In the early days of my TIP career I frequently spoke about TIP to city councils. Even for an  experienced speaker, presenting to city councils can be quite intimidating. The council chambers are usually filled with residents, and council members are perched on a platform looking down on speakers. I never really got comfortable with speaking at these meetings and to say this was not an enjoyable part of my job is an understatement.

Over the last few years, I have managed to avoid most city council meetings. Cities, for the most part, simply renewed TIP contracts. However, in this deep recession, cities are cutting services to the bone and are looking closely at all programs, including TIP. So — you guessed it — the need for me and other TIP leaders to speak to city councils has become painfully clear.  So, in the last few months I have been making the rounds presenting TIP to city councils. But this time around I have actually enjoyed the presentations. I found myself actually looking forward to them. Who would have guessed?

Let me tell you how I’ve gone from disliking city council presentations to actually loving them. This time around I’m bringing  a TIP volunteer, who lives in the “target” city, who joins me as a co-presenter. I, like other TIP leaders, have worked with TIP volunteers on a number of projects, but I never thought of having TIP volunteers present to their own city councils (duh!?).

After presenting my 5 minute “statistical presentation” at a council meeting, I step back and listen to the TIP volunteer’s presentation. I can only sum these presentations up with WOW! The TIP volunteer presentations have been organized, heartfelt, enthusiastic and overall — magnificent. These volunteers obviously put a lot of work into their presentations and it shows. As the TIP volunteer/resident begins to speak I can see  bored looking council members awaken and begin listening intently. By the end of the TIP volunteer’s presentation council members are smiling and shaking their heads. Mission accomplished!

I tell you all this not because I think bringing TIP volunteers to city council meetings is a new and  innovative idea. Rather, I’m writing this as a tribute to TIP volunteers who never cease to amaze and impress me, regardless of the situation in which they find themselves.

On a personal note,  I have been aware from the very early stages of my TIP career that it is TIP volunteers who keep me going, keep me excited and who are responsible for my love of my job. But, I must admit, that I was surprised that having a TIP volunteer with me at city council meetings would transform a dreaded experience into an enjoyable one.

This latest round of city council meetings has once again reminded me that my longevity in TIP has and will depend on staying close to TIP volunteers.