Too often, we are reluctant to yawp.  Yawping has gotten a bad name, owing, perhaps, to Walt Whitman’s description of his yawp as barbaric, or perhaps to people who yawp shrilly, or constantly.  We fear that if we speak up we may be known as squeaky wheels, complainers, or know-it-alls.

But we know that those who share their thoughts and feelings with gusto have impact.  They are the courageous; they are educators and dissidents, people who open our eyes and sometimes our minds and our hearts.  One sincere voice can resonate, inspiring change or simply building understanding.  And remember: a great yawp saved the citizens – and indeed the entire community – of Whoville!

Speaking up need not be hoarded until a moment of great peril.  Yes, it can be overdone, but speaking up freely, albeit thoughtfully, is often critical to getting things done.  In our work we have seen again and again the need for yawping.

For example, one big company that we worked with had invested a lot of time and money in charitable contributions, school partnerships, and the like.  The company’s motives were altruistic, and it was helping people and enriching the community through its good works, which was its intent.  Since its efforts were not designed to bolster the company’s reputation, it kept quiet about its philanthropic activities.  But when the company encountered a crisis, it found that the community did not know who it was, or that it could be trusted, in spite of its years of support.  We helped the company to speak up, in a way that was in step with its values, about who it was and what it believed in – and eventually the company gained the trust and support of the community, averted the crisis, and enjoyed years of prosperity and good will.

Another client, a small school, did not think it had the time to tell its story; it was too busy managing day-to-day deadlines.  Two years went by, and the school hit an obstacle that required it to change perceptions and raise significant support in a matter of weeks.  In spite of years of hard work, dedication, and an impressive last-minute show of support, its great yawp came too late to save the organization from closing its doors, and local children lost a valuable education option.

The consequences of yawping or keeping quiet can be great.  Yes, Whitman’s yawp was famously barbaric, but yours need not be.  If it is important, figure out what you want to say, and say it.  Even if the words are not perfect or the layout just so, get it out there.  Far better to try, than never to have tried at all!

Do you have a story to share about something good you or someone you know has done? Or a story about how communication changes lives? We'd love to hear about it! Click “See Comments” and register to leave a comment, or send an email to info@lighthouseblue.com.

I had the pleasure of serving as a judge for the Rotary Club of Sunnyvale’s speech contest a few weeks ago.  Seven teenagers, one as young as 14, had put heart and soul into preparing and delivering their thoughts about how to shape the future through Rotary.   One would “win” while the others would be dismissed.  That would be the end of it.  Or so I thought.

Little did I know that I would be so touched by the courage and poise of each contestant that I would still be mulling their messages weeks later!  I had expected that the students would be somewhat interesting and fairly polished.  I had not expected that any of them would teach new tricks to an old dog like me.  But they did.  Each one had something valuable to say.  One of the speakers, for example, made the point that the simplest of daily actions and choices have far-reaching impact, shaping the future for our children and grandchildren in terms of opportunities and worldviews.  Whether we’re helping another person, refining our own skills, or working to stay healthy, our choices position us to shape experiences for others whom we touch now and in the future.  In other words, we owe it to the rest of the world to be the best we can be.

In the communication business, we make our living helping others to articulate their messages.  We understand the importance of building strong relationships through sound and effective communication, so it’s a delight to see that at the tender ages of 14, 15, and 16, these children are already thinking about their audiences, shaping their messages and delivering them effectively.  We applaud them for their outstanding work and commend Rotary for giving them this opportunity to find their voices and speak their minds!

That brings me to another great benefit to my evening at the contest:  I learned a little more about Rotary: a group of volunteers who change lives throughout the world, working to alleviate suffering through improved health, sanitation, housing, and more.  Rotary International is comprised of 1.2 million members and their work is impressive.  One campaign of note is its effort to end polio — a disease that is distant memory today for America, but which devastated entire families in our parents’ and grandparents’ time.  Since the campaign kick-off in 1985, polio has gone from being active in 125 countries, down to four.  Sixty cents will cover the cost of vaccinating a child and saving a life.  So next time you meet a Rotarian, ask him or her about Rotary’s work to end polio.  Maybe even give him some money!   (Even if it’s only 60 cents!)  Remember, as I heard from one teenager who was clearly wise beyond her years, one tiny action today can shape the world.

Congratulations to Evelyn Siu, from Sunnyvale’s Homestead High School, who took first place in both the local and area contests, and to the rest of the local contestants who inspired audiences with their well-articulated thoughts:  Hillary Le, Evergreen High School; Miranda Chen, Homestead High School; Minh Nguyen, Piedmont Hills High; Rebecca Zhuo, Independence High School; Tina Huang, Independence High School; and Helen Nguyen, Independence High School.

For more information about the speech contest or other Rotary activities, visit http://www.sunnyvalerotary.com.

Do you have a story to share about something good you or someone you know has done? Or a story about how communication changes lives? We'd love to hear about it! Click “See Comments” and register to leave a comment, or send an email to: info@lighthouseblue.com.

Theresa Wilson, co-owner of Lighthouse Blue, wrote our inaugural blog.  Theresa’s biography and lots of other information about her and Lighthouse Blue are available on our website, http://www.lighthouseblue.com.