Now that the election has been won, the real work begins. I invite anyone who is involved in volunteer-based tutoring/mentoring, as a leader, volunteer, donor, youth, or concerned citizen, to view the agenda of the Nov. 21 Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference, that will be held at the Chicago Field Museum. The links is http://www.tutormentorconference.org/agenda.asp
This conference has been offered every six months since 1994, and was attended by President-elect Obama in 1999. It's an effort to draw attention and resources to the organizations already offering volunteer-based tutoring/mentoring in Chicago and other cities, while helping the people involved connect and build support for each other.
If you cannot attend, connect with the T/MC and others in forums like http://tutormentorconnection.ning.com and use the resources at http://www.tutormentorconnection.org to support your own involvement, where ever you are.
If we connect enough citizens to youth who live in economic disadvantage with adults who can model a greater range of jobs and careers, and can help kids do the work needed to reach those careers, and keep these connections through the two terms of the Obama Presidency, the momentum build from such programs will continue in the years after Obama leaves office and will result in a significant closing of the economic and social gaps in this country. Call 312-492-9614 if you'd like to know more, or email tutormentor2@earthlink.net.
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
Do you feel The World Largest Social Movement should adopt the Six Pillars Of Character as a modern day version of the ten commandments?
My career has been in Human Resources with a focus in hiring middle management, upper manemet, tecnical talent, and executives. Experience in itself tells you very little. The following is a poem that I composed that spells this out.
Who is the Mentor among Us?Does “experience” equal “intelligence”?In life we refer to qualifying one’s ability to do a better job by measuring the amount of their experience. Is it really important to measure how full the cup is or would we be better off measuring what was done with the ingredients?Experiencethe observing, encountering, or undergoing of things generally as they occur in the course of timeObservationan act or instance of regarding attentively or watching.Encounterto come upon or meet with.Been there / Done thatdoes not imply judgment, knowledge, empowered action,problem solving ability,change agility,or recognition of a new imposing factionor the ability to have a smart, quick reactionthat might make the difference of a positive resultor a disaster that could possibly be one’s fault.The most important gift of experience does not necessarilycome from success in itself,but the ability to learn from mistakes,analysis of the causation that success makesadding history plus new variablesto equal new results desired for today,tomorrow and more,repeating, not defeatingour goalsto let us soar.S. Shields, 2007
