College Summit The Joys of Surprise and Making a Difference (and Even the Travails of a Norovirus)

College Summit The Joys of Surprise and Making a Difference (and Even the Travails of a Norovirus) I recently heard Anthony Robbins say that as long as you have your attention on other people, and as long as you are making a difference for others, there is no way you can possibly be depressed. He is so right. This past week, despite contracting a norovirus that gave me serious gastrointestinal distress as well as flu-like symptoms, I was in as good a mood as I’ve been in in a long time. Why? I was making a difference for a group of low-income high school students at College Summit, a national program that supports young leaders to create a culture where kids go to college. I’m like a proud mother when it comes to the small group of four â€Å"peer leaders† I worked with in Berkeley. Every one of them surprised me in their own way. Let me kvell just a little (names are changed for confidentiality)! Keylon Keylon wrote his first two â€Å"free writing† exercises about topics like his relationships with girls and how he was going to find one that would make him be the man he wants to be. I feared he was bland and would not identify a relevant topic for his college admissions essay. On a break, however, he shared his real story- a story about abuse and how he turned to destructive behaviors and friends to compensate for his pain. It was also the story of how he changed direction, in part through a music program that saved his life. Keylon’s story surprised me when it came forth, and so did how industrious and focused a student he was. When I gave him questions to answer in writing, he sat down and didn’t stop until he was done. And when it came time to edit his essay, he was able to devise seamless transitions where they had been missing, and to cut out excess words without my even pointing out the spots where he could do so. Keylon says he wants to be a singer, and perhaps he will succeed. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he finds his stride as an editor! Keylon was also a great sport when we got realistic with him about his college choices. His top choices were out of his reach, and he needed to consider community college options. He adjusted course without protest or external upset. We could all learn a thing or two from this young man about acceptance and adaptation. Jaquon Jaquon had a sweetness to him and a clear, passionate life purpose under his non-plussed attitude. On the first day, he slumped down in his chair, hood over head, clearly not 100% enthusiastic about being asked to write †¦ anything. His first free write was not about much, and I had to remind him multiple times over the 10-minute time period to keep writing. Initially he would not volunteer to answer a question and would only participate if I called on him directly (though he always had something great to say when I did). Jacquon’s second free write was the big surprise. A saxophone player, he hit on the theme of music, and I’m telling you, it was pure poetry. He called music a â€Å"20-20 all access path†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and spoke about his purpose in life being to connect with people off all cultures through his gift. This goal was not just a pipe dream; Jacquon has already performed both in concert halls and on the street in the U.S. and abroad. Jacquon mentioned in his essay that he gets nervous when playing only because he is afraid people won’t connect with his music. When I asked him what it would be like for him if they didn’t connect with his music, his answer popped out: â€Å"It would be like I don’t exist.† An excerpt: â€Å"[I] put my all into every breath, note and melodic phrase so that whoever hears that will feel my passion, my struggle, my story, and my dreams.† That’s a man with a life purpose. A purpose, when not fulfilled, that makes him feel like he doesn’t exist. If only every one of us had one so clear. Rodrigo Rodrigo was my volleyball captain. He was a meticulous, methodical worker who edited himself as he wrote. The core story that emerged from Rodrigo’s free writes was about his father, who recently started working as a janitor in Rodrigo’s school. Although Rodrigo had weathered various insults as a volleyball captain for being short and young, he had a thick skin- until the insults started being aimed toward his father. Rodrigo wrote about how his father had taught him to stay positive and not judge others, and how ultimately he used what his father had taught him to rise above his anger toward his insulting classmates. Another thing that came out of Rodrigo’s writing was that he liked to make up words and had a penchant for metaphor. In one of his last drafts, his creativity emerged in a surprise conclusion: â€Å"I’m like a volleyball. You may kick me, push me around, hit me, or abandon me, but in the end I’m still persevering and surviving the ugliest actions against me.† Talisha Eager to participate and answer questions, Talisha was fast out of the gate but as the writing process went on, she somehow found a way to look like she was working when she really was spinning her wheels. I gave her what I thought were clear questions and instructions and she would nod and put her pen to paper, but 10 minutes later she would not have made progress. In my mind, we finally reached a growth point when Talisha realized that growing up as the middle of two sisters and taking care of both of them gave her management skills that have helped her in her production design projects at school. I’m not sure I’ll ever see the essay she writes on this topic though, since she only saw this connection for herself literally at the last hour. Really the biggest surprise from Talisha was what she told me at the end of the program: that I helped her learn things about herself that she might never have known- not just on the last day, but from the time we started doing free writing exercises. And all that time I thought she was refusing to let me make a difference for her. Brenda As I mentioned, there was a norovirus that went around and knocked out almost every one of the writing coaches in the program for some period of time. I barely made it through my part of the Saturday night banquet presentations- but it was worth it to hear Rodrigo say in front of the entire program, â€Å"Your joyous, encouraging, and gentle nature brought us to fully understand how and what to write †¦ [and] created a bond within our group that will never be forgotten. I will definitely not forget the experience I had with these motivated leaders from the East Bay. And I will be back next year.

