The Power of One
Throughout the history of mankind the “Power of One” has made a significant positive difference in the lives of others. What is the Power of One? It is the significant impact of one individual on the lives of others. We can certainly look to the individuals who have started religions, lead countries, created political and philosophical movements, thought of inventions and produced masterpieces. So … what does that have to do with me you ask? As I travel around America on behalf of the United States Chamber of Commerce (it is the largest business federation in the world representing 3,000,000 businesses), I point out to audiences large and small that each of us has been given the power to make a significant positive difference in the lives of others. You do not have to be a prophet. All you need to do is use your God given ability to help at least one other person. I always call people to action. People around America have already stepped forward.
Each Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United States Chamber of Commerce (a volunteer position) can choose the issues that he or she would like to work on. The two issues I have chosen are education and workforce development, especially of the economically disadvantaged; and the quality, affordability and accessibility of health care. I have had a lifelong passion to in some way make a difference in people’s lives. These areas are two of the most important for me. Please see the United States Chamber of Commerce web site for articles that I and other chamber employees have written on these subjects.
How will this be accomplished? The Chamber Federation contains about 3,000 state, regional and local chambers of commerce and associations. By making “how to” information available to these organizations, each organization, if so inclined, can pick the program or programs that best suit its local community and begin implementing them. We are starting with programs that we know work and will add additional programs over time as demand requires.
In education, for example, we have partnered with Hillside Work Scholarship Connection. This partnership is called “Chambers’ Children.” This is a program for at risk, economically disadvantaged students in grades 7 through 12 that doubles graduation rates and has received national recognition. It provides these children all the tools they need to succeed, such as youth advocates, mentors and where appropriate, part time jobs. Please see articles describing this program at our website under my name and hillside.com. Our goal is to help as many children as possible, as quickly as possible.
In healthcare, we have partnered with the Partnership for Prevention. Please see a compilation of healthcare best practices provided by the Partnership for Prevention, titled “Leading by Example” at www.prevent.org/LBE. For example, my company, Wegmans Food Markets Inc., is one of the many featured companies. Wegmans developed a wellness program called Eat Well, Live Well. It encourages employees to eat 5 cups of fruits and vegetables a day and to walk 10,000 steps per day. It provides free pedometers, keeps track of totals and creates competition among groups of employees. The program is fun, simple, effective and contagious (once seen others want to participate). This year the program was turned over to the Rochester Business Alliance, the local chamber of commerce. Thirty two thousand employees from 87 organizations participated, making it, to our knowledge, the largest community wide wellness program in the world. This program was recently commended and recognized by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, Michael Leavitt.
Both of these programs and many others can be started in your community by just one individual … you … that is the Power of One. I would love to see your comments. Perhaps you can make these programs better or start new ones. I invite you to work with us to make our world a better place.
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