Carpe Diem … seize the day!
Seize the day seems an appropriate saying in relation to Civil Defence. Various studies* have shown that the vast majority of people don’t go to work each day motivated by the money they will earn for the role. Typically, money comes about third or fourth on the list of what motivates us. Most of us want to come to work each day for work that gives us some purpose and meaning – this is the true motivator for many of us.
Viktor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, spent considerable time in a Nazi Ghetto before spending the last part of the war in a number of concentration camps, including Auschwitz. His parents died in Auschwitz and his wife was killed in another camp before the end of the war. While in the camps, Frankl developed the foundation for his theory about meaningcalled Logotherapy. He studied those around him who were suffering and questioned why some would simply give up and die in two or three weeks of arriving, while others seemed almost happy with their circumstances and were able to endure the conditions. He theorised that those who found meaning and purpose were able to endure and even find happiness in the camps. The meaning was different for each of those individuals – whatever that person needed to give them the strength to ensure whether it be nature, love, God, family, music, philosophy or almost anything else.
The point is that most of us do what we do at work during normal business-as-usual activity for something other than money – for many of us it is to make a difference and help our community in its hour of need. We also have an amazing opportunity here in New Zealand as we can volunteer to become involved with Civil Defence (with the support of a community-minded employer).
With Civil Defence you CAN make a difference for your community, above and beyond what you do during normal business-as-usual activity. What we do in Civil Defence comes from a need to help others when the safety of our community is under threat during an event. It involves a little personal sacrifice on your part, with some active learning and a little of your time.
For the small investment required, the returns can be great. You’ll receive nationally-recognised training, you’ll be compensated for being on-call, and you’ll feel proud as you develop your skills and knowledge and help your community.
As you develop more skills and knowledge you may find that you’re given more responsibility, which again is rewarding. Most of all, your contribution for even the smallest investment of your time will make a difference to our community during Civil Defence events, and it will give you a tremendous sense of satisfaction and pride.
There is so much more to gain from getting involved than monetary reward. The rewards are great and do help you to develop both as a person and professionally. Civil Defence has always been an important part of what Council does, but in recent years it has been given more prominence; it is now more recognised for its intrinsic value by both our elected representatives and by our community. If you think you can help (and who knows, you may even find a little meaning and purpose) give it a try and see where you can add value to what is already a great team.
Contact Paul Cooper at paul.cooper@waimatedc.govt.nz or call +674 3 689 0000 to express your interest.
Carpe diem!
