Yesterday I was driving south on 405 heading toward a client meeting in Tukwila. As I maneuvered through the S-curves (a term I learned as a teen listening to traffic reports), I came upon a shiny red fire truck also headed south. When I got close I saw "Redmond" in gold letters.
My first thought was, "what is a Redmond fire truck doing down here in Renton?" However, as I looked at the truck, I found myself filled with a great sense of pride. Here, right next to me was one of our fire trucks; one of my fire trucks! It was beautifully clean, polished, shiny and a large flag was securely attached to the rear, waving in the wind. I felt both protected as I drove alongside, as well as proud that our city would be represented somewhere south for some unknown reason.
I realized that over the last few months, as I've been talking with people of our city, I have gained a tremendous sense of pride for Redmond. We are an amazing city with bright, engaged citizens who want to make our city, state and world a better place. We are also a city with many who are less fortunate, who need a hand up so that they can feel engaged and a part of something bigger than the immediate need to feed themselves, or provide safe shelter for their family.
This is the heart of the work of The Redmond Foundation. How can we help build a sense of pride in our city so that each resident and worker is excited to be part of what is going on; so that each resident and worker recognizes the need to support those who are less fortunate and step up to make a difference wherever they are able. I want all citizens of Redmond to feel proud to be represented by our shiny red fire trucks headed "somewhere south" to be part of the even greater community of the Eastside and the entire King County region.
We have a lot of work to do over the next few years, but I do believe that important work has begun and I can't wait to see the impact it makes on the future of Redmond!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
Things are shaping up!
How exciting to meet with people you admire, share a vision and receive responses that they not only like the idea, but are willing to step up to help make it a reality! I've had some amazing conversations with potential board members over the last few weeks and all but one have given me an enthusiastic yes!
While I've certainly been offered recommendations, cautionary conversations and some excellent advice about important areas to consider in the development process, I haven't talked to a single person who has said "no" or "not interested". There is a great groundswell to build community engagement and develop a shared vision. I am so excited to get the details in place so we can begin the conversations on a community-wide level.
The rest of the week and most of next are focused on the details, budgets, board responsibility documents, policies and procedures and by-laws. It feels slow, but it's important work and must be in place in time for our first board meeting.
Exciting times here in Redmond and they are only going to get better!
While I've certainly been offered recommendations, cautionary conversations and some excellent advice about important areas to consider in the development process, I haven't talked to a single person who has said "no" or "not interested". There is a great groundswell to build community engagement and develop a shared vision. I am so excited to get the details in place so we can begin the conversations on a community-wide level.
The rest of the week and most of next are focused on the details, budgets, board responsibility documents, policies and procedures and by-laws. It feels slow, but it's important work and must be in place in time for our first board meeting.
Exciting times here in Redmond and they are only going to get better!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
And so the conversations begin...
I've spent the last 7 months talking to people in the city (and outside of the city) about the Foundation, asking a lot of questions and learning what is exciting, what is boring and what people think is needed in Redmond.
I'm finding that connections are beginning and there are going to be a lot of opportunities to begin discussions on what can happen when a motivated group of individuals has a vision and starts a conversation about possibilities!
I just finished meeting with Carolyn Hope (a very appropriate name for a City Planner) today! She told me the story of the beginnings of Redmond's newest/oldest currently existing and hopefully soon-to-be fully designed and sanctioned bike jump park.
This "park" started as a dirt lot. The local kids saw opportunity and started building jumps. For almost 20 years this open lot has been changed and transformed (sometimes daily) into new and exciting opportunities to challenge BMX skills and practice jumps. The city is looking at the park, surrounding area and potential needs to build trails and clean up the city owned land. Officially the space is Redmond Water Utility District property. What I find is so amazing is that the city hasn't shut down the kids (which to some administrations could easily be seen as a nuisance at best and a hazard and potential liability at worst). Carolyn is working with the kids to see how the City can partner and create a designed and safe bike park. Again, this is where it gets interesting. Instead of just taking it to the adults, designers and making decisions, a coalition of kids, parents and experts has been assembled to decide how best to use the space, make it (relatively) safe and interesting to the kids.
