Leading Charlottesville

Media Planning for Nonprofits

2007-09-06T18:30:00.000-05:00

This week, I was the guest speaker to an audience of nonprofit organizations. The topic was media planning, and I provided an eight-step guide, media interaction tips and thoughts on how to develop a media relations campaign. At Standing Partnership, we serve several nonprofit organizations as clients, providing public relations, strategic communications and issues management services.

Not much, besides a promotion, is more re-affirming than standing before an audience as the expert in your field.

I was delighted with the reception, and thrilled at the number of people who talked to me afterward or sent a thank you e-mail, sometimes requesting additional information.

Thanks again to Wendy Brown and Jessica Burshell of CNE for organizing and publicizing the event.

Comment away if you'd like to learn more about media planning for nonprofits.

CNE Brown Bag Lunch on Media Planning

2007-09-04T09:47:00.000-05:00

I'll be dusting off my teaching skills and presenting a program for the Charlottesville Center for Nonprofit Excellence this Thursday. It's a brown bag lunch event, so pack your peanut butter and jelly and come on down to Live Arts for a lunch and learn opportunity.

The program topic is media planning for nonprofit programs and projects. I'll be taking the "class" through the steps to building a media plan, determining what's newsworthy about their programs and executing media strategy.

I hope to see you there! Details below:

Program/Project Media Planning
CNE Brown Bag Lunch
Date: Thursday, September 6 Time: 12 noon - 1:30pm.
Location: Live Arts, 123 E. Water Street
Presenter: Marijean Jaggers, Standing Partnership
Cost: Free for CNE members, $10 nonmembers

To find out more or RSVP, email jessica@thecne.org or call 434-244-3330.

New Crossing Guard Program in Albemarle County

2007-08-28T15:20:00.000-05:00

After all of my posts about the crossing guard situation in Albemarle County, I was invited to attend a press conference this morning by both the Sheriff’s office and the Albemarle County school board.

I was of course, delighted to be present for the big announcement.

Sheriff Ed Robb greeted the small crowd gathered in front of Hollymead Elementary School to share the news that the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office, the Albemarle County Police Department and the Albemarle County Public Schools have collaborated to develop a certified crossing guard training program — the first in the state.

The program, to be held Sept. 4 and 5 and Oct. 6 and 7 in Earlysville, consists of two full-day sessions focused on training volunteer crossing guards. The program has been “approved, sanctioned and certified” by the Commonwealth, said Sheriff Robb. Trainees will learn traffic direction techniques, emergency reporting skills and earn CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification. The future crossing guards will be required to pass a written test and complete a practical exercise to graduate.

Diane Behrens, assistant superintendent, Albemarle County Schools said that the crossing guard problem began in February, 2007 when it was brought to their attention that according to state law, teachers cannot be crossing guards. Working together, the school administrators and law enforcement groups found a solution: train the teachers and other volunteers to meet the requirements and reinstate the crossing guards.

When asked, Behrens said that it was not clear whether bus service would be discontinued for the students designated as “walkers” in the district. “It’s hard to take something away once we’ve started it,” she said. Student walkers for the district did not have bus service prior to February 2007.

What took so long to get the crossing guard program up and running? I have wondered, as February was nearly seven months ago. Brian Wheeler, school board member and fellow blogger who was not present at the press conference but with whom I’ve communicated on this topic, said that the curriculum had to be developed and approved by the state. As any teacher or government employee knows, that kind of process takes time. It’s a miracle they got it done this quickly, in that case.

The program is actively recruiting crossing guard trainees. If you’re interested in learning more about providing safe routes to schools in Albemarle, contact Caroline Heins, program coordinator for the Alliance for Community Choice in Transporation.

Cross-posted to www.stlworkingmom.com

Leadership Portland

2007-07-11T18:08:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to my colleague, Ann Smith, who has been accepted to the Leadership Portland program!

Ann and I are the coast-to-coast element of Standing Partnership, the PR firm we represent in each of our communities. Ann holds down the fort in Portland, I manage clients from Charlottesville.

I know that Ann will get as much out of and enjoy her community's leadership program as I have Leadership Charlottesville.

Del. Rob Bell in my Mailbox

2007-07-11T17:56:00.000-05:00

Today, I received a hand-written note from Del. Rob Bell, congratulating me on my graduation from Leadership Charlottesville.

How cool is that?

Thanks Rob!

Voices of Poverty on WINA

2007-06-18T15:17:00.000-05:00

Two of our team members, Becky Weybright and Joe Hughes were guests of Coy Barefoot last week on WINA.

Listen to the interview about the Voices of Poverty project.

We're excited about the exposure the project has gained. In the last couple of weeks, we've been invited to share the project with the United Way board at their annual retreat and this week, we'll be discussing options for a statewide initiative for the project.

One of the wonderful aspects of producing a podcast project is the flexibility of a Web-based initiative; it can grow, add layers and expand to accomodate any number of poverty awareness programs -- anywhere. Charlottesville becomes the pilot and model for other communities seeking to raise awareness of the issues in their communities.

Shoot me an e-mail to learn more about the Voices of Poverty project.

Graduating from Leadership Charlottesville

2007-05-30T19:48:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow's the big day. It's sad that we've come to the end of this journey, but exciting to be moving ahead with new friends, projects and possibilities. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone in one place tomorrow. While many of us have gotten together, certainly with our project teams, it's been since November that the majority of us have had the opportunity to spend the day together.

We lost one member of our team -- Jimmy moved back to Miami toward the end of our project. I think most of the original 35 have made it to graduation and will be there for the ceremony.

