Folks, a short meeting and time for catching up has been scheduled for Tuesday night at 7:00, Centennial Hall. We'll discuss severance and annual leave issues, future meetings/gatherings, and then catch up.
I hope you'll all attend.
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13 comments:
Thanks.I'll be there.
Some ranting from Marcel:
I ran into a laid off Sheldon Jackson employee today and he and I talked for a few minutes about how we still feel the loss of something we cared deeply about. He was at the lumber yard getting stuff to fix up his house so that he and his wife could place it on the market as they would be leaving town soon.
Coincidently I couldn’t sleep last night because I was thinking of Sheldon Jackson. It’s funny how I only worked at SJ for 3 ¾ years yet it made a bigger impression on my life than jobs I have been at 2 to 4 times longer. I know that is because I felt that SJ was more than a job. I felt that the mission of SJ was helping people become better more productive members of our society. Not to mention the feeling of being a part of such a historic institution that so many of Alaska’s great leaders came out of.
Of course the fact that I was lucky enough to work as closely with volunteers as I did also has left a void that will not be easily filled. As I lay in bed unable to sleep I thought about many of the nearly 1000 volunteers that passed though SJ in my short tenure, and all the work they accomplished. I again recognized this too was an opportunity lost. I though about how Sheldon Jackson built the school by building a network of good people from coast to coast. And I thought about how we could have done the same with these folks.
For those of you that might be reading this, do you realize that during the summer of 2006 summer workgroup folks donated over 11,000 hours of work to SJ? Those same folks like many volunteers before also donated a substantial amount of money to SJ. And, many were willing to donate more, and help fund raise too. But, as anyone who ever worked at SJ can tell you one of the places SJ constantly failed was in communications. Many of these folks received little to no thanks not only for their work, but for their donations.
Let me tell you two other stories. Yesterday I also received an e-mail from a lady from Pennsylvania. She told me she had for the 2nd year in a row had been selected as one of 26 out of 26,000 people for the company she works as a volunteer of the year. Part of the recognition that her company gives her is to donate $1,000.00 to the non-profit of her choice. She gave this money to SJ last year in spite of the fact SJ nearly made it impossible for her to do so. You see when she e-mailed me last year she said she wanted to give the money to SJ, but she would need the SJ’s IRS 401-C # as part of the requirement of the donation. I passed this info onto the office 3 or 4 times and they never bothered to get back a hold of her. As I recall on the last day she could still give the money to SJ I had to track the number down myself and I was the one who quickly sent it to her so we wouldn’t loose the money. This was a grand that SJ nearly didn’t receive because no one in the office could take the time to send her a simple little number.
But, if you think that is crazy what about the Million dollars that one of Westwood Presbyterian members wanted to rise to finish the renovation on Allen Auditorium. And for anyone who thinks this wouldn’t have been possible let me tell you that Westwood Presbyterian is in Hollywood, CA and after talking to their Associate Pastor she assured me that, yes a million would not be out of the question for the members of her church. So, what happened, again SJ management and board didn’t bother to communicate with the members of the workgroup after they repeatedly kept trying to get an answer. I can not tell you how many e-mails I forwarded to the President of the Board and upper management but no one ever bothered to e-mail back or even call. Finally after 5 or 6 months of this person trying to help he called me and said if he didn’t hear soon he was going to put his energies into raising money for someone who appreciated it. I have simplified this story a bit, but the long and the short is once again I can only say management and the board didn’t see the value in what dedicated volunteers could do for them.
I could also tell you the story about the VIM who tried to get friend Mr. Walton’s of Wal-Mart fame to give money to SJ, but I do not know that story well enough. I only know that again SJ fell asleep at the switch.
Since no one at SJ spent more time with volunteers than I did over the last few years I can tell you the volunteers could have been SJ’s best ambassadors. Not only were they some of the best people I have ever been around, but they had the potential to build a network that could have done anything. All they wanted was to know that they were part of something that was important and worth their time and money. Yet, the #1 thing I heard over and over again was how SJ never communicated with them. No one would call them back, return an e-mail, or answer a letter.
I even had more than one upper management person scorn the volunteers. Heck, just read some of the past board minutes and see how at least one CFO looked at the volunteers as a liability and only saw what they cost, and not what they made for SJ. I guess he forgot that one of the VIM’s spearheaded several drives to raise over 50 grand for important equipment for the Maintenance Department. I guess he also over looked the fact that these volunteers came from all walks of life from doctors, to college presidents, to police officers, to military officers, to lawyers. Like all people some were as poor as church mice, some were very wealthy. But, all of them were good hearted people who truly wanted to be part of something good, knowing they were helping were help was needed.
I know this blog is supposed to be for news of what’s going on. And I know that Bryner has done his best to keep people bashing, and management bashing down. But, many of us feel like we had the feet knocked out from under us by mismanagement. Frankly I could care less about loosing the income, but I do care deeply about the loss of an institution that has played such an important part in the history of Sitka, Alaska and even the America. Sheldon Jackson and so many other great people built something that was good, and bad management killed it.
I will continue loosing sleep worrying about what will become of the school and property. Like many people who call Sitka home I want good things for this community and something that can be passed onto future generations. I know that what happens to SJ and the land is out of my control, but that doesn’t mean like so many others I don’t care.