The group has taken field trips to other bike parks, talked with the Mountain Bike Alliance and will be reporting possibilities to City Council.
They are working with professional bike jump designers and will be doing much of the labor themselves (with the help of some heavy equipment owned & operated by the City).
This is true community engagement at it's finest and I applaud the City for recognizing both the need and the enthusiasm and embracing this potential park as a true community project!
This is just one project happening in the city and I'm sure over the next few months I'll learn of many more, but I am so proud of our city (and our City) that youth are recognized and appreciated as the community members that they are and given the opportunity to step through this process of planning and design.
Next up will be the fundraising and that's where the Foundation will step in, not to do the work, but to guide and support the kids as they figure out how to make their newly designed park a reality!
I'm finding that connections are beginning and there are going to be a lot of opportunities to begin discussions on what can happen when a motivated group of individuals has a vision and starts a conversation about possibilities!
I just finished meeting with Carolyn Hope (a very appropriate name for a City Planner) today! She told me the story of the beginnings of Redmond's newest/oldest currently existing and hopefully soon-to-be fully designed and sanctioned bike jump park.
This "park" started as a dirt lot. The local kids saw opportunity and started building jumps. For almost 20 years this open lot has been changed and transformed (sometimes daily) into new and exciting opportunities to challenge BMX skills and practice jumps. The city is looking at the park, surrounding area and potential needs to build trails and clean up the city owned land. Officially the space is Redmond Water Utility District property. What I find is so amazing is that the city hasn't shut down the kids (which to some administrations could easily be seen as a nuisance at best and a hazard and potential liability at worst). Carolyn is working with the kids to see how the City can partner and create a designed and safe bike park. Again, this is where it gets interesting. Instead of just taking it to the adults, designers and making decisions, a coalition of kids, parents and experts has been assembled to decide how best to use the space, make it (relatively) safe and interesting to the kids.
The group has taken field trips to other bike parks, talked with the Mountain Bike Alliance and will be reporting possibilities to City Council.
They are working with professional bike jump designers and will be doing much of the labor themselves (with the help of some heavy equipment owned & operated by the City).
This is true community engagement at it's finest and I applaud the City for recognizing both the need and the enthusiasm and embracing this potential park as a true community project!
This is just one project happening in the city and I'm sure over the next few months I'll learn of many more, but I am so proud of our city (and our City) that youth are recognized and appreciated as the community members that they are and given the opportunity to step through this process of planning and design.
Next up will be the fundraising and that's where the Foundation will step in, not to do the work, but to guide and support the kids as they figure out how to make their newly designed park a reality!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
October 1
A new month. The weather has definitely changed for the fall. Rain, even hail have replaced our sunshine. I'm hoping for some good winter weather so I can concentrate on inside projects like sitting cuddled in front of the fireplace to read my graduate school assignments.
The kids are back in school and just now beginning to find their stride. Both at new schools, new schedules, new homework. A lot of adjustment and we are just ending the week with kids at school as they spent the first few days home with bad colds.
As for me, I'm feeling good. My theory paper is done and I'm pleased with the outcome! Instead of design teams to plan another day of learning, this year we are moving to consulting teams with a real client and an actual issue to address. I'm excited about my team and our client and think that we have an opportunity to really be of service.
The foundation is finally moving along. We're filing for incorporation this week and I suddenly have a huge to-do list that involves researching banks, looking for office space and setting up meetings to pitch the foundations to companies that might be willing to give us start-up money. It's exciting and scary at the same time. At this point I'm a one-person shop, but definitely need to begin identifying some volunteers that will help with the process. First stop, board members. I have my wish list - now I just have to begin to make the requests! Fingers crossed.
It's looking like it's going to be a very full and hopefully productive October!
The kids are back in school and just now beginning to find their stride. Both at new schools, new schedules, new homework. A lot of adjustment and we are just ending the week with kids at school as they spent the first few days home with bad colds.
As for me, I'm feeling good. My theory paper is done and I'm pleased with the outcome! Instead of design teams to plan another day of learning, this year we are moving to consulting teams with a real client and an actual issue to address. I'm excited about my team and our client and think that we have an opportunity to really be of service.