Tomorrow's events include presentations of our projects to the class. It will be great to share Voices of Poverty with them in person. I'm also looking forward to hearing more about their projects, especially the First Mile project, a program developed for seventh graders in Charlottesville city schools, to get them running and setting goals. I was there the morning the First Mile project team came up with the idea. Their energy and excitement were infectious and it was fantastic to see them take off and "run" with it. Theirs is certainly a story of success.

People I know are starting to think about applying for the program -- some have already signed up -- partly from all my touting, but also because they know it's a great vehicle to learn more about Charlottesville and create connections among people in the community -- something I believe all leaders crave.

Voices of Poverty in C'ville Weekly

2007-05-24T15:16:00.000-05:00

We received quite a bit of media coverage at the launch of www.voicesofpoverty.org

This week, we have a great mention in C'ville Weekly.

Have you listened to the voices yet?

Voices of Poverty to Launch Thursday

2007-04-24T07:35:00.000-05:00

PODCAST SERIES FOCUSES ON POVERTY IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Voices of Poverty Program to Launch this Week

CHARLOTTESVILLE (April 24, 2007) – A program designed to draw attention to the problem of poverty in Charlottesville will launch at a press conference Thursday April 26 at 10 a.m. in the Madison Room at the Jefferson Madison Regional Library, 201 E. Market Street in Charlottesville. Called Voices of Poverty, the program is a series of podcasts – audio interviews broadcast online – with those living in poverty or working to help those living in poverty, in the greater Charlottesville area.

“The goal of this project is to humanize the 25 percent of our population living at or below the Federal Poverty Level right here in Charlottesville,” said Joe Hughes, captain, Charlottesville Fire Department and a spokesperson for the project. “We want to give that population a voice so our community might understand, identify with, take heed of and be inspired to make a difference.”
The podcast series, featuring interviews with a mother living in transitional housing, homeless individuals and others dependent on local resources to stay alive, as well as those working to solve the poverty problem, will be distributed via the Web site www.voicesofpoverty.org beginning April 26. The series will continue over the next four weeks, with new podcasts released every few days. Thursday’s conference will highlight the premiere of the podcast series and provide an opportunity to discuss Charlottesville’s poverty issues with participants in the program.

“The Voices of Poverty project helps bring awareness to the fact that there are many impoverished people living in our community and there are many ways we can help,” said Shaele Wood, volunteer center director at United Way – Thomas Jefferson Area. “Through volunteerism, we believe we can all make Charlottesville a better place to live – for everyone.”
The project team partnered with United Way’s Volunteer Center, which provides opportunities for individuals and groups throughout the Charlottesville area to lend a hand in time, talent and labor. Visit www.BeAVolunteer.info for volunteering resources in Charlottesville.

The project was developed by a team from the 2006 class of Leadership Charlottesville, a civic and community-building program offered by the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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Gathering at C'ville Coffee Tomorrow, March 16

2007-03-15T15:47:00.000-05:00

If you're a member of the Leadership Charlottesville Class of 2006, start your day off right and head to C'ville Coffee 8a.m. tomorrow for project and leadership discussion. Oh, and coffee.

Maybe you're an LC alum, looking for a way to reconnect. We'd like to get to know you.

Just interested in learning more about Leadership Charlottesville? Stop by and say hello. We'll be happy to tell you about the program and how to apply.

On Poverty

2007-02-13T16:58:00.000-05:00

The project I'm working on with a team of other leaders for Leadership Charlotteville centers on poverty. The reason for this is that over 25 percent of our population is living at or below the federal poverty level. We're trying to define it, raise awareness and present opportunities for those interested in volunteering or contributing to organizations that can help.

Poverty, therefore, is a topic that has been on my mind quite a bit.

What it isn't: poverty is not merely being poor. A person living in poverty is not one who has missed a few car payments or who is barely making enough to make ends meet. Poverty is without hope. It is a state of not even being able to conceptualize a way to pull oneself out of a dire situation. It is generational; it has its own culture. Poverty is a state of barely being able to live, and living is precarious. People who are impoverished may not even know it. Why? Because their state of living is all they've ever known and the daily struggle to keep body and soul together is all consuming, a real-live Survivor without the payoff at the end.

I found this wonderful, moving piece "What is Poverty" today. It was originally published in America's Other Children: Public Schools Outside Suburbs, by George Henderson in 1971 by the University of Oklahoma Press. This is what poverty is, and it's right here, among us.

Generational Lessons on Diversity

2007-02-12T19:57:00.000-05:00

Diversity is a topic that takes some explanation; children, those raised in colorblind schools with special needs kids mainstreamed alongside them, may not immediately understand the bigger generational issues that the word and concept of diversity conjure.

Diversity is, as I've heard it defined, anything or anybody that is different than you. For me, that's anybody who's not white, Catholic, a woman, a mom, someone who works at home, people who were born in 1970, etc. The not me.

I've noted in recent weeks those in generations before mine who still openly display intolerance for others who are different. It's tolerated by others, particularly when our parents' or grandparents' generational groups utter slurs we wouldn't dream of using ourselves. We don't because, somewhere along the line we realized, even though those raising us used these terms, they were not terms we wanted to add to our vocabularies. We heard them though; we know what they are. Once in awhile I will be exposed to a new epithet. I am always shocked at its use, feel naive and upset (often I don't immediately understand it so there's a combination of confusion, ignorance and dismay that describes my reaction.) I don't want to hear any new names for "the others;" I have far too many in the back of my head as it is.

There are names, of course, for what I am: breeder, cracker, redneck, hoosier . . . and so many more I won't utter or share. You know them too and like me, bury them in a subconscious that won't use them. Or maybe you do, freely and joyfully intermingle slurs and epithets throughout your colorful language, devil may care, he had so many names, too.

