Attendance: Caitlin, D.J., Sasha, Leah, Christine F., Sody, Tony, Shiva, Christine L, Adam, Mrs. Clay
INTRODUCTIONS
We introduced each other and our personal projects.
-INVITATIONAL-HOPE TRUNK, BOOKS: Reshwan, Caitlin, , Becca, Sasha, Nicole, Tina, Shiva, Mr. White and Mrs. Clay. SEPTEMBER 1: Bombing Family member spoke at chapel- YAC decided to make a book to provide healing
- Six Billion Paths to Peace: Shasha, Josh, Mrs. Clay, Mrs. Crossno, Dr. Nanda
SF RETREAT:
SIX BILLION PATHS TO PEACE
MISSION: GIVE, GROW, TRANSFORM
MRS. CLAY: PEACE AT THE HEART OF SERVICE
SASHA: PEACE THE ANTIDOT OF VIOLENCE-- Chapel PP
-FEDEX TIME : Meetings deliver action overnight...task/autonomy/creativity: Sody (Habitat), Christine(Walk the World), Shiva(Seed of Peace), Christine (Website-Activities Fair), Adam(September 11-Items for sale for Website), Pinwheels for Peace ( Mrs. Clay), Six Billion Paths to Peace (Sasha), Origami Cranes with Paths to Peace (Leah)
Mrs. Clay provided toy animals left at the Oklahoma City Memorial Fence and asked students to make a healing story and give it to a child who needs it. Mrs. Clay stated that the books were do when their personal creative process and commitment allowed the books to be ready. We will return the toy animals with a book to the Memorial Museum for them deliver the books where the student desired to be given. Sasha requested time along with the YAC members and the meeting was adjourned.
Activities Fair, Food Bank and Habitat shared table with Mrs. Clay, Sody, Christine, Christine, and Shiva. Poster was displayed and smarties were given away.
A few students signed up for YAC; several signed up for Habitat service day, September 18 and fewer for Food Bank's September 11th. Thank you to the volunteer coordinators from Habitat and Mrs. Lisa Perry from the Food Bank for helping students get motivated to participate in the first day of service at their organizations.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
YAC FEDEX Time: What and Why YAC, Yearly Projects
Saturday, August 28: YAC FEDEX TIME, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch at Hideaway Pizza, Dessert: Target Stores, Volunteer Ice Cream
Participants: Christine (Walk the World: UN WFP,School Feeding;Food Bank:Food-4-Kids Backpacks program), Sody(Wants to participate more and help, Interested in Habitat for Humanity Project). Christine and Sody came for 1/2 the time. Andrew (Project Ignition), Christine (Art Auction Project: Online fundraising project benefiting all Casady Projects, Shiva (Seed of Peace Project), Adam (Food Bank: September 11 Interfaith Service Connection, and source of possible items for Silent Auction-Fundraising for YAC and Service-Learning,)and Mrs. Clay (Peace at the Heart of Service: Six Billion Paths to Peace, What is Yours?)
10:00-11:30: What is YAC? Why YAC?
Students stated what they are interested in doing. Then we started the discussion of Service Saturdays by viewing the calendar.
1. Service Saturdays: We will work every other Saturday at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Habitat for Humanity. We will start at the Food Bank on September 11.
Food Bank, September 11: Family Volunteering; interfaith, peace at the heart of service. Adam will ask Mercy School if they wish to volunteer with us. Christine will ask friends from Crossings, Mrs. Clay will contact HH, Catholic and Jewish Schools. The intention is to have an interfaith youth effort where we can see our faiths commonalities of peace at the heart of servicing the needs of another fellow human being. Update: Mercy School Assistant Principal said that he will try to have Mercy students at Food Bank on September 11
Andrew stated that he will not be able to attend because that is the first OU important football game. There is also an ACT and a cross country meet. Mr. Pena cannot be a driver for that reason.
Habitat for Humanity September 18th: We will start work at Habitat for Humanity exisiting housing in an interfaith, intergeneratinal and multi-ethic effort. The fundraiser on behalf of Habitat is being brainstormed by STUCO and YAC. Sody's family is connected to Habitat Volunteering and she will be proactive in this project, but has not decided exactly what she wants to do.
Board of Trustee, Dr. Sumeeta Nanda visited YAC FEDEX Time. She heard about the projects students wanted to do and shared her experience at the Shinnyo-en Six Billion Paths to Peace Retreat in San Francisco. Dr. Nanda attended the retreat with Mrs. Crossno, Mrs. Clay, Dr. Clydia Forehand from Tulsa, Josh,who will not be continuing with YAC to focus exclusively on this path to Peace "Recycling and leading the Environmental Club," Sasha (YAC leader of Six Billion Paths to Peace Project.)
Since our appointment with Sweatmoney was taken by Dr. Nanda's un-expected but welcome visit, Mrs. Clay contacted SweatMonkey and re-scheduled our webinar with them for the third YAC meeting. We will have the meeting in the Computer Lab. We need to make sure sound is working. Since it was close to lunch time, Mrs. Clay suggested to visit the website to find out how YAC was described by YAC leaders of the past before entering the two areas participants wanted to accomplish with the remaining time; Clubs Fair, decisions for Fall Fest Fundraiser, and focusing on Shiva's and Christine projects. Christine F. left the group after lunch.
Following a suggestion made by Dr. Nanda, Mrs. Clay had the group view the Six Billion Paths to Peace video. Adam stated that the video was inspirational and should be viewed at Chapel.
The group decided not to go to Mercy Hospital to see what a Labyrinth looks like nor to see the movie Pay it Forward. Instead they were going to work on Clubs Fair, FallFest, and Shiva's Project.
WORKING LUNCH: The group chose Hidaway. During lunch we discussed "bribe" ideas to get more students interested in checking YAC out. Christine L. suggested "Positive Peer Pressure" with the freshma. In the morning, Sody had suggested making the service days fun, like what she experience when the coaches made everyone volunteer for MLK Day. She loved it. She also suggested to having high profile YAC kids motivating other to volunteer some names mentioned were Cecil, Chandler, and Nicole. Sody said some freshmen will respond to whom they wil be hanging out with.
Another topic touched during lunch was how we could make the Service Saturdays more relevant so kids would want to attend. Connecting the Food Bank packing with meeting some of the kids who get the food with fun activities like arts, mentoring, etc, could be one way, Sody stated earlier. Mrs. Clay had asked for help motivating the high school students to make Pinwheels for Peace. One avenue could be going to Kids Cafes of the Food Bank like Boys and Girls Club, time agreable with administration and sports. For example, we could bring materials and teach the kids at Food Bank Kids Cafes how to make pinwheels for peace. We could also encourage them to attend the September 19 celebration of Pinwheels for Peace. Mrs. Clay has to talk to the volunteer coordinator of the Kids Cafe Monday to make sure that possibility is explored.
Mrs. Clay made an appoitment to talk to the Human Resource person at Target about a collaboration and posible discounted price to sell Volunteer Ice Cream at Fallfest, if it is not freezing cold. Andrew wants back Japanese Drinks for Sale as a YAC Fundraiser. All participants want the PIE A YAC member back as Fallfest fundraiser. Mrs. Clay has a dfficult time with this fundraiser because it promotes violence and we are suppose to be promoting kindness. YAC members need to go back to the drawing board on this. The pie on the face is also a waste of food supplies.
After lunch, the group went to Target to select "allure" for Clubs Fair. They selected "Smarties" over the more expensive "volunteer ice cream." Students decided that ice cream should be for people who are actually involved and working in YAC, not for perspective members who might only come for the "treat." The preferred flavor was the Chocolate Do Gooder over the Berry Volunteery, Ben and Jerry's target exclusive ice cream.
Clubs Fair: Christine improved the YAC link at thewebsite, created a YAC logo, and helped the group making the poster for the Clubs Fair. Christine, Adam, Shiva and Mrs. Clay will manpower the YAC table.
We did not have time for the Blog, Facebook, or Twitter. The new YAC leadership now knows that their headquarters is at the Community Center and meetings are on F days during Activities,
11:30-12:00 SweatMonkey Webinar Postponed until third YAC meeting. Activities, Lab 1: Webinar needs sound and big projection. We mmight need SKYPE availability.