Let’s just all hope and pray that something positive comes out of all this mess. I’m trying to stay optimistic, but all too often then little news that does trickle out of SJ makes being optimistic very hard.
Marcel, I miss you.
I too have a story. I remember, in my second year at SJ, a student came forward with a great idea to finish Allen and help the school. This student suggested that other students help with the fund raising network. Not to give money directly exactly, but to contact those we knew and ask for donations. We came from all across the country and all walks of life, that is a large network, even with only just over 100 students.
Alas, this student was scolded and shut down. He was told it would be impossible and too big of a risk. Right. Why should those who hold a stake in SJ have anything to do with how she is run, after all?
Greetings for Shelton,
Christy and the girls (Emma 3, Ada 14wks) have been following the ordeal with SJ. I am confused by the whole thing and ultimately I feel a lump in my chest. I want everything to work and be positive. SJ was the best time in my life. I loved the classes, the people, and lifestyle. I am in my 3rd year of teaching and I alway tell people how well I was trained at SJ. In August we were in town and it was so good to see people from the school--please know that we often think of you and Sitka.
Jon Corcoran
Marcel,
Like you, the VIMS are losing sleep over the situation with SJ also. I have been following the situation through Internet Postings. I must tell you our hearts are still there in the buildings: the chapel, the cafeteria,the residences, and for me Stratton Library. The only consolation I have is that former VIMS are connecting through emails. Yes, this too is a powerful network. There are so many questions now but too few answers.
I was delighted to see photos of your new home. It is spectacular!
All my best to you and your family.
Susan Floyd
VIM 2004, San Diego
PS. Are you doing any more cave archaeology?
This makes me very sad. I fondly remember the times in the Chapel discussing theology with Pat. My personal photos of the places on campus and the people will always have a special place in my soul.
Even though I got wrapped up in the weakness of my affections for a fellow student that drug me away from SJ-I will never forget any of the wonderful spirited times I had there. I loved being VP of Campus Ministries and pursuing my passion. Like a fire in the heart the memories will ever burn. Those were graced times.
I miss you all.
Robby
Enough talk!!! lets start discussing what to do to rectify the situation
How can we even save the college? It is out of our hands. It is not like we were share-holders or something. SJC as it was is gone forever. We need to hold on to that and move on. I can't imagine SJC as anything other than it was, but what can be done?! Sentimentality and nostalga can't pay off the debt of the college. Only a few wealthy benefactors could pay off the debt and save it.
Hey Bill Gates, wanna help us out.
Anonymous said...
Enough talk!!! lets start discussing what to do to rectify the situation
October 15, 2007 4:21 AM
Any ideas? If so let's hear them please.
But, would the board hear them. They like to hold their cards close and don’t seem to be too interested in good ideas. Like Robby said it is out of our control.
We all watched a good friend die and many of us are still grieving, but also like Robby said we have to move on.
Hello friends. I have been following SJ's story with such a deep sadness and sense of loss. My first year in Sitka was the happiest year of my life, and SJ was certainly a big part of that joy. My thoughts are with all of the staff and faculty who have lost their jobs, as well as those students who have lost their beloved school. As the former librarian I have great concern for the treasures that are in Stratton. There are some incredible collections and many unique and irreplaceable items in Sj's library. I just listened to the Raven Radio report and I'm eager to hear news of what the citizens' advisory group is doing, as well as what is happening on the state-wide level. I hope that some group will "adopt" the collections, attend to preservation issues, and make these items accessible. I wish I was there to help!!! You are all in my prayers. Dee Canfield
It was a great meeting tonight. It was good seeing so many of you there. It helped solidify in my mind that one of the things I loved the most about working at SJ was the people! For those of you that were at the meeting you heard me say how much I missed the VIM’s, and how much I loved working with all the great people who made SJ what it was. But, what I forgot to mention I also had the best boss I have ever had. And, now that I’m retired more than likely the best boss I will ever have. Thanks Fred fore putting up with me a being such a darn good boss.
The best to all you wonderful folks who made SJ such a great place!That includes employees, VIM's and of course the great students.
Thanks Chris for keeping up the blog!
Thanks for the meeting tonight. It is sometimes hard to look at what happened as real. To see people and remember what was and what has happened validated some of what life is today.
Thanks to Marcel for the very moving post as well.
All the best to everyone.
Patricia
Marcel as a former students you are right on! I was made very sad by what was said on this page and the lack of effort by the admin at the school.
When I was at SJ the VIMs and volunteers were a great resource. The did more for the school than most of the staff. They also gave more! They gave time, talent, energy, love, truth, a spiritual growth. They made the college the unique place it was.
I like others before me wish a new blood with new ideas would simply take over the collge and run it properly. I think that is the solution. To fire everyone still on the payroll and then hire for minimum wage a person who can network and pull SJ up and make it strive again.
The problem that plagued SJ in the last years has been the lack of communication to volunteers, staff, alumni, students, and the community. Really the board should listen to them. Try their ideas, all they can do is fail. If one idea for raising money fails, try another.
Really scare future lies ahead for SJ!!!
Sorry
Really scary future lies ahead for SJ!!!!
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