Open University – Thursdays

Hello Thursday OU Students –

I met with the administrator at First Presbyterian last week to discuss the church’s revised Child & Youth protection policy which has prompted them to make some changes in their building.  Following is a summary of the changes to help you navigate the building.  The church will place signs indicating no access areas.

You will still enter through the same door adjacent to the parking lot, using the buzzer at the right of the door when locked.  On the first floor, the hallway along the Fellowship Hall will be open to the end, including the stairwell which can still be used. However, you will no longer be able to continue down the hallway to the right past this stairwell. 

The restrooms on the first floor will still be accessible, but there is no access beyond them.

On the second floor, when exiting the elevator, there is no longer access to the right down the hallway.  To get to the classrooms where OU meets, you will need to walk around the hallway to your left.  The second floor is a rectangle, so you can go all the way around. Another option, for those able to take the stairs, is to use the stairway at the end of the hallway by the Fellowship Hall. 

And finally, concerning the restrooms on the second floor, please do not use the ones across from Room 218, close to the elevators.  Those are for the preschool only.  There is another set of restrooms around the corner, on either side of Room 209, for OU students.

We will be available on site to help everyone navigate these changes.  I thank you for your understanding and look forward to another great year of lifelong learning together.  See you on the 26th – Julie

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Open University Begins Soon!

Have you missed the Open University this summer?? Well, you won’t have to wait much longer. Classes begin on Monday, September 23 and Thursday, September 26.

Since you might be eager for a lecture, I thought this would be a good time for you to watch a video about Dr. Elbert Cole who began the Shepherd’s Center Movement back in 1972. It’s a little, 10 minute, lecture where you will learn a bit more about our history. Some of the clips were taken from a 60 Minutes story that ran in the 70’s. Our model is a wonderful one that truly benefits those involved and I am very proud to be a part of it. Enjoy the video!

Elder Leadership Award Presented to Dr. Elbert Cole

Happy IVM Day!

International Volunteer Managers (IVM) Day is celebrated every year on 5 November and is a time to recognize and thank those who enhance and enable the spirit of volunteering. I want to thank our staff for all their wonderful work with our volunteers – you are awesome! And in honor of this day, I post below my personal mission statement written as a requirement for my Certification in Volunteer Administration (CVA). 

Happy day to ALL Volunteer Engagement Professionals!!! – Julie

I truly found my calling when I embarked on a career in volunteer administration. I come from a mission minded family and my faith is the guiding force in my life. I believe that we are here to serve others whenever possible.

Volunteerism is at the heart of everything that is good in our world. Volunteers are driven by their moral values and compassion to make the world a better place. Volunteers transform the dynamics of the workplace.  They are not there to make money. They are there to make a difference and I want to be there to facilitate their efforts. It is my philosophy that they must be actively engaged. Volunteers need to feel that they are truly a part of an organization and its mission.  Being a volunteer myself, I honestly believe that I know what is needed to support and sustain a volunteer program.

I find that when the daily grind of the office gets me down, it is interacting with my volunteers that give me inspiration and a renewal of purpose that keeps me going.  I am a people person and am energized by working with these individuals I call angels on earth.  At the end of the day it is rewarding to know that I have been a part of bringing a change for good to my community and to humankind.