Grow Me

As usual, since it’s summertime, I’ve been reflecting on past memories, thoughts, and dreams. It’s humbling (and embarrassing) to remember my perspective while in junior high and high school. True, it was normal and basically reasonable for a teenage girl, but, as usual, my view was warped through my own crooked lenses.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who

• Was certain at times that my parents didn’t understand me, didn’t want to, and were doing their best to shove their dreams on me instead.
• Decided I must be un-dateable, considering no legal and appealing guy would even consider asking me out.
• Sometimes wondered if I had an internal “awkward” switch that I automatically clicked on whenever the I needed the exactly the opposite.
• Considered some of my teachers to be a few of my most important friends, and secretly wondered if that meant something was wrong with me.
• Thought I was much more mature than others were at my age.

The list continues, but the funny thing is that even then, I knew that this was only the beginning, part one of the book of my life. All these worries and quandries would pale in comparison to what I’d encounter later down the path.

That acceptance was both liberating and daunting, especially since I had no idea what those future struggles would be. At the same time, it was exciting to know that what I’d currently spilled tears over would prepare me for much greater things in the years to come. If I could handle that, then I’d be one step closer to better realizing who I could be.

At times growing up is painful. You just want to get it over with and get to where you should be. It’d be much easier if you could eliminate the bullies, friend issues, heartaches and tears, but (as sappy as it may be) that makes you who YOU are. Your choices in handling these struggles determine who you’ll be once you’re “where you should be.” You can’t possibly make it there without those parts of growing up.

Unfortunately (and fortunately), I know I’m not done growing up and will continue until I die. Though a little frustrating, I’m thrilled to know that I’m not going to be stunted at my current self. There’s so much to learn, understand, and do. It’d be dreadful for me, others and God if I stopped stretching for a greater personhood.

On a final note, I’m thankful to have realized that many of my thoughts in junior high and high school were proven false. I still flip on the awkward switch much more often than I want to, but… otherwise, life is good. My eyes are opening to see others’ perspectives and to see the things that matter most.

Summer Countdowns

Some good stuff is coming up this summer and I just had to share some of it! Of course, the anticipation makes everything so much more fun.

8-11 hours until hanging out with Lindsey for snowcones and summer catching-up.

3 days until Jenn is back in town & we get to celebrate our roommate status.

3 days until the UC summer Lifegroup (Bible study) kicks off.

4 days until watching Bobbikay get recognized for her status as AWC’s outstanding advisor of the year.

6 days until kicking back with and getting reintroduced at our family reunion.

11 days until hanging out with the kids at Vacation Bible School.

25 days until beginning my graduate assistantship with the Service Learning Volunteer Center.

25 days until leaving for Texas to see Zoe and Kyle say their “I do’s” and get to hang out with old friends.

Grow Yourself Through Volunteering

 

Originally I was determined to dig up a huge catalog of PR-development online resources for all PR-lovers. Then I re-discovered that this had already been covered by my professor, Bill Handy. To save all of us from needless rambling, read what Bill has to say about various free resources that each of us should check out and utilize.

Instead of online resources, we’ll discuss free PR-development opportunities, specifically volunteering. Be prepared to be blasted with the importance of volunteering to your professional and personal development.

Volunteering with an organization, specifically for PR or not, helps you develop your professional skills, teamwork abilities and overall well-being. How so?

Understand Your Audiences

While you may love your current position, working in the field or being a student, volunteering gives you a better perspective of the members of your audience. Sometimes as practioners we forget that our audience members are more complex than simply people who fit our target profile.

Each of us has our struggles and triumphs that we don’t always share with others. Volunteering typically puts you in an environment to learn more about others through conversation; starting opportunities. The more you understand others, the better you can learn to communicate with them.

A personal example of pro bono PR work success can be found here.

Network in the Community

Not only does volunteering for a community organization or club help you better understand your audiences, you also network with these individuals.

For instance, in my internship with the local YMCA, two other staff members and I started a Biggest Loser-style program for members and non-members. Throughout the program, I contacted several business leaders, reporters and participants.

The experience gave me an opportunity to network with others in the community for a purpose. It was refreshing to make meaningful contacts while helping the community. Those who helped the program had integrated goals and we had a reciprocal relationship. These contacts have been helpful as I’ve planned our second Biggest Loser and other non-YMCA related events.

Gain New Experiences

Sometimes as students and professionals, we don’t always get the opportunity to try new activities that interest us. Volunteering offers an avenue to try the stuff you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t. A list of suggested ideas can be found here.

Get Happy

Helping others helps you feel better. Science proves it. Benefits of volunteering include an increased sense of well-being, decrease in insomnia and an improved immune system. More information about health benefits can be found here.

Plus, you feel like you’re doing something that’s improving your nook of the world, and the feeling is incredible. Why not volunteer?