It's an unconscious effort on my part. I'm devoted to sensitivity. For others who haven't grasped the importance, who do not understand the concept, I wonder if they're passing along these words, the language of a lack of diversity, a lack of cultural, gender, racial, religious and other understanding, to their children, the ones who only look at one anther and see people.

Partyin' with the Class of '06

2007-02-06T18:23:00.000-05:00

Friday night, the LC Class of 2006 got together for a party at a very generous classmate's home. It was the first time I'd introduced my husband to the group. It struck me, as many of us hugged our hellos and goodbyes, as I thrilled to see classmates I hadn't seen since before the holidays, as we laughed and caught up on one another's lives, how amazingly close some of us have become. Mark said, "Isn't that the point, though, to develop relationships in this group?" Well of course but it's just so great that it's worked so well. There are so many people in this class that I genuinely like, that I have missed without the opportunity to interact weekly.

Walking into that party, it was like coming home.

Mark even managed to make a few friends in the group, which is great since I plan to have the gang over when it gets warm out again.

Project Progress

2007-01-11T14:17:00.000-05:00

Greetings, O Leaders of Charlottesville!

Our team is progressing with our project and we've gathered the other teams are, as well. We have all selected a community project to support and are working in small teams of 5-12 or so to accomplish goals. It's the portion of the program that enables us to exercise those leadership skills we already have and to learn new skills along the way.

Our project has a poverty awareness focus (more on this later) and our group has been encouraged by the excitement the idea is generating in the community. The response from community partners we've approached for assistance has been very enthusiastic. Our team is fantastic; a diverse group that bring individual talents and connections that nicely complement one another and bring much to the project. As we move forward, my confidence in the project grows.

Our projects need to be completed in April. Deadlines will quickly loom. I'm interested to hear from other LC participants, past and present about any key learnings or best practices (ah, so much corporate consultant-speak, I know) gained during the project building process.

Feel free to e-mail me or chime in here in the comments section so everyone else can read.

Round One: Ding!

2006-11-20T11:57:00.000-05:00

There are really three sections to Leadership Charlottesville; the eleven weeks of sessions where we learn about our community is the first, the taking in; the second consists of our community projects, the giving back; and the third is the mentoring of the next class, having a hand in developing the sessions for the class of 2007, the passing on. The third portion, the passing on portion has become optional for the first time, with our class. I'm hoping many of us return to stay involved in the program for the class that follows us.

Our class has completed the taking in portion and attended the graduation of the class of 2005 on Friday. All day Friday we met to reminisce and plan our community projects together. We've divided into teams to tackle interesting and challenging pursuits, all to be completed by the end of April. I'm thrilled with my team and energized by our project, about which you will learn more here in the next few months.

At the end of our all day retreat, we went around the room and contributed final comments about the past several months we've spent together as a group. I didn't speak up because I was afraid of getting all verklempt. This program has meant so much to me and I'm so honored and fortunate to have had the chance to get to know so many smart, interesting, amazing people and to learn so much about the community, about myself and about others. I've made some fantastic new friends and connected with people I may never have gotten to know in this small town.

So here's to you, LC Class of 2006: Steve, Hannah Catherine, Pete, Joe, Amber, Jimmy, Kinda, Kendra, Lance, Pam, Valerie, Peggy, Jim, Mark, Beth, Jennifer, Liliana, Don, Becky, Amanda, Bernie, Shelley, Kira, Marty, Renee, Sarah, Danielle, Chris, Ric, Paul, Wendy, Carter, Craig and Darah. Let's continue to support one another as we work through Round Two. For my team and the entire class, I'm happy to be a resource for anything you're working on and I look forward to seeing you all again, soon.

The Idea Fire is Stoked

2006-11-14T08:01:00.000-05:00

Over the last couple of weeks, the LC team has begun generating some pretty exciting ideas. This Friday is our final session together, a full day retreat in which we'll be assigned in teams to five or six projects. Much discussion has gone on about what those projects will ultimately be, and which we'll be working with in the near future.

The project guidelines state that any project must be initiated by Jan. 1 and completed by April 1. That's a pretty short timeframe. Idealists, many of us have brought forth project ideas that are too big, too all-encompassing, to perform within the guidelines. We all seem to want to produce a tangible result, offer sustainable solutions and leave our legacy. It's a tall order.

Last Friday a subgroup of the class met for coffee. I was delighted to witness the far end of the table as they brainstormed through an idea that involves middle school kids and exercise. They got increasingly enthusiastic as they worked through the details and realized that this project was something they could really do, and as all the pieces started to fall into place. A team was being formed in an organic way, interests meshing with capabilities, and people simultaneously having "this is it" moments. It was a joy to see and hear.

Naturally, as we approach Friday, there are feelings of apprehension and anxiety. Will I be assigned to a project that I can be passionate about? Will the team work together effectively or will there be load-bearers carrying the bulk of the work? What if the project I've proposed doesn't fly? Can I generate enough interest to pursue it down the road, even outside of the program?

Another prevailing feeling is disappointment. I'm so sorry to see our sessions draw to a close. I've enjoyed the program (admittedly, probably more than most) and the people I've come to know. It's given me a reason to look forward to Wednesday afternoons, to learning and interacting with others, to being inspired and taking away ideas and plans for the future. I know that for some the committment to the program was thrust upon them by bosses or others in their respective organizations. Some classmates are Charlottesville natives for whom much of the information was nothing they didn't already know. Some have work schedules that demand, in some cases, up to 70 hours a week, already; the burden of four hours a week devoted to LC is time they need back desperately.

