It was 2008.
I was an executive at American Airlines commuting an hour to work each day, raising three active teenagers along with my husband, and while at a basketball game of one of our children, a parent I knew asked me, “Lauri, do you know anyone at American who would be a good fit to serve as a board member at Camp Fire?”.
My days started around 5 a.m. and ended in exhaustion around 11 p.m. during which time I worked, I went to sports events and even volunteered in numerous roles at our children’s school. Of course, my impossible schedule didn’t even cross my mind when I promptly blurted, “Of course I do – I would be interested!” The world of serving on a board of a non-profit was not new to me as I had tried it many times and felt unfulfilled, a bit “used” and, quite frankly, numb to what I thought I was supposed to be feeling. I did so out of obligation – to my company, to my community and to the cause. It was definitely not a sustainable strategy. However, that day when I engaged my mouth prior to my brain, I didn’t realize it but something made me reverse course. I didn’t realize it until a year later that this journey as a board member was going to be a considerably different experience.
I met with the leaders of Camp Fire prior to really committing – not because I had learned my lesson, but because I was invited to do so. The meeting was Camp Fire’s thoughtful way to make sure I felt appreciated and welcomed. I didn’t know it at the time, but that appreciation and thoughtfulness is just part of the culture at Camp Fire – it is just the way Camp Fire rolls. I joined the board and attended the first few board meetings and found them to be well run, respectful of time, and thoughtful. But despite a well-run meeting, I admit now that I really didn’t get it – I didn’t get what Camp Fire was all about. I was then invited to observe Camp Fire’s product – a visit to the Child Development Center, to an early child care center in east Fort Worth, to Camp El Tesoro, to Diamond Hill Station’s after school program, to the after-school programs in Aledo, and to a Step Up session in north Fort Worth with at-risk teens. Each visit was a manageable endeavor – I did them on my way to work or on my way home and each lasted 15 – 30 minutes.
And it was with each visit that I found Camp Fire to be different.
Camp Fire’s product, if you will, changes the lives of children in our community. It’s that simple and that impactful. I fell in love with the mission of Camp Fire, with the goals of Camp Fire and as importantly with the culture of Camp Fire.
I was hooked.
So I made time for Camp Fire – for the board meetings at lunch time. For the events that support this wonderful cause. For the meetings I am fortunate enough to be invited to – because I felt as I was contributing to an organization that makes our community a much better place for our youth which, when you think about it, makes it a much better community for us all.
Serving Camp Fire for the past nine years has been an honor. And I wouldn’t have had that conclusion about serving on a board nine years ago.
Guest columnist, Lauri Curtis Hadobas, has been involved with Camp Fire as a board member since 2008, and for the past three years she has served as Board Chair. Lauri recently retired from her position as an American Airlines executive where she worked for 37 years. Her passion has always involved children and education. She feels so fortunate to be involved in Camp Fire’s contributions to the North Texas community and beyond.
