JUN

23

By Tony Martinez

Youth sports, schools, and communities all depend on volunteers—coaches, board members, and parents who give their time for free. These programs succeed or fail based on personal responsibility.

As a parent, coach, and business owner, I’ve learned something uncomfortable but powerful:

We cannot outsource what matters most.

If I want my son to succeed in school, I read with him. If I want him to understand money, we study it at the kitchen table. If I want him to grow in sports, I invest time—not excuses.

Many people say they lack resources. But today, information is everywhere. What’s truly scarce is not money—it’s time and real attention.

The same rule applies to business:

• You can’t subcontract leadership.

• You can’t outsource integrity.

• You can’t delegate responsibility for culture.

Great communities aren’t built by systems alone.
They’re built by engaged adults who show up anyway—tired, busy, and imperfect.

Personal responsibility isn’t pressure. It’s power.