The foundation is finally moving along. We're filing for incorporation this week and I suddenly have a huge to-do list that involves researching banks, looking for office space and setting up meetings to pitch the foundations to companies that might be willing to give us start-up money. It's exciting and scary at the same time. At this point I'm a one-person shop, but definitely need to begin identifying some volunteers that will help with the process. First stop, board members. I have my wish list - now I just have to begin to make the requests! Fingers crossed.
It's looking like it's going to be a very full and hopefully productive October!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
20 Years today
Today is Ron & my anniversary. 20 years ago we were married. While we have mostly lived a charmed life, I have to say we've had our share of bumps and bruises along the way. However, I'm most proud of the fact that every day I am thrilled to wake up by his side and wish we could spend each day together just playing instead of going off to work and our daily chores.
To get to 20 years and still love to spend time together, talk until the wee hours, laugh and play is, to me, the definition of a successful marriage. He is my best friend, the first person I want to call with good news and the person I lean on when the news is bad. I trust him completely and am in awe of his mind!
OK - I know, it sounds gushy - but I didn't set out to write an ode to Ron, I just thought I haven't written much of late and today would be a nice day to write. Whenever I sit down to write, I tend to go with whatever is on my mind and today, that's my husband!
Life is busy. I am working on creating a foundation for the city of Redmond and it is exciting and hard work. Mostly my time is spent meeting with everyone I can in the city to talk about ideas, what's needed and what will engage the community to support a foundation. There are as many ideas as there are residents and my job is to find where they all intersect. Then I have to wrap it up in a neat package, incorporate, get 501(c)(3) status and put together a board of directors that are top notch! Exciting stuff and only a bit intimidating!
The good news is that everyone I have met with so far has been enthusiastic and helpful (even those that are a bit skeptical).
The bad news is that it's very hard to focus on a theory paper when there's so much work to be done! Guess I'd better stop blogging and get to work on my sources!
To get to 20 years and still love to spend time together, talk until the wee hours, laugh and play is, to me, the definition of a successful marriage. He is my best friend, the first person I want to call with good news and the person I lean on when the news is bad. I trust him completely and am in awe of his mind!
OK - I know, it sounds gushy - but I didn't set out to write an ode to Ron, I just thought I haven't written much of late and today would be a nice day to write. Whenever I sit down to write, I tend to go with whatever is on my mind and today, that's my husband!
Life is busy. I am working on creating a foundation for the city of Redmond and it is exciting and hard work. Mostly my time is spent meeting with everyone I can in the city to talk about ideas, what's needed and what will engage the community to support a foundation. There are as many ideas as there are residents and my job is to find where they all intersect. Then I have to wrap it up in a neat package, incorporate, get 501(c)(3) status and put together a board of directors that are top notch! Exciting stuff and only a bit intimidating!
The good news is that everyone I have met with so far has been enthusiastic and helpful (even those that are a bit skeptical).
The bad news is that it's very hard to focus on a theory paper when there's so much work to be done! Guess I'd better stop blogging and get to work on my sources!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Finding Joy
(Ed note: I just found this when doing some research for a sermon I'm giving on May 31st in Kirkland - that will be another story how I find myself preaching - so I decided to post it...no reason to let it sit all alone in my computer with no readers to entice! Enjoy!)
I recently read the first chapter of Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love. In it she reveals how desperately trapped she felt when after reaching 30, buying a home with her husband and preparing to have a baby, she realized that she wanted something else out of life. She continues to briefly tell how she leaves her husband and sets off on a year long journey to Italy, Tibet and Indonesia to find joy and religion and learn how to blend these into her life.