I know I'm different, as a big fan of the program. I will miss it, but hope to stay involved not just through the project to which I'm assigned and that looming April 1 deadline, but through the years, maintaining relationships with classmates and involvement in future projects, for as long as I call Charlottesville home.

Further Thoughts on Education from HC

2006-11-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

The following comes from Leading Charlottesville guest host Hannah Catherine, who wanted to share her thoughts on education with the group. Thanks, HC for your contribution to this blog.

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I’ve frequently thought about something that Dr. Pam Moran captured in her comments. So much of what we teach our children is independent learning. As an elementary school student, you have your own letter notebook where you diligently practice your letters. Early on, there are individual art projects. As a middle schooler you study for a test and then regurgitate the information in isolation. Even university honor codes stress independent study. If you work together it’s called “cheating” not “collaboration.” And then, we send them off from school and tell them that they have to go work with people. People! Where did you come from? I’m supposed to work with you!?! I don’t even like you…people…

Valerie mentioned that the number one reason employees leave their job is because they don’t like their co-workers and/or supervisor. Okay, now, this is where I get on my soapbox. There is good news. There is at least one place that we are teaching kids to work together. Students that are part of the yearbook staff, the theater club and/or the field hockey team are learning to work together for a common goal. Participation in school activities covers so much.

I glance back over our sessions.
1. Media and communications—certainly a child participating in speech and drama has a hand up on a career in television and radio.
2. Criminal Justice—if we’re worried about kids when the crime rate is highest (breaking and entering between the hours of 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.) team them up with coaches and give them a ball to kick.
3. Economic vitality and poverty—extra-curricular or co-curricular school activities help alleviate the working parent’s child care woes.
4. Health and human services—athletic participation helps prevent obesity and promotes lifelong wellness.
5. Diversity—teams provide an opportunity to meet others and share or discover a common passion.

A USA Today survey revealed that 95 percent of Fortune 500 corporate officers at the executive vice-president level or higher had one experience in common: they had all participated in high school athletics.

In what did you participate?

Benefits certainly do not come only from athletics. There are students that shine in debate or scholastic bowl. We’ve got a pretty capable group so I’m guessing that most of you were involved. Did you play an instrument? Were you involved with student government? If you are female and graduated prior to 1972, chances are, there was not much available. We’ve come a long way, eh?

What are your memories from high school? Was it a particular test or was it the friend you made on the team? I just had a brief conversation with an Albemarle county employee regarding middle school sports. As it stands right now, Parks and Rec. administers basketball, volleyball and track. A community group administers field hockey and lacrosse. The person in charge of the field hockey and lacrosse program is giving it up. Another individual has agreed to handle lacrosse. But no one has agreed to keep the field hockey program alive. It is likely that the 130 girls involved in the field hockey program will not have that opportunity in the future.The city has after school programs for elementary schools.

Walker (5th and 6th grade) has Edge. The high school has fairly strong extracurricular activities. (Yay VHSL!)I can’t find much for the 7th and 8th graders.

Who loved 7th grade?—not many people. Should we give them something to love?

I’ve just left one of the assistant principals a message so I’ll let you know what they have in place. A co-worker just came in to tell me about a young friend—an eight year old boy at a public school in Richmond. He is in an after-school program and if he is able to run 200 laps (approximately 26.2 miles—the length of a marathon) before the end of the school year, he will earn a free ticket to Kings Dominion. He’s so pumped because he and his buddy are over half-way there. Sometimes they run together, sometimes separately but they’ve made a pact to finish together.

“Nowhere do you find it in education like you find it in athletics: that teachers are teaching what they want to teach to students who are learning what they want to learn, and both are willing to work hour after hour on their own time after school so that everything that can be taught is taught and everything that can be learned is learned.” Al Burr, renowned educator

Friendship Charlottesville

2006-11-08T19:44:00.000-05:00

The program, as I've mentioned, is called Leadership Charlottesville. The side benefit to all we've learned and enjoyed is that friendships are being forged. As we learn and work together, it's interesting to witness relationships being developed among us. Each week I try to talk to someone I haven't yet -- believe it or not, entirely possible in a class of 35. I enjoy getting to know more about the people who were selected to this class, hopeful that the designation will somehow bind us together for years to come.

We've had the honor of having a few of our classmates flip sides and address us as presenters as they've shared their occupations and in some cases, their workplaces with our class. I value their ability and willingness to step into this role. One classmate joked that they could come visit me in my office. I'd love to have them but as a telecommuter, space might be tight in my basement home office. Of course it would be great to put them all on a jet to St. Louis, giving them the tour and illustrating for them what it is I do in a completely different environment.

I value the whole program but being a newcomer, the opportunity to get to know this bright, talented group of people (and Steve, too) and maybe even make some real, live friends is the best part of all.

The Arts

2006-11-08T18:54:00.000-05:00

My family has been involved with the arts since long before my time. By my family, I mean mostly Dad. Mom's role has been patron, supporter and driver. Dad has done it all: acting, writing, producing, concessions, administration, singing, casting and on and on . . . he's still going today, having just completed writing and scoring a musical which will be produced just as soon as he has time with the other dozens of projects he has going on. Even though he's never lived here, Charlottesville is my dad's kind of town.

One of the attributes that attracted us to Charlottesville is the strong presence of the arts community. Music, theater, art and the opportunity to participate in and enjoy quality arts and entertainment are a big draw for those coming to our little town from the big city. I remain confident that there's as much, if not more going on in C'ville than any big town in the U.S.

