It Takes BOLD LEADERSHIP to Move the Needle

By Stephanie Seubert, Partner at Evans, Elder, Brown & Seubert & Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce Board Chair
When I became a full partner at Evans, Elder, Brown & Seubert, my business partners told me, time and again, that I needed to find a place in the community to start giving back. Since I had young children at the time, the last thing I wanted to do was to commit to more time away from my family. However, shortly after completing the Leadership Eugene/Springfield program, I decided it was time to jump in—and here I am, 11 years later, as the 2019 Eugene Chamber Board Chair, encouraging you to jump in and get involved, as well.
 
The Eugene Chamber is made up of a very diverse group of members and employees who are committed to moving business forward.
 
When I asked the board what Chamber message they wanted me to pass on to you, I received excellent feedback and heard things like:
 
  • We are an innovative Chamber that is growing and changing with the times, and we have many opportunities for members to get involved and connected on different levels.
  • We have an amazing staff and diverse group of volunteer leaders who are making a real difference in the community.
  • The Chamber is a point of intersection, where diverse groups come together as a collective to push forward toward common goals and advocate for all parts of the community.
  • We are more than a business community with business perspective; we are a community of families, as well. When we work together and engage to ensure that business is thriving, this will, in turn, create a culture where our families and community members can live happy, healthy lives.
 
Being a mom of 15-year-old twins, this resonates with me. Before I know it, my kids will be graduated and off to college. I want them to follow their dreams and be successful. I also know, selfishly in the back of my mind, that I want to work to create a community with opportunities where my kids want to come back to work and raise families of their own someday.
 
In a recent article about Civic Park in The Register-Guard, Austin Meek stated that “getting people in Eugene to agree on something can be like trying to spot an albino unicorn in a white-out.”
 
I think this perception is changing!
 
It is my belief that you cannot satisfy 100 percent of people 100 percent of the time; however, if we can come together as a cohesive group, have robust discussion and listen rather than trying to be heard, we will be on the right track and able to make decisions that move our community forward.
 
In order for us move our community forward, we need bold leadership! This is what the Chamber is good at, because this is what our members are good at—being bold and moving things forward. Together, we are having an impact on our community. And, together, we can move the needle on important issues and realize our potential.
 
I encourage you to step up and engage this year. Get out there and get involved in this amazing community. We need all of you!
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