In two-thousand and five the board of directors of Inner City Productions, Inc. and those of us on the staff agreed that after twenty-eight years of non-stop community activism, it was time to take a break. So, making a unanimous decision we place the organization on a temporary snooze break while each of us pursued other aspirations.
For me this break was all about returning to OCU to complete my degree.
With only eleven hours remaining to graduate, I can now look back at this experience with a renewed sense of achievement and accomplishment. I started this process with four hours carried over from my first attempt at college in 1966. The journey to completing the remaining one hundred and twenty hours has been to say the least a challenge. Especially since I live in McAlester Ok, and had to commute to Oklahoma City during the winter months.
As March grows closer (when I finish), the ice and snow covered roads traveled too and from the university, now adds to my sense of accomplishment. But, I have to be honest, there were days that I felt like turning around, going back home and giving up. At those moments while engaged in an enteral debate, I resolve that this time, there would be no going back or quitting.
In June 2010, the board of directors and staff agreed it was time to reactivate the organization; so the last five months has involved various legal and organizational task that ultimately restores it to full operation. Saturday October 16th we held the first event in McAlester, implementing a multi-county health and wellness project titled “Save The Children.” This campaign is affiliated with First Lady Michelle Obama’s national initiative to address childhood obesity.
After four years to do nothing but school, the challenge of working full time and school obligations remains to be determined. Fortunately, I have the support of the board, staff and volunteers who are committed to assisting me in completing this personal goal; so I look forward to embracing this challenge.
There is however, a real silver lining in taking this particular class as we actively engaged in restoring the organization to full operation. We are in need of a well planned and implemented media campaign to alert both supporters and the general public that we are back; and ready to go another twenty-eight years.
Did I hear you say we have to prepare a Public Relations plan for a non-profit organization? Hummm, I’ve got just the one for this assignment.
Jesse,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds to me like you've come upon a perfect alignment of success to come. I think it's really awesome to see that your vision and determination came with such magnitude as to give impetus to your drive in going back to school… especially over such a period of time. I think you and I graduate this May.
I think we all, as adult students, value the meaning of a good sound education, because it takes so much getting there. As I read through blog after blog, I sense a common theme: we all are hard workers looking to make a difference in this world. I can't help but think, students going to class with life experiences are able to cull from the teachings of academia with more grace than those who lack that experience. That's just me, though.
I would also add—your organizational campaign is admirable. Having First Lady Michelle Obama on board must deliver huge dividends in terms of eminence and distinction. It'll be really interesting to hear about what you've got in store for your organization.
-R
I love reading about people going after their goals and dreams. It is inspiring to see you achieving them, even when it is a struggle. I also find it comforting to know that other people are in the same boat as I am as an adult student. Yes, it would be easy to just turn around sometimes.... I agree with you though, the work and struggle will all be worth it in the end.
ReplyDeleteGood-luck in all that you pursue!
Your almost there. This is a good thing at our older age of going into or seeing the light!!! It's funny to hear you talk working and doing things in 1960's because I was only 3 at when you started your education.
ReplyDeleteI thing its great you have the patiance to still work one on one with children. I find my self at times struggling to be around kids for a very long period of time as I get older. I think it's the noise factor that gets to me first and the whinning.
Your cause is a noble adventure and I wish you all the luck with it and yes your right this class may be a diffient tool to help you with your upcoming projects. I like taking classes like this, that I can apply to my work and daily life. It's the classes that don't apply like gen ed 1 etc. where is was that suppose to be applied at in life?? .
Oh well like yourself I have 6 more classes after this semester and I to plan on embarking on a new adventures also it's called retirement!!! .