Today, the Leadership Charlottesville class had the joy of taking a walking tour including Paramount Theater, Live Arts, Second Street Gallery and the Music Resource Center. The behind-the-scenes look at the arts community provides a glimpse one might not otherwise see as a patron sitting in the seats at the Paramount Theater, for example. I'm glad to have learned the history of the Paramount (beginning with vaudeville in the thirties, triumphant resurrection in the early 2000s), learned more about the success of the Pavilion and the current and future plans of the arts at UVA. Knowing these details will enhance the experience and appreciation as a patron of the arts community.

At Live Arts we met artistic director John Gibson. The Live Arts facility is a fantastic variety of spaces dedicated to a variety of performances, primarily for adults. We also were thrilled to meet Richelle Claiborne, a performing artist who performed original poetry and sang for us, a huge bonus to the planned talk she gave about what life is like as an artist in our community.

At Second Street, we went to school with Leah Stoddard, the director of the gallery who provided information on what the gallery offers and some art buying tips.

The Music Resource Center was a thrilling end to our day. As a mom with a teenager inspired above all by music, learning about this program for kids in seventh through 12th grade was very exciting. Finding out that the program costs only $10 a year and is open to all kids (provided they go to school and do well) in the area, was an extra plus. I've asked my son, a high school junior to go with me and visit the Music Resource Center and get involved -- as a kid who aspires to work with middle school aged kids in music programs as an adult, the introduction to this program could provide him lifelong inspiration.

Before we moved to Charlottesville, we knew the arts community was strong, little did we know just how prevalent, supported and energetic it is. What I've learned is that this is not only my dad's kind of town, it's mine, yours and everyone's.

Education

2006-11-07T19:31:00.000-05:00

In Charlottesville, 39 percent of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Living side-by-side with the University of Virginia, arguably the best public university in the country, we breathe education as big cities breathe pollution.

The education session was held at Charlottesville Albemarle Technical Education Center -- CATEC. We were pitched the idea that the new approach to education can include technical school, providing students with a marketable skill, students who may go on to attend a junior college or obtain a four-year degree. Programs at CATEC include certifications in cosmetology, auto shop, brick laying, carpentry, barbering and culinary arts as well as IT skills. This alternative education path is one many of us recall as vocational school, bringing to mind scenes from Grease (Beauty School Dropout, Greased Lightening, etc.)

For the Charlottesville area, the workforce trained and dispatched from CATEC are critical to our economy. The issue that recurs, of course is the disparity between minimum wage at $5.15 and the living wage of our area, at $9.75. We're cultivating the working poor with our high cost of living and housing. The theory, however is these kids will do better with a certification in barbering, perhaps owning their own barbershop one day, than settling for a minimum wage fast food job that will never give them the advancement they'll need to remain in this community.

We heard from the superintendents of Charlottesville, Albemarle and surrounding counties' schools, sharing the challenges they face and the promise offered to students from programs like CATEC.

What education session would be complete without mention of No Child Left Behind and the Standards of Learning tests that plague our children, teachers and school administrators?

It's clear that our schools are good, clearer still that there are needs not being met. We're learning more about how students learn and what skills are not being taught, all drawing a straight line back to federal legislation that confounds and frustrates every parent and educator I've known all over the country.

Many of our classmates are involved in education and even more have a passion and interest in a project that supports education in our community. It will be fascinating to see how many projects fall in the education category, and who among us scramble to get involved.

The Dialog Opens

2006-10-26T22:55:00.000-05:00

I'm thrilled because I feel like we're finally beginning to talk amongst ourselves about areas of focus and projects of interest. We're not all going to agree, but that's the point of having several project ideas from which to choose. There are more issues than there are people in our class.

I keep going back to the lesson learned once at our retreat, again at the Health and Human Services session. We were given a task and separated into groups. In both cases we worked in our groups to achieve our goals. We were often not successful. Both times the lesson was that no one told us we couldn't all work together to reach the goal.

Would it be possible to apply that lesson, here? Could we choose one objective and use our collective talent, time and intelligence to make a difference in one area?

Thanks to all of you for the comments and encouragement (both online and off) regarding this site. I hope we continue to use it to further our thoughts and discuss amongst ourselves.

Diversity

2006-10-25T17:23:00.000-05:00

A former boyfriend's mother was telling me about falling in love with her husband. They were in college together at UVA in the sixties. She was saying how soon after they met they would stay up all night talking. She said when you find the person you're meant to be with, you just know.

What I knew at the time, that she didn't know, as we sat in her kitchen in Chatham, Ill. while her son was a freshman, here in Charlottesville at UVA, was that I just knew that her son was not the one for me. How odd that a year later I would meet another man and just know, and seventeen years after that, move with him to Charlottesville.

What she shared with me that day is true; whether you're speaking of passion for another person or for a cause; you just know when you are meant to be involved in something.

Today's session of Leadership Charlottesville reached deep inside my mind. It was the first session in which my mind was buzzing with ideas about what I can do, what we can do, to reduce the tremendous gap and to create positive change in the community.

I'm still formulating ideas but the nuggets are there: strong, inspired and confident.

Today we heard a lot about the 25 percent poverty level in our community. What I know is that there's an audience of the other 75 percent that need to become aware. One idea has to do with sharing that message with that audience, to get them interested and touch them in their hearts, wallets and at the voting booths.

We also experienced messages about the diversity of our community. We are a melting pot . . . before the heat's turned on . . . with many neighborhoods that have no cultural diversity whatsoever. We have socioeconomic and cultural diversity, religious and racial differences. Diversity is truly anyone different than you. My head is swimming with possibilities from Diversity Dinners to neighborhood newsletters.

