Talk about Paul Alinsky by Curt Catterlin

Thank you for this opportunity to talk to you about Paul and his pursuit of excellence. Paul believed in Michigan City.  He could have left and made his fortune anywhere but he chose Michigan City. How is it that he stayed? His father is the reason. His dad told him, “Paul, you can either go off to a big city and be a small fish in a big pond, or stay and be a big fish in a small pond.”

He was known to say, “we can do this”. We can put on a variety show, have fun and raise some money. We can build a cardboard boat, crew it and race it. We can put an additional 200 Amp service at the house so I can run the Christmas tree.

He pursued continuous improvement before it was a business buzz word. It was the way of the Alinsky family. Seek excellence in everything, and help others to be their best.

We met in High School. He the impetuous imp, me the level headed cautious one. He was smart, and clever and he was always wondering how things worked always pushing the envelope. It wasn’t uncommon for me to be asked  to watch over him, or rein him in. Apparently, he listened to me, but I never knew it. Our Junior year Chemistry teacher assigned me to him to keep Paul from harm's way during labs. Our year book editor wanted feel she had some control of him.

The thing is, he didn’t take chances, he took risks. He evaluated the situation, assigned a value to the risk, reward and consequences then he made his decision. When he decided to join Rotary he weighed the three main service clubs active in Michigan City, the Lions, Exchange and Rotary clubs. I pushed for Rotary. My father had been president and I was sold on the values and mission of Rotary International. It took him a week to decide. It was an important decision and I know he was happy with his choice.

He started his career in High School. He was 16 and a licensed locksmith who saw the coming of the alarm industry. He talked Mr. Schneider into adding a division for alarms to Schneider Lock and Key. In his senior year, he bought the alarm division did you hear that, he BOUGHT IT. He renamed it Sentinel Alarm. He began with car alarms, and worked out of the trunk of his Dodge Duster. This would have been 1972-73. He expanded into home and business alarms, then whole house audio & video systems, then the new digital phone systems. Sentinel grew for 20 yrs doubling their business each year. He ran all service calls until about 1990. He was building his business and going full time to Purdue North Central. He became active in Rotary shortly after joining the club. He had not been a member very long when he jumped at the chance to be on the board. As you know, each new board meets with the district governor. It was his first year and as he sat and listened. He kept hearing one man's name over and over. Finally he could stand it no longer. This is when he uttered those famous words, "just who is this Paul Harris?" Can you imagine the silence? He then went on to be club President in 1985, then served many years as classification chairman, then he became the first two time President in 1994. That was same year he served as Chairman of the Board for the Chamber of Commerce.  He went from putting his foot in his mouth with the District Governor to making presentations at District meetings, always in the pursuit of excellence; Oh, and there was this matter of his company to run. Paul wasn't all business. When we met at the Holiday Inn, we sometimes would have our meeting in the pool area. One meeting he was sarge. When we came in he was atop an aluminum step ladder in the middle of the pool. He was in a sport coat, tie, slacks and shoes. He ended by jumping fully clothed into the pool.

It was after the second or third presentation of the award that, Paul's father, Joe Sr., told me the impetus needs to be on the pursuit of excellence. He said, "this really isn't about Paul, it is about excellence and the constant pursuit thereof." With that in mind, how do we promote excellence? How do we keep talented people in Michigan City, in LaPorte county? Here is a thought that occurred to me as I was contemplating this speech. What if the award was presented in an auditorium, like say the High School. It would be great to include the entire school in an assembly but in the least honor society members, athletes, band and theatre members should be there. Let them see the recognition, hear what the winner has done. Allow them to meet the winner maybe have a question and answer period. Show them what is good in our community. We are a small pond, and we have room for bigger fish. If we get one every other year to stay with the enthusiasm and love of our community like Paul chose to do, THINK of the possibilities.