So ironic that I wrote about my work yesterday - here it goes again!
If you don't know much about The Salvation Army as a whole, I will give you a quick lesson. Army = Officers = Pastors = My Boss. These people are moved around from time to time and are switched to take on new challenges throughout their career. The officer who hired me, Captain Mark Boatman and his wife Lauren, have been at this "appointment" now for 2 1/2 years and have really done a lot. Long story short, they have turned a in debt, old looking building, non advisory council functioning organization into the exact opposite. This place looks incredible, the people are awesome and we are making positive changes. On January 24th, these officers will leave though, to Jonesboro, Arkansas. Although this change is going to be crazy for us, them and their daughter, it's REALLY for the best for them. I have really grown to like these guys, so it's going to suck to see them leave. The hardest part about "officer moves" is the fact that you JUST GET USE TO SOMEONE and then...they're gone! Together, I feel like we have made a revolution happen here in Sand Springs - even from the day I walked in the door, this place is completely different.
Of course, with any change, brings in new. On January 27th, Sand Springs will get something they haven't had in a while - a single male officer. Crazy, huh? We actually have a lot in common, so I'm pretty pumped! Who knows what is instore with this guy. He is a Seminole from Florida State and we have many employees who are Florida and Miami fans...should be interesting!
This type of change scares a lot of people. There are people who have been working at my facility for over twenty years, so they have seen their fair share of good and bad officers, they always pray for the better to arrive! Myself, well, I've had my fair share of bad officers in the past, I won't lie, but I feel it is my duty as the director of this club to keep the positive attitude and keep my head up for these guys. Afterall, they are the heart of our programming.
I think change will be good. I will miss the Boatman's like crazy actually, but I'm pretty sure this change will be good for everybody.
-G
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Career Day - What Am I Doing??
Over the past few months, I've REALLY started to enjoy my job. The challenges I have from this position, the people I've met and the experiences I've had have made change dramatically on the way I look at things, how serious (or a little less serious) I take things, how to manage people and seeing the good in people a lot more than I did before I came here a little over a year ago. Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for what I have. The kids, seniors, basketball and football members and the community are awesome and I'm learning so much through this position.
There are a few times out of the year that I REALLY miss UCO though...Greek Week, Homecoming, Christmas Break, PIKE I-Week and a few others, but days like today are actually very unique...I just miss working with COLLEGE STUDENTS. Besides my teaching gig at TCC, I only interact with two college students on a semi-regular basis; Callie and Robby. These two date, Callie worked for us during HS and now works for us during the school breaks and Robby comes in just to talk about twice a week when they are on breaks. They go to NOC (I make fun of them and call it NO OTHER CHOICE, learned from my recruiting days at UCO) and always want to talk about college stuff. Robby and I will get in pretty intense conversations about leadership development and his career choice like we did today. After our conversation, I realized...these conversations were an EVERYDAY thing at UCO, especially when I was working in Student Organizations.
Because I didn't have to work til this afternoon, last night I stayed up (a little later than planned) to research a few degree programs for my Ph.D. I've been doing this for months and it's become pretty addicting. I've narrowed it down to two or three locations that I would like to apply to but am not really closed minded about any of them yet. I'm deciding if I would like to go into a program for Psychology OR Educational Psychology. Every time I have a conversation with Robby though or even one of my students at TCC, I feel like I should eventually make my way back to the collegiate sector, which is where I would like to end up...but WHEN?
When I came back to Tulsa, I said I would take this job for a few years. It was going to be a stepping stone to the future for me. Not sure if a lot of people know, but I wanted to take these few years to give back. Pretty much the theme of my time so far and my time in the next year will be a time of me giving back to the people, organizations and everything else that gave me so much to get me where I am today. I feel that in the shoes I'm in, it's my obligation to give back...it's only right. I love my kids, seniors, parents, basketball and football members and the community that I work with, but so many times I reminded where my passion really lies; higher education.
For now, I enjoy teaching...actually, a lot! I will keep doing what I'm doing and having fun with this position until I finalize the Ph.D. plans and make them into action. My whole outlook on The Salvation Army AND The Boys and Girls Clubs of America have been completely transformed, positively, and I am so excited to keep these programs growing and gain more experience with people that I've come to love.
As a quote I live by, "What good is it to live, with nothing left to give. Forget, but not forgive, not loving all you see." I will continue to give and love my surroundings - keeping it fun and exciting.
Yep, life is pretty cool...and I have so much more to go!
