Dear Friends,

I’ve always had a hard time saying no.

It was instilled in me at young age to do all that I can to help those around me. When I was a kid, we were active members of our church and volunteered for many of the fundraisers and events that were held throughout the year. Despite not really understanding why I was there, I understood that my presence meant that I was helping others and I liked how that felt.

As I grew up and had additional opportunities to give back to my community, I did.

There’s a picture of me in my 9th grade yearbook volunteering at a Special Olympics event we were hosting, and the Varsity Club was working that day. I had the most awful hairstyle. Here’s a tip: when you have really thick hair, don’t get a perm; I looked like a poodle most of 9th grade.

Regardless of my poor choice of hairstyle, there’s a picture of me, all smiles working the event. Throughout high school I volunteered with groups like SADD, Interact, the yearbook and Spanish Club. I also kept up the tradition at my church as a member of our youth group and after Confirmation I began serving as a Lector; something I still do today over twenty years later.

My desire to give back is probably what led me to join the Army at the age of 18. When I think about what prompted me to do something that seemed drastic at the time, it really came down to me wanting to do something that would help others. To me, pledging my life to serve a higher purpose was a way to do that.

When my oldest daughter was getting ready to enter Kindergarten, I was asked to throw my hat into the ring and consider running for the school board. I said yes, and at the age of 26, I won my first election and became a member of the Sidney Central School Board of Education. It’s been over fifteen years and I am still a member of the school board today, and I have served as President for the past six years. While there are certainly been ups and downs to a position like this, it’s so worth it. Each June when I hand out diplomas to the students, knowing that I had some small part in shaping their future, is such a rewarding feeling. I would not change that for anything.

When I was first deciding if I should run for the school board, I was weighing whether or not I should add this commitment to my plate. I was still very new in my career at WCDO and was already pretty involved locally. I was a Director with the Sidney Chamber of Commerce, a volunteer with the Chenango, Otsego and Delaware chambers, I was teaching Sunday school, had been contemplating starting a business, and I had a young daughter. I guess you could say my cup runneth over!

Craig Stevens, my boss at the time, liked to say that I had a bad habit of jumping into a pool without looking to see if there was water first. He’s not wrong. To this day he still says to me “Did you check for water first?” Time and experience have taught me to at least peak over the edge of the pool first, but I jump anyway.

In my own defense, I think that’s what makes me a good leader, community member, advocate, and friend. I have a deep sense and understanding that it takes those of us who don’t always look before we leap to take the chances, try something new, and lead into the unknown. The question is, are people following you?

This desire to give back and help others is something I have instilled in my children.

During the 2006 flood, Rachael was only six years old, our apartment was flooded. Due to kindness of a friend, and fellow school board member, we had a place to stay while we waited to see if we could get back into our home.

Rach and I spent days volunteering at the shelter set up at the school. We served food, helped collect and organize donations, Rach entertained some of the younger kids, and I tried to comfort community members who had lost everything. It wasn’t even a question for us to roll up our sleeves and do what needed to be done. I am happy to see that Rach has that same desire to help and serve others today. It makes me proud to see the work she has been doing with her college sorority, and the way she goes above and beyond to help those in need. That instinct to help others is what will make her an amazing lawyer one day.

For many years I was a member of the Sidney Rotary Club. For someone like me who wanted to give back, this organization was a perfect fit. We collaborated with clubs around the world on initiatives like the eradication of polio and addressing world hunger. We also gave back locally and worked with the school to promote leadership, volunteerism and community.

The motto of Rotary is: “Service Above Self and One Profits Most Who Serves Best” and there is something called “The Four-way test of things we do and say”. The four-way test asks you four questions:

Is it the truth?
It is fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The next time you find yourself at a crossroad or dealing with a difficult situation in your personal or professional life, try using this test and see if the path forward is clear.

Be well,

~ Kerri

The views and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of any entity that this author represents.