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| Dennis Norwood,
Chattanooga, TN |
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Dennis Norwood is
the Operations Manager for the Hamilton County 911 Emergency
Communications District. Prior to this he was the Police Information
Center Manager for the Chattanooga Police Department. Dennis is a
Special Deputy with the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and a
Reserve Officer with the East Ridge Police Department. He is retired
from the U.S. Air Force.
Dennis joined
Exchange in 1999. He was elected as District President-elect of the
Tennessee District Exchange Clubs in 2002 and in 2003-04 led the
district to growth for the first time in over a decade. He has also
served as District Director and chair of the Leadership Development
Committee. At the national level he served on the Program of Service
and Leadership Development Committees and currently chairs the Excel
Club Committee and serves on the Strategic Planning and Technology
Committees.
Dennis has received
the Distinguished Club President Award, a Presidential Award and, in
2006-07, was the Keeper of the Flame Award winner for RVPs. He was
elected Region 6 vice president at the 2006 National Convention. He
is a volunteer field representative. Dennis is also president-elect
of the board of directors for the Children’s Advocacy Center of
Hamilton Count, Tenn. He resides in Chattanooga with his wife,
Delores. They have two sons. |
What have you accomplished in your
first term?
Region 6 led in
growth during the 2006-2007 year, but more importantly, the 88 clubs of
Mississippi, Tennessee, NE Arkansas and Kentucky completed a plethora of
projects and touched the lives of many communities and community members
during these past two years. With that in mind, these accomplishments have
been the result of the actions of the Exchangites of the region and not
attributable to any one thing I've accomplished. I do, however, feel that as
the National Board of Directors, we have accomplished much in the past two
years - especially in our work to bring a new strategic plan to our
organization. I am especially proud to be a member of this dedicated and
committed group of men and women.
What
insights do you have now that you didn't have two years ago?
I only thought I
knew how deep the passion, compassion, dedication and commitment of
Exchangites ran. It has been an amazing journey learning the depths to which
our organization and its members serve our great nation. One of the most
amazing things I have seen is the commitment and zeal of those Exchangites
along the Gulf Coast as they not only work to grow Exchange, but doing it
while rebuilding their own homes and lives following Katrina. These folks,
along with those in West Tennessee who suffered such losses in tornados
these past two years, are awesome individuals! With their own losses being
more than substantial, they still found the time and strength to give back to
their communities through Exchange. This was not only an insight, but an
inspiration!
What do you want to accomplish in your
second term?
I want to continue helping to provide the tools and resources our clubs and
districts require to grow our organization. While we haven't reached annual
growth yet, we are trending towards putting membership numbers in the black
for a complete club year. With a new strategic plan that is geared towards
action and accountability, I am optimistic that growth will happen within the
next two years. Another priority will be to continue identifying and
developing leaders of the future. Finally, my third goal is to continue to
share the passion and compassion that is found in Exchange. Most of the
gratification we feel in Exchange comes as our hearts swell with pride and
our eyes fill with tears of joy as we feel the warmth of a handshake from an
adult we've helped or from the warmth of a hug from a child to whom we've
given aid. My goal is to ensure more people get to share in those feelings
as Exchangites.
What is the greatest challenge facing
clubs, and how can national help?
In my humble opinion, the greatest challenge facing our clubs is figuring
out where to get the wherewithal to pick themselves up, dust themselves
off and get back in the race. Too many clubs today seem to feel that they
can't generate new members or reach growth without having a visit from our
national staff. We have to give them the tools and confidence and teach them
how to use them and become sufficient unto themselves. At the same time we
must achieve a culture-shift where our clubs drive National rather than National driving our clubs - in essence a bottom
- to - top driven organization.
What should members of the board do for
growth?
I want to say, "Form
a prayer circle and fast for days on end."
While that might
eventually work, the realistic approach is that our board must continually
look for programs to pass along to our clubs that give them the tools they
need to achieve growth. Probably most important is to lead and motivate.
RVPs and National Officers do not have all or even the best of answers to
this question. We must listen to our members and clubs and districts. The
next best idea is out there even as you read this and the person who thought
of it will try to share it. Members of the board must be listening (and with an open mind) for that voice.
How can we develop the next generation
of leadership?
First off, we have
to have our eyes and ears open to identify those individuals. Other than
growth, the "other" number one priority of an Exchange leader is to find and
develop the next generation of our organization's leadership. We must be
encouragers and mentors and once they assume the mantel of Exchange
leadership we must continue in those roles. Leadership is personal and we
have to channel that commitment, dedication, and yes, even that small bit of
ego that comes with the total package into a positive experience for all
involved.
Starting at the club level, how can we
build awareness of Exchange?
The club level
actually begins with National supplying the resources and tools to
facilitate our clubs making the most of media opportunities. It requires a
marketing strategy and branding that our clubs can understand and use. BUT,
it also requires our national communications staff listening to our
membership for those ideas that are working in the field and providing
resources and tools to build on those ideas. We have to teach our clubs how
to cultivate those relationships which are necessary to get their story to
the masses. Our story has the greatest strength at the local level but
nationally we have to know where those opportunities are and then provide
some tailored responses to aid our clubs.
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