Projects: We did not have time to properly work on Shiva's project. We will meet on Monday to follow-up and help Shiva create a process for his amazing idea. Adam and Christine will come to help. GO FRESMAN POWER!!!!
Seed of Peace: Pay it Forward
This project has very strong connections to Six Billion Paths to Peace. When Mrs. Clay asked Why 6bptp for Casady and how, Mrs. Crossno stated, "It is natural. It is authentic. It is the ideal model. It makes sense. Illuminates the smalles and greatest acts. It focuses on small genuine connections."
Dr. Nanda stated, "-It is a way to create community. We talk about it, we want it. 6bptp can help us create it linking all aspects of the school, focusing on our commonalities: Gales, Service, Theatre, Football. Peace and Kindness are expressed in different ways, but the ideas evolve naturally. It is obvious and natural."
Participants: Christine (Walk the World: UN WFP,School Feeding;Food Bank:Food-4-Kids Backpacks program), Sody(Wants to participate more and help, Interested in Habitat for Humanity Project). Christine and Sody came for 1/2 the time. Andrew (Project Ignition), Christine (Art Auction Project: Online fundraising project benefiting all Casady Projects, Shiva (Seed of Peace Project), Adam (Food Bank: September 11 Interfaith Service Connection, and source of possible items for Silent Auction-Fundraising for YAC and Service-Learning,)and Mrs. Clay (Peace at the Heart of Service: Six Billion Paths to Peace, What is Yours?)
10:00-11:30: What is YAC? Why YAC?
Students stated what they are interested in doing. Then we started the discussion of Service Saturdays by viewing the calendar.
1. Service Saturdays: We will work every other Saturday at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and Habitat for Humanity. We will start at the Food Bank on September 11.
Food Bank, September 11: Family Volunteering; interfaith, peace at the heart of service. Adam will ask Mercy School if they wish to volunteer with us. Christine will ask friends from Crossings, Mrs. Clay will contact HH, Catholic and Jewish Schools. The intention is to have an interfaith youth effort where we can see our faiths commonalities of peace at the heart of servicing the needs of another fellow human being. Update: Mercy School Assistant Principal said that he will try to have Mercy students at Food Bank on September 11
Andrew stated that he will not be able to attend because that is the first OU important football game. There is also an ACT and a cross country meet. Mr. Pena cannot be a driver for that reason.
Habitat for Humanity September 18th: We will start work at Habitat for Humanity exisiting housing in an interfaith, intergeneratinal and multi-ethic effort. The fundraiser on behalf of Habitat is being brainstormed by STUCO and YAC. Sody's family is connected to Habitat Volunteering and she will be proactive in this project, but has not decided exactly what she wants to do.
Board of Trustee, Dr. Sumeeta Nanda visited YAC FEDEX Time. She heard about the projects students wanted to do and shared her experience at the Shinnyo-en Six Billion Paths to Peace Retreat in San Francisco. Dr. Nanda attended the retreat with Mrs. Crossno, Mrs. Clay, Dr. Clydia Forehand from Tulsa, Josh,who will not be continuing with YAC to focus exclusively on this path to Peace "Recycling and leading the Environmental Club," Sasha (YAC leader of Six Billion Paths to Peace Project.)
Since our appointment with Sweatmoney was taken by Dr. Nanda's un-expected but welcome visit, Mrs. Clay contacted SweatMonkey and re-scheduled our webinar with them for the third YAC meeting. We will have the meeting in the Computer Lab. We need to make sure sound is working. Since it was close to lunch time, Mrs. Clay suggested to visit the website to find out how YAC was described by YAC leaders of the past before entering the two areas participants wanted to accomplish with the remaining time; Clubs Fair, decisions for Fall Fest Fundraiser, and focusing on Shiva's and Christine projects. Christine F. left the group after lunch.
Following a suggestion made by Dr. Nanda, Mrs. Clay had the group view the Six Billion Paths to Peace video. Adam stated that the video was inspirational and should be viewed at Chapel.
The group decided not to go to Mercy Hospital to see what a Labyrinth looks like nor to see the movie Pay it Forward. Instead they were going to work on Clubs Fair, FallFest, and Shiva's Project.
WORKING LUNCH: The group chose Hidaway. During lunch we discussed "bribe" ideas to get more students interested in checking YAC out. Christine L. suggested "Positive Peer Pressure" with the freshma. In the morning, Sody had suggested making the service days fun, like what she experience when the coaches made everyone volunteer for MLK Day. She loved it. She also suggested to having high profile YAC kids motivating other to volunteer some names mentioned were Cecil, Chandler, and Nicole. Sody said some freshmen will respond to whom they wil be hanging out with.
Another topic touched during lunch was how we could make the Service Saturdays more relevant so kids would want to attend. Connecting the Food Bank packing with meeting some of the kids who get the food with fun activities like arts, mentoring, etc, could be one way, Sody stated earlier. Mrs. Clay had asked for help motivating the high school students to make Pinwheels for Peace. One avenue could be going to Kids Cafes of the Food Bank like Boys and Girls Club, time agreable with administration and sports. For example, we could bring materials and teach the kids at Food Bank Kids Cafes how to make pinwheels for peace. We could also encourage them to attend the September 19 celebration of Pinwheels for Peace. Mrs. Clay has to talk to the volunteer coordinator of the Kids Cafe Monday to make sure that possibility is explored.
Mrs. Clay made an appoitment to talk to the Human Resource person at Target about a collaboration and posible discounted price to sell Volunteer Ice Cream at Fallfest, if it is not freezing cold. Andrew wants back Japanese Drinks for Sale as a YAC Fundraiser. All participants want the PIE A YAC member back as Fallfest fundraiser. Mrs. Clay has a dfficult time with this fundraiser because it promotes violence and we are suppose to be promoting kindness. YAC members need to go back to the drawing board on this. The pie on the face is also a waste of food supplies.
After lunch, the group went to Target to select "allure" for Clubs Fair. They selected "Smarties" over the more expensive "volunteer ice cream." Students decided that ice cream should be for people who are actually involved and working in YAC, not for perspective members who might only come for the "treat." The preferred flavor was the Chocolate Do Gooder over the Berry Volunteery, Ben and Jerry's target exclusive ice cream.
Clubs Fair: Christine improved the YAC link at thewebsite, created a YAC logo, and helped the group making the poster for the Clubs Fair. Christine, Adam, Shiva and Mrs. Clay will manpower the YAC table.
We did not have time for the Blog, Facebook, or Twitter. The new YAC leadership now knows that their headquarters is at the Community Center and meetings are on F days during Activities,
11:30-12:00 SweatMonkey Webinar Postponed until third YAC meeting. Activities, Lab 1: Webinar needs sound and big projection. We mmight need SKYPE availability.
Projects: We did not have time to properly work on Shiva's project. We will meet on Monday to follow-up and help Shiva create a process for his amazing idea. Adam and Christine will come to help. GO FRESMAN POWER!!!!
Seed of Peace: Pay it Forward
This project has very strong connections to Six Billion Paths to Peace. When Mrs. Clay asked Why 6bptp for Casady and how, Mrs. Crossno stated, "It is natural. It is authentic. It is the ideal model. It makes sense. Illuminates the smalles and greatest acts. It focuses on small genuine connections."
Dr. Nanda stated, "-It is a way to create community. We talk about it, we want it. 6bptp can help us create it linking all aspects of the school, focusing on our commonalities: Gales, Service, Theatre, Football. Peace and Kindness are expressed in different ways, but the ideas evolve naturally. It is obvious and natural."
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Six Billion Paths to Peace Retreat Reflection
The group loved the nurturing atmosphere in which we learned how others are placing peace at the heart of service. We experienced a process that used the ripple effects of kindness to help make peace a reality in our world.
We took risks, made mistakes, solved problems, and gave and received kindness and encouragement for our efforts and our personal paths to peace. We received resources and ideas for improvement. We became a team who will intentionally work on the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiative at Casady School. We will be intentional in developing in-school Six Billion Paths to Peace partnerships with administrators and parents and collaborations with faculty, staff, and students.
