TREE FARM
I had originally started this post with the title, "I had a tree farm in California."
And, in fact, I did. When I was at Camp Bluff Lake, I took the role of Camp Director as the camp was completing a tree harvest. And our board of directors wanted to make sure that we did everything we could to be good stewards of the property.
We became a recognized Tree Farm.
It was at that camp that I was instilled with the concept of stewardship. I was just a temporary part of a long-term investment in that property. One of the board members there really exemplified that trait and drummed it into every conversation as well as the actions for decision making.
It was a great lesson. One, I took to each different organization and camp that I was honored to serve. It was also one of the many aspects of being "deliberate" in my leadership that developed over time.
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
When I was with my last YMCA camp in New York, we also had a history of logging those acres and the proceeds helped shape and reinvest into the property. I took care to make sure that before I left that organization, they had a proper Forest Management plan completed and that would help lead well into the future for better preservation of the property.
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| Opening page of stewardship plan! |
KARST SYSTEM & SEPTIC
Perhaps, the greatest lessons in stewardship was the camp I served in Florida that was truly unique. Not only was there a spring that were part of the 4th largest karst system on earth. The spring led to a cave system that led to a tremendous amount of education about water systems and the impact that we have on the earth.
It was this impact that helped us make good decisions when the property's septic systems began to fail.
On one particular check in day for camp, the septic system near the dining hall began to seep up. Now, when I say "seep" it's not just a visual problem, it's an olfactory problem and a huge environmental problem.
I was desperate for help to get this repaired. I prayed that somehow, we would find someone who would do this quickly and yes, cheaply.
I had left messages with several septic and sewage companies and while I had a meeting at the main YMCA in town, a small miracle happened.
Upon entering the YMCA, I stopped at the front desk and told the staff person that I was attending a meeting but if anyone from a septic or sewage company called, please come and get me out of the meeting. There was a YMCA member checking in at that moment and he turned to me and said, "do you have a septic problem, that's what I do."
In the moment I met Mike, and he intervened in a fantastic way. With in a few hours he had come out and within two days, cleaned up our initial problem. He then went about changing out the system and making sure that it was the best for the property and for the environment.
Mike, owned Apalachee Backhoe and Septic company. As he took on new projects, he would go to that company and ask them to buy the new septic tanks they needed, he would also ask/tell them that they were going to buy an extra one and donate it to the camp. It was a Godsend. Mike's children had attended the camp when they were young, and he was a member of the YMCA for decades.
Mike made sure that the camp had what it needed and in less than 2 years, we had replaced five of the six systems on the property with state of the art Nitrogen Reducing systems long before the state of Florida legislature made it part of their requirements.
In 2007 prices, the YMCA spent just over $26,000 and we had well over $186,000 in donations that Mike installed.
Huma Huma's IMPACT
Recently, one of the youth (he attended camp in Florida from the time he was 8 until he joined the staff for two summers.) Josh "Humuhumunukunukuapua'a" McLawhorn. (Huma Huma...was his camp name) produced and directed a documentary about Oysters and the environmental impact that human decisions have had on the a particular area near the camp in Florida.
Josh McLawhorn has produced and directed a great documentary for PBS. It's called "Unfiltered: The Truth About Oysters" I encourage everyone to watch this film.
It is a fascinating story that really shows the impact of water in our lives. As well as the impact that we have on our environment.
Congrats to Josh and the great work he is doing. He recently shared his 10 years of experience with me and said, "Camp is definitely a part of me!"
It is this lesson in leadership that Josh brings to the table, and I am proud that I had the opportunity to have served at camp with him.
Order my co-authored Number One book "Serving From The Heart" from Amazon (Number 1 in MULTIPLE Categories: Christian Leadership, Christian Business and Personal Growth. Christian Stewardship and New Releases) here, and I will be glad to send you a signed copy, as well as a "Serving from the Heart" bookmark.
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