I think her situation is as extreme as her solution, but don't we all find ourselves trapped in the mundane of our lives forgetting to look for joy? I was recently in that mode, the house was a mess (who's isn't from time to time – or even regularly), I had put on too much weight after giving in to the comfort foods provided when my father was ill and dying and then continued to comfort myself over the following year. Work was un-challenging and my various and assorted other responsibilities were demanding of time and energy. I was feeling drained and tired and sick of it all. I was desperate to regain that energy I used to have. The energy that motivated me to compete in triathlons or run a marathon (ok, only a half marathon – but I crossed the same finish line in about the same amount of time as most of the marathoners so I count it as real!) I remembered wistfully the mornings I'd wake up early to a sunny morning, throw on my shoes and go for a run because it actually felt good. Thankfully I have a husband who knows me better than I know myself when I am upset or depressed. He pumped up the tires of my bike that I love so dearly and told me to ride. He told me to just ride as far as I wanted, not worrying about time or how long it would take to get back or if I'd even have energy. He said wherever I decided to stop to give him a call, he'd come get me! On top of that, he promised to clean the house while I was gone and make a healthy meal for me when I got back. (This gives you just a glimpse into why I in no way felt connected with Elizabeth Gilbert's issue with her marriage – that one I had down and even in my darkest moments I recognize how lucky I am!)
I dried my tears, borrowed his bike shorts (there wasn't a chance mine would fit), donned the sunglasses and just took off. I rode down the trail and just started moving without worrying about how fast I was going, starting my timer or figuring out if my heart rate was in the right zone. I just wanted to ride. To escape and see how it felt to run away. I wanted to feel the wind in my hair and feel my legs burn. But as soon as I was out, I started to see families walking or riding and smiling and laughing, glad just to be out on a beautiful day enjoying each other's company. I saw young kids, just mastering the fine art of keeping their bikes in an upright position and seasoned athletes beginning their spring training for the next great race. Dogs on leashes, horses on the trail, walkers, runners, bike riders and scooters: the world was out and taking full advantage of the day! Amazingly enough, little by little the collective joy on the trail began to sink in and pick up my spirits. With the wind blowing in my face (I didn't even mind the headwind!) and the sun on my back I was free. I could go as long or as far as I wanted with no responsibility to anyone but me and my body. For that moment in time I was free to find my joy. As I worked my way North on the trail I felt myself unwinding and opening up to the experience. I reached a park and decided to stop and turn around. I took some time and watched people ride by or stop and rest and then headed back home. As I rode home, I suddenly wasn't running away, but running toward. As I got closer, I started to notice the simple things. The way the light and shadows played on the trees as the sun began to set; the cacophony of geese flying overhead and coming to land like mini sea-planes with loud splashes on the river; Mount Rainier, peaking out between wispy clouds with the sun still strong on its peak. I began to remember those feelings of joy just to appreciate the daily experiences of life.
It's so easy to get bogged down in the day to day. Laundry alone will make any mother of pre-teens cry! Add to that the self-exploding house to clean, the kids to keep on schedule and drag out of bed every morning for school, the meetings and doctors appointments and all of the other daily responsibilities of life and it's pretty darn hard to remember to look for the joy.
I don't know yet how I'm going to hold on to this. I know that as soon as tomorrow I'll get bogged down again and there will be more homework problems and doctor's appointments and laundry to clean, but I do know that none of those things make sense if we don't teach ourselves and our children to remember to look for the joy in life. From the big experiences of life: graduations, marriages, births and deaths to the small joys in a simple bike ride on a sunny spring day, it's the joy that makes life worthwhile and I intend to remind myself of this everyday until it's ingrained in my daily routine.
I choose joy.
I recently read the first chapter of Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love. In it she reveals how desperately trapped she felt when after reaching 30, buying a home with her husband and preparing to have a baby, she realized that she wanted something else out of life. She continues to briefly tell how she leaves her husband and sets off on a year long journey to Italy, Tibet and Indonesia to find joy and religion and learn how to blend these into her life.
