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Thank You for the Opportunity
All Good Things Must Come to an End
Dear Front Runners,
The Pride Run is over, the Thank You Party is done, and the only duty left for me to do is hand over a large fake check to the beneficiary of this year's run (there is a real one but it is much smaller ;). In short, my duties as executive race director are coming to a close. As my term wanes I wanted to take a moment to give thanks for everything that Front Runners has done for me.
It is necessary to say thank you to all the volunteers that have made the Pride Run possible. From the officers who appointed me and dedicated so many hours to supporting me, to the Pride Run Committee members who made countless calls, emails, and listened to me talk ad nauseum, to the volunteers on race day who woke at the most ungodly hour to work their fingers to the bone, I say thank you. We are not a professional organization in terms that not a single person has even been paid for their help. We are a group that owes all of our success to good will and spirit. And for every ounce of good will, ever fiber of dedication, and breath of spirit that has been poured into the Pride Run I give my thanks and my gratitude. But more than that, I give my praise for nothing is stronger than the heart of a volunteer.
We often spend so much time thanking volunteers that we overlook the fact that we must be grateful for the opportunity. I would not be writing a letter of thanks if I was not granted the opportunity to serve as executive race director in the first place. Sadly, today 25% of people in my age range are out of work, a figure comparable to the great depression. Opportunity in the land of opportunity is scarce. Although I haven't been paid a dime for my work with Front Runners having this honor involves so much more than money. It gives one a sense of purpose, a duty of responsibility, and most of all, confidence that one is really capable of much more than any professional opportunity has yet provided.
I would give serious thought to being executive race director for a third consecutive year but lack of professional opportunity has led me to seek greener pastures. Next month I will be moving to Boston for a 12 month program leading to a MS in Ethics & Public Policy. I am hoping that a year of waiting out a bad economy coupled with developing a more specific skill set can lead to more promising opportunities. I do plan on returning to San Francisco as I can't imagine anywhere else I could call home. But in the meantime someone else will need to take up the mantle.
In passing up the opportunity to serve again I am providing an opportunity for others to step up and show their quality. Although it is a big job I can say with all honesty that there has NEVER been a day that I regretted my decision to serve as the head of the Pride Run Committee. Our club is only as good as the willing hearts and dedication of our members. I am hoping that one of you doesn't shy away from the opportunity to make the club, the city, and indeed, yourself, a better group, better place to live, and a better person. Just remember to be grateful for the opportunity.
Always yours,
Dominic Paris
Executive Race Director 2012
