Post Presidency
By Steven Higgins, Financial Advisor, Principal
I spent the last 12 months serving as president for the Broomfield Rotary Club. The year went by with great speed, and while I’m extremely thankful to have had the opportunity to lead the largest all-volunteer foundation in Broomfield, I admit that the task was a challenge. Our club is made up of leaders from all types of industries. CEOs, Police/Fire Chiefs, and the Mayor call themselves member of our club. We raise and distribute over $200,000 to the community annually. Needless to say the preparation for our weekly meetings, monthly board meetings, and regular committee meetings of all types is stressful. The executive types in our club expect quality preparation and rationalization for all ideas and decisions.
Nationally, service organizations are struggling to maintain membership and relevance. While this is also the case in Colorado, our club is unique in that we keep adding quality members who want to make a difference. The challenge can be finding common ground between new idea driven members and more senior members with time tested experience. As our community continues to change, we will need to be flexible and go where the need is. I don’t believe it is the job of service organizations to define the need. Instead, our role is to meet needs where they are and deploy our most key resources: money and influence.
The fastest growing demographic in Broomfield is the age group 85 years old and up. Since the year 2000, people 85 and older have increased 600% as opposed to people ages 19 and under which have grown by only 24%. The change in community make up reveals needs that previously were met by senior programs. I have a hunch that those programs are getting stretched to the brink.
The Broomfield Rotary Club is one of the most nimble and effective organizations in Broomfield. I have no doubt that we will stand in the gaps in Broomfield and continue to deliver “Service Above Self.”
Any opinions are those of Steve Higgins and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Raymond James is not affiliated with the Broomfield Rotary Club.