I think her situation is as extreme as her solution, but don't we all find ourselves trapped in the mundane of our lives forgetting to look for joy? I was recently in that mode, the house was a mess (who's isn't from time to time – or even regularly), I had put on too much weight after giving in to the comfort foods provided when my father was ill and dying and then continued to comfort myself over the following year. Work was un-challenging and my various and assorted other responsibilities were demanding of time and energy. I was feeling drained and tired and sick of it all. I was desperate to regain that energy I used to have. The energy that motivated me to compete in triathlons or run a marathon (ok, only a half marathon – but I crossed the same finish line in about the same amount of time as most of the marathoners so I count it as real!) I remembered wistfully the mornings I'd wake up early to a sunny morning, throw on my shoes and go for a run because it actually felt good. Thankfully I have a husband who knows me better than I know myself when I am upset or depressed. He pumped up the tires of my bike that I love so dearly and told me to ride. He told me to just ride as far as I wanted, not worrying about time or how long it would take to get back or if I'd even have energy. He said wherever I decided to stop to give him a call, he'd come get me! On top of that, he promised to clean the house while I was gone and make a healthy meal for me when I got back. (This gives you just a glimpse into why I in no way felt connected with Elizabeth Gilbert's issue with her marriage – that one I had down and even in my darkest moments I recognize how lucky I am!)
I dried my tears, borrowed his bike shorts (there wasn't a chance mine would fit), donned the sunglasses and just took off. I rode down the trail and just started moving without worrying about how fast I was going, starting my timer or figuring out if my heart rate was in the right zone. I just wanted to ride. To escape and see how it felt to run away. I wanted to feel the wind in my hair and feel my legs burn. But as soon as I was out, I started to see families walking or riding and smiling and laughing, glad just to be out on a beautiful day enjoying each other's company. I saw young kids, just mastering the fine art of keeping their bikes in an upright position and seasoned athletes beginning their spring training for the next great race. Dogs on leashes, horses on the trail, walkers, runners, bike riders and scooters: the world was out and taking full advantage of the day! Amazingly enough, little by little the collective joy on the trail began to sink in and pick up my spirits. With the wind blowing in my face (I didn't even mind the headwind!) and the sun on my back I was free. I could go as long or as far as I wanted with no responsibility to anyone but me and my body. For that moment in time I was free to find my joy. As I worked my way North on the trail I felt myself unwinding and opening up to the experience. I reached a park and decided to stop and turn around. I took some time and watched people ride by or stop and rest and then headed back home. As I rode home, I suddenly wasn't running away, but running toward. As I got closer, I started to notice the simple things. The way the light and shadows played on the trees as the sun began to set; the cacophony of geese flying overhead and coming to land like mini sea-planes with loud splashes on the river; Mount Rainier, peaking out between wispy clouds with the sun still strong on its peak. I began to remember those feelings of joy just to appreciate the daily experiences of life.
It's so easy to get bogged down in the day to day. Laundry alone will make any mother of pre-teens cry! Add to that the self-exploding house to clean, the kids to keep on schedule and drag out of bed every morning for school, the meetings and doctors appointments and all of the other daily responsibilities of life and it's pretty darn hard to remember to look for the joy.
I don't know yet how I'm going to hold on to this. I know that as soon as tomorrow I'll get bogged down again and there will be more homework problems and doctor's appointments and laundry to clean, but I do know that none of those things make sense if we don't teach ourselves and our children to remember to look for the joy in life. From the big experiences of life: graduations, marriages, births and deaths to the small joys in a simple bike ride on a sunny spring day, it's the joy that makes life worthwhile and I intend to remind myself of this everyday until it's ingrained in my daily routine.
I choose joy.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Becoming an OD consultant
It has been suggested to me that perhaps beginning to blog about my experiences as I make the shift from recruiter/training manager to organizational development consultant would be a good experience for me and potentially for others.
So I'm going to try to capture my journey, process and learnings here. Comments and suggestions are welcome!
It all began back in 2005 when I became moderator of my church. Little did I know I was stepping in to lead a major change management process, but that's what the work turned out to be and I loved it! We changed our leadership model, struggled with a division of beliefs on our future and a learned to rely on ourselves to set the vision and direction of our church. I believe we came out much stronger and my experience leading the process pointed me toward both the graduate work that I'm doing as well as my new career focus.
I enrolled in Seattle University's Organizational Systems Renewal (OSR) program and am loving every step as I work toward my Masters degree. I'm learning a lot about myself, the work that I want to be doing and the process I need to follow to get there. Plus I'm meeting some really wonderful people along the way.
In future posts I'll tell you about my focus, the process of researching degree committee members and creating a consultancy.