On board of plane, the YAC leader of this project provided the following guideline for our efforts: Passion + Progress = Peace
See detail account of our adventure in San Francisco at Change Becomes Peace blog :http://serviceapathtopeace.blogspot.com/
We took risks, made mistakes, solved problems, and gave and received kindness and encouragement for our efforts and our personal paths to peace. We received resources and ideas for improvement. We became a team who will intentionally work on the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiative at Casady School. We will be intentional in developing in-school Six Billion Paths to Peace partnerships with administrators and parents and collaborations with faculty, staff, and students.
On board of plane, the YAC leader of this project provided the following guideline for our efforts: Passion + Progress = Peace
See detail account of our adventure in San Francisco at Change Becomes Peace blog :http://serviceapathtopeace.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
YAC FEDEX TIME, 10:00-3:00, Woods Community Center
Saturday, August 28: YAC FEDEX TIME, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch by Ted's.
10:00-11:30: Why YAC? (What, who, where, when, how)
-Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Community Center
11:30-12:00 SweatMonkey Webinar
12:00 -1:00: Calendar
* September: Peace Advocacy: Hope Trunk, September 11: YAC serves at Food Bank, Pinwheels for Peace, Seed of Peace, Origami/Manga and Anime Film Festival by Japan America Society.
* October: Students Against Hunger, Casady Cans Do
* January: MLK Day
* April: OKC Memorial Marathon, National Volunteer Week, Earth Day
* May: Walk the World 2011
1:00-3:30 Seed of Peace: Pay it Forward
10:00-11:30: Why YAC? (What, who, where, when, how)
-Website, Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Community Center
11:30-12:00 SweatMonkey Webinar
12:00 -1:00: Calendar
* September: Peace Advocacy: Hope Trunk, September 11: YAC serves at Food Bank, Pinwheels for Peace, Seed of Peace, Origami/Manga and Anime Film Festival by Japan America Society.
* October: Students Against Hunger, Casady Cans Do
* January: MLK Day
* April: OKC Memorial Marathon, National Volunteer Week, Earth Day
* May: Walk the World 2011
1:00-3:30 Seed of Peace: Pay it Forward
Monday, August 9, 2010
YAC Invitational Reflections
Dr. Gigi Ho, Japan America Society Education Coordinatorm "The visit to the OKC Memorial Museum has been an educational experience especially the amount of information one gathered at the series of talks and tours given. The follow-up brainstorming session at Casady continues the connective mode bringing the participants closer together and getting active in mind and action about the peace project. As a JASO participant, I look forward to making the Anime Origami Peace Project a success and sharing with Oklahoma community ways and means of generating peace and spreading it beyond."
Mrs. Clay, Casady Service-Learning Director wishes to share an inspirational video as part of her reflection:
Mrs. Clay also reflected in the form of a children's book available at the Volunteer Center or by request at clayc@casady. org. The book is at a first draft stage and will be improved by interested YAC Invitational participants.
From Mrs. Joan Korenblit: "As the executive director of the Respect Diversity Foundation, I’m very interested in working with organizations that promote peace and service learning projects. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Carmen Clay and Casady YAC students for many years, through the Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit, MLK Day, Pinwheels for Peace, Walk the World and other endeavors. I look forward to seeing how YAC students follow through this year on such far reaching projects. I’d like to thank Mr.John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day YAC Invitational Retreat."
Mrs. Clay, Casady Service-Learning Director wishes to share an inspirational video as part of her reflection:
Mrs. Clay also reflected in the form of a children's book available at the Volunteer Center or by request at clayc@casady. org. The book is at a first draft stage and will be improved by interested YAC Invitational participants.
From Mrs. Joan Korenblit: "As the executive director of the Respect Diversity Foundation, I’m very interested in working with organizations that promote peace and service learning projects. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Carmen Clay and Casady YAC students for many years, through the Respect Diversity Symbol Exhibit, MLK Day, Pinwheels for Peace, Walk the World and other endeavors. I look forward to seeing how YAC students follow through this year on such far reaching projects. I’d like to thank Mr.John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day YAC Invitational Retreat."
Saturday, August 7, 2010
YAC Invitational, Called2Change: Saturday, August 7th
9 Participants: 5 adults and 4 teens. Shiva (YAC Freshman Chair), Chase, Nicole (YAC Junior Chair), Caitlin (YAC Senior Chair), Mrs. Joan Korenbilt (Respect Diversity Foundation, Dr. Gigi Hu (JASO's Education Director), Mr. Ken Ho (JASO), Miss Lisa Perry (Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma), and Mrs. Carmen Clay(Rainbolt Family Service-Learning Chair). Cost: $21 for fruit, flowers, and water purchased at Sam's. Lunch at Ajanta, Indian Food Restaurant: $124 Total cost: $145.
Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for this event. Casady Service-Learning will allocate remaining funds to San Francisco, Six Billon Paths to Peace immediate needs and will purchase Peace Education project needs with remaining funding, ie $100 for Peace Manga DVD. The purchase provides rights to be viewed by different audiences and the DVD will have shared ownership with the OKC Memorial Museum and JASO.
Agenda: Set by participants following FEDEX Time guidelines (With a know task, use time and selection of topics to address with autonomy. Be ready to present results.)
10:00-10:15: Arrival and welcome
10:15-12:00 Introductions with personal agendas and Connections: Relationship building to create teams with autonomy of time and task.
Shiva: Freshman YAC Chair. Volunteered as a CIT at Casady last year. He also volunteered at Camp Casady this year. A few hours short of silver presidential award. Participated with his family in Walk the World 2010. Enjoyed the Friday time at the museum, especially the archives part and wants to work on sustainable peace initiatives at Casady School. Connections: Class of 2014, Indian Community of OKC.
Chase: Left Casady to join the ROTC. Interested in West Point after graduation. Current sophomore at Edmond Memorial. Chase fundraised at Edmond Memorial to support children with special needs. Edmond Schools have big yearly fundraisers with school wide participation. He was not a leader of the fundraising efforts. Chase is interested in promoting collaborative service efforts between the two schools. Connections: ROTC at Edmond Memorial, Native American community.
Nicole: YAC Junior Chair, Cheerleader, STUCO Officer, Debate enthusiast. Nicole wants to become a surgeon. Nicole with another YAC Junior Chair, Chandler will provide a youth touch to the Casady Volunteer Center before school starts. Nicole wants to increase the collaborative efforts between YAC, STUCO, and other clubs and sports at Casady. Nicole stated that YAC,,STUCO and Casady in general are undergoing re-organization. Nicole stated that better organization, greater focus, and sustainable collaborations were needed. Nicole also stated that STUCO is going to have an organizational lock-in in August. Nicole suggested to have YAC Chairs meeting before school starts. She stated that in previous years YAC meetings were not effective. We will use FEDEX and 20% management concepts for meetings this year. Connections: STUCO, Cheerleaders, Gales, Debaters, Casady sports.
Caitlin: YAC senior Chair, President of Multicultural Club. Caitlin is West Point Boudn. Caitlin is interested in promoting knowledge of Native American cultures at school and the Oklahoma City community. She wishes to bring speakers for the multicultural club and connect with the culinary club. Caitlin volunteered to take YAC's voice to STUCO and support Nicole's efforts enhancing YAC, clubs, and STUCO collaborations. Connections: Native American Communities: Cherokee and Delaware, Multicultural Club. From the Invitational, Caitlin also has connections to the Respect Diversity Speaker Bureau, the International Women's Club in Ponca City, and the Japan America Society. A further suggestion Mrs. Clay thought after the retreat, Turkey House: Interfaith Dialogs as another connection for MC.
Mrs. Carmen Clay: Make working for peace intrinsically motivating like Nike Just Do It. Mrs. Clay spoke about the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiative which sees service as leadership builder and de-stressor. Mrs. Clay provided a copy of "Be the Peace" and "Six Billion Paths to Peace" cards to participants, courtesy of the Shinnyo-en Foundation. Mrs. Clay's goal is to help students find their path to peace through acts of service that are personally meaningful, relevant, and engaging. Connections: Spanish speaking community and Spanish teachers. Shinnyo-En Foundation: Six Billion Paths to Peace, Pinwheels for Peace, Service-Learning.
