Mike Davis, Class 28
DMB Associates, Inc.
Class 28 Blog: This is a blog series about the experience and impact of Scottsdale Leadership’s Core Program. The views expressed here represent those of class members and not those of Scottsdale Leadership.
On Community Stewardship Day, Scottsdale Leadership Class 28 experienced several amazing examples of community stewardship. Each example carried a common theme – a recognized need leads to an opportunity. What was unique about this class was the opportunity for us to witness community stewardship through several different pairs of eyes.
Our day began at the McDowell Sonoran Preserve – a beautiful 27,800 acres of preserved land in the McDowell Mountains. We learned about the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy which seized the opportunity to secure the Preserve for the benefit of the community and where 400 volunteers help to provide public access to the Preserve, protect the Preserve through research and stewardship and increase the community’s understanding and appreciation of the Preserve through educational programs and community events. We then walked one of the nature trails, escorted by volunteer guides.
Next, we traveled to STARS where keynote speaker, Mary King, shared her thoughtful story on her inspiration to get involved. She hadn’t planned to be involved in serving those with developmental disabilities – but she seized the opportunity when she recognized the need. We toured the campus and saw countless examples of stewardship through the life changing work that the staff at STARS does every day.
Lastly, we saw practical community stewardship in an impassioned debate regarding the 2013 City of Scottsdale Bond Election. Bothsides were represented – those for the bond, and against. Each side made compelling arguments for their position, encouraging us, as members of Scottsdale Leadership, to make up our own minds.
Community Stewardship day showed me that there are many opportunities to participate, Mary King inspired me to seize those opportunities.
I am passionate about mentoring, and I expect to find an opportunity to serve as a mentor, possibly on the board of an institution providing mentoring services. So now I’d like to hear from you … given your passion, what do you think your opportunity will be and how do you think you’ll get involved?
The Scottsdale Leader 
Hi Mike. Great post! We certainly are being exposed to a variety of areas where need is present. I have compassion for everything human, animal, and nature, and am still undecided about that one thing for which I have overwhelming passion so I’ll have to get back to you on that. What this day impressed on me, is how a little effort by a lot of people goes so far to make a huge difference.
I feel the same way Mike… there are so many ways to have an impact in our community. The question is “Where can I have the most impact, and better yet, what am I most passionate about in the community.” What I learned most about our day was the reality of so many options. Pick one and incorporate it in your life, and serve to the best of your ability and time.
That’s the big question – there are so many opportunities to seize, yet not all of them are a good fit for each of us as individuals. My journey, in class 27, was to find out what was a good fit. It turns out that my passion is Scottsdale Leadership – so after graduating, I’m now a Board Member and actively involved. I believe in this program and the need to nurture future leaders to make our community a better place.
Hi Mike, great write-up. It definitely was an inspiring day and I learned a lot more about Scottsdale. I am passionate about sports and providing opportunities for kids to participate. Growing up with sports, I learned so much about discipline, hard work, sportsmanship, perseverance, teamwork etc. and it quite frankly kept me very busy and focused. I do think that access to sports can provide a secure foundation for our youth.
Another topic that I would like to learn more about and get involved in is homelessness. It breaks my heart when I see people that cannot call a place their home and don’t have any shelter. I would love to find solutions to provide that basic need and better opportunities for the people impacted.
Great blog Mike! I’m looking forward to all of the Scottsdale Leadership experiences that are ahead of us. I have a feeling many of us will know immediately when the right opportunity appears and we’ll seize it!