The Diversity Projekt
Empowerment for All People of Color
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Archive of "Career" Category
Finding Work Life Balance
I work a lot. I probably work way too much. When I took my current position (more than a year ago at this point) I put in crazy hours. Those hours weren’t a phase but a constant in my life – early mornings, late nights, weekends, taking work home, you know the drill. In addition to working I was heavily involved with various other initiatives – BGCS, SwirlPhilly, etc.. Over the last year many of those things were pushed off of my plate. Ok full stop – I pushed them off of my plate. I have to take some ownership of this. I don’t think it was intentionally. I was already invested in the mission of the agency I worked before I ever accepted the offer to join their staff. It definitely intensified when I came on board. I don’t regret it for a second.Nevertheless, I think I lost a part of my identity independent of where I worked. Everything sort of blended together and I lost sight of where one ended and the other began. Perhaps I became too invested. Is that even possible? This is not to say that being as invested and committed to our mission is a bad thing, but rather that a lot of other things I was/am passionate about went to the wayside. I really miss them and want to get connected again.
I have been feeling very lost lately and I think it has to do with a lot of lack of balance in my life. I am not engaging in enough activities that bring me joy personally. I know we often talk about professional and personal realms blending in the non profit world, that it seems to be a natural occurance, but I am not sure if that is at all healthy. I think there needs to be boundary. Otherwise, burnout is a surity!
I miss dancing. I keep wanting to get back into a dancing groove. I took a class on Saturday. The Medic and I went out Saturday night to Brasil’s. While I am not going to make class tonight, I am going to make it a point to go Saturday mornings. The dance schedule has completely shifted at Estilo, so I am going to have to go back to check which classes are being offered when.
I miss blogging with a mission. I am blogging with an outdated mission. Or perhaps I have drifted from the mission and just need to re-focus. The lifeblogging component has always been there, but it has definitely moved to the forefront over the last few months. Perhaps I am overthinking this, but I feel like the TDP brand is no longer clearly visible. Perhaps it really is time for a complete shift. I don’t know. I need to sit with this for a bit.
I miss my Swirl family. I need to recharge our local chapter. I have been so busy with everything else that SwirlPhilly sort of driftet off of that proverbial plate of mine. I am going to reach out to all of the local members this weekend and set up socials for March, April and May, as well as a planning meeting. I hope to recruit one or two more individuals who are interested in serving as part of the leadership team.
While work remains demanding and I am committed as ever to being a part of the agency’s long-term success, I also need to take more time to ensure my personal and professional success beyond the agency. I realize there are only 24 hours in the day – much to my shagrin – and if I ease up on work hours only to fill my plate with other things, I am going to end up with the same result…burnout.
So, balance! There are many things I want to return to doing,but for now, dancing, blogging and SwirlPhilly are on my agenda.
Do you find that your work and personal blend in together? How have you set boundaries in your life to attain and/or maintain balance?
Breaking through..
TDP has been quiet for a while, but I am definitely back. I’ve been battling some writer’s block. Work has been incredibly busy. Salsa is also taking up a good portion of my time, especially now that I am committed to the Spring 2010 Showcase.
So, here is a little run down of where Kathrin has been and why TDP took a bit of a mini-vaca:
Work
I just celebrated my first year at NSC. We have accomplished a lot in that first year. Nevertheless, many things have still been left undone and year two will be packed with new fundraising, outreach and advocacy initiatives. Some exciting things are in the works and I will be sure to share them with you as soon as they are cleared for release.
Simple Living
I moved out of my old apartment in NE Philadelphia and now call Center City Philadelphia home. I sold a lot of my furniture in the process and sorted through dozens of boxes of belongings. The purge was liberating – truly! It’s amazing how much free time I have now – no more 2+hours of daily commute time. My commute these days is 15 minutes door to door.
Healthy Living
I finally have my act together health living wise. Since starting salsa I have shed almost 50lbs (since starting weight watchers about 40lbs). I have tons more energy and just feel better all the way around. Everyone says they can see it in my face. I shall take their word for it, because I can’t tell.
Salsa
I have been taking salsa classes at Estilo Dance Studio for several months now and am completely hooked. I am finally at that point where I can let go enough to feel the music versus just focusing on the steps. I am officially committed to performance class. We are really getting into the choreography, and I am shocked that we are only 23 seconds into a 3 minute routine. I am up for the challenge though. This is going to be kick ass!