Dr. Gigi Hu: Manga and Anime Expert. Japan America Society Education Coordinator. Interested in educating OKC public about manga and anime. Connected to JASO through an ASO meeting. Dr. Hu was motivated to attend the Invitational because she wishes to provide a manga and amime film series at the OKC Library. One of the films in her collection is about building inner and world peace by focusing on making paper cranes for peace. She wishes to have Manga and Anime-Origami peace related projects at Casady in the month of September to help celebrate the International Day of Peace and create an educational outreach for JASO members.
Miss Lisa Perry: Aims to develop sustainable relationships with the Oklahoma City community to end hunger in our city. Interested in helping and being a resource to youth fundraising efforts. Former HH student and an organizing partner for Walk the World 2010 and 2011. Connections: Regional Food Bank Development and Volunteer Offices, Food Bank business partners and restaurants, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Students Against Hunger Youth Board, Walk the World 2010 Resources and partners, Heritage Hall Alumni Association.
Mrs. Joan Korenblit: Interested in supporting youth efforts that further the Respect Diversity Foundation mission. Connections: Speaker Bureau in multiculturalism and interfaith initiatives that focus on what faiths have in common. Offers workshops and an annual contest in the spring. On Sunday, September 19, Pinwheels for Peace will take place at Wiley Post. Mrs. Korenblit takes notes in Haiku and she read a poem she wrote after she attended the Chief of Police presentation yesterday. Mrs. Korenblit invited participants to leave their YAC Invitational reflections in the form of poetry, sentence, word, drawing on a blanket.
Mr. Ken Ho: Spouse of Dr. Gigi Hu Ho. Mr. Ho supports his wife's efforts. He wanted to document the meeting through pictures for his wife's website. He wa excited about the meeting and findout YAC and Casady projects related information and helping the meetings in whatever he could.
12:00 -1:00 Lunch at Ajanta, Indian Cuisine: Chase and Caitlin made a connection to West Point former admision officer and HH graduate, Ted Perry. Mrs. Korenblit made a connection for her speakers bureau through Miss Perry. Nicole explain YAC and STUCO to participants. Mrs. Clay gave the history of YAC from its inception as a Service-Learning Committe and its transformation from Youth Advisory Council to YAAC, Youth and Adult Advisory and Action Council.
1:00-2:30 Invitational FEDEX TIME: Create kindness projects to respectfully remember September 11, celebrate the International Day of Peace, and educate about the Oklahoma City Memorial.
1. Seed of Peace: By Chase, Shiva and Mr. Ho. Purpose: One seed can start branches of hope, kindness and peace. Mission Statement: To achieve a continuous process of hope, kindness, and peace growing much like the branches of a tree. The project has as foundation the movie, Pay it Forward. It starts with viewing and discussions of parts of the movie Pay it Forward and a Manga and Anime Origami film from the Japan America Society Film Festival Series. Then, the project hopes to bring guest speakers to present real life accounts of people taking kind actions and encouraging others to do the same. The goal is to help people understand the branching method of kindness because this method can lead to ultimate peace and harmony in the planet. In September the project will connect to the HOPE TRUNK from the Memorial Museum. One hope trunk per division are scheduled to be at the Casady Campus the first two weeks in September. Shiva is the Hope Trunk Ambassador (HTA) at the Primary Division and Chase is considering being the HTA at Edmond Memorial. The project will end in the spring planting a seedling of the Survival Tree at Casady School.
The project encourages people to find their own kind project, much like the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiate: If there are Seven Billion Paths to Kindness and Peace, What is YOURS? The project hopes to branch to several schools.
2. AOPP Project (Anime/Origami/ Peace Project). By Dr. Hu, Mrs. Clay. Purpose: Focus on the cathartic effects art and service experiences have; personal challenges are put aside, the person de-stresses and focus on the creative process and the needs of others. Collaborate to enhance understanding of peace and diversity through creative service. Mission Statement: Seek harmony, serenity, peace and understanding of diversity connecting service and the arts.
Proposed Schedule: Pending Verification with Casady Calendar, pertinent administrators, and planning collaboration with Shinnyo-en Foundation Six Billion Paths to Peace Casady Team
August
Tuesday, August 24: First Day of classes - Activities
Wednesday, August 25: Second Day of classes
Thursday, August 26: Six Billion Paths to Peace "Be the Peace Cards" distributed to anyone who visits the Volunteer Center at Woods
Friday, August 27: Chapels: Hope Trunk Arrival Announcement by OKC Memorial Officer (TBC), Ice Cream 4 Ideas at Volunteer Center at Woods
Saturday, August 28: YAC FEDEX TIME, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch by Ted's, Film: Pay it Forward, Six Billion Paths to Peace T-shirts (TBC) for Six Billion Paths to Peace Oklahoma Team. Possible Webinar with SweatMonkey
Monday, August 30: Chapel: Hope Trunk Interaction (HTI); HT Ambassadors and/or Mrs. Clay: Book Creation
Tuesday August 31: Chapel: HTI, The UCO Play ? YAC: Seed of Peace 20% Time
September:
Wednesday, September 1: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial and/or Respect Diversity Foundation Speakers at chapel or assembly with OKC Memorial Speakers 3-4 (Family, Survivor, First Respondant, Educator)
Thursday, September 2: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial Speaker and/or Respect Diversity Foundation speaker on September 11, Memorial, Peace through kindness and service topic
Friday, September 3: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial Speaker or RDF Speaker
Saturday, September 4: Seed of Peace: Food Bank and Habitat Projects 20% Time-Follow-up of FEDEX TIME
9 a.m.-11 p.m.at Food Bank:
Students Against Hunger, Walk the World: Purpose: fundraising. Mission Statement: Wipe out childhood hunger through school feeding programs. Ideas provided by Miss Lisa Perry, Joan Korenblit, and Mrs. Clay at Invitational for Christine Farha
-Utilize social networks for marketing purposes
-Partner with local businesses like Big Truck Tacos, Target
-Casady families owned or operated businesses and restaurants
-Utilize word of mouth: Clubs, chapel, lunch
-ASK: People like-are waiting- to be asked. They feel included
-Engaging age-appropriate presentations
-OCTOBER: FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN OKC, Bicycle Rides United: Pedaling away hunger...Casady Cans Do collections of cans and money...
-APRIL: FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN THE WORLD; UNITED NATIONS WALK THE WORLD
Lunch at restaurant on the way to Food Bank
2 p.m.-4 p.m at Habitat for Humanity 20% Time: Purpose: Fundraise money needed to build a Habitat House ($20,000-$175,000). Mission Statement: Build a home for an Oklahoma family. Ideas provided by Caitlin and Nicole at Invitational
All divisions: Raffle a football or basketball at Cyclone Silent and Live Auction, decorated chest from MD Art class-Mrs. Dubiskas, Christmas Ornaments from Primary division, Mrs. Czerwinski,UD: YAC Quilow and Quilts. T-shirts sold throughout the school and school year: Blue-Green tie dye or purple
UD
Collection jar
Chapel presentations
Pep Rally-Sport Event
Fashion Show
Partnerships with Casady patrons operated businesses or frequented by Casady students
No Regrets, Saturn Grill, Big Truck Tacos, On a Whim, Library, Earl's, Johnnies, City Bites, Blockbuster, Drugstore
MD
Chapel, Opportunity to attend HS YAC meetings to make posters
Year-round treats at end of day on Fridays: Popsicles: summer, cookies: winter, fruit cups or melon slices: spring
LD and PD
Year-round treats at end of day on Fridays: Popsicles: summer, cookies: winter, fruit cups or melon slices: spring
Fundraisers created by students at divisions
Activities at Volunteer Center and OKC community, possible chapels
Tuesday, September 7: Lessons from Bombing and September 11 (chapel)
Wednesday, September 8: Sadako's Story, another bombing story
Thursday, September 9: Origami and Manga and Anime Peace Stories
Friday, September 10: Manga and Anime Peace Film Festival (Sunday at Casady, Tuesday, April 14 at downtown library)
Saturday, September 11: National Volunteer Day. Kindness through Service
10-12: Habitat for Humanity, Mrs. Clay Supervisor
2-4: Food Bank, Mrs. Clay supervisor
What, when and where: Manga Peace film and Origami lesson TEA TIME: Sunday, September 12: Anime-Origami-Peace Tea Time: Student Center and Fee 3:00-5:00 snacks and drinks provided by local Japanese Restaurants. Japan America Society professional paper crane origami demonstrations. Origami paper provided by the Japanese Consulate in Houston.
