San Diego Metropolitan - The Connection

What a magnificent sight. Gathered in a single great room at the San Diego Convention Center were nearly 500 San Diegans and Tijuanenses, all coming together to celebrate and join in honoring 40 dedicated women and men who on a daily basis work to make a difference.

And what a difference they make.

The occasion was the April 12 inaugural Tijuana/San Diego 20/20 Regional Leaders Awards sponsored by San Diego Metropolitan and Frontera, Tijuana’s leading daily newspaper.

The idea behind the awards is to identify annually 20 people from each side of the border whose contributions to the binational region and its people have brought us closer as one people while still respecting our cultural, political and language differences.

The only problem I had with the event was the use of the word “leaders” as part of the award’s name. “Leaders” implies captains of industry, elected or appointed heads of government agencies, or presidents or heads of private businesses and chambers of commerce. Nothing wrong with that part of it, but so many others in a more subtle, lower-profile way make a huge difference.

My fears regarding the meaning were put to rest as the nominations poured in. Those nominating (anyone was free to do so) understood the other meaning of leadership — to take initiative. And this year’s winners, whether high-profile or not, fit that mold to a T, and then some.

As the names of the winners were being called, and their accomplishments detailed by the two publications’ publishers, Jose Santiago Healy with Frontera and Gary Shaw from San Diego Metropolitan, I thought of who was missing. I began to think of those who were not nominated, but very deserving, and of those nominated but because of the numerical limitation were not honored this year. Oh, that we could honor them all.

One of the wonderful things I noticed is how those who sent nominations took the trouble of thinking through the idea — nominees with many years of dedication, as well as those who are our region’s future, were included.

Most of us start our working careers joining this chamber or that organization to network for career or job advancement. These activities bring us in contact with others like us, and also with those few who have transcended from business networking to community service as the primary reason for activism.

Those who have taken this step of principle realized at some point that success comes as a consequence of caring about doing a good job and giving back to the community. The work and demeanor of these few can be contagious and inspirational.

This was readily visible by the quality of the younger nominees and those chosen for recognition, who most assuredly had earlier in their lives come into contact with one or more such inspiring person.

Also taking that proud walk to the stage to accept their honors and applause were a good number of inspirational nominees who are not recognized for that, but for the product of their work and community service.

Hundreds, nay, thousands of people on both sides of the border are so deserving of this type of recognition; it hurts not to acknowledge them immediately. But finally, leadership lies in what Metro and Frontera have started.

I hope this event will be a permanent annual fixture in our region long after my generation is part of history.

Patrick Osio Jr. can be reached through San Diego Metropolitan or by e-mail at posiojr@aol.com.