What are your thoughts on pro bono PR? Any suggestions for volunteering resources and opportunities?

Shack’s Success

Well, we survived the night. In fact, I waited so long to update because I’ve been “busy” recovering from a week of shortened sleep, racing thoughts and freezing weather. That sounds horrible – I’m sorry for that. It seems everyone has been worn down lately from too much to do, little sleep from trying to do it and still more to go. Such is college after spring break. More about that later.

Back to the shack. The University Center Luv Shack won the “People’s Choice” and “Most Cans Collected” Awards. I’m so proud of my team – they built a charming shack, stuck it out during the freezing night, and helped two other teams tear down and haul off their shacks. It was an incredible display of teamwork and compassion.

However, I am glad it’s over. At least 12+ hours with each other in a shack in freezing weather can get a little rough, no matter how nice you may be.

 

Timeline of events

Wednesday evening – Met after praise service to decide how we were going to build the shack. Teammate Curtis designed a pulley system for 8×8 shack for a garage door. Team thought it was great, but could we build that in time? Decided to meet at the UC at 7 a.m. Thursday to collect junk and begin building shack at 8 a.m. on library lawn.

Thursday morning – Slept through both alarms. Stephanie called me at 7:20, arrived at UC by 7:30. Eight or so team members meet at UC, collect junk, and finally arrives on campus and begin building at 9 a.m. Collecting materials and unloading them took more time than expected! Garage door idea nixed. Guys begin building frame of shack. Girls stand around trying to figure out what to do, since guys took the tools.

Thursday afternoon – Return from a morning full of classes and finally see completed shack. Cheers! It looks amazing! Pizza boxes, paint, bicycle wheels, wire and other junk decorate shack. It even has a loft! Hang out with team members Kylor and Matt to patch interior holes. It’s a bit too breezy for the forecasted rain and freezing temperatures.

Thursday evening – Come back to the shack for keeps. Church members drop by to view shack and offer hot chocolate and cookies. Delicious! Team members hang out,  later joined by fellow UC members for some singing. Later cram 15+ people into shack for ghost absurd stories (Pigs, transvestite wolves and tanning?…). Eight members stay the night and attempts to sleep around 1 a.m. Still awake at 3:30 – sit and freeze for 4 more hours or go home and do something? Choose latter

Friday morning – Join group for donut breakfast and wait for judging of shacks. Everyone is exhausted, cold and ready to go home. Judging finally begins and group is free to tear down shack. Guys destroy shack with pleasure. Awards distributed – go team! 4 truck loads later (guys helped with 2 other shacks) – we’re free. UC students help throughout the destruction. Time to recuperate!

Shackin’ It Tonight

The University Center is participating in Shack-A-Thon 2009. Groups make shacks in 4 hours and spend all day in and around them to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness around the world. We collect money donations and used alluminum cans.

Here’s a picture of our shack. More info coming soon!

UC Luv Shack 2009

Your No. 1 Brand – Yourself

 Personal Branding – what is it, really?

Do you just plaster yourself with labels, run through the streets and bombard everyone with your verbal (or online) screams of “follow me!” Do you actually create your own brand? Are you now the new product that people should consider utilizing? Do you need personal slogans and logos so people don’t forget Jim Bob?

(By the way, Jim Bob will be a recurring character throughout these blogs. He’s one of my favorites.)

According to Wikipedia, personal branding suggests the idea that success is a result of self-packaging. Actually, the term may have originate from one of Tom Peters’ articles in 1997, The Brand Called You.

In the article, Peters discusses the evolving environment of branding and media, specifically that practically every company and organization is trying to “brand itself” into the public’s memory. This is achieved through logos, slogans and various mediums. Peters suggests that individuals take advantage of this new perspective and “brand themselves.” He suggests individuals evaluate what they have to offer that’s unique from others and develop those skills. I find the following comment especially interesting.

The good news — and it is largely good news — is that everyone has a chance to stand out. Everyone has a chance to learn, improve, and build up their skills. Everyone has a chance to be a brand worthy of remark.

Is it still personal branding if everyone can stand out? That sounds illogical to me. If everyone is standing out, then no one is standing out. However, I do agree with Peters that all have opportunities to be a brand worthy of remark. Each of us have something special to offer to others and should be willing to share that part of ourselves with them.

For more information about personal branding, you also might want to check out http://personalbrandingblog.com/.

Any thoughts? How do YOU approach personal branding?

Feed Me

Sometimes I miss Xanga. Especially the e-mailed news feeds with updates from your friends’ blogs. Perhaps I’m just lazy, but it was so much easier to keep up with all the different blogs when they were e-mailed to you.

So… is there a program that already does that – collaborates the various blogs that you follow? Or site?

If it’s not around yet, I’m looking forward to finding it. Preferably soon. I’m not sure I can keep up with all the bloggers!

Make it Tiki with a Wiki

In JB #4520, good new-fashioned Social Media, we talked about Wikis.

