An Arizona Auctioneer's Outlook On Leadership

I am an Arizona auctioneer and I recently watched a documentary about President Ronald Reagan, which made me reflective of a different time and stage in the American life. Ronald W. Reagan was my first President and I volunteered for his 1980 campaign. I was too young to vote in this first election but I was a committed volunteer.

Knowing I would be of age to vote for Reagan's second term was an absolute thrill. So much that on the day I turned 18 years old, early in the morning I rushed down to the registrars office for voters and waited for the doors to unlock. When the office opened for business I stood in front of a small teller window where an older woman recorded all my voter information, tears began to drip down my face as I couldn't help but succumb to this coming of age event in my life. I was so proud to be an American and to now have a voice as a voter.

I have since learned that not all people take their voting so seriously or cherish the privilege to be counted as sincerely as I did when a much younger citizen.

Those days seem so long ago. A time when I believed that my opinion mattered and I could and should do everything in my power to change my world to a better place. There is certainly an exuberance that youth seems to provide in a society full of cynicism and deceit. And I stand in awe of those that are young enough to be removed from such a jaded outlook as we all seem to adopt as time passes.

As I continued with my look back at this era of American life, I was impressed that Ronald Reagan was substantially older than I when he began his move for the greatest office in the land. The President had a zest for his strong beliefs and what he could accomplish and he was charismatically gifted in sharing his vision with others. Whether or not you agreed with his politics you must admit you were extremely moved to love or hate - there was and still is no "gray" in this matter.

And after this look back in time, I have to tell you that I was ashamed of myself. I have reached a point of complacency where I, as an Arizona auctioneer, have come to believe that the "other guy" should make a difference. That I no longer feel I can change my world for the better or even for the worse. I have adopted a lackadaisical approach to the issues that interest me, such as Arizona auctioneer rights. In fact I have become one of the cynical that I scorned in my younger days. And I know, that those who came before me would be disappointed in me too.

So, I am hoping it isn't too late. I am making an oath that I would invite you to join in affirming to become more involved in the Arizona auctioneer industry and the world around me. The National Auctioneers Association is looking for auctioneers and other leaders and you have the opportunity to vote in the election at the Madison Auctioneers Conference and Show. Take your time at the event to get to know the candidates that are willing to run for an office within our national association.

Discover the Arizona auctioneer's ideas and vision for our industry and make a vote for those who best represent you and your future. And when your state association has elections, ask to be nominated. Ask to be a part of the auction profession's future. Perhaps next year you will be ready to run for a national office and shape the opportunity of others.

All I ask is that you take the time to look at where our Arizona auctioneers industry is today and where you see its future and help to shape the coming days and years. I promise you that I, as an Arizona auctioneer, also will become more involved in the process and will again believe what I so long ago knew to be true "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny."