Vision

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Author Message Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1033 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 06:36 am:    090812 PERIPHERAL VISION by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Cincinnati, OH The quarterback needs to “see the entire field”! But generally he cannot see behind him-- just to the front and to half of each side. The pitcher needs to “see” the runner on first to ensure he doesn’t take off to steal second base. We, as good defensive drivers also need a wide field of vision to see what is beside us and in an arc to our front-- but then, too, we have rear view windows. And the driver’s license tests usually check our peripheral vision! Vision, both foresightedness and peripheral in an organization is seated in the membership. Archives and current news and programs are great but what is going on around us, in other allied or associated groups-- and what, of course, do we see for our future; bumps, twists and turns, blockages, detours, delays/hold-ups, obstructions, etc.-- and opportunities! Now of course there is an option to stop! To simply give up any thoughts or efforts at forward motion, betterment, new enterprises, visionary ventures, speculative attempts-- flat out new “things” of varied ilk. But does that serve our organization well? Does it, indeed, serve us well now and in the future? Uh!, No! Most of us individually and most organizations always need another place to go, other things to do; a new project to both excite and involve us. A church congregation tending to languish is often invigorated by a new building project [with of course, some nay-sayers as always]; or perhaps a new pastor/ priest/rabbi; and these days, new ventures to be of assistance in the community. Most of this all reflects back favorably on the group whether as “revolutionary” or simply a good idea made manifest! Strategic planning is vital, but then follow-through, expansion and implementation are vitally necessary. To have the vision; to set a refreshed general course; and then to follow a detailed path for making things happen! Now all that is a tough task for a far-flung organization whose diverse membership is scattered all over a nation and beyond, and whose influence needs to be strong, stead, continual and pertinent, with a good measure of “what-is-yet-to-come”. Guess the first step is to assess, “What to do, next”-- and then “what? Things need to be kept going, but at the very same time some people must be using all of their vision-- individual and collective-- to see what is about-- to the front, at 45-degrees and at 90-degrees on both sides. But also somewhat beyond the 90-degrees, not to drag along the past and settled, but to see how new ventures can bring-along, modify, enhance, supplement and augment some past ventures. All need to be done! The past is NOT all bad and forgettable-- much of it forms a good foundation and provides a very good education! History is a good teacher, but its faults need not be repeated. BUT, let’s boldly suggest, that we use our best, most far-seeing and most pertinent vision and look out, in a visionary mode, for what is right out there BEFORE us-- what will we stumble over if we don’t pay attention and see it coming. Then, too, there is what is here now that needs to be part of where the future is pointing-- out there in our cone of vision! Oh, yes, did you notice that most quarterbacks who are “blind-sided”, get up and go on-- well, at least most of them!