This is the BIG question, and only you can answer it. But answer it you must. Leaders owe it to themselves as well as the people they lead to go deeper into their own motivations, their hopes, and their dreams. Business schools don’t require a course in “Understanding Your Personal Mission” for graduation, nor do many family conversations involve parents sharing their purpose in life with their children. Most of us grow up believing that scores get kept based on things like home runs hit, beauty contests won, and amounts on annual W-2 forms. What a pity.

Think of a person who had a great positive influence on your life. How did that happen? Was it the size of their office that so impressed you that you decided right then and there that you were going to strive to be a great leader? Was it the tale of an exotic vacation, a fancy car, or a prestigious title that convinced you to follow someone’s footsteps? I rather doubt it. More likely it was a quiet word spoken at the right moment, an encouraging smile after you spoke up at a meeting, or a short note of congratulations for a job well done that caused you to say, “This is a person I want to emulate.”

My friend Mary Marcdante said, “When you’re on purpose, life fits.” How does your life fit these days? If tomorrow were your last day on this planet, would your list of regrets be longer than your list of accomplishments? People who are clear about the meanings of their lives find it much easier to make decisions about the big things, to prioritize the activities that fill up their days, and to know, really know, what’s important. There is great peace of mind in knowing how to answer if someone asks, What gives your life meaning?

Audience: members of professional or civic club
Message: We have contributed to the community; let’s pause and reflect and then move ahead.
Tone: formal
Timing: 7-8 minutes, depending on insertion of details about past accomplishments

Today, I confess that I’ve been daydreaming—both reminiscing about the past and predicting the future. These may be inappropriate activities during a Sunday morning sermon or a management meeting, but quite right for this time in the life of our club. We’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary. This club was founded exactly (number) years ago.

Now most of you weren’t around to remember the setting on that date, so let me brief you.
Economically: Times were difficult. The average worker received $(amount) annually for his labor. A Sunday newspaper cost (number) cents. The national debt was only $(amount).

Historically: President (name) had just taken office and promised an end to [insert] and the beginning of a new era. An era in which every American could expect [insert].

In the scientific arena: (Name) had just found a cure for (disease) and other scientists had just discovered the link between [insert] and [insert].

Technology: (Corporation) had just put (product) on the market. It promised to revolutionize the way we [insert].
In the arts: (Movie title) was the leading movie of the year. And I’ll spare you the lyrics of (song title), but it was the hit song that blared from our radios. One of the most popular books read by business persons of the time, (book title), explained how the world was headed for [insert].

Reminiscing isn’t an entirely wasted activity, you understand. It provides perspective. It photographs the past in an effort to predict the prosperity of the future.

Clearly, we as club members have been responsible for our past deeds on this historical, economic, scientific, technological, and artistic stage. When some clubs and businesses are planted, it takes time for them to bear fruit. Sometimes five years, sometimes ten. But (name of club) has been fruitful for the community and for its members almost since its inception.

Here’s what your members have accomplished during the past (number) years for our city and our state:

[Insert details of club’s accomplishments, such as civic and cultural contributions, educational opportunities for its members and the community, charitable contributions.]

As you can see, through the years, the leadership of this organization hasn’t just asked you to put your names on the roll and bring your bodies to meetings. We’ve asked you to put your heart into our purpose and bring your ideas and enthusiasm for hard work in serving the community.

Anniversaries are a time to take stock. To look at our strengths and our weaknesses. Yes, we have a few weaknesses. I would hope that in the next few years, we can improve the way we [insert]. That is no less a goal for the individual member than it is for us as a group.

At the end of my reminiscing, I’ve come to these conclusions: There is much we can contribute to the future of our city and its citizens. You have a right to be proud as club members. Let’s congratulate ourselves and then move ahead to the next big project.