Positions are not gains... and the door to service is open to everyone

Writer: Dr. My profit is a state

Some people view public positions as an opportunity to achieve personal gain or obtain a distinguished social status, without paying sufficient attention to the responsibilities and duties that they entail. This perception may be one of the reasons why the position is an end in itself, rather than a means to serve people and work for the common good.

It cannot be denied that a position gives its holder a status among people, and gives him a wider scope to influence his surroundings and society, but this status remains linked to the way he deals with his responsibilities. It may be a source of respect and appreciation when its owner invests well in his position in serving people, working to address their issues, and responding to their needs. It may be the opposite if he is preoccupied with personal gain, and his own interests take precedence over the duties entrusted to him.

The position, in its essence, is not a privilege as much as it is a responsibility, and its value is not complete by what it gives to its holder, but rather by what he can provide through it. The official who realizes the reality of his role knows that people’s trust is not gained simply by reaching a certain position, but rather it is built by attitudes and practices, by the extent of concern for the interests of society, and the ability to transform responsibility into tangible action whose impact people feel in their lives.

But there is another issue that is no less important, which is the belief that public work and community service remain linked to office holders alone, as if initiative, work and influence can only be achieved through an official position or specific powers. This belief limits society's role to waiting for what the official decides or is able to do, and makes many deal with their issues as if they were recipients of the service, not partners in creating and developing it.

The truth is that community service does not begin with the position, nor does it stop when one is absent. There is a lot that a person can offer from his position, whether through an individual initiative, volunteer work, participation in addressing an existing problem, or contributing to the development of an idea that serves people and meets their needs. A person does not necessarily have an official authority in order to have an influential role. A sincere will and willingness to work may open wide doors for giving.

Public work is a shared responsibility that cannot be borne by one person, regardless of his abilities or position. Society consists of different individuals, institutions, and activities, each of which has a role that can contribute to construction and development. When these roles are integrated, and the desire for cooperation is available, the opportunities for achievement become greater, and addressing public issues becomes a collective responsibility based on participation and initiative, not on waiting for others.

Hence, the presence of an official capable of working and achieving is important, but what is more important is that there be a society that believes in its ability to participate, and realizes that its role does not end with selecting the official or monitoring his performance, but rather extends to presenting ideas and initiatives, contributing to finding solutions, and enhancing the spirit of cooperation among its various components. The successful official does not see community initiatives as competition for his role, but rather considers them to be a helpful factor that expands the scope of work and gives efforts greater chances of success.

Also, striving for positions should not be the only path for someone who wants to serve his community or leave a positive impact on it. Positions, by their nature, change, and responsibilities move from one person to another, but the impact of honest work remains present. How many people did not hold any official position, yet they had a clear role in serving people, contributing to solving their problems, and promoting the spirit of cooperation and solidarity in their surroundings.

Therefore, the real competition that society needs is not competition for positions, but rather competition to provide the best, take the initiative to work, and bear responsibility for each position. It is not important who occupies the position as much as we care about what he offers, and it is not important that a person be in a decision-making position in order to serve, but rather that he has the desire to work and the willingness to make an effort for the sake of others.

The doors of public service are open to everyone, and no one should feel that the absence of a position prevents him from participating or prevents him from providing what he can. Every person has a space in which he can work, and every sincere initiative has value, regardless of its size. What society needs is to strengthen this culture, encourage everyone who has an idea or ability to contribute, and provide space for different energies to be true partners in work and achievement.

In the end, positions remain a temporary responsibility, but serving people is a value that is not linked to a position or title. Whoever wants to leave a good impact on his community can start from where he is, without waiting for a position or authority. Nations and societies are not built by the efforts of officials alone, but by the integration of everyone’s roles, and by the belief that giving is a right for everyone who can, and a responsibility for everyone who has the desire to work.

Positions are not gains, and service is not limited to position holders. Rather, it is a shared responsibility and an open door for everyone who wants to work sincerely for the people and the public good.

0 Palestinian writer and politician