For Whom: All Casady Divisions and partner organizations of the Japan America Society (Catholic Charities Refugee Program, Rebuilding Together)
Why? International Day of Peace Week starting activity.
Activities at Volunteer Center
Monday, September 13: Pinwheels and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace Fundraiser
Tuesday, September 14: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Wednesday, September 15: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Thursday, September 16: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Friday, September 17: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Saturday, September 18, Service-Saturday to help provide food and shelter
10-12: Food Bank: Pick-up Pinwheels and Origami cranes from Kids' Cafes
2-4: Pick up Pinwheels and Origami cranes from Habitat residents
Sunday, September 19: 2:00 p.m. Pinwheels for Peace display at Wiley Post Park and OKC celebration of International Day of Peace. Performers needed
Monday, September 20: International Day of Peace Video at Chapel, Casady Pinwheels for Peace display on campus
Tuesday, September 21: International Day of Peace Casady YAC Celebration
Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for this event. Casady Service-Learning will allocate remaining funds to San Francisco, Six Billon Paths to Peace immediate needs and will purchase Peace Education project needs with remaining funding, ie $100 for Peace Manga DVD. The purchase provides rights to be viewed by different audiences and the DVD will have shared ownership with the OKC Memorial Museum and JASO.
Agenda: Set by participants following FEDEX Time guidelines (With a know task, use time and selection of topics to address with autonomy. Be ready to present results.)
10:00-10:15: Arrival and welcome
10:15-12:00 Introductions with personal agendas and Connections: Relationship building to create teams with autonomy of time and task.
Shiva: Freshman YAC Chair. Volunteered as a CIT at Casady last year. He also volunteered at Camp Casady this year. A few hours short of silver presidential award. Participated with his family in Walk the World 2010. Enjoyed the Friday time at the museum, especially the archives part and wants to work on sustainable peace initiatives at Casady School. Connections: Class of 2014, Indian Community of OKC.
Chase: Left Casady to join the ROTC. Interested in West Point after graduation. Current sophomore at Edmond Memorial. Chase fundraised at Edmond Memorial to support children with special needs. Edmond Schools have big yearly fundraisers with school wide participation. He was not a leader of the fundraising efforts. Chase is interested in promoting collaborative service efforts between the two schools. Connections: ROTC at Edmond Memorial, Native American community.
Nicole: YAC Junior Chair, Cheerleader, STUCO Officer, Debate enthusiast. Nicole wants to become a surgeon. Nicole with another YAC Junior Chair, Chandler will provide a youth touch to the Casady Volunteer Center before school starts. Nicole wants to increase the collaborative efforts between YAC, STUCO, and other clubs and sports at Casady. Nicole stated that YAC,,STUCO and Casady in general are undergoing re-organization. Nicole stated that better organization, greater focus, and sustainable collaborations were needed. Nicole also stated that STUCO is going to have an organizational lock-in in August. Nicole suggested to have YAC Chairs meeting before school starts. She stated that in previous years YAC meetings were not effective. We will use FEDEX and 20% management concepts for meetings this year. Connections: STUCO, Cheerleaders, Gales, Debaters, Casady sports.
Caitlin: YAC senior Chair, President of Multicultural Club. Caitlin is West Point Boudn. Caitlin is interested in promoting knowledge of Native American cultures at school and the Oklahoma City community. She wishes to bring speakers for the multicultural club and connect with the culinary club. Caitlin volunteered to take YAC's voice to STUCO and support Nicole's efforts enhancing YAC, clubs, and STUCO collaborations. Connections: Native American Communities: Cherokee and Delaware, Multicultural Club. From the Invitational, Caitlin also has connections to the Respect Diversity Speaker Bureau, the International Women's Club in Ponca City, and the Japan America Society. A further suggestion Mrs. Clay thought after the retreat, Turkey House: Interfaith Dialogs as another connection for MC.
Mrs. Carmen Clay: Make working for peace intrinsically motivating like Nike Just Do It. Mrs. Clay spoke about the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiative which sees service as leadership builder and de-stressor. Mrs. Clay provided a copy of "Be the Peace" and "Six Billion Paths to Peace" cards to participants, courtesy of the Shinnyo-en Foundation. Mrs. Clay's goal is to help students find their path to peace through acts of service that are personally meaningful, relevant, and engaging. Connections: Spanish speaking community and Spanish teachers. Shinnyo-En Foundation: Six Billion Paths to Peace, Pinwheels for Peace, Service-Learning.
Dr. Gigi Hu: Manga and Anime Expert. Japan America Society Education Coordinator. Interested in educating OKC public about manga and anime. Connected to JASO through an ASO meeting. Dr. Hu was motivated to attend the Invitational because she wishes to provide a manga and amime film series at the OKC Library. One of the films in her collection is about building inner and world peace by focusing on making paper cranes for peace. She wishes to have Manga and Anime-Origami peace related projects at Casady in the month of September to help celebrate the International Day of Peace and create an educational outreach for JASO members.
Miss Lisa Perry: Aims to develop sustainable relationships with the Oklahoma City community to end hunger in our city. Interested in helping and being a resource to youth fundraising efforts. Former HH student and an organizing partner for Walk the World 2010 and 2011. Connections: Regional Food Bank Development and Volunteer Offices, Food Bank business partners and restaurants, Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma Students Against Hunger Youth Board, Walk the World 2010 Resources and partners, Heritage Hall Alumni Association.
Mrs. Joan Korenblit: Interested in supporting youth efforts that further the Respect Diversity Foundation mission. Connections: Speaker Bureau in multiculturalism and interfaith initiatives that focus on what faiths have in common. Offers workshops and an annual contest in the spring. On Sunday, September 19, Pinwheels for Peace will take place at Wiley Post. Mrs. Korenblit takes notes in Haiku and she read a poem she wrote after she attended the Chief of Police presentation yesterday. Mrs. Korenblit invited participants to leave their YAC Invitational reflections in the form of poetry, sentence, word, drawing on a blanket.
Mr. Ken Ho: Spouse of Dr. Gigi Hu Ho. Mr. Ho supports his wife's efforts. He wanted to document the meeting through pictures for his wife's website. He wa excited about the meeting and findout YAC and Casady projects related information and helping the meetings in whatever he could.
12:00 -1:00 Lunch at Ajanta, Indian Cuisine: Chase and Caitlin made a connection to West Point former admision officer and HH graduate, Ted Perry. Mrs. Korenblit made a connection for her speakers bureau through Miss Perry. Nicole explain YAC and STUCO to participants. Mrs. Clay gave the history of YAC from its inception as a Service-Learning Committe and its transformation from Youth Advisory Council to YAAC, Youth and Adult Advisory and Action Council.
1:00-2:30 Invitational FEDEX TIME: Create kindness projects to respectfully remember September 11, celebrate the International Day of Peace, and educate about the Oklahoma City Memorial.
