“I was driving my bus down the mountain early one morning. I was looking over the city, and there was no-one on my bus so I stretched out my hand and prayed. I said, ‘Lord, I would really like to be a blessing – to be used by you in some way. I just want to touch Hamilton in some small way or a large way – whatever you have in mind.”
Ken Goobie prayed this prayer as a thirty-three year veteran driver for Hamilton Street Railway. At a time when many career people are looking to coast to a finish and collect their pension, Ken was talking to God about his future.
Ken Goobie
A random workday drive was interrupted by the thought, “What can I do to give back to my employer for all these years of provision? Wouldn’t it be great if I could pass on some of my experience to new drivers before I retire?”
Later as he walked past the Director of Transit’s office, Ken remembered the prayer and decided to act on it. An impromptu meeting with the director opened with Ken suggesting, “If I came up with an idea, a plan or some kind of program to assist or help you, would you be interested?”
Assured that the director was absolutely interested, Ken moved down the hall to another administrator’s office and was met with another enthusiastic response.
A third party was approached, but it fell on deaf ears. The third man was negative about the company and did not believe anything would help. (That man later left the company). A negative response to that meeting, but in a parting gesture he threw a trade magazine at Ken.
“Maybe there is something in there that will interest you”, he added as Ken left the office.
The magazine was from the Winnipeg transit system and included an article about their mentorship program. A mentoring coordinator was featured telling how he was helping the drivers.
Thinking that this might be the right strategy, Ken called Winnipeg and spoke with the mentoring coordinator. Acquiring notes and materials, he took it back to his boss and began piecing together a mentoring program that could benefit the Hamilton drivers.
The company flew Ken to Winnipeg to be trained and research the program. Upon returning, the program was tailored for Hamilton and launched. Expecting that there could be a dozen people participating, Ken was amazed to find over forty employees sign up.
Ken was not the only one amazed. Hamilton Street Railway had a one hundred and fifty year history which included its share of labour and union tensions. The mentorship program launched with a surprising degree of positive, team-building response.
The program matches experienced employees with new hires. Through coffee meetings, they share experiences and struggles related to their public servant roles. The new employee benefits from the wisdom and knowledge of veteran drivers. The veterans make a valuable contribution back to the company that has been their provider. No participant is left feeling alone in the workplace.
Word spread to the City of Hamilton Public Works department. With over 6000 employees, they wanted to know how Ken was able to get such a positive response. Eight of their managers met with Ken and the HSR team to find out more. Among other things, they wanted to know what Ken’s motives were in launching the program.
“Look – I have been operating a bus here for thirty-four years and I would just like to say thank you out of appreciation for years of having employment. I have raised my family, I have a pension and I can retire in the near future if I want. This is just a small token to say thank you.”
One of the men from HSR told Ken later, “Ken, you know what really sold them on this idea? It was when you said, ‘I want to help out of appreciation’. That blew them out of the water because they’ve never had person come in to say thank you.”
In Ken Goobie ‘s story we see a snapshot of noble service. His attitude is exemplary and models a heart shaped by God’s love. Gratitude is a fitting motive for service.
Pastor J.H. Blair used to bring Ken as a teenager to Braeside Camp. Together they would work at cleaning up the camp in preparation for its season of ministry. During times of shared service, a servant’s heart was imparted to Ken. A lifelong friendship ensued.
A week before J.H. died, his wife Rosie called Ken to come. Ken had worked as a barber and J.H. needed a shave and a trim. Ken viewed J.H. as a great man and he loved him. It was no inconvenience to perform a small act of service for the one he loved.
In the Kingdom of God there are no insignificant servants. Each one motivated by love is able to do good work and influence those who follow. You never know what the bus driver ahead of you might be praying.
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Ken Goobie
kdg@mountaincable.net
905 765 8651
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