I want to talk about leaving Alternatives in the way the question was phrased to me "Why leave paradise?"
I try to construct a story of my business life. How did I become a financial hobbyist? It was not really in my background. I enjoyed financial and creative work. I wanted to work with a group of people to try out ideas, to experiment with mission.
People asked, "Did you expect this to happen?" There was never a goal of achieving a certain size or a certain level of profit. It's always, "Let's create a place to work that's going to be a lot of fun." These ideas may be successful or not. The experimenting was the point.
One of our first examiners, Lance McAllister, captured how I work. His statement was critical but I took it as a compliment. "The problem with Bill is that he decides what to do before he looks to see what is possible." Although I can see that would cause some problem with a regulator, I'm proud of be able to keep up with that vision.
But, more to point, why would I want to leave such an institution? I used to swim at the University. There was an older man who swam two miles daily, quite a rapid pace. His swimming style exaggerated breathing stroke, nearly rolling over at the shoulders. I've developed strength through years of repetition, but I've also collected business habits that are pretty poor form.
I want to regain my balance by taking another position, working against my habits, learning anew. I recognize that taking another position is not going to be easier. Leaving will actually be quite a bit harder. Unfortunately, Alternatives picked up some of my bad habits; perhaps the dress code is the clearest example.
I've also thought about what I do as a musician made famous for a particular song that was invented in youth. I am being asked to sing that same song that represents someone that's not me anymore. Success pins me into performing that role again and again. Running this institution that is successful pins me into that role again and again. I want to move forward from Alternatives, not in any sense negative, but that I have another side of myself to explore.
Beyond that I picked this time for personal reasons. My youngest son Ben just graduated from high school, thank goodness. My youngest daughter Tessa finished college last month. My oldest son Blake is out on his own. My oldest daughter Anna will soon make me a grandfather,
So, when I am asked, "Do you feel sad about leaving?" Frankly, No. It's time.
I do appreciate what's good about Alternatives. Alternatives is Best of Class nationally. Part of that is at the mythical level. Every tribe knows its own community as "The People." Their local hill is the center of the universe. We who work here believe in the vision of this institution as the center of the universe. That is not contradicted with other people in other places who feel similarly about their own lives. It is consistent to be centered in your own life and community.
After my "retirement" I'll be staying in Ithaca, but moving on to a Senior Fellowship at the Aspen Institute, Economic Opportunities Program. Part of the attraction of that job is that I don't have to leave here. I really appreciate that. The work I'm going to be doing is strongly related to Alternatives' work. We've talked about partnerships in development with Alternatives, giving me the opportunity to work with these fine staff as I move on.
I'm proud about what we've accomplished with Alternatives. Many members have come up to me with just two themes. A whole group of people ask if their account number is the lowest; they're proud to have been with Alternatives the longest. We appreciate the loyalty of members.
I have heard more about the way our work changes people's financial lives. The loans we made or financial counseling or the way we talked about developing a financial life. Doing the work the way we do it lets people change their lives. That's where the value is.
One of the things we started talking about in the beginning of Alternatives was economic democracy. The core principle is that you vote with your dollars. Not only a vote in an election but a vote with every dollar. Where you spend your dollars determines what kind of future you're going to see.
Thank you for investing your dollars with us and making this part of your future.
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