The General Systems Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The General Systems Theory - Essay Example But in reality complexities exist, thus Jordan’s taxonomy had many implied drawbacks (Skyttner, 2005). Beer and the Viable System’s Model: The viable system’s Model provides us with a more complex model of a system as compared to the one provided by Jordan. In this theory the author Stafford Beer related the performance of an organizational system with that of a human brain, in his book ‘Brain of the Firm’. According to him, a viable business has the abilities to self-repair, of self-awareness, recursion and the ability to maintain identity. Beer designed principles which must be followed by the organizations in order to be viable. These principles provided guidelines for the information flow in the organization through various channels, their cost effectiveness and their capacity to convert data relating to the need of every level of organization that suits their needs and how these activities should be coordinated without any loss or trouble. The f ive sub managerial systems that were described by Beer translated the flow of information through the organization and how they interrelate. Through these systems he showed how each level is dependent on the other level for the flow of information and as the levels increase, so does the responsibility and the sensitivity of the information. Thus, in his model System One is the lowest level of the organization and is the one that needs to be controlled, it includes the operational departments or subsidiaries with lowest level of information that is provided by higher levels, whereas System Five completes the system by monitoring the balance between the systems, it mainly constitutes of the shareholders and board of directors of the organization. Beer also devised... The computer designed on the basis of the concepts of Klir’s GSPS has the ability to solve issues for the user. His theory was based on various mathematical algorithms which correspond with engineering techniques to solve an issue. It has four functional units: the control unit, meta methodological support unit, a knowledge base and a set of methodological tools. The algorithms used are specified in order for problems dealt through these tools. Metamethodological support unit arranges the problems on the basis of their generality. Knowledge base unit stores the information related issues which can not be solved through the system. The user interface will work either through the conceptual framework or through a direct connection to the main unit. Klir's problem-solving approach and system design can be sufficient for well-structured situations. Through history teams of experts in both technological and no technical aspects of the problem assembled and processed the necessary d ata and came up with alternative approaches which defined the benefits and shortcomings of every aspect. These researchers defined the relations between the theories where it was possible by producing quantitative analyses and predictions, where they were appropriate to give content to the most general aspects of the environment. Through these procedures, a gap was tried to be filled between the technical and non-technical theorists, so that a form could be given to every general theory wherever possible.

Psychic Bisexuality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Psychic Bisexuality - Essay Example He insisted that nothing about sex could be understood without taking an account of " universal bisexuality of human beings" (1950 179). Psychoneuroses analysis gave him the confirmation of the "postulated existence of an innate bisexual disposition in man" (1908 165-166). For Freud the concept of bisexuality "embarrasses all our enquiries into the subject and makes them harder to describe" (1940a 188). The concept of bisexuality by Freud were based on the understanding that "all human beings are capable of making a homosexual object-choice" (Freud, 1905,) fn p. 56), "Bisexuality is a possibility" (Smith) in many cases due to varies reasons. Biological sources gave birth to Freud's theory of bisexuality. Freud explains the boy's wish to be with father as mother during oedipal complex and the untimely sense of phallic activity during pre-oedipal stage, which is a part of their biological disposition. The basic of psychoanalysis is masochism, refined by Freud. He introduced three kinds of masochism, and feminine masochism, "an expression of the feminine being nature" (p. 161) is required here. It is when an individual inflicts and receives pain during sex and situations like, "being castrated, or copulated with, or giving birth to a baby" (p. 162) are crucial to masochism. Women's beating fantasies also urged Freud to produce the theory of "feminine masochism." Freud was very complicated when it came to gender discussions. He also linked this theory with passivity and called it a "biological fact." He continued that, "Passivity is not a whole of masochism." But it is a major part of it. Men are considered active and passivity is a women's thing. He initiated "feminine" and "moral" factors as secondary masochism. Basically what I gather from his thinking is that passivity is owned by women and that is why her capability of masochism gives her the power to love selflessly as a wome n and mother. He also considered it as a part of the sexual pleasure which is intense. According to Freud a crucial point he insisted on is that mutation during development may also result in masochism. What is feminine maturity and why is it more complicated then masculine maturity Similar yet so different tasks are taken by boys and girls on the way to maturity. This path to maturity constitute of the pre-oedipal, oedipal and post oedipal period. Freud said that "variations in the chronological order and in the linking up of these [pre to post oedipal] events are bound to have a very important bearing on the development of the individual". (Freud 1931 p.79). Freud clarifies the focus of Psychoanalysis in his essay feminity by Freud, "sets about inquiring how she comes into being, how a woman develops out of a child with a bisexual disposition." And he further says, "Undoubtedly, the material is different to start with in boys and girls: the difference in the structure of the genitals is accompanied by other bodily differences". Freud insisted that the sexual development of a girl into a woman is far more complicated than that of a boy. And "it includes two extra tasks to which there is nothing corresponding in the development of a man." He explains, "she must find a way to give up

