The Power of One Idea

Elaine Scheer, Moorhead, BCLP 1989    
Office Manager, Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Hot Dog Sales Build Healthy Community
When it comes to community leadership, Elaine Scheer is certain about one thing: a great deal hinges on forging relationships. That was modeled by her parents as she grew up, anchoring in her a sense of public service that has kept her faithful to her role as an election judge for Skree Township for 22 years, to her service as a 4-H leader and Clay County fair judge, and to her leadership in helping establish the Blandin Alumni Board nearly 20 years ago.

Like other cohorts who attend BCLP retreats, the one in which Elaine Scheer participated in 1989 left “fired up”— ready to put to work its renewed commitment to healthy community. Elaine and colleagues settled on a practical way to enable the work of other groups: raise money. They organized themselves into the Blandin Alumni Board and began working concession stands at the Fargo Dome. The revenue first generated went primarily to support rural firefighters in the county. With the help of alums from five other BCLP Clay County cohorts, this project has since given away over $60,000 — not only to rural rescue squads but also to other organizations including: 4-H clubs, branch libraries, Youth Alive, senior nutrition programs, Dress for Success, Rural Life Outreach, Centro Cultural de F/M, Northern Lights Art Guild and the Clay County Dare Program.

A Pledge to Larger Service
Elaine’s roots go deep in Clay County soil. She likes telling this story because it captures the enduring sense of commitment to community that has shaped her life. As she talks about what she does and why, one can hear the echoes of the 4-H Pledge: I pledge my head to clearer thinking, my heart to greater loyalty, my hands to larger service, and my health to better living for my club, my community, my country, and my world.

From their farmstead in Hawley, Elaine commutes 30 miles daily to Fargo for her job as office manager at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. She has been at this particular church for over a decade but has been serving churches in administrative roles for 30 years. While the work reflects her deepest values, Elaine has found that it has also afforded opportunities for continued growth and greater understanding of people, organizations and systems. Her involvement on a national level has brought her into contact with a wide range of people holding an equally wide range of opinions about church life, the state of society and what makes for a good life.

Recently, Elaine became involved with the Blandin Foundation’s Partners-in-Leadership Program and is now a “partner” to two Hispanic women in the greater Moorhead community. In this leadership role, Elaine serves as a resource and helps them find meaningful ways to get involved in the community. A lifelong learner, she recognizes that every opportunity is a teaching moment, adding that she is gaining new perspectives and understanding from her two leadership partners.

Storytelling Builds Social Capital
The BCLP leadership retreat was an intense experience of relationship building, creating the sort of social capital that has sustained the Fargo Dome project for close to 20 years. Elaine continues to build new relationships — the kind that invite people into community involvement — by telling stories about how one grows as a person by contributing to the community. “It is important to talk about the value of helping others even if people assume it is something we all believe. I am surprised at how just one word, one idea, can motivate people who may be holding back or standing on the sidelines.”

Elaine has learned that success as a community leader depends, in large part, on setting priorities and making choices. “I’ve learned to say ‘no’ to doing everything, though it’s still hard. But if you don’t, you burn out quickly.” By setting church and family as priorities and being purposefully selective in other commitments, Elaine lives in a way that allows her head, heart, hands and health to build and strengthen vibrant communities.