Family
My dad comes home in 5 days. He has been stationed abroad for 2 years. Time did not go by as fast as I wanted it to, but the important thing is that he is home. I will be spending 4 days with my family in Florida. It’s good to have the entire family together again for Christmas. Last year felt all wrong! I will be sure to post lots of photos and even some video clips. My camera and Flip will be coming with me…..along with my laptop of course. I don’t expect to be on too much, but will update periodically.
My sister joined the Army a few weeks ago. It’s a great move for her. She is at her unit today getting fitted for her uniform. She leaves for basic training in March, followed immediately by specialized training – paramedic - and won’t be home until sometime in September. My mom gets the sense that she will petition to go active once everything is said and done. This raises the likelihood of her deployment, but we will cross that bridge when we get there.
SwirlPhilly
SwirlPhilly has been a bit silent with work picking up and my recent move. But, I am happy to announce that we are back on track. Our Holiday Happy Hour is Monday, December 21 at Rum Bar. Please join us! Several new people are attending, so it should be a fun crowd! We will also be talking about upcoming events and activities….and fundraising (I have been exploring a few possibilities).
Someone New
There is definitely something brewing. It’s sweet and gentle, yet rough around the edges. I will definitely write more about this once some boundaries are set and I figure a few things out. I will probably post more regularly about this under the privacy filter. Hit me up off-line for the password. It is unexpected to say the least, but the timing could not be more perfect. For now, let’s just say that I am really content!
….more to come! Happy Hump Day!
MIA for a good cause…
I just came up for air and realized that TDP has been MIA for several weeks. A combination of work and extra-curricular social justice activities are to blame.
NSC is gearing up for several events over the next 6 months:
World Refugee Day
June 20Networking for a Cause (benefiting NSC)
July 92009 Global Tastes (annual fundraiser)
September 30Stay tunes for more on these events!
Of course there are tons of other projects in between those dates. I feel extremely blessed to be in such an extraordinary position. I still pinch myself sometimes. I recently interviewed a refugee who has been in Philadelphia for a little more than 3 months. He is absolutely amazing – his spirit and determination is mindbogglingly. I cannot wait to share his story with everyone.
Swirl Events:
Swirl is coordinating Loving Day events with all of its chapters. This will be the first (of many) events where all chapters are coordinating around the same theme. Lots of exciting things going on with Swirl these days. I lost a co-organizer, but I am still excited about the momentum that we established here in Philadelphia. We have several individuals who are interested in a more active role in chapter activities.
It is definitely past my bedtime, so I am off. I am definitely back and will be posting more often in the days and weeks to come.
The Year That Crept By
I still can’t believe that 2008 is over and that a new year has begun. I spent this New Year’s Eve making brunch for myself and the puppy. We even shared some bubbly. I thought about goiing out, but I don’t like driving on New Years – too many drunk drivers on the road.
I have had a lot of time to reflect recently and realized what an interesting year 2008 really was. While live was bumpy at times (quite a bit), the year ended on a definite high note.
I left a position that was making me increasingly unhappy. I successfully completed my Master’s degree. I transitioned from a corporate position to the non-profit sector, quite seamlessly I might add. Thanks to some earthly and divine intervention, I secured my dream position with a nonprofit whose mission I would support even if I weren’t working there.
My dad re-joined the U.S. Army and began a (very long) two year deployment. My sister moved in with my parents. I got to spend a lot of time with my baby niece.
I located my birth father, along with a surprisingly large birth-family. Things didn’t turn out as I had initially hoped, but perhaps it will just take a bit of time.
As 2008 ended in a high note, 2009 is getting off to a terrific start. I have several new ventures on the horizon (post forthcoming). I have a fantastic position with incredible potential for growth, both personally and professionally.
I also want to make more personal time. I can’t recall the last time I paused to meditate. It used to be a part of my daily routine. I also intend to spend more time with friends and family. After spending 20 days with my family (between Thanksgiving and Christmas), I remembered why I love being around my family. They are all really amazing people. Although we get on each others’ nerves at times, we are still solid – a team!
I am apprehensive to make actual resolutions every year, so this is as close as it gets for me.
May you have a safe, healthy and prosperous 2009! Thank you for reading my blog in 2008 and I hope you continue to return in 2009!