If you’re like me, you think you know enough about Wikis to give the silent-Ahh-yes-you’re exactly-right nod but not enough to actually say much outside of that nod.  Perhaps Wikis have something to do with that tiny site known as Wikipedia or the Wet Paint  site my PR group used a couple years ago. Hmm…

Wikis are great sources to manage group projects and improve communication. Now I wonder why the heck I didn’t consider using them sooner, especially now that it’s the last semester of my senior year!

What is a Wiki?

 

Who should use Wikis?

People who

A) Are managing group projects and events.

B) Need to communicate with everyone but want better interaction than conference calls and mass e-mails.

C) Want an archive of information that is open to each member of the group to change as necessary.

 

Case-in-Point

I’m mentally kicking myself for not using a Wiki as we were plannning the OSU JB Communications Networking Expo. Throughout the planning process we struggled to find a medium that would work.

 

Facebook: Created a group to post information on discussion boards, the wall and message the team.

Positives  – We knew what everyone on the team looked like from profile pictures. Otherwise it was mostly…

Negatives – Members typically didn’t post any information on the discussion board, it didn’t offer an avenue for all team members to update each other and members rarely communicated progress.

 

Basic e-mail: As the chair, I regularly sent e-mail updates about meetings, team assignments and progress.

Positives – Team members were well informed about what was going on and a few maintained regular communication that way.

Negatives – Didn’t provide an avenue for group discussion, not all team members responded and updated group on progress, information primarily came from one source and information wasn’t archived in one central location for group access.

 

See why I have scuff marks from frustration?

Thank goodness I learned more about Wikis now – instead of years later! Also, this site has been really helpful for my many, I’m-not-raising-my-hand questions.

What about you? Anything that you’ve considered (or have) used Wikis for?

Blogging Beginnings

Now that we’re nearing the end of March, I’ve decided to finally be more topic-consistent with my posts, or at least attempt to have a “flow” among these thoughts. (Then Bill changed our assignment, so geez… what a waste!)

Of course, figuring out what to write about consistently and interestingly isn’t easy. So many interesting things are out there to ponder in a blog. How do you figure out what to write about?

As a good journalist, I turned to the ultimate source for information about blogging, the Web. It’s incredible how many books, articles and discussions have been developed about blogging.

How do you write effectively? Is one appropriate for you? What is the best way to manage a blog? How do you choose a topic? What are typical blogging manners? The list continues as readers search for more information.

I found several well-developed and helpful blogging related articles (all on blogs!), which are listed at the bottom. However, I really wasn’t surprised at most of the information. Why?

Blogging requires a few basic elements -

• Efficient & interesting writing.
• Topics & issues that matter to your public.
• Transparency & ethical conduct.

Blogging is a relatively new medium, so do blogging gurus exist or are they simply effective writers? Hmm… that may be up for discussion another time.

In the meantime, check out these sites about blogging tips and guides. Perhaps they’ll help you find your ultimate blogging self.

How to Choose a Niche for Your Blog

Daily Blog Tips

Blogging Tips (From a fellow WordPress-er!)

Blogging Truths

Blogging Guide

Lord, Let Your RAIN Fall on Me

On Monday night while I was leading Yoga at the University Center, the storm hit Stillwater. As we pushed up into downward dog, we heard the rain pour onto the roof. While bracing ourselves for the Pilates 100, the UC was pelted with hail the size of quarters.

We were just nearing the end when rain started gushing from at least eight spots along the western wall. Students from the lobby poured into the room to help catch the water with our assorted collection of trash cans, ice chests, pots and towels. Even though our wall was soaked, the carpet began to smell and the room was filled with frentic activity – it was rather inspiring.

Whoever designed the church was an idiot. They gave it a flat roof. Of course, this means that for the past few decades of the building’s existence, its staff and students regularly visit the UC during storms to make sure that the UC isn’t flooded. After the rain pours in, the fellowship room is usually aired out for a couple of days to dry the carpet and walls.

Fortunately, it’s also given our students a tradition to remember during their time at OSU and the UC. For instance, our group of seniors often refers to the storm during the spring banquet of our freshman year. While at Meditations, one of the elders burst into the banquet to announce that the UC was flooded and we “needed a few good men” to save the day. Of course, practically all of the guys left and the girls were left to wrap up the banquet and clean up. The guys later said that there really wasn’t anything to do, except put buckets under the drips and watch. We laugh about now. It certainly wasn’t the bailing buckets of water scenario that we’d imagined!

True, it sounds like a pretty lame ritual, but our group is always strengthened a bit when we’re forced to work together and help keep the UC going, even if it means putting a pot under a drip. Watching people work together successfully and have a great attitude is a gift to behold.

It’s cheesy, but I dig teamwork.

By the way, after the rush we continued Yoga, in case you were concerned.