PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: As I read books and stories about the matriarchs and patriarchs of American history, I see a constant theme: everyone looked for — and expected to find — the opportunity to improve themselves.

One of America’s greatest symbols, the

Statue of Liberty, calls out to those not of American birth and alludes to this great dream of opportunity: Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

Another thing that stands out when I read stories of early American progress, too, is how much work it took to take advantage of these so-called opportunities. Thomas Edison once quipped, “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Abraham Lincoln said, “I will prepare and someday my chance will come.” And Benjamin Franklin bluntly stated, “We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”

I get the sense that opportunity cannot just be handed out. It must be worked and tilled and earned, like a farmer tending his crop. If you take this philosophy, opportunity given is not really an opportunity at all; it is just a hand out. History shows us that hand-outs are never truly appreciated by those on the receiving end. No, real opportunity is earned; anything less is simply social bribery.

To fully take advantage of an opportunity, a person has to put some skin in the game. For example, I have the opportunity to get my MBA through the Post 9/11 GI Bill. But this opportunity wasn’t just handed to me. I had to serve in the military for a certain number of years to receive the full benefit.

And now that I have this benefit, my degree isn’t “promised” to me by the trustees at Southern New Hampshire University. I have to go to classes and maintain a “B” average to graduate. If I get more than two “C+’s,” I even have to take a class over (I’m still grumbling about that one).

Once I get my degree, nothing says I’m going to get a great job that pays me six digits, or that I will live happily ever after. No, the only thing promised is the opportunity. Where it goes from there is on me.

I think some of our elected officials think opportunity can be legislated to specific folks. That’s why we see pieces of proposed legislation that direct money to be put aside for transporting people to job interviews and all kinds of acts with sexy titles that talk about fairness and equality.

Well intentioned documents to say the least, but, in my opinion, so very far from opportunity’s true intent. If folks don’t want to take advantage of opportunities when presented, you just can’t make them. Kind of like leading a horse to water.

The way I see it, we all have two courses of action: (1) we can look for opportunity at every corner, and when we find it, ride that pony for all its worth. Or (2) sit and complain about not having opportunity given to us.

As for me, regardless of opportunities lost, I always hope that I am in the former group, not the latter. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “The future belongs to those who dream.” I’ve got big dreams; I hope you do, too.

UPCOMING EVENTS: “Read ’em and Smile — Making Sense of Financial Statements,” a three-part series of Business Success Seminars that starts Thursday, April 4 (continuing April 11 and 18). The seminars meet 6:30 to 9 p.m. in the Village Room, Priority Business Center, 2 Main St., Topsham. Bradshaw Swanson, a Maine Small Business Development Center (SBDC) certified master business counselor, will explain the basics of accounting and how financial reports are generated, what they mean and how they can be used to understand where you’ve been and project where you want to go, financially, in your small business. Sponsored by SBDC, Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber and Brunswick Downtown Association. Fee.

The April 10, 2013, Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber (SMMC) Regional Luncheon will shed light on issues facing Maine. Gov. Paul LePage will be the featured speaker. The event takes place at The Inn At Brunswick Station, 4 Noble St., Brunswick, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A fullservice plated luncheon will be served. A special thanks to the 2013 Chamber Regional Luncheon Event sponsor, Mechanics Savings Bank, who has helped keep the cost of the luncheon to only $18 per member. Nonmembers and the public are welcome to attend at the regular price of $25. Online registration is recommended and reservations are required (seating is limited).

What’s your end game? You might not be thinking of selling your business, but it’s still important to understand your business’ value. You’ll learn the eight key metrics that are used to determine how ready your business is to sell at the April 17 Small Business Success Seminar. The presenter is Bob Bremm, of AdviCoach. The event takes place at the Topsham Public Library, 25 Foreside Road, Topsham, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please go to the chamber’s website (www.midcoastmaine.com), scrolling calendar to register for all of these events.

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS: Welcome to Woodfords Family Services, an organization serving more than 1,000 individuals and families throughout Maine.

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