Advice from a small town girl

It's Tuesday morning.

I have an appointment with a dental hygienist at 9 o'clock.

The Chamber of Commerce meets at noon.

Want to guess which appointment I dread the most?

I'll give you a hint - it's not the one that involves someone scraping my teeth.

Now, I'm not deliberately trying to offend anyone here, but I really, really, really dislike Chamber of Commerce meetings.

Not because I dislike the Chamber of Commerce, or because I don't see the value of the organization.

I think it's mostly due to scarcity.

I've been thinking a lot about scarcity for the past week or so, ever since I heard an interview with a man who wrote a book about it. Actually two men wrote it, both psychologists (I can hear some of you snorting with scorn right now, but I personally find psychology fascinating), affiliated with Ivy-league universities.

The book is a treatise on the effects of scarcity, whether of money, resources or time, on our behavior.

I haven't read it yet, but I'm going to. Just as soon as I find some time.

Because I'm right in the middle of an epidemic of scarcity.

Just like everyone else right before Deutschesfest.

And if you aren't feeling it, it's either because you manage your time well or because you're capable of saying "no."

I still have trouble with that.

When I raised my hand in that meeting a few months ago, when the Chamber of Commerce was in need of a secretary, I knew it was not a good idea. In fact, I immediately wanted to pull my hand back down.

I haven't changed my mind.

For a person like me, Chamber meetings could be the definition of torture.

I enjoy a well-run meeting, with a clear agenda and controlled discussion. Organizations with functioning committees and a bit of structure can accomplish a lot in a little time. Suffice it to say, the Chamber does not meet those criteria.

But, just as I am suffering the effects of a scarcity of time, the Chamber of Commerce is also suffering a scarcity.

A scarcity of people.

I don't really know why.

Maybe the meetings are at a bad time.

Maybe most business people in Odessa are too busy to attend, and too busy to send a delegate.

Maybe they can't see the value of the work the Chamber does.

Maybe they think that the Chamber of Commerce just does Deutschesfest and the Desert 100 events.

Maybe they're just tired.

At any rate, more than half of the businesses in Odessa are not represented at the meetings. And I think that's a shame.

There are a lot of opportunities for an organization like the Chamber of Commerce in our community.

With a clear vision, a concise mission statement and a little more participation, we could accomplish so much more.

What I do know is that much of the work is done by too few people, and that has a tendency to make them wear out faster.

And I also know that many hands make light work.