My Volunteer Efforts or “Why I Do What I Do . . .”

Volunteering has always been a part of my life. Although raised in a working class, low-income family, I was taught to give back and help those less fortunate. Schooled in political volunteering by my mother — a ward committeewoman in Boston for 27 years — at the age of 15 I volunteered to help elect Elliot Richardson as Governor. At 18 I volunteered for the Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. (The Marine code, Semper Fidelis, means “always faithful.”) Throughout my four years of service to our country, I was taught how to serve with excellence, discipline, and commitment to meaningful results.

During my working career, I organized a group of 25 companies in an industrial park and led efforts in dealing with the town. This taught me a great deal and was particularly helpful as issues arose regarding taxes, traffic, and the needs of the  business community. After moving to Acton I sought out opportunities to serve in my new community, and found plenty! I became one of the proud Salvation Army bell ringers at Donelan’s Market. I serve in a variety of capacities at our church, from running the commercial kitchen to serving breakfast for 300 during Global Awareness week, to painting the high school recreation area where my wife mentors kids, to teaching Bible-study leaders about the art of facilitating debate. Through the tragic death of a friend’s daughter, I connected with homeless shelters in Lowell and Lawrence, where I now play Santa Claus for Christmas parties each year.

While responsible for managing all Canadian and Eastern U.S. operations for an international company, I volunteered at Emerson Hospital for six years, amassing more than 1,000 hours of service and developing a particular awareness of the challenges related to aging. I joined the “handyman program” based at the Senior Center to help seniors with minor repairs in their homes, and spent time playing cribbage with an Alzheimer’s patient each week. Though not a senior myself, I have long been sensitive to senior citizen issues. When an opening on the Council on Aging board came available, I thought it would be a significant way to contribute to Acton’s future. I was honored to be chosen to serve.

During my second year on the COA board I was asked to be Secretary. During that year we began to evaluate seniors’ long-term needs. From that work, the Senior Center Steering Committee was formed, and for the next 18 months (during which I was vice-chair of the COA), we worked to compile and analyze data, and present it to the Town. My work on the Senior Center project taught me about many aspects of our community. I connected with citizens representing many different issues and constituencies. As a seasoned financial manager, I was able to help realistically evaluate the financial dimensions of this critical project. And I demonstrated the important ability to integrate a variety of perspectives to deliver on the mission with which I was entrusted.

As the proposal phase of the Senior Center project closed, citizens with a variety of interests asked me to consider running for Selectman. In evaluating the commitment it would take to serve the Town, I realized that now is a perfect time — during the worst recession in many years — in which to offer my financial and consensus-building skills to the Town. I am seeking the office of Selectman because I believe I can be useful to our community and because I believe in servant leadership. The best leaders seek to promote the interests of those they serve. I will serve as Selectman with the commitment I have demonstrated in 40-plus years of volunteerism, and will do so with excellence, with discipline, and with principle.

Service is not optional — it’s part of who I am.

Semper Fidelis,

Mike Gowing