For those of you who are joining me on this journey, thank you for taking the time to read my musings & meanderings. Please share your thoughts or ideas if anything strikes your fancy.
So I'm going to try to capture my journey, process and learnings here. Comments and suggestions are welcome!
It all began back in 2005 when I became moderator of my church. Little did I know I was stepping in to lead a major change management process, but that's what the work turned out to be and I loved it! We changed our leadership model, struggled with a division of beliefs on our future and a learned to rely on ourselves to set the vision and direction of our church. I believe we came out much stronger and my experience leading the process pointed me toward both the graduate work that I'm doing as well as my new career focus.
I enrolled in Seattle University's Organizational Systems Renewal (OSR) program and am loving every step as I work toward my Masters degree. I'm learning a lot about myself, the work that I want to be doing and the process I need to follow to get there. Plus I'm meeting some really wonderful people along the way.
In future posts I'll tell you about my focus, the process of researching degree committee members and creating a consultancy.
For those of you who are joining me on this journey, thank you for taking the time to read my musings & meanderings. Please share your thoughts or ideas if anything strikes your fancy.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Reading Books Online
I've always said that I don't like to read books online and I maintain that opinion. The Amazon Kindle holds absolutely no interest for me. However, I just purchased a book for a school project and received the following announcement (after the final purchase):
Get online access to your physical books with Amazon Upgrade:
* Start reading the book online while you wait for your physical copy to arrive
* Add highlights, bookmarks, notes, or tags to any page or section of text
* Print pages, and even copy and paste text from the book
* Read your book from any Internet-connected computer, meaning your book is always with you
Purchasing online access to your books is easy. After buying an eligible physical book, we'll give you the option to purchase access with Amazon Upgrade.
Suddenly I saw some value to this online trend. If I'm working on a paper and don't have the reference I need, or want additional information or a new reference source, now I don't need to wait until the book arrives. For $3.99 I can have immediate access and an electronic method to tag & reference information. I'll still wait for the physical book to read cover to cover, but for quick reference and specific information, this service is great!
Amazon continues to impress me with their innovations that meet me where I am and give me ways to become more efficient with technology. I certainly don't plan to jump on everything they put out -- never did see much of interest in my "Gold box" and as I mentioned I can live a full life without the Kindle -- but the simple services like online access to the books I buy and Super Saver (free shipping) have been simple, yet effective ways to make my life easier.
It all goes back to my first experience when I was up at 2 AM looking for a book about helping your infant learn to put themselves to sleep. The book arrived a day and a half later and I was an instant Amazon fan. But customers easily forget their loyalties, unless a smart company can continue to reinvent and add more services to keep me coming back. Amazon has done this and I remain loyal....for now!
Get online access to your physical books with Amazon Upgrade:
* Start reading the book online while you wait for your physical copy to arrive
* Add highlights, bookmarks, notes, or tags to any page or section of text
* Print pages, and even copy and paste text from the book
* Read your book from any Internet-connected computer, meaning your book is always with you
Purchasing online access to your books is easy. After buying an eligible physical book, we'll give you the option to purchase access with Amazon Upgrade.
Suddenly I saw some value to this online trend. If I'm working on a paper and don't have the reference I need, or want additional information or a new reference source, now I don't need to wait until the book arrives. For $3.99 I can have immediate access and an electronic method to tag & reference information. I'll still wait for the physical book to read cover to cover, but for quick reference and specific information, this service is great!
Amazon continues to impress me with their innovations that meet me where I am and give me ways to become more efficient with technology. I certainly don't plan to jump on everything they put out -- never did see much of interest in my "Gold box" and as I mentioned I can live a full life without the Kindle -- but the simple services like online access to the books I buy and Super Saver (free shipping) have been simple, yet effective ways to make my life easier.
It all goes back to my first experience when I was up at 2 AM looking for a book about helping your infant learn to put themselves to sleep. The book arrived a day and a half later and I was an instant Amazon fan. But customers easily forget their loyalties, unless a smart company can continue to reinvent and add more services to keep me coming back. Amazon has done this and I remain loyal....for now!
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