Bill Gates Sr.-- Public service an important family tradition

 

 

Bill Gates Sr. answers seven questions for The Rotarian.

I n a new book, Bill Gates Sr., writes about the early years of the world’s richest man (Bill Gates Jr.) and the importance of showing up, whether to help a neighbor, support a cause, or raise a family. The senior Gates is the cochair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which in January awarded US$255 million to Rotary’s polio eradication campaign , bringing the total committed by Rotary and the Gates Foundation to $555 million. Below, Gates Sr. answers seven questions for The Rotarian. Also check out excerpts  from his book Showing Up for Life:Thoughts on the gifts of a lifetime.

The Rotarian: How would you define the relationship between Rotary and the Gates Foundation?

Gates: In the Gates family, public service is an important tradition. My wife, Mary, believed, as I do, that great things can happen when people are connected together in a purpose that is bigger than themselves. Nobody does this better than Rotary. In waging war on polio, Rotary has become an indispensable partner to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. A trait Rotary shares with the Gates family is the ability and inclination to think big, come up with audacious goals, and then commit enormous resources to achieving them. Through our work together, we’re looking forward to the days when polio – a devastating disease that was once the source of so much fear for families here in the United States, and that continues to terrorize families – is completely banished from this earth. [The Gates Foundation has awarded US$355 million to Rotary International’s polio eradication effort. In response, Rotary has committed to raising $200 million by 30 June 2012.]

TR: You’re skilled at giving away money. What advice do you have for those of us who must raise it?

Gates: Often, I still am the one who is asking people for money. I’ve chaired school levy campaigns, fundraising campaigns for the University of Washington, and United Way campaigns for our community. And our foundation often asks our partners, including other foundations, nonprofits, and governments, to raise money, because we know that the challenges we’re facing are bigger even than the resources of the Gates Foundation. Asking people for money is tough, but I believe that giving money away in smart ways for causes that you care passionately about can be a great joy. I don’t pretend to know more about raising money than the people who do it every day – but I do think there’s more we can all do to call upon younger generations to give. I’d encourage parents to set an example for your children by giving generously, both time and resources, and making your commitment to public service an everyday part of your family’s life.

TR: Are you content to be known as Bill Gates’ father?

Gates: Long before my son stole my name and became the Bill Gates, I was known here in Seattle as Mary Gates’ husband. While I was building a career in the law, Mary was already out working to change the world, and she quickly rose to leadership positions in the many organizations she served. I learned then, as I learn every day now, just how wonderful it can be to be part of a family where service before self is taken so seriously and so passionately. I’m very honored that late in life, I’ve been renamed Bill Gates Senior .

TR: What would you like as your epitaph?

Gates: In the book, I say that my epitaph should be “He married well.” And I believe that. But, of course, I also hope that I can play a small role in helping people to understand that we have a shared responsibility to one another. I believe in business and in the power of capitalism to improve lives around the world – but I think this needs to be tempered with good, effective government and an active, engaged citizenry. Much of the work I do now is focused on the central idea that people everywhere deserve the opportunity to live healthy, productive lives.

TR: What are your top three parenting rules?

Gates: Be lucky enough to have great kids. Children seem to arrive with distinct personalities. All of my children are different from one another, so I feel fortunate that they started out as fundamentally good kids. Be purposeful about your parenting. There are so many good resources now about being an effective parent. I’d encourage new parents to learn as much as they can. One thing I learned that I’ve never forgotten is never demean your child. Never forget that your children are always watching you and learning from you, so try hard to be the adult you want your kids to become.

TR: When Bill was a child, did he give you any indication of what was to come?

Gates: The thing that stood out about Trey was that he was always so curious about everything . He read voraciously, and he remembered everything. But I think he would be the first to say that his success, at least from an economic perspective, was something no one could have predicted. Ultimately, it was a combination of intellect, drive, and hard work, but perhaps most of all, the good fortune to grow up in circumstances and in a country where he was able to take advantage of all of those attributes to create something wonderful. If my son had been born in sub-Saharan Africa, there would be no Microsoft, no Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In an ideal world, every child, regardless of the circumstances of birth, would have the opportunity to live up to his or her full potential.

TR: Did Bill misbehave as a child? Does he still show any of the same tendencies?

Gates: It wasn’t so much that Bill misbehaved, it was that he was so distracted by all of the other things he wanted to learn. In the book, I talk about how he used to sneak out of our basement at night to work on computers with his friend Paul Allen. Naturally, his mother and I had a hard time understanding why he had such a hard time getting out of bed in the morning. But he really was a good kid – unconventional in some ways, and that was sometimes difficult for all of us, but he was always the very thoughtful, curious, and optimistic person that he is today. (And as far as his behavior now, you have to remember, he’s now my boss!)