1. Seed of Peace: By Chase, Shiva and Mr. Ho. Purpose: One seed can start branches of hope, kindness and peace. Mission Statement: To achieve a continuous process of hope, kindness, and peace growing much like the branches of a tree. The project has as foundation the movie, Pay it Forward. It starts with viewing and discussions of parts of the movie Pay it Forward and a Manga and Anime Origami film from the Japan America Society Film Festival Series. Then, the project hopes to bring guest speakers to present real life accounts of people taking kind actions and encouraging others to do the same. The goal is to help people understand the branching method of kindness because this method can lead to ultimate peace and harmony in the planet. In September the project will connect to the HOPE TRUNK from the Memorial Museum. One hope trunk per division are scheduled to be at the Casady Campus the first two weeks in September. Shiva is the Hope Trunk Ambassador (HTA) at the Primary Division and Chase is considering being the HTA at Edmond Memorial. The project will end in the spring planting a seedling of the Survival Tree at Casady School.
The project encourages people to find their own kind project, much like the Six Billion Paths to Peace initiate: If there are Seven Billion Paths to Kindness and Peace, What is YOURS? The project hopes to branch to several schools.
2. AOPP Project (Anime/Origami/ Peace Project). By Dr. Hu, Mrs. Clay. Purpose: Focus on the cathartic effects art and service experiences have; personal challenges are put aside, the person de-stresses and focus on the creative process and the needs of others. Collaborate to enhance understanding of peace and diversity through creative service. Mission Statement: Seek harmony, serenity, peace and understanding of diversity connecting service and the arts.
Proposed Schedule: Pending Verification with Casady Calendar, pertinent administrators, and planning collaboration with Shinnyo-en Foundation Six Billion Paths to Peace Casady Team
August
Tuesday, August 24: First Day of classes - Activities
Wednesday, August 25: Second Day of classes
Thursday, August 26: Six Billion Paths to Peace "Be the Peace Cards" distributed to anyone who visits the Volunteer Center at Woods
Friday, August 27: Chapels: Hope Trunk Arrival Announcement by OKC Memorial Officer (TBC), Ice Cream 4 Ideas at Volunteer Center at Woods
Saturday, August 28: YAC FEDEX TIME, 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch by Ted's, Film: Pay it Forward, Six Billion Paths to Peace T-shirts (TBC) for Six Billion Paths to Peace Oklahoma Team. Possible Webinar with SweatMonkey
Monday, August 30: Chapel: Hope Trunk Interaction (HTI); HT Ambassadors and/or Mrs. Clay: Book Creation
Tuesday August 31: Chapel: HTI, The UCO Play ? YAC: Seed of Peace 20% Time
September:
Wednesday, September 1: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial and/or Respect Diversity Foundation Speakers at chapel or assembly with OKC Memorial Speakers 3-4 (Family, Survivor, First Respondant, Educator)
Thursday, September 2: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial Speaker and/or Respect Diversity Foundation speaker on September 11, Memorial, Peace through kindness and service topic
Friday, September 3: HTI, Possible OKC Memorial Speaker or RDF Speaker
Saturday, September 4: Seed of Peace: Food Bank and Habitat Projects 20% Time-Follow-up of FEDEX TIME
9 a.m.-11 p.m.at Food Bank:
Students Against Hunger, Walk the World: Purpose: fundraising. Mission Statement: Wipe out childhood hunger through school feeding programs. Ideas provided by Miss Lisa Perry, Joan Korenblit, and Mrs. Clay at Invitational for Christine Farha
-Utilize social networks for marketing purposes
-Partner with local businesses like Big Truck Tacos, Target
-Casady families owned or operated businesses and restaurants
-Utilize word of mouth: Clubs, chapel, lunch
-ASK: People like-are waiting- to be asked. They feel included
-Engaging age-appropriate presentations
-OCTOBER: FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN OKC, Bicycle Rides United: Pedaling away hunger...Casady Cans Do collections of cans and money...
-APRIL: FIGHT CHILDHOOD HUNGER IN THE WORLD; UNITED NATIONS WALK THE WORLD
Lunch at restaurant on the way to Food Bank
2 p.m.-4 p.m at Habitat for Humanity 20% Time: Purpose: Fundraise money needed to build a Habitat House ($20,000-$175,000). Mission Statement: Build a home for an Oklahoma family. Ideas provided by Caitlin and Nicole at Invitational
All divisions: Raffle a football or basketball at Cyclone Silent and Live Auction, decorated chest from MD Art class-Mrs. Dubiskas, Christmas Ornaments from Primary division, Mrs. Czerwinski,UD: YAC Quilow and Quilts. T-shirts sold throughout the school and school year: Blue-Green tie dye or purple
UD
Collection jar
Chapel presentations
Pep Rally-Sport Event
Fashion Show
Partnerships with Casady patrons operated businesses or frequented by Casady students
No Regrets, Saturn Grill, Big Truck Tacos, On a Whim, Library, Earl's, Johnnies, City Bites, Blockbuster, Drugstore
MD
Chapel, Opportunity to attend HS YAC meetings to make posters
Year-round treats at end of day on Fridays: Popsicles: summer, cookies: winter, fruit cups or melon slices: spring
LD and PD
Year-round treats at end of day on Fridays: Popsicles: summer, cookies: winter, fruit cups or melon slices: spring
Fundraisers created by students at divisions
Activities at Volunteer Center and OKC community, possible chapels
Tuesday, September 7: Lessons from Bombing and September 11 (chapel)
Wednesday, September 8: Sadako's Story, another bombing story
Thursday, September 9: Origami and Manga and Anime Peace Stories
Friday, September 10: Manga and Anime Peace Film Festival (Sunday at Casady, Tuesday, April 14 at downtown library)
Saturday, September 11: National Volunteer Day. Kindness through Service
10-12: Habitat for Humanity, Mrs. Clay Supervisor
2-4: Food Bank, Mrs. Clay supervisor
What, when and where: Manga Peace film and Origami lesson TEA TIME: Sunday, September 12: Anime-Origami-Peace Tea Time: Student Center and Fee 3:00-5:00 snacks and drinks provided by local Japanese Restaurants. Japan America Society professional paper crane origami demonstrations. Origami paper provided by the Japanese Consulate in Houston.
For Whom: All Casady Divisions and partner organizations of the Japan America Society (Catholic Charities Refugee Program, Rebuilding Together)
Why? International Day of Peace Week starting activity.
Activities at Volunteer Center
Monday, September 13: Pinwheels and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace Fundraiser
Tuesday, September 14: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Wednesday, September 15: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Thursday, September 16: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Friday, September 17: Pinwheels for Peace and Origami Cranes for Peace-Pennies for Peace fundraiser
Saturday, September 18, Service-Saturday to help provide food and shelter
10-12: Food Bank: Pick-up Pinwheels and Origami cranes from Kids' Cafes
2-4: Pick up Pinwheels and Origami cranes from Habitat residents
Sunday, September 19: 2:00 p.m. Pinwheels for Peace display at Wiley Post Park and OKC celebration of International Day of Peace. Performers needed
Monday, September 20: International Day of Peace Video at Chapel, Casady Pinwheels for Peace display on campus
Tuesday, September 21: International Day of Peace Casady YAC Celebration
YAC Invitational: Called2Change: Day at the OKC Memorial and Museum
Participants (19) and Presenters: Reshwan and her grandparents (left at lunch), Caitlin, Chase, and Mrs. Samantha Anderson, Rebecca and Tina, Sasha, Shiva, Nicole, Mrs. Annie Powel, Respect Diversity Foundation Administrative Assistant, Dr. Gigi Hu, JASO Education Coordinator, Mrs. Jerry Clayman, Rose Creek Community Relations, Mr. Kendall White, MD Outreach Coordinator, Mrs. Carmen Clay, Rainbolt Family Service-Learning Chair, Joan Korenblit, Respect Diversity Foundation CEO (after 1:00 p.m.) Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Education and Research Coordinator, Mrs. Lynn , Hope Trunk Presenter, Amy Petty, Bombing Survivor; Mrs. Hayley Thompson, UCO Theater and Communication teacher; Kelsey Fisher, UCO Student; Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty, Archives tour by (do you remember the name of the person) ....
9:00 Outdoor Symbolic Memorial tour with Kari Watkins, Executive Director
Kari Watkins provided a memorable symbolic tour. I will ask participants to enter personal reflections. For me, the highlight was her passion for her job and her extensive knowledge of details regarding the relationship and process developed as the Memorial was constructed. I will remember her advise, "Be willing to compromise, be willing to see the gifts of compromises."