One of our speakers is a political refugee from Kabul, Afghanistan. I was recently so very inspired by the book Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. My understanding of what life was like when the Taliban took over Kabul is limited, but the book and our speaker inspired me to want to learn more. I stayed after the session and introduced myself to our speaker, Mrs. Adish. She was so kind and generous, inviting me to her home for "good Afghani food" and a visit -- anytime. Worlds apart culturally, we now live only several miles apart and have in common sons that are the same age. I hope that we will become friends.

Sometimes, you just know.

Health and Human Services

2006-10-23T11:31:00.001-05:00

This is the session of Leadership Charlottesville that I privately thought of as the "slit your wrists" session. We spent a depressing afternoon learning about the challenges of caring for Charlotteville's impoverished and senior populations. One speaker jokingly offered to pass out the Prozac.

This topic is where my heart lies. Previously I've worked to resinstate removed Medicaid benefits and been part of grant writing teams that supplied needed and necessary support to those in need. In Charlottesville, where there are many affluent families, the percentage of people living in poverty is 25.9. That's extremely high. Health care is not easily accessed; dental care even less so, with children living in poverty accesssing dental care at a rate of only eight percent.

We heard from Cathy Train of the local chapter of the United Way, who shared the story of a typical day of a single mother trying to do the best for her children, struggling with the daily challenges of not having enough money, good childcare or enough time to devote to getting ahead. Medical professionals and social services program representatives shared their challenges as well. There are many programs that need support, but more than that, there is a need for the targeted community to be aware of and have help gaining access to the programs that exist. Sometimes, when the daily challenge is to provide enough food for your family, a trip to the dentist's is awfully far down on the list of priorities.

The other portion of the session dealt with Human Services for the Elderly. An older gentleman shared his story as a caregiver. He has been providing in-home care for his wife who has Alzheimer's disease for several years. It was very compelling to have a firsthand account of someone who has accessed nearly every program available to the elderly in our community. As our population grows older, with Baby Boomers pushing toward retirement age, these programs need to stay viable and strong to support not only our grandparents and parents, but one day, all of us as well. Any investment in programs for the elderly is an investment in our own futures.

Someone used the word bleak to describe some of the stories shared during this session. Ever the optimist, it's encouraging for me to learn that programs exist, that programs are not all at capacity, that there's room for support and these groups are certainly reaching out for help.

The difficult part is choosing, and successfully making a difference.

Health and Human Services

2006-10-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

Mastering the Monkey Bars

2006-10-17T18:29:00.000-05:00

Remember the first time you stood on the ground and looked up at the monkey bars? Maybe you watched another kid swing his way across before you took your turn. What comes so naturally to us as children; introducing ourselves, trying new activities, can still as adults as long as we abandon that tiny part inside of us that cares what others think.

When you first tried to swing, arm to arm on the monkey bars, did you stop and wonder if the other kids would think you looked silly? Did you care? Did you wonder if you were the only one, if others would see you and think it looked like fun, too. Did you hope the others would stay and play?

Moving from St. Louis to Charlottesville, we made our transition, reaching our arms from one solid place to another, gut tingling fear in the middle, before we'd confidently grasped the next bar in our monkey bar move. Still holding onto both bars, dangling safely with both hands hanging on, I'm not quite ready to let go of that first bar, to keep moving till I get to the other side.

Recently, I wrote an article for The Commonspace, a St. Louis grassroots civics and culture publication. I've written for The Commonspace before, only this is my first time to contribute to the Expatriates column (I harbor a secret desire to ultimately write for every section of the publication). The piece is a little bit about letting go; a little about finding the next strong, safe place to hold onto.

It's a testament to then, a commitment to now.

Economic Vitality in the Charlottesville Area

2006-10-11T19:26:00.000-05:00

This week's session of Leadership Charlottesville focused on economic vitality and housing. It's ironic that this week marks one year since we decided to move to Charlottesville and began looking for a new home. With median house prices at $255,000, we were a little concerned that we would not be able to find what we wanted within our range.

For anyone living in or around Charlottesville, the issues regarding economics and housing are well-known. We're a growing community of "haves" and "have-nots" where affordable housing is needed. There's a need, too, to attract a diverse workforce for the area. We can't attract the middle-income jobs if those performing the jobs cannot find a place to live. We need nurses and teachers. We need construction workers and service providers.

Our economic and housing issues fall on deaf ears. Who really wants to help the Best Place to Live in America become even better? Does this community really want to attract more working class people? Are we elitist? Do homeowners in the region want to see their property values decrease? Is our population growing too fast, to big? It's a tough sell.

The issues raises a lot of questions among my classmates and throughout the community. Unlike poverty, healthcare and education, it's not the most emotional, compelling issue, but it's real, and of immediate concern. This area is looking at an estimated 3-4,000 people relocating here in 2008, and that's just from one employer expanding in the region. As one of our speakers said during the session; "we need to stop talking about it and start doing something."

What that is, we're just not sure.

Where do your thoughts lie on the economic issues facing Charlottesville, Albemarle and the surrounding counties? What do you think about our housing problem?

A bit of fun with the LC class, after our session

2006-10-11T18:08:00.000-05:00

After today's session, a group from our Leadership Charlottesville class went out for a drink. Much hilarity ensued. You know you've become a tight-knit group when y'all (wow, it's starting to rub off) can sit down for margaritas or beers and have a great time chatting away.

As we are the "cream of the crop" in the future of leadership in our community (not my words, but I like them!) you can imagine that there's a local celebrity or two in our midst. While we were enjoying our suds and salted glasses, another patron of the restaurant spotted one of our celebrity classmates and just went bananas. She just had to have an autograph.

Kudos to our classmate who knows how to handle a fan with style! I should mention that the er, autograph location was totally the fan's idea.

Criminal Justice

2006-10-04T17:24:00.000-05:00

Look. Listen. Learn. And then lead . . .