There are a few times out of the year that I REALLY miss UCO though...Greek Week, Homecoming, Christmas Break, PIKE I-Week and a few others, but days like today are actually very unique...I just miss working with COLLEGE STUDENTS. Besides my teaching gig at TCC, I only interact with two college students on a semi-regular basis; Callie and Robby. These two date, Callie worked for us during HS and now works for us during the school breaks and Robby comes in just to talk about twice a week when they are on breaks. They go to NOC (I make fun of them and call it NO OTHER CHOICE, learned from my recruiting days at UCO) and always want to talk about college stuff. Robby and I will get in pretty intense conversations about leadership development and his career choice like we did today. After our conversation, I realized...these conversations were an EVERYDAY thing at UCO, especially when I was working in Student Organizations.
Because I didn't have to work til this afternoon, last night I stayed up (a little later than planned) to research a few degree programs for my Ph.D. I've been doing this for months and it's become pretty addicting. I've narrowed it down to two or three locations that I would like to apply to but am not really closed minded about any of them yet. I'm deciding if I would like to go into a program for Psychology OR Educational Psychology. Every time I have a conversation with Robby though or even one of my students at TCC, I feel like I should eventually make my way back to the collegiate sector, which is where I would like to end up...but WHEN?
When I came back to Tulsa, I said I would take this job for a few years. It was going to be a stepping stone to the future for me. Not sure if a lot of people know, but I wanted to take these few years to give back. Pretty much the theme of my time so far and my time in the next year will be a time of me giving back to the people, organizations and everything else that gave me so much to get me where I am today. I feel that in the shoes I'm in, it's my obligation to give back...it's only right. I love my kids, seniors, parents, basketball and football members and the community that I work with, but so many times I reminded where my passion really lies; higher education.
For now, I enjoy teaching...actually, a lot! I will keep doing what I'm doing and having fun with this position until I finalize the Ph.D. plans and make them into action. My whole outlook on The Salvation Army AND The Boys and Girls Clubs of America have been completely transformed, positively, and I am so excited to keep these programs growing and gain more experience with people that I've come to love.
As a quote I live by, "What good is it to live, with nothing left to give. Forget, but not forgive, not loving all you see." I will continue to give and love my surroundings - keeping it fun and exciting.
Yep, life is pretty cool...and I have so much more to go!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Jersey Shore - REALLY?
So, I've seen SNL skis about it, heard people talk about it and have seen a lot of ads - but I had to see it for myself. I'm sadly watching "Jersey Shore". This show couldn't make me laugh anymore than it has been RIGHT NOW! There is no way I could get into this show, except for the comic relief. THESE PEOPLE ARE CRAZY!
There are only a few shows that I follow pretty regularly. Flash Forward is a new favorite, GREEK (when it's not taking half of the year off...), Big Brother and of course, The Office. Although for all of these shows, excluding Big Brother, I have never sat down to watch them at their regular time. As a matter of a fact, I don't know if I could tell you when these shows come on...I just take one part of the week and watch OnDemand.
My dad is a Disc Jockey. He told me a long time ago that people listen to him for distraction, to get away from the real world and to enjoy. I believe that completely with TV, radio and most forms of entertainment. Although as you might be able to tell, I'm a pretty big fan of music. No matter where I go or what I do, I usually have some sort of music on, which is awesome!
I will usually take about one day a month to sit around, order a pizza and watch movies...ALL DAY. I started doing this when I lived with Jordan and Bob. Most of the time, Jordan and I would both do this on a Saturday or Sunday after a long week at work, going to a party or out the night before. Because I work with people a lot, this is a pretty cool recharge for me.
There are only a few shows that I follow pretty regularly. Flash Forward is a new favorite, GREEK (when it's not taking half of the year off...), Big Brother and of course, The Office. Although for all of these shows, excluding Big Brother, I have never sat down to watch them at their regular time. As a matter of a fact, I don't know if I could tell you when these shows come on...I just take one part of the week and watch OnDemand.
My dad is a Disc Jockey. He told me a long time ago that people listen to him for distraction, to get away from the real world and to enjoy. I believe that completely with TV, radio and most forms of entertainment. Although as you might be able to tell, I'm a pretty big fan of music. No matter where I go or what I do, I usually have some sort of music on, which is awesome!
I will usually take about one day a month to sit around, order a pizza and watch movies...ALL DAY. I started doing this when I lived with Jordan and Bob. Most of the time, Jordan and I would both do this on a Saturday or Sunday after a long week at work, going to a party or out the night before. Because I work with people a lot, this is a pretty cool recharge for me.
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