I've worked at Big Brothers Big Sisters for seven years now. I never knew how attached I would get to this organization and the people that work there. I will miss this place deeply.
I remember my first day on the job. I had no idea of what I was getting myself into. I was 29 years old and had gotten a job running an organization with no previous management experience. My first thought was, "what will these people think of me?" I realized that I was an outsider, that I hadn't paid any dues, and I was about to become the boss of people who knew a heck of a lot more about mentoring than I did.
That first day, it was just me, Jenny, Amber, and Natalie. There was a fellow in Sitka that had just been hired, but we were very small. I spent those first few months wondering what in the world I was doing, hoping that they wouldn't through me out on my ear for not knowing anything. I still have the "small box of courage" that my dear sister Monique sent me during my first few days on the job.
Somehow I hung in there long enough to learn a few things, I guess. Or maybe I faked it so well no one knew I was totally out of my element. Over the last seven years, I've gotten to know so many committed staff, and have shared joys and pain with many fine colleagues. We've grown into most of Southeast Alaska, and have since joined with our colleagues across the state into one team. What was once a tiny organization now employs more than fifty people statewide.
As I look to leave this organization for six months, it's my fellow staff that I will miss the most. We have so many caring, bright people working on behalf of Alaska's kids. And since we merged in August, 2007, I have had the great pleasure to work directly with many of our staff in communities across Alaska. I hope I can stay in touch, even though I will be out of state, and likely consumed by my work in Portland.
As I dive into the unpleasant but necessary task of finally cleaning my office and wrapping up my final remaining projects, I tip my hat to all the fine men and women committing themselves every day to brightening the lives of youth across Alaska.
2 comments:
You're going to make me cry. You will be so missed in this organization - thank goodness it's only six months. I wish you all the best in your new endeavor and really look forward to reading regularly how you are experiencing it. Thank you for sharing!
Don't say goodbye. Say, "see you soon."
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