I agree with Mick Jagger. Have you ever noticed that you don’t always get what you want, but you usually get what you need?  I can say that about Opportunity Knocks.  When I joined the board in 2010, I just wanted to give back to an organization from which I derived great benefit and warm camaraderie.  Fast forward to the winter of 2011 when I found myself without an executive director and responsible for an organization that touches our entire region. And, just when I was about to be overwhelmed, I found myself side-by-side with other volunteers who also love Opportunity Knocks and were willing to help.  I am immensely thankful to work with deeply committed board members and committee volunteers without whom Opportunity Knocks would not exist.

We are undergoing changes, which occur in all organizations as they grow.  We are fortunate that we have the people and resources that can help us take advantage of these transitions.  I’ve been asked where we are going beyond our intermediate future.

For the first half of 2012, Opportunity Knocks will build our operational capacity.  There are a number of key functions like member recruitment, team assignments and facilitator training that must function well.  We are also partnering with the Chamber, EDCO, the City of Bend, the Small Business Development Center at COCC, AdFed and Vistage to create a first-rate set of best practice events.   But above all, we will be taking care of core organizational functions.

Looking to the second half of 2012, I see a great deal of growth in our future.  We’ve been lucky to attract the talent of Eric Meade, our new membership director, who has the energy and passion to enable Opportunity Knocks to reach new businesses in Central Oregon.  The efforts by Eric, the membership committee and members will lead to a new set of challenges in identifying meeting spaces, forming new groups and recruiting new facilitators.

The progress we make on our core activities and growing membership will position Opportunity Knocks for a more strategically focused 2013.  Our mission is to help business leaders to think strategically, solve problems and achieve goals.  The original model of members helping members is a great beginning effort, but not the end.  If we want to create small business excellence we need to accelerate business growth by providing key tools, talent and curriculum.  Opportunity Knocks can be a prominent driver of business success.

Author Bill Moseley, President of the Board

Co-Owner GL Solutions