I spent some time in jail this afternoon. Well, just visiting, anyway. Today's session of Leadership Charlottesville was about criminal justice so it was fitting that the class spent the day at the Charlottesville Albemarle Nelson Regional Jail.

The experience was very powerful, and I think made a lasting impact on everyone in the class.

We had the opportunity to hear from the Charlottesville Chief of Police, who left us with the quote above, appropriate for the day, and the class. It describes his process when he came to the position and how he continues to operate, as he introduced community policing and the importance of relationship development in fighting crime in our city.

We toured the jail. Yes, it was uncomfortable at times, particularly when we entered a "pod" separated from inmates by plexiglass alone, escorted at all times by officers. We could see the inmates and they could see us. We couldn't hear one another but it was apparent by their attitudes that we were as on exhibit as they were; the afternoon's entertainment in lives that see little but cinderblock walls and one another.

I freaked out (a little) this morning when a classmate e-mailed a few of the females in our group with caution -- to dress as "homely and mousy" as possible, as the inmates like to "undress you with their eyes." I got the feeling, being there, that it didn't really matter what any of us looked or dressed like today. We were of interest, certainly. We tried not to make eye contact. We tried to offer these people the respect we would want, by not staring, or giving them any encouragement to act out, or try to communicate with us in any way.

Because it's a jail (a local correctional facility), and not a prison (funded and operated by the State department of Corrections), people are not executed here. They do not spend life sentences. More often, they are awaiting trial. Often, they get out. Often, they come back. We learned about some of the programs in place to rehabilitate convicts, opportunities they have to earn a GED, to get help with substance abuse problems, to learn another way to live so that hopefully, they can get out and make a fresh start.

We saw the infirmary in the jail. It was emotional, seeing the fishbowl of inmates who clearly weren't feeling well, or who were broken or damaged in some way. It was impossible not to identify with these fellow humans. Where they went wrong, what they did, we don't know, but it was clear their choice would not have included what this particular day held for them.

After the jail tour, we learned about transitional housing for inmates who are released. Funded for just 90 days, the program assists recently released convicts with getting a job, setting up a bank account, getting a GED if they need it, and moving on. Since there is such limited funding for this program, only 40 men can participate at a time. The rest get an outfit of civilian clothes, a check for $25 and a bus ticket to anywhere they want to go in Virginia. It's a grim outlook.

We were also able to tour the Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center, next door to the jail. Having children of my own, particularly a teenager the age of most of the kids held in this facility, the tour made an impression on me, in particular. We learned that 80 percent of the kids there have a mental condition, often combined with alcohol or substance abuse. It was just sad . . . seeing the cells with the cinderblock walls, hard slabs for beds and metal doors, and thinking about a child -- any child, from the age of 10 to 17, living, learning, eating and sleeping inside.

Don't misunderstand my impressions -- these facilities are new, clean and, if not welcoming, at least they appear safe, well-lit and full of purpose. It's not the "Prison Break" experience. It's not Shawshank Redemption. It was, however, prepared for our visit, no doubt. Locked down, cleared out and cleaned up, we did not encounter what a Saturday night, a Foxfield evening or a post-UVa game might bring in to the processing area.

Because it was a full afternoon, we also learned about gangs and yes, Virginia, there are gang members in Charlottesville. We know they're here, we know what they're doing and we know what impact their presence has, and can have in our community. It was an eye opener for most of us. In context of our lives here, however, it is possible to ignore, entirely possible to live outside that microcosm of the criminal element, as it were. But if we're here to make a difference, it's impossible and unwise to do so.

Another moving, and unexpected moment from the day: an LC graduate from last year helped put today's program together. He, in his introduction of the police chief, shared how just two weeks after last year's Criminal Justice session, he learned to never take the police for granted again. A burglar entered his home while his wife and two children were present. As he talked he paused, consumed with the emotion that memory held. The police chief rescued him by telling us how this man, our alumni member, wrestled the burglar until police arrived, an act of bravery that caused the burglar, a guy who had broken into more than 40 local homes (including that of one of our other classmates, ironically) to be arrested, charged and incarcerated.

We're fortunate to live in a relatively safe community, however, as the police chief said, crime is relative -- whatever threatens the peace and safety where you live is important -- whether it's the drug dealer down the street or the guy who drives too fast in your neighborhood -- and they're there to help provide that safe environment.

We're listening. We're looking. We're learning. And we're all thinking of ways we can make a difference.

About Leadership

2006-09-30T14:08:00.000-05:00

In addition to Leadership Charlottesville, I'm engaged in other activities where I'm learning about leadership. One unexpected source of this is with my church. Recently, I was asked to be a confirmation sponsor for a friend of my son's. Our first meeting with the youth leaders introduced the sponsors to the idea of being "lamplighters" for these young people. The concept of leading by example, providing "light" to show the way, all while encouraging the youth to make their own decisions is all at once encouraging and daunting.

We're being encouraged to share our personal stories, as they relate to our faith, of course, but also to share our lives with our confirmands, as a way of providing them an example other than that of their parents, of adults living lives where the church plays a role. It's new and different challenge for me, as a leader. The parallels are interesting, though, and this new responsibility is making me think more about leadership roles and the way we grow, fall or step into them, sometimes unexpectedly.

Media and Communications

2006-09-30T13:43:00.000-05:00

I've been decidedly under the weather. Wednesday's session of Leadership Charlottesville was a real effort for me to attend. Battling a cold and armed with tissues, cough drops and Dayquil, I showed up, determined to participate to my full capability.

