Guest Editor: Cindy Dunston Quirk
Indianapolis, Indiana
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From Vision to Reality
Just five years ago, a bartender at a local restaurant in Indianapolis struck up a conversation with a patron. The bartender, after a while, began sharing his vision for a new organization. The patron, clearly impressed with the bartender’s vision and passion decided that the barkeep might be onto something so he decided to assist in the quest. On that very night, Rainmakers was born.
Tony Scelzo, the bartender, and Mike Finnegan, the patron, have continued their relationship over the past five years adding like-minded people along the way. Scelzo, Rainmakers Founder, and Finnegan, the Executive Vice President of the organization have taken the small association from that conversation across a bar to 1,000 members in only five years.
The five-year anniversary celebration was held Tuesday, September 25, in Indianapolis. Remarks were given to a record crowd of 636 by the Rainmakers Management staff, which includes Finnegan, Cindy Hartman—Vice President and Lorraine Ball –President.
Rainmaker Day in Indianapolis
Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson issued a proclamation declaring that Tuesday, September 25, 2007 was Rainmaker Day in Indianapolis and wished the organization continued success.
Scelzo makes his mark
If you have ever met Tony Scelzo, you know from the moment you engage him that he is a man possessed. He has the passion and enthusiasm that is at the heart of Rainmakers. You have his total attention while you speak. He is one of the most intense, remarkable men you will ever meet. He clearly inspires most who have the pleasure and good fortune to meet his acquaintance.
And then Tony Scelzo took the stage.
During Scelzo’s time at the microphone, he spoke of the reach each one of those present could have. "You never know how many people you touch and how you impact other people as your efforts and good works cascade out," he said.
In typical Scelzo style, came a story. Tonight’s story was about a man of color, a surgical technique, obstacles faced and changing the world.
Vivien Thomas, a young African-American in 1930 made the tough decision to leave college after one year as a result of financial hardships. He found work as a surgical lab assistant to Dr. Alfred Blalock. Blalock, hard at work in the operating room needed an assistant to help with research as well as additional duties.
Thomas, a very bright man, learned to perform surgeries and chemical results needed for new equipment the two were developing. Thomas became invaluable to Blalock as a major contributor in the development of not only surgical techniques but also with the design of equipment and with Blalock’s research.
Through this association, Thomas invented a clamp for the temporary occlusion of the pulmonary artery.
The Link
So, you are probably asking, "What is the link between a piece of surgical equipment and the fifth anniversary of Rainmakers?"
If it had not been for that clamp and how it was ultimately used to save the lives of thousands of "blue babies", Tony Scelzo would not be here today. And Rainmakers would not exist.
You see, Tony Scelzo was one of those blue babies. Without the chance meeting of Vivien Thomas and Alfred Blalock, Thomas would not have had the opportunity to develop the clamp or the procedure to save thousands of young lives.
Without the surgery, Scelzo would not have been at that bar to talk with that patron so many years ago and share his vision on how to make the world a better place one relationship at a time.
That’s the point
Funny how that works. And that is totally Scelzo’s point. We are all placed here with a purpose and a passion.
The very first step is nailing down what your purpose and passions are. In the business world, we need to make connections and create relationships to further our purpose / passions.
Why not help those relationships work toward making the world a better place together! Just like Vivien Thomas and Alfred Blalock. Just like Tony Scelzo and about a 1,000 other Indy Rainmakers.
Great Lakes Bureau Chief Mark Sturgell recruited our guest editor this month, Cindy Dunston Quirk, one of the 1,000 Rainmakers in the Indianapolis area and principal of Leap! Creative Mind, where she helps non-profit organizations reach new heights. Cindy can be reached via email at cdq@leapnow.net or call her at 765.622.1249.
Mark is also looking for a guest editor from Ohio. If you know of a truly Inspiring NetWork or Inspiring NetWorker, please let Mark Sturgell know. He will appreciate your input when you email him at marks@thenationalnetworker.com.
Mark Sturgell, Bureau Chief
Phone: 217.362.0500
