The National Auctioneers Foundation’s tagline is “Honoring Our Legacy … Empowering Our Future,” but how? One key way is through our beliefs: “We are committed to giving back to the industry that provides careers for so many professionals pursuing their passion in the wide and varied field of auctions. As part of that big extended family, we desire to see our beloved trade passed on to the next generation.”
It’s important not to lose sight of these words as they go much deeper than stated. Mike Hardwick, in his book “Keep Chopping Wood” equated his Churchill Foundation to the foundation of a house: “If it is built with a solid footing, poured with patience and persistence and designed to last for many years, then it will provide a lifetime of physical and emotional shelter.”
There are thousands of professional and trade organizations throughout this country, many of which have foundations such as ours to secure their industry’s future, integrity, character and soundness from within. The National Auctioneers Association created the National Auctioneers
Foundation for this exact purpose, and its existence can best be described with two words: WE CARE! Yes indeed, we care about our peers, how they perform and assist those they serve. All of us in the auction industry want to succeed and as Harvey S. Firestone once said: “It is only as we develop others that we permanently succeed.”
Thank goodness that the founders of the Foundation recognized this, but we are responsible to continue that vision as we advance. Moving forward in a positive way always includes change and this was recently demonstrated by the Foundation. Not only has the Foundation provided funds for educational scholarships, it also provided funding assistance for speakers at education events.
Change is very important and we all need to be aware of and respect it. As Leo Buscaglia states, “Change is the end result of all true learning.” All of us learned most distinctly about change within our respective business models due to COVID-19 with one word: Virtual. I’ve been thankful and encouraged that our industry came together to help and assist one another with learning and adapting to this presentation application. This is an absolute proven example of the care in our industry and organization for one another, enabling us to continue to help others.
This Christmas season, one of the Salvation Army’s quotes is, “Hope begins with help.” It’s my hope, as we approach the end of 2021, that you will continue (or start) your financial support to the Foundation. Your help is greatly appreciated. Anyone not supporting the Foundation through a financial donation, I urge you to please reconsider. To you and yours, have a blessed Christmas and a most prosperous and happy New Year. Please keep safe and stay healthy.