2005 Community Builder Award Acceptance Speech
September 17, 2005 — Speech given by Herbert MacArthur (Booz Allen Vice President) at the Rebuilding Together 2005 Community Builder Award ceremony.
Thank you, Patty. Thank you, Gene. Ladies and gentlemen. I am truly honored to accept the 2005 Community Builder Award, on behalf of the 16,000 employees of Booz Allen Hamilton. Rebuilding Together is a cause and a platform that we support at all levels of our firm. Scores of our consultants from many different parts of the company in many different cities have contributed their hands and their hearts — all in a collective effort to transform homes, communities ... and lives.
Over and over, we hear glowing accounts of the positive impact that the Rebuilding Together experience has had on individuals and families in our communities. At the same time, the experience has had a profound affect on Booz Allen individuals and teams who are helping, in whatever capacity. It seems to be transformative on many levels for all involved, and serves a need in each of us to give back in ways that are meaningful and motivating.
Community as Cornerstone
When I learned that I would have the privilege of receiving this Community Builder Award on behalf of our firm, I reflected on the special significance of the word "community." It means a great deal to us at Booz Allen because community is the cornerstone of the firm's philanthropic and community service programs.
We strongly believe that we have to reach beyond office walls to understand, embrace, and assist organizations working to meet human care needs in communities where our employees work and live. We selected Rebuilding Together as a community partner because we could invest in a strong national movement ... one community at a time, one house at a time, one life at a time.
Employee Centric
As Patty said, we do have our own jargon at Booz Allen. We call our corporate citizenship philosophy "employee centric" because we choose to support our employees as they work to improve our country's communities. You'll see this kind of motivation and devotion throughout our ranks and it becomes the kind of driving force that makes an impact wherever it lands. We intend to stay motivated about your mission. With Rebuilding Together, Booz Allen has built a powerful partnership that fosters change day by day.
We share common goals and aspirations. Rebuilding Together calls it "sustainable impact." Booz Allen calls it "results that endure". In your language or ours, the meaning is the same. We're about making a difference. That's the reality. Day by day, person by person, we're creating the way for positive change.
Power and Possibilities
You know better than anyone else the power and possibilities of community energy and enterprise. You were also willing to take a hard look at your own power and possibilities. That is one of the key reasons that I agreed to be the officer in charge of an organizational assessment for Rebuilding Together.
We get scores of requests every year to contribute our expertise for various organizational initiatives. We base our decisions on things we've discussed—community and impact—but also on the organization's ability to serve and embrace change. It's not easy but it's critical in today's world. We've been impressed with your honesty, your passion, and your commitment to do what's needed to expand the reach and impact of your noble cause.
I tell my organization that the stronger we are as a team, the better we can serve our clients. Likewise, the greater our drive, the closer our ties as partners with Rebuilding Together, the better we can serve those who depend on us to survive and thrive ... in their own homes. We're delighted to be your partner on this collaborative journey, and look forward to reaching new heights helping others, together.
Human Needs
In thinking about what I wanted to say tonight, given the magnitude of recent events, I was struck by the realization that human needs come in many forms-from the dire circumstances caused by a one-time event like Hurricane Katrina to the pervasive demands of improving homes for the elderly and poor. We are committed to doing our part to address both emergency situations and long-term needs. Booz Allen Hamilton is the kind of company that makes commitments that count, like our promise to help meet the housing needs for the poor and elderly over the long term.
Sustainable Impact
This is a special moment in time because our country has finally seen what Rebuilding Together has always known. Our citizens need our help. Together, we all have tremendous power to make a real difference.
Winston Churchill said, "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees opportunity in any difficulty." I appreciate the opportunity to represent Booz Allen tonight, the opportunity to be part of Rebuilding Together, and the opportunity to help our country. Thank you.
