The TPC team sat down with Representative Dan Reitz of the 116th District in Illinois, and discussed giving back, leadership and team chemistry. Rep. Reitz, the TPC team says thank you for your support!*The Question and Answer dialogue is meant to help the reader understand how giving back impacts the community, and also their view on leadership and team chemistry. The Q & A content is presented in a conversation format, and not presented in a formal format to hold the integrity of the conversation. These topics are key messages from TPC, and the TPC team partnered with Rep. Reitz to learn from a leader of the community. Key points from the conversation are in bold.
Q/Reid:
How does giving back impact the 116th District?
A/Rep. Reitz:
I think giving back just helps everyone. It's as good for the person doing the task as it is from the fulfillment of helping people. It's the Christian thing to do, and it helps people in this area. We have a lot of people who volunteer, so I think it helps the people doing it as much as it helps the people benefiting whatever the task is. I really think we don't realize how much it helps all of our communities, especially one that comes to mind a retired senior volunteer program that goes into schools and sits at the courthouse, city hall, and library. If we had to pay for all those services as bad as our tax bills are, it would be worse. So, I think we benefit as a community from the spirit of it and also economically.
Q/Reid:
For the folks who grew up in the 116th District, but now live elsewhere: What would be the value that they could bring to the 116th District if they decide to give back?
A/Rep. Reitz:
There's tremendous value in it. If they had the skills to come in and mentor others in whatever fields they are in, that would be a big help. We have a lot of people who are successful and have moved out, and unfortunately we may have too many people who have moved out. And it would be nice to have them come back and visit, and hopefully sometime in the future to relocate to their hometown wherever it is. And I think most people would want to especially as they get older. When you're younger, you want to go out and see the world and do different things. But, as you get older the more you realize how fortunate we are to have the communities and family structure that we have in this area that made them successful.
Q/Reid:
Some find it more beneficial to donate resources, while others find it more beneficial to donate service for giving back. What is the value from resources such as equipment, books, clothes, money, food, etc. have on the 116th District? And, what is the value from service such as Kiwanis Club, Jaycees, Lions Club, donating blood, Boy Scouts, volunteer coaching, etc. have on the 116th District?
A/Rep. Reitz:
It's a mix of both. Whatever you're trying to do, it always takes resources whether goods or money. And that's always important. Any task or mission has a fundraising component with resources, but I think the human value and social networking that goes along with the clubs is as important, and I think that helps build the communities and allows them the fellowship through their programs, churches, and organizations to interact with other people. And, I think that's worthwhile and even more worthwhile as they get older. There's a lot of seniors that look forward to those activities and gives them a reason to keep on going and have a purpose in their life. The more we can find ways for people to interact with everyone else, it's good for the community. It's especially good for the senior population just to hear that, and it keeps everyone else grounded.
Q/Reid:
A lot of folks get a lot of enjoyment from giving back but aren't sure how to get involved, what advice do you have for people who want to find a fit with the right charity project, but aren't sure how to get started in the 116th District?
A/Rep. Reitz:
I think the best is my office, or Senator's office, or any Mayor, or county board for finding organizations. Just go within your community as you mentioned within your community like Lions or Jaycees Club or Kiwanis club. Even churches, they all have members of their congregation involved in organizations. I think you'll find in our communities a lot of it starts in the church. Any elected official or organization you can contact will help you find a fit. And, you will find typically in an organization it's 5 or 6 people who are the driving force behind the organizations, so they can always use more people to help. As I said earlier if they do that, it's immeasurable in terms of dollars what that means to our area.
Q/Reid:
How do you define leadership and team chemistry?
A/Rep. Reitz:
I think leadership really is being proactive and going out there and getting things started. I think a part of leadership is getting along with other people. And trying to find a way or consensus to move whatever interest forward. I think we have a lot of people who exhibit leadership qualities in a number of organizations that are taken for granted. That kind of ties into team chemistry just being part of the team and moving things forward and doing what you're capable of doing and playing into whatever that person strengths are. Leadership is really just finding people who can help and use their strengths to help others.
Tie-in Q/Reid:
If people want to get better as leader or teammate, what advice do you have?
A/Rep. Reitz:
All of us will be better as a leader and team chemistry if we listen. Unfortunately, I think sometimes people talk too much. And using other strengths and assets. I'm always a firm believer in not re-creating the wheel. Someone has figured out a way how to do it, don't let your ego get in the way of thinking it has be your idea or this is better than something else. Just take what works and keep it going. I found out going to different conferences and meetings over the years, someone always has a way to save you time or make it easier to accomplish a task and make sure you're open to using that. And accepting change is one of the biggest things for team chemistry and leadership. You have to be able to change, because the world is changing and there's always a better way to do it and you need to accept that. And that's where the entrepreneurs come in, they find a better way to do it.
Reid shared a quote with Rep. Reitz:
"When the wind of change blows, some people build walls, others build windmills." - Anonymous
Rep. Reitz shared a quote with Reid:
"The only thing constant is change." - Heraclitus
Thank you for your support,
- TPC Team