Other personal highlights of the tour:
At the SURVIVOR TREE,(caught on fire due to car fires), Mrs. Watkins stated that the museum provides 500 seedlings in the spring for planting and American Forest sells them. I requested one of the 500 seedlings for Casady School. The survivor tree is a symbol of the faithful spirit of our city. It made me think about faith in our humanity, not a particular religious orientation. Faith in loving kindness for each other, just like the car lights I vividly remember ON everywhere in OKC. The lights were to me the solidarity with the pain and the hope for us to be better in the future and not allow anything like this to ever happen again. Faith in living in harmony and working out what we allow to become our differences. I do not even remember how LIGHTS ON started, maybe that is something I should investigate. The thought of headlights ON brought to mind words I heard from a family member of a person who perished, "I felt a gentle, calming breeze, then I got a call, my mother said that my father was missing. In my desperate search what I remember most is a warm cup of coffee and a gentle embrace.
At the CHAIRS, Mrs. Watkins stated that they are representations of "someone missing" at a table, the emptiness of a season ticket, not a tomb stone. Mrs. Watkins invited us to get a close look at the chairs. My heart focused on Carrie and baby because there was a b-day balloon and flowers. I felt the pain of the relative(s) and the serenity of the souls. It was a senseless lost of lives. People in their daily routine disappeared because of someone's anger for what he believed to be injustice. The result of his anger, he hoped to be chaos; instead, the Memorial stands for HOPE.
Solutions through violence dehumanizes. Later on at the museum I read "The forces of hate and violence must not be allowed to gain their victory, not just in our society, but in our hearts. Nor must we respond hate with more hate."
Words such as immigration reform, oil, power base, fear, special interests wondered through my mind. We quickly forget the lessons of history. It is in these times when we have to focus on the resilience hope has to CALLED2CHANGE, choosing the right to do the right thing to do through respect, resilience, and responsibility. At the archives, I found myself telling the group that my goal, which I might not live to see the result, is to make PEACE as popular as NIKE JUST DO.
"...And right action is freedom
From past and future also.
For most of us this is the aim
Never here to be realized;
Who are only undefeated
Because we have gone on trying..."
-T.S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages
You are not obligated to finish the task; neither are you free to neglected.
-Pirkei Avot (Teaching of the Sages), Chapter 2,21
Regarding the FENCE, Mrs. Watkins stated that it was not part of the original design and people had a long compromise process. Every aspect of the Memorial speaks to me about Change starting with the image of the person standing at the Reflective Pool. The fence, as ugly as a cluttered room might be, also tells about our constant quest to interact with the past to make our present and future better; the spirit of our volunteerism for a world at peace with harmony and balance. Work for PEACE much like a quote I read at the museum, "People came, gave and left without anyone knowing their names, and that was the beauty of the whole effort." I really think PEACE can come to our hearts as silent as angel's wings, if we work at prioritizing it in our lives, which brings to mind another quote found during the tour of the museum, "I was struck by those who just picked up and came on their own to lend a hand. Some had useful skills, others just a willing heart."
9:40 Museum Tour Every time I go to the Museum I focus on something different. I wonder what the participants will share. Today, quotes about volunteerism were my highlight. I am proud my heart is 1/2 Peruvian, 1/2 Oklahoman when I am at the Museum.
"Oklahoma has earned its place in American Folklore as cowboy-tough and proudly self-reliant. Oklahomans may feel more vulnerable now, a little disconnected by what has happen to them, but in their response to this madness, they have showed us all with their essential sense of goodness, community, and compassion. Tom Brokaw, NBC News."
I remember making sandwiches and feeling frustrated because everyone told me I would be on the way if I went to the site. I wish I had listened to my heart instead. Everyone could help, no effort was too small and a helping hand finds a way be make a difference. "Rescue workers return from their shifts to find their clothes from the day before laundered and neatly folded. Their cots are turned down and a mint rests on their pillow, accompanied by a note of thanks."
11:00 Hope Trunk Information and Book Project Example: Because the group and I lost track of time touring the Museum, this part was short and we did not have time to discuss the book making project. The Hope Trunk aims to help students understand the impact of violence, the meaning of community, and the importance of making good choices. Violence is senseless. Personal responsibility is making the right choices: People who knew about the bombing could have prevented the lost of lives if they had revealed what they knew. The Hope Trunk has artifacts, videos, lesson plans, fence objects and more. Casady School will have 4 trunks the first two weeks in September as part of our initiative of KINDNESS OVER VIOLENCE. YAC members from every grade present at the Invitational were asked to consider becoming HOPE Trunk Ambassadors: (HTA's)
Shiva: Primary Division. Will contact PD Principal. Mrs. Czerwinski, Pinwheels for Peace and Miss Russ, Pennies for Peace project sponsor could be helpful resources and contacts.
Tina and Nicole: Lower Division. Need to contact Mrs. France. The Pinwheels for Peace teachers are the 4th grade team. Mr. Bush is also a service-learning teacher. The first grade team works of peace education.
Sasha: Middle Division. Mr White is a great contact there. Mrs. Crossno, Mrs. Sarah Zeidlitz, Pennies for Peace sponsor, and Mrs. Dubiskas could also be of great help.
Caitlin, Rebecca, Reshwan: Upper Division. Father Blizzard, Mr. Varela, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Warden, Mr. Pena, and Mrs. Clay are faculty resources
11:30 First Person program with Amy Petty As amazing and personal as usual. Rebecca will like to invite her to speak at chapel. This time I was taken by the part of her speech were she starts bargaining with God as she realized the things she regretted not having experienced and her relationships with family, friends, and God. Amy, once again recalled the car lights outside her hospital window letting her know that she was not alone facing her second chance of life. Her enthusiasm for life and trying things even if she fails as she attempts, made me think about the one question I wanted to ask participants if we had had the time, What "really" matters to you?
Later on I shared with my friend Jerry follow-up questions
1. What is the task that you have been trying to contemplate in the world? Why? Another way to place the same question for younger audiences, suggested by my friend Jerry was, What will be the one wish you have for our world?
2. How would the world be different if you succeeded? What motivates you to keep on trying when it would be easier to give up? OR, as suggested by Jerry, If you were to be granted the wish and the only way the wish will come true is your involvement, what will you be willing to do? What will be your first steps?
12:15 Lunch by Panera with Hayley Thompson, and Kelsey Fisher. We saw Mason on video. This was a power presentation with a video I wish to take to the Shinnyoen Foundation next week. My reflection on Hayley's work in my second opportunity to hear her speak is that she is amazing! beautiful, young, and with the gift to empower others to find their way to make a difference. I hope we will work closely together in the future. Her journaling through the senses was a highlight among so many highlights. One has to have been there to have a full impact of her presentation. My words will not do her student's work justice.
1:30 First Person program with Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty We joined a public presentation and I left to take a student to volleyball practice. I could not help but feel how impersonal the environment became. I was told it was informative, but not inspiring and perhaps too long.
2:30-4:00 Archives Tour and project brainstorming with Archives research time. I arrived when the tour was in progress. We did not have research time because the archives had to close earlier. The highlight for me was the Origami cranes which gave Dr. Hu the opportunity to tell participants about the story of Sadako. I wish I had remember to request Brandon Spivey's Reflective Resilience Collage to be viewed by participants. I also requested consideration of a traveling exhibit for September 11 of work done collaboratively by OKC and NYC.
Then we spent time at the Memorial store spending our $25 gift certificates to remember our time touching history.
Casady Service Learning wishes to thank Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Museum Director of Education and Research for facilitating the Friday activities and admission to the museum. Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day retreat and a $25 stipend for each participant to spend at the Oklahoma City Memorial store at the end of the day Friday. Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher, UCO student for sharing their project experience with the Oklahoma Memorial Museum.
9:00 Outdoor Symbolic Memorial tour with Kari Watkins, Executive Director
Kari Watkins provided a memorable symbolic tour. I will ask participants to enter personal reflections. For me, the highlight was her passion for her job and her extensive knowledge of details regarding the relationship and process developed as the Memorial was constructed. I will remember her advise, "Be willing to compromise, be willing to see the gifts of compromises."