Project Intervention Plan for Elderly Community

Project Intervention Plan for Elderly Community A Project Intervention Plan  on  Wah Fu Estate Community Mao Peter Introduction of the community Wah Fu Estate was built in 1963. It is located in Pok Fu Lam, south-western part of the Hong Kong Island. Such establishment of public estates was closely related to the fire accident at Shek Kip Mei, Kowloon in 1953, which is the milestone of public housing history in Hong Kong since that the government provide better and affordable public housing for Hong Kong residents. As a satellite town in Hong Kong, the Wah Fu Estate provides most of the basic facilities such as wet markets, schools, community hall, library, and public transportation as well. It is a quiet and pleasant place where the resident can enjoy a board sea view with hills behind. That is why the Wah Fu Estate is called a â€Å"luxurious estate for common people†. It includes two phases of development. Wah Fu I with 12 blocks of buildings of old-slab design, and Wah Fu II with 6 blocks of twin-tower design. Rationales for community issues As the Wah Fu Estate has developed for more than 50 years, many of the original residents there have become the elderly. This can be seen to the latest census statistics as shown in table 1, the largest age group in the Wah Fu Estate is 45-64, about 30% of the overall population (Census and Statistics Department, 2011) and more than 20% are aged 65 and over. It is significantly higher than the ones of Southern District in general (13.7%). This demographic characteristic has greatly influenced the community need and problem of the Estate. Table 1. Age structure of Wah Fu Estate and Southern District Higher proportion of the aged people in the estate leads to the greater concern of health care and social welfare services provided in the Wah Fu estate for their deteriorating health conditions and higher demand for getting help from others. The geographical location of the estate makes it mainly rely on the bus and minibus services. The provision of public transportation services to the MTR stations, other main districts in the Hong Kong Island and the other side of the Victoria Harbour is very crucial to the residents there. The provision of social facilities such as shopping centres, restaurants are another concerns in the community especially those in the open area for the elder residents to take a rest and have better interactions with others. Long history of Wah Fu Estate is reflected by the supporting pillars outside the buildings, decaying rooftop and messy electronic lines. The maintenance of the estate is a main and urgent issue in the community. The latest development of the estate is the redevelopment, which has pronounced on the Chief Executive’s policy address this year. It can be projected that this will become the major issue of the community in the next few years. Rationales choosing community work approach To have the community work in such an old public estate, locality development can be used. It is one of the three models of community practices by Jack Rothman. The relationship among the residents in the Wah Fu estate is very close as they live together for such a long time. Their bonding is strong that it is more effective to use this advantage to coordinate them in presenting and solving the community issues with the government and other stakeholders instead of advocate them to have social actions and campaigns. The estate as a whole and even each of the buildings has their own Mutual Aid Committees or similar organizations. We can build up a close relationship with them and use their networks throughout our community work in order to have a greater effect to express their views to the public and solve the problems of the community. There have some NGOs providing social services to the residents in the Wah Fu Estate, such as Salvation Army Wah Fu Centre for Senior Citizens and Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Association Southern District Integrated Elderly Service Centre, the collaboration with those NGOs which know the community situation well is also essential to have a better community work in Wah Fu estate. Specific intervention strategies/empowerment plans We can organize some outdoor seminars in the estate for the discussion of the community problems to let the residents concern the issues of their own community more. We can also build up the foundation of the membership and help them to set up the locality-based concern group to discuss issues faced by them including the maintenance of their apartments, provision of social facilities etc as I have mentioned before in this paper. Some sub-groups can also be set up for some typical issues like transportation and redevelopment programme. Throughout the discussion in these groups, they can have mutual support and build up their civic consciousness. They can make collaborative and informed decision or consensus by themselves and express them in one voice to the society. This is the process of empowerment to the residents of Wah Fu estate to handle issues of their community by themselves. Another way which is more traditional to promote our community work is to set up a counter over the street and spread out our leaflets to present our service and get in touch with the residents. The periodic newsletter can be printed to the member, other relevant NGOs and organizations to publicize our activities and keep continuous contact with the residents. Roles of Community Worker The community worker can play the roles of enabler, instructor, facilitator and trainer. We instruct the residents to speak up their opinions and views about the community issues in the concern group. We help them to coordinate different views and conflicts between them, that means to facilitate the discussion or empowerment process. Through these activities, it is an opportunity for us to train up the district leaders to help their neighbours for their own betterment of living. Challenges and Difficulties From the interviews conducted in our community walk, they concern more with the current issues in the estate such as health care and community facilities than the redevelopment programme that is believed to be the most concern issues in the community. They are widely believed that the redevelopment plan may take 5 to 10 years to complete which is too far away for them to think about it. As they have been waiting for a long time for the plan, their desire to concern about it has faded out. This is one of the main challenges to do the community work in Wah Fu estate. The forums and visits from outsider about the redevelopment plan have also fatigued the residents and they have the tendency to alienate from it. It is another difficulty to get contact with them and start our community work. Conclusion In order to have an effective community work, helping and instructing them to present the existing problems that mentioned previously in this paper is significant to gain their trust. After that, we have to ensure the residents to know and realize that as it is one of the key statements in the policy address, the redevelopment of Wah Fu Estate will take place soon, then mobilize and empower them to work for solutions, to make their voice and requests about the redevelopment issues such as in-situ settlement can be heard by the government and the public. References Census and Statistics Department. (2011). 2011 Population Census. Retrieved from http://www.census2011.gov.hk/pdf/fact_sheets/estates/D_10182e.pdf http://www.census2011.gov.hk/en/major-housing-estate/10183.html Rothman, J., Erlich, J. L., and Tropman, J. E. (eds.) 2008, Strategies of Community Intervention. (7th Ed.) Itasca, Illinois: F. E. Peacock. Chapter 7.

