HELLO!

Today I spent the early morning with 30 service providers who offer persons with lower incomes resources that typically address their needs. I have done this for many years, but now the staffing of these non-profits and government agencies are the age of my child, in their 20s and 30’s. When I started going to these service fairs, where all service providers gather under one roof, all the staff were my age. Those persons have retired. Because I know most of the clients by name, they place me near the front door. I am the “welcoming committee”. Many of the clients have lost their ID, some needed to talk with CRA, some needed a Health Card, some are looking for work. I asked how they are doing. I listened.

I spoke to all the agencies, they could not have been friendlier, all had great information and helpful programs. I was impressed. All staff had been trained to be inclusive, ask good questions, be good listeners. Few moved beyond their table, to engage the other agencies in the room. By talking to other agencies, I had a better sense of the broad range of service offered in our community. If people walk into our church with needs, these conversations will help me offer suggestions. My hunch is a client, coming to one agency, may well have needs that could be met by another agency. In a place like this, on a day like this, what better opportunity to explore other agencies, other programs. This reveals a wider issue in our culture, the absence of curiosity to ask questions.

I remember being at a conference where I was surrounded by people I knew, we were all sharing stories about our lives. A man approached me, very annoyed. He said, “You sure sound like you know a lot, you seem to like to be the centre of attention”. He was being critical though he did not know me. He was making this assessment because I am loud. My self-confidence and volume led people to assume I am arrogant. But the truth is I tell people all the time, I only know things about three topics; sports, politics and religion. I defer to others all the time, I never assume I know more than anyone else. I ask questions, I ask directions, I ask for help. In general, I find people don’t do ask, people are reluctant to ask for help. Often, when a question emerges, I say, “Let’s ask so and so, they likely know” and the response is “No need to ask, I already know the answer.” What is more arrogant, being loud and confident or refusing to ask someone for help? If you assume you know everything, how is that humble? I love to ask questions. I get easily lost, so I ask for directions. As long as the answer isn’t “go to the second set of lights, then turn right…by the gas station” I will give it a try. I love to learn. Peace, Kevin