Other personal highlights of the tour:
At the SURVIVOR TREE,(caught on fire due to car fires), Mrs. Watkins stated that the museum provides 500 seedlings in the spring for planting and American Forest sells them. I requested one of the 500 seedlings for Casady School. The survivor tree is a symbol of the faithful spirit of our city. It made me think about faith in our humanity, not a particular religious orientation. Faith in loving kindness for each other, just like the car lights I vividly remember ON everywhere in OKC. The lights were to me the solidarity with the pain and the hope for us to be better in the future and not allow anything like this to ever happen again. Faith in living in harmony and working out what we allow to become our differences. I do not even remember how LIGHTS ON started, maybe that is something I should investigate. The thought of headlights ON brought to mind words I heard from a family member of a person who perished, "I felt a gentle, calming breeze, then I got a call, my mother said that my father was missing. In my desperate search what I remember most is a warm cup of coffee and a gentle embrace.
At the CHAIRS, Mrs. Watkins stated that they are representations of "someone missing" at a table, the emptiness of a season ticket, not a tomb stone. Mrs. Watkins invited us to get a close look at the chairs. My heart focused on Carrie and baby because there was a b-day balloon and flowers. I felt the pain of the relative(s) and the serenity of the souls. It was a senseless lost of lives. People in their daily routine disappeared because of someone's anger for what he believed to be injustice. The result of his anger, he hoped to be chaos; instead, the Memorial stands for HOPE.
Solutions through violence dehumanizes. Later on at the museum I read "The forces of hate and violence must not be allowed to gain their victory, not just in our society, but in our hearts. Nor must we respond hate with more hate."
Words such as immigration reform, oil, power base, fear, special interests wondered through my mind. We quickly forget the lessons of history. It is in these times when we have to focus on the resilience hope has to CALLED2CHANGE, choosing the right to do the right thing to do through respect, resilience, and responsibility. At the archives, I found myself telling the group that my goal, which I might not live to see the result, is to make PEACE as popular as NIKE JUST DO.
"...And right action is freedom
From past and future also.
For most of us this is the aim
Never here to be realized;
Who are only undefeated
Because we have gone on trying..."
-T.S. Eliot, The Dry Salvages
You are not obligated to finish the task; neither are you free to neglected.
-Pirkei Avot (Teaching of the Sages), Chapter 2,21
Regarding the FENCE, Mrs. Watkins stated that it was not part of the original design and people had a long compromise process. Every aspect of the Memorial speaks to me about Change starting with the image of the person standing at the Reflective Pool. The fence, as ugly as a cluttered room might be, also tells about our constant quest to interact with the past to make our present and future better; the spirit of our volunteerism for a world at peace with harmony and balance. Work for PEACE much like a quote I read at the museum, "People came, gave and left without anyone knowing their names, and that was the beauty of the whole effort." I really think PEACE can come to our hearts as silent as angel's wings, if we work at prioritizing it in our lives, which brings to mind another quote found during the tour of the museum, "I was struck by those who just picked up and came on their own to lend a hand. Some had useful skills, others just a willing heart."
9:40 Museum Tour Every time I go to the Museum I focus on something different. I wonder what the participants will share. Today, quotes about volunteerism were my highlight. I am proud my heart is 1/2 Peruvian, 1/2 Oklahoman when I am at the Museum.
"Oklahoma has earned its place in American Folklore as cowboy-tough and proudly self-reliant. Oklahomans may feel more vulnerable now, a little disconnected by what has happen to them, but in their response to this madness, they have showed us all with their essential sense of goodness, community, and compassion. Tom Brokaw, NBC News."
I remember making sandwiches and feeling frustrated because everyone told me I would be on the way if I went to the site. I wish I had listened to my heart instead. Everyone could help, no effort was too small and a helping hand finds a way be make a difference. "Rescue workers return from their shifts to find their clothes from the day before laundered and neatly folded. Their cots are turned down and a mint rests on their pillow, accompanied by a note of thanks."
11:00 Hope Trunk Information and Book Project Example: Because the group and I lost track of time touring the Museum, this part was short and we did not have time to discuss the book making project. The Hope Trunk aims to help students understand the impact of violence, the meaning of community, and the importance of making good choices. Violence is senseless. Personal responsibility is making the right choices: People who knew about the bombing could have prevented the lost of lives if they had revealed what they knew. The Hope Trunk has artifacts, videos, lesson plans, fence objects and more. Casady School will have 4 trunks the first two weeks in September as part of our initiative of KINDNESS OVER VIOLENCE. YAC members from every grade present at the Invitational were asked to consider becoming HOPE Trunk Ambassadors: (HTA's)
Shiva: Primary Division. Will contact PD Principal. Mrs. Czerwinski, Pinwheels for Peace and Miss Russ, Pennies for Peace project sponsor could be helpful resources and contacts.
Tina and Nicole: Lower Division. Need to contact Mrs. France. The Pinwheels for Peace teachers are the 4th grade team. Mr. Bush is also a service-learning teacher. The first grade team works of peace education.
Sasha: Middle Division. Mr White is a great contact there. Mrs. Crossno, Mrs. Sarah Zeidlitz, Pennies for Peace sponsor, and Mrs. Dubiskas could also be of great help.
Caitlin, Rebecca, Reshwan: Upper Division. Father Blizzard, Mr. Varela, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Warden, Mr. Pena, and Mrs. Clay are faculty resources
11:30 First Person program with Amy Petty As amazing and personal as usual. Rebecca will like to invite her to speak at chapel. This time I was taken by the part of her speech were she starts bargaining with God as she realized the things she regretted not having experienced and her relationships with family, friends, and God. Amy, once again recalled the car lights outside her hospital window letting her know that she was not alone facing her second chance of life. Her enthusiasm for life and trying things even if she fails as she attempts, made me think about the one question I wanted to ask participants if we had had the time, What "really" matters to you?
Later on I shared with my friend Jerry follow-up questions
1. What is the task that you have been trying to contemplate in the world? Why? Another way to place the same question for younger audiences, suggested by my friend Jerry was, What will be the one wish you have for our world?
2. How would the world be different if you succeeded? What motivates you to keep on trying when it would be easier to give up? OR, as suggested by Jerry, If you were to be granted the wish and the only way the wish will come true is your involvement, what will you be willing to do? What will be your first steps?
12:15 Lunch by Panera with Hayley Thompson, and Kelsey Fisher. We saw Mason on video. This was a power presentation with a video I wish to take to the Shinnyoen Foundation next week. My reflection on Hayley's work in my second opportunity to hear her speak is that she is amazing! beautiful, young, and with the gift to empower others to find their way to make a difference. I hope we will work closely together in the future. Her journaling through the senses was a highlight among so many highlights. One has to have been there to have a full impact of her presentation. My words will not do her student's work justice.
1:30 First Person program with Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty We joined a public presentation and I left to take a student to volleyball practice. I could not help but feel how impersonal the environment became. I was told it was informative, but not inspiring and perhaps too long.
2:30-4:00 Archives Tour and project brainstorming with Archives research time. I arrived when the tour was in progress. We did not have research time because the archives had to close earlier. The highlight for me was the Origami cranes which gave Dr. Hu the opportunity to tell participants about the story of Sadako. I wish I had remember to request Brandon Spivey's Reflective Resilience Collage to be viewed by participants. I also requested consideration of a traveling exhibit for September 11 of work done collaboratively by OKC and NYC.
Then we spent time at the Memorial store spending our $25 gift certificates to remember our time touching history.
Casady Service Learning wishes to thank Mrs. Lynn Roller, Memorial Museum Director of Education and Research for facilitating the Friday activities and admission to the museum. Special thanks to Mr. John Kennedy for providing the funding for the two-day retreat and a $25 stipend for each participant to spend at the Oklahoma City Memorial store at the end of the day Friday. Our heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Hayley Thompson, Ms. Kelsey Fisher, UCO student for sharing their project experience with the Oklahoma Memorial Museum.
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