Business Writing: Memoranda Essay

Currently, our policy provides for three kinds of leaves – Vacation Leave, Sick Leave and Bereavement Leave. There is no provision for Emergency Leaves and are deducted on a â€Å"no work, no pay† basis. For those who do not want outright deduction, consideration is given such that, upon request, these are deducted later and applied under our Sick Leave policy rule. In consideration of a request formalized through our Suggestion Box regarding absences which have to be taken due to an emergency, we are pleased to advise you that the following adjustment in the Personnel Policies of Smith, Smith and Smith regarding Vacation Leaves will be made effective from 01 October 2006: ARTICLE 7 VACATION LEAVE The Company shall grant an Annual Vacation Leave with pay of 30 days per calendar year for all regular employees who have rendered one (1) full year of continuous service. A maximum of five (5) days out of these 30 days can be applied as Emergency Leave. An Emergency Leave is defined as leave taken due to unforeseen circumstances such as sickness in the family limited to spouse, children, parents, grandparents, siblings or parents-in-law and events due to force majeure. However, if the said employee entitled thereto fails to use the same vacation leave within a year, she/he shall forfeit the same Vacation Leave. Moreover, any leaves taken beyond what is provided shall be on a no work, no pay basis. If the employee is prevented by the company from taking leave, this rule shall not be applicable. Furthermore, management reserves the right to put any employee on forced vacation leave to give effect thereto. We trust that the above addresses one of our common concerns. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

The Different Past Tenses in French

The Twelve Colonies Of America - 774 Words

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The Christians education was the key to the growth of the early church in the Roman Empire. With conversions of Roman Emperors, the Christianity became the state religion, and the Roman Catholic Empire emerged in the Middle Ages. The Middle Ages, which lasted for a thousand years became known as the Dark Ages because of the cultural, economical and most of all educational deterioration. The Catholic authorities who believed that the Bible and Bible reading were reserved only for those with ecclesiastical duties and the Bible reading by commonShow MoreRelatedEssay on Importance of Slavery to the Southern Way of Life1465 Words   |  6 PagesImportance of Slavery to the Southern Way of Life America almost from the beginning was heavily dependent on forced labour. In 1619, John Rolfe in Virgina reported about the last day of August came in a butch man-of-war that sold us 20 negers. This is the first record of Africans settling in America. 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