When I was 14 years old, I belong to the Union League Boys Club.
The Union league men’s club sponsored the club, the most prestigious business club in Chicago.
As one of the more active members in our club, I had a sponsor from the Union league men’s club. Once a year, I was invited downtown to meet with my sponsor at his office and lunch at the men’s club. The meeting was a privilege and honor given to very few of the boys club members.
It was my first exposure to the world that existed outside of my neighborhood.
As a result, I’ll never forget that. My first sponsor’s first name was W. I never heard of anyone with a letter for a name and always thought it was amusing. He seemed to be proud of having a letter for a name, and he was a great guy.
The Banquet
Each year we would invite our sponsors to our local club for the annual awards dinner.
I was supposed to attend the dinner with W as my guest. However, that night, I chose not to go to dinner and hang out with my friends. A clear violation of social etiquette, which I would come to regret.
The next that went to the club, as I did every day. Miss Lee, the club director, called me into her office. She asked me why I had not attended the dinner. I gave her some flimsy excuse, which she knew was not the whole story.
She said, “do you see that trophy behind my desk”?
Behind her desk was a huge trophy, which I recognized as the annual trophy to the club member with the most outstanding record of participation in club activities.
Therefore, she proceeded to tell me why I should have received the trophy and why I would not.
Irresponsible Act
Consequently, it was simple. I committed an irresponsible act, and as a result, no trophy is my life lesson.
Not only had I embarrassed myself and left my sponsor without a host, but more so would have a bad memory of an occasion where I should have been a cherished lifelong memory.
Leave a Reply