 5th Annual Hatchie Fall Fest. Each year we have seen our attendance almost double. Last year over 4,500 enjoyed a day full of fun, music and food. The winner of the design contest has the opportunity to see their design on the back of over 5,000 festival goers, plus win a grand prize of $100.

There are some rules and regulations, so visit the website:
www.allaboutbrownsville.net/hatchiefallfest
for complete information.

Taking a look at downtown

According to comments on the previous blog entry, the look and feel of downtown is on our minds, so let’s talk more about what we would like to see happen there. The plantings have always been a positive for downtown. At one time Brownsville was listed as the "prettiest town in West Tennessee" in the Tennessee vacation guide book. So it seems to be a given that we want and appreciate the flowers and hard work of the city workers who keep our flower beds looking so nice.

Period lighting would be great. But what period? And will brick crosswalks really make our downtown more appealing? It seems to me that some of these things are just plain out of character for Brownsville. Which brings up another point: What is the character of Brownsville?

Wouldn't it be more appealing to make sure our buildings are in good repair and cosmetically pleasing? That in itself should attract more businesses to locate on the square. Which is, afterall, what we are after. Or is it?

What Can I Do?

A question on the radio this morning has gotten me on a tear. The conversation was about the 3-Star strategic plan and the question was what is the Chamber going to do to implement it? What is the Chamber going to do? The question should have been this. What can I, as a member of this community, do to help implement this?

Who is the chamber? The director and a board? No, in reality, the Chamber is its members. And it’s those members whom the responsibility of change and action fall on. Those members determine if the chamber is successful or not. The chamber can only act as a clearinghouse, a gatherer of information, a coordinator of events. The chamber is only as good as its members.

I, as a member of this community, have to take responsibility for the implementation of any plan designed by the chamber, the business association, government, or anyone, to make Brownsville and Haywood County a better place.

If we want our town to be pretty, then I have to do my part to make it that way. If we want the local hospital to thrive and provide more services, or more importantly continue to operate, then I have to use the services already provided. If downtown businesses are going to continue to exist, then I have to patronize them.

It’s not what the Chamber is going to do that will determine the success of the 3-Star Strategic Plan of Action. It’s what the community does. It is each of us asking ourselves, “What part can I play to make this happen?”

Leadership Haywood County

Isn't it funny how time goes by so quickly? And how it can seem like only yesterday, but actually have been 13 years ago? That's a realization I had last night while attending the Leadership Haywood County graduation banquet. Here were 15 men and women who had spent at least one Thursday a month together since August and it was evident that they had formed some lasting relationships. But I couldn't help but wonder if 13 years from now what would they remember from this experience.

Why 13 years? Because that's how long it has been since I graduated from Leadership Haywood County. Sitting at the table with one of my former "classmates," we tried to remember who all were in our class. And, after a few minutes, we did remember everyone. We also remembered that our class split into two teams to come up with class projects. Today the whole class works as one. I'm glad. I think that's a better plan.

I'm wondering if maybe it's time to implement a refresher course for graduates. Say every five years. After all, a lot can change in 13 years.

Here's a call to all 1995 Leadership Haywood County graduates - Let's have a reunion!

Anyone interested?

Miss Hatchie Pageant planned for April 26

Plans for the Hatchie Fall Fest are beginning to take shape. We began seriously planning in January and many things are beginning to take shape. One big addition to this year's activities actually takes place in a few weeks - The Miss Hatchie Pageant! Crestview Healthcare will sponsor this pageant and all proceed will benefit Relay for Life. I know there are lots of people interested in the pageant circuit and this one promises to become an annual event. The pageant is Saturday, April 26 at College Hill. Learn more about the details. (pdf)