Greetings Partners, Here we are, on the brink of our busiest season, ready to say, Hello, to many new faces, and not quite ready to say, Good-bye, to old friends.
We've got a great staff on board for this summer, and they are about to embark on one more round of training before we shift into high gear. As many of you know, Outward Bound Instructors are the most intensively trained folks working in the field of experiential education today. Our Instructor training is on-going.
For instance, some of our staff will have completed over 20 days of training this spring alone. It's no accident that excellence and integrity are two of our four key values here at Outward Bound-- these values are lived by our Instructors. We also value compassion and inclusion, and this is where James Hancock and our mission come in. Instructors join the team for our mission, and for a chance to work with leaders like James. Our Instructors have a passion to connect with students and to meet them where they are at. We believe in the power of group learning and James Hancock, our outgoing Staffing Director, exemplifies the spirit of teamwork and has a long tradition of serving our staff above himself.
As I write this, we are wrapping up a farewell potluck lunch for James. A colleague just told a story that highlights James' selfless ethic. Not long ago, James realized that an Instructor was overdue to receive a milestone accolade: the 10 year paddle.
When you've lived our mission for a decade, you are presented with a paddle, a metaphor that recognizes your supreme contribution to our "crew" and our journey together. Because the Instructor's paddle was not quite ready, James pulled his own paddle off the wall, removed his nameplate and handed it over. Service above self, again and again. James has served Outward Bound for 12 years. He was instrumental in establishing Twin Cities Center, wearing just about every program hat in TCC's 7 year history. James has made an impact on staff and students alike. He has been absolutely single-minded about recruiting, hiring and training amazing people who believe in the power of challenge and discovery.
Because of James, we have a robust staff of experienced Instructors and a reputation for delivering life-changing programs in collaboration with metro area schools, youth serving organizations, colleges and companies. James' dedication to inclusion and excellence
has played a crucial role in sustaining the innovative partnerships we maintain with all of you. If you've had the good fortune to meet James, then you know what I'm talking about-- his passion, and compassion are infectious and motivating. James would be the first to tell you that his successor, Brad Little, is cut from the same cloth. Brad is all about integrity---after all, James hired him!
Please join us in thanking James for his inestimable contribution to our work. James, we wish you well in your next big adventure: fatherhood! With gratitude, Marlais & The VOBS Team
PS: Thanks to all who came out for our
Open House May 11-- we loved visiting with you and celebrating our work together!
"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."