This session's focus was media and communications. Since my field of work is public relations, much of the content was quite familiar, but interesting to me all the same. It's always interesting to learn about a local market's approach to public relations, get advice from newspaper, television and radio professionals about pitching the local media and gain tips for on-camera interviews. We met at the Charlottesville Newsplex and spent the afternoon in session that covered traditional media, new media and interviewing.

The new media session was of particular interest to me. Speakers Waldo Jaquith and Sean Tubbs talked about blogging; what it is, who is doing it, and what effect it has on journalism and news in general. Sean covered the topic of podcasting -- a concept growing in popularity and possiblities.

The entire day was very informative for the group, I think. As we're thinking about ways to lead in our community, and ways we can support and drive results for our efforts in our civic programs or nonprofit organizations, using the media to gain exposure for anything we're passionate about is important to understand. Our program director made a comment to me at the break about how I probably wasn't hearing anything I didn't already know; it's more about context -- while I may be very familiar with media and communications strategies and the process involved in achieving results, I'm still learning Charlottesville, and that is a topic I value very much.

History, Government and Politics

2006-09-13T17:56:00.000-05:00

Today's session was very interesting, focused on Charlottesville's history, government and politics.

But I think I should back up a bit before I share.

Some people have asked what this is all about, what I get out of it and why I'm involved. Leadership Charlottesville's Purpose and Mission sum it up: "To serve our member enterprises' efforts to help build an active corps of engaged and dedicated civic leaders" and, "Leadership Charlottesville enables a diverse group of emerging and existing community leaders to enhance their community knowledge, expand their networks, and cultivate their leadership potential to effect positive community change."

It's about getting involved, learning to be better leaders, developing skills that will help us work together and make an impact on the community. I'm getting out of it a chance to learn about my community, find opportunities where I can be involved and make a difference (this is very important to me) and to network, developing relationships that can last a lifetime.

Those of us in the program will spend 11 weeks learning and developing those relationships. After that, we choose civic programs to develop/join and work toward improving our community. We graduate in June, but it's an ongoing commitment to the community, and to our team.

Back to today. We enjoyed a video that covered the history of Charlottesville; probably review for long time residents, but educational for the newcomers. The class before us had developed the video and did a fantastic job. We then were treated to a panel discussion that included Mayor David Brown, Leonard Sandridge, UVA Executive VP and COO and Dennis Rooker, chairman of the board, County Board of Supervisors. It was moderated by Bob Gibson of the Daily Progress.

From there, in small groups, we discussed issues facing the city and Albemarle County. These issues were passed to our next panel for discussion. This group included former and current city council members and delegates Rob Bell (R) 58th district and David Toscano (D) 57th district.

Following that was a panel discussion on getting involved, including a selection of commission and committee members. Finally, our city registrar talked to us about voting and the process used in Charlottesville.

I learned a bit but more importantly it got me thinking about ways to be involved and what I might do with the knowledge gained in this program.

Putting the "Treat" back in Retreat

2006-09-09T11:33:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a very full day! From 8:30am until 5pm we gathered together as a class for a full day retreat at the Falls River Adventure Course. I have been on plenty of retreats in my life, and this one, I have to say, far surpassed the others. First of all, we were outdoors all day in a beautiful wooded setting in Greene County and it was a gorgeous day. We spent the day engaged in Survivor-style challenges, each with a lessons about trust, teamwork, listening, being open to ideas, respecting one another and celebrating our success.

Did I mention I had just met these people the day before?

It was the most powerful retreat experience I've ever had. Our facilitators took 36 strangers and put them in situations that helped us form relationships, challenge ourselves and others to our limits, solve problems, help each other, cheer one another on and go home tired, sweaty and excited to continue on this journey together.

Oh, and, dig me, I climbed to the top of a 35' pole!

Fired up!

2006-09-07T18:09:00.000-05:00

Today we went through orientation and met all 35 of our classmates. Our facilitators, Jann and Antonio, put us through exercises that helped us get to know one another and ourselves. Much time was spent exploring our Myers Briggs profiles, and learning what they mean.

The day was inspiring, exciting and fun. The four hour session went quickly, and was capped off by a nice reception hosted by the Leadership Charlottesville alumni association. We learned about what's in store for the next several months and how we will be working to become a team, actively committed to improving our community.

Tomorrow, we head out to Green County to do a little team building. We're going to a challenge course to perform lots of climbing and trust-based activities. We're all a little apprehensive, but that's the idea; to get us a little out of our comfort zones. We're going to be part of making a difference in Charlottesville and, as Antonio said, that will get a little uncomfortable at times, too.

The Night Before LC

2006-09-06T20:45:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the first meeting of my Leadership Charlottesville class, or LC, as the cool kids call it. Tomorrow afternoon I will meet 35 new people. Well, 34. Thanks to an introduction by Jennifer, I've met one of my classmates, Jimmy, already. The rest of the group are total strangers to me.

Since moving to Charlottesville at the end of December, 2005, I've met quite a few new people. This will be the first cohesive group, however; a class of 36 that will spend 11 months together learning about our community and making a commitment to be involved. I'm excited but I have a case of the first-day-of-school jitters, hoping that a few, like me, will be newcomers. I'm hoping that the other 34, besides Jimmy and me, won't already be friends or have known each other since Kindergarten. Jimmy moved from Miami just a month before I moved from St. Louis. We've both made Charlottesville our new home and are eager to learn about our surroundings, meet new people and grow our respective businesses.

Leadership Charlottesville

2006-07-21T18:28:00.000-05:00

I found out today that I will be one of 36 participants in Leadership Charlottesville this fall. I will be writing about the experience here.

I hope to give others a glimpse into the Charlottesville community and retain some of what I learn during the 11 week program.

The first session is Sept. 7, 2006. I'll begin posting then.