Choose to be Amazing

Wolverine from the X Men or a 2013 LE?  You decide~

Superheros are amazing! What's better than one Superhero? A whole group of them!  X-Men, Justice League, The Fantastic Four, Avengers, etc. Did anyone else over the age of 40 know that that superheros are cool and popular?  Somewhere along the line, around the 'mom jeans era', I dropped out of the cool and popular culture.  Part of an icebreaker this week, our table had to draw a team of Superheros and we learned that each of us has our own super power but together we have the ability to give our community an amazing gift! 

What is the most meaningful, amazing, powerful, gift you've ever given or received?  For me it's diaries that I kept for each of my kids.  I think the notebooks were .25 at WalMart and I wrote monthly stories something significant that happened.  The night before their high school graduation I placed a bow around the books and left them on their pillows.  The last pages in the book said how proud we were of them and how the remaining blank pages were there for them to fill in however they decided to write the future.  How a .25 notebook could be so memorable. The power of the simple things and the joy they represent.  

This week we had a release from prison simulation with the Madison Urban Ministry (MUM). MUM utilizes groups of volunteers to meet weekly with someone newly released from prison and help them navigate the demands and challenges of life outside prison. The Journey Home initiative is recognized for decreasing the recidivism (individuals returning to prison) rate in Dane County and they've seen remarkably low return to prison rates. During the simulation, we were each given a prisoner identity, profile and instructions on how we needed to reintegrate into the community.  My new identity... Donald Gordon, in prison for 10 years for armed robbery, I had a drug and alcohol problem and children.  I was released with $100, no identification, some travel vouchers and court orders.  MUM had simulation stations covering residency, employment, treatment and support set up around the room that we needed to navigate..WHAT CHAOS! I struggled to find employment, housing, get to treatment and pay child support (which landed me back in prison).  The system is complicated, hard to navigate and there wasn't enough people or resources to help.  Without the generosity of the non-profit stations, I would not have had housing, food or clothing during the entire simulation. Even with the non-profit support I ended the simulation without shelter, I hadn't been able to get to rehab in weeks, no job and homeless.

Docfreeman712. We met Joseph Frey a wrongfully convicted man that was just released from the Winnebago County jail on July 12th, for the first time in 20 years. The Wisconsin Innocence Project helped prove his innocence with new DNA evidence.  The fact of the matter is that he was released with nothing.  Because he was innocent and not on parole, he had no support from the justice system, no money, no shelter, no medications.  This story is so interesting that we're thinking about doing a freelance documentary. Stay tuned!

The action packed week highlights:

• Role play of an Employee Campaign Manager (ECM) meeting with Former Loaned Executives, Mary Vertacic (AMFAM) and Tom Galante, Mid-West Family Broadcasting.  It's not as easy as it looks!  Which I learned when it was my turn to role play an ECM meeting.  Didn't even get through all the materials...!  

  

  Former Loaned Executives Role Play ECM Call
  (L-R:  Mary Vertacic, Laura Zibell, Josh Erickson, Tom Galante)

• Our division assignments were announced.  Josh and I will be working with Insurance/Finance portfolio. Insurance/Finance is one of nine divisions that make up the United Way of Dane County Annual Campaign.  Along with our Portfolio Manager, Maggie Molter and another team member Renee Sigal from UW Credit Union, we will manage approximately 76 accounts and be responsible for about 25% of this years total campaign dollars.

  

  Insurance/Finance PM, Maggie Molter

• The site visit this week, Center for Families.  A resource for parenting, information and support. They offer programs that enhance parenting skills, promote understanding of child development and promote safety.  An amazing place that promotes positive change for families in the community!

Center for Families-Site Visit
August 7

• Leslie Ann Howard, United Way of Dane County President & CEO held a Q & A session. For almost an hour and a half, she shared personal stories about herself, her dedication to United Way and changes in the community.  She is a remarkable woman with a remarkable dedication to Dane County!  Leslie's vision for the organization is being played out now with the Agenda for Change that focuses on the areas of Health, Education and Safety. Take Action-Change Lives!

Leslie Ann Howard, UWDC President and CEO

Next week...public speaking training (shutter)!  You'd want the opportunity, wouldn't you?
My homework assignment is to come prepared to speak to the class about:  

1.  A story that happened to me when I was a child.  I have 60 seconds to share a fun story. 

2.  Something that happened to me and taught me an important lesson. 90 seconds.

3.  A United Way success story I witnessed. 2 minutes.

I won't sleep a wink...;)