Service above self

In a time when public trust often feels in short supply, it can be easy to become cynical about public service. We see political dysfunction and partisan gridlock.

Yet despite all of that, there are still people who answer a simple calling: service above self.

Service above self means putting the needs of others ahead of personal convenience. It means volunteering when nobody is watching. It means coaching a youth sports team, helping a neighbor in need or running for office because you believe you can make your community better.

Politics has become an easy target in America, but local government remains one of the purest forms of public service. Across Ohio, ordinary citizens spend countless hours attending meetings, studying issues and making decisions that affect the communities they call home.

We often think of heroes as members of the military, firefighters and police officers. They deserve our admiration, but heroes can also be found in less obvious places. Sometimes they sit behind a council dais. Sometimes they serve on a school board. Sometimes they coach youth sports or volunteer with civic organizations.

Every thriving community depends on someone’s willingness to put others first  choosing to serve. My community of Kettering is no exception.

The quality of life we enjoy today was built by generations of residents who believed being a good citizen meant more than paying taxes and voting every few years. They believed it meant becoming involved.

This lesson was taught to me by my father, Bob Scott, long before either of us held elected office.

Some of my earliest memories involve discussions about current events and politics. My father believed informed citizens make stronger communities. He encouraged questions, debate and critical thinking.

Growing up in the 80s and 90s, we spent evenings watching "Crossfire" and "The McLaughlin Group." We talked about elections, public policy and issues shaping the country. Looking back, I realize those conversations were about much more than politics. They were lessons in citizenship.

Two memories stand out. While a cub scout, my Father took me to my first Kettering City Council meeting. And, when I was in middle school, he took me to a Bob Dole campaign rally during the 1996 presidential election. These were glimpses into civic engagement.

My father's lessons about service extended far beyond politics.

He was the neighbor who showed up to help cut grass when someone could no longer do it themselves. He was the person people called when their car would not start or when something needed repaired. He spent weekends helping others, often without being asked and never expecting recognition.

To him, service was not something you did for credit. It was something you did because another person needed help.

His commitment to Kettering was rooted in his own story. He grew up in the Southern Hills neighborhood and often credited Kettering City Schools for helping him succeed. He spoke frequently about the opportunities he received through the work-study program at Fairmont West High School and how those experiences helped prepare him for a successful business career. He never forgot where he came from, and he never stopped giving back to the community that helped shape him.

Those lessons shaped my own path.

Years before my father was elected to Kettering City Council, I had the privilege of serving on council myself. Later, I was elected Kettering Clerk of Court. My father did not tell me to pursue public office, but his example made public service feel like a natural extension of citizenship.

After years of coaching youth sports, officiating basketball games, volunteering throughout the community and helping neighbors whenever they needed it, Bob Scott was elected to Kettering City Council. He approached the office the same way he approached everything else: with humility, dedication and a desire to make the community better.

He understood something often forgotten in modern politics: Public office is not about status. It is about service.

Last week, Kettering lost someone who served above self when my father passed away.

As I reflect on his life, I am reminded service above self is not simply a slogan. It is measured not by what we accumulate but by what we contribute. It is found in countless acts of kindness, many of which will never be recognized publicly.

So this week, I offer a simple thank you to the volunteers, coaches, mentors, first responders, nonprofit leaders and public servants who strengthen our communities every day.

And most importantly, thank you to my father.

Thank you for the conversations around the dinner table. Thank you for teaching me to care about the issues of the day. Thank you for showing me that citizenship requires participation and that communities become stronger when good people choose to serve.

Most of all, thank you for demonstrating service above self is not just a phrase.

Kettering is a better community because of your service. I am a better public servant because of your guidance. And I am a better man because I had the privilege of being your son. No son had a better father. I love you Dad.

Rob Scott is the Kettering Clerk of Court, an attorney and a small-business owner. Contact him at rob@robscott.us.