Work and Play, Learning to Balance
I have teetered a bit with blogging since the Thanksgiving holiday. I was so focused on spending time with the family, that I got out of the swing of things. I started a new position shortly after I got back to Philadelphia. And now, I am really in the thick of things at work.
Thank you to everyone who commented on my resume and cover letters, provided unwavering encouragement and let me vent when my patience was running thin.
I truly love this new position. I love the mission, the people, and my work. I never thought that I would be in a position to say that (and mean it). For the first time in my life, I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
It is going to take some time to figure out how to balance this position and my personal ventures, such as my blog. I am also launching two independent ventures in the coming months.
….so, stay tuned to see how the balancing act unfolds.
Philadelphia Happenings
There is a lot going in the City of Brotherly Love this weekend. Apparently November 22 is the businest day of the 2008. My schedule is bursting at the seams.
Women’s Way is hosting TAKE A STAND half-day Conference at Temple University. I will be attending the conference with Dorie Morgan, fellow Brazen Careerist blogger and co-organizer of Philly ChangeMakers/ChangeBlogges.
Also Out and Equal, a national LGBT organization that supports workplace equality through education, training, Employee Resource Group support, and best practice sharing, is hosting a Regional Summit. I was hoping to be able to attend at least the lunch segment, but it looks like I cannot be everywhere at the same time.
I will be meeting with Dorie Morgan, Seth Horwitz and Alex Steed sometime mid afternoon to have a pre-ChangeBlogger launch talk. Everything is coming together and I am extremely excited about moving forward with this initiative. We will be meeting at the Philadelphia Ethical Society in Rittenhouse Squqre (Southwest Corner). Afterwards, we will be migrating over to Rum Bar for a Meet & Greet. If you are available, please do join us!
New Leaders, Women of Color Claiming Their Space
I had the honor and privilege of attending a women of color recruitment brunch for the Center of Progressive Leadership this morning. I was on the fence about applying to the fellowship program, but after this brunch, I am completely on board. I spoke with the Paula, Director of Programs and Brian, the Director of Outreach, and I am extremely excited.
The main goal of this brunch was to recruit women of color new leaders in the Philadelphia community as a part of promoting diversity in the CPL family. I was initially apprehensive as I have no intention or aspiration for seeking public office. Yet, the choices I make and initiatives I am involved in, do make a clear political statement.
I was blown away during the introductions before brunch. The gathering of talent and passion in the room.was overwhelming and such a beautiful sight. I hope that we have more opportunities to congregate in the future. Everyone in attendance was dedicated to personal and professional growth, as well as committed to affecting change in their communities. There were also many lawyers in attendance, both in the public and private sector. Several women are or have founded start-up non profits in their communities and others plan on running for public office.
Several of us will apply to the next class of CPL Fellows. I also think that several collaborations will come out of this networking event.
Stay tuned…..
Putting a plan into motion….
Now that comps are behind me and I have my Master’s degree, it is time to re-energize the job search. I have applied to a whole host of positions since August, yet have only received one interview So, I am tapping into my network here.
What I am looking for – a position in fundraising and development. While I love crafting and implementing programs, I am most passionate about helping organizations obtain the funds necessary to effectively implement programs that allow them to maximize impact within their particular target communities. Too often, lack of funding limits the extent to which organizations can fulfill their mission.
Please take a look at my resume. Ideally I would like to remain in Philadelphia (to minimize my commute), however, I am open to positions between New York City and Wilmington, Delaware. I would appreciate any referrals or recommendations.
Also, I am stepping up my networking and professional development strategies. I am making a commitment to attend three networking and two professional development events a month. I am also applying to two long(er) term professional development fellowship programs.
In the meantime, I am also looking to expand my consulting practice.
I have a more detailed professional development strategy, but I want to put the fundamentals of it out there so that I am accountable to more than just myself.
Best wishes to anyone else who is on the job hunt. Speak up and let me know if there are any job postings I should send your way.
2008 US Presidential Election Results LiveBlog
Join me on this historic election night for voting results coverage! I will be a panelist with the Black Women in Europe liveblog coverage from Election Day locations throughout the Philadelphia area.
I will give my take on the events and coverage from various polling locations in Philadelphia, as well as from the 5th Ward Obama Campaign Office in Chinatown and the Center City West Obama Campaign Office. I will end up at the Election Results Warch Party at Rum Bar at 20th and Walnut Streets in Center City Philadelphia. Get perspectives from sisters in various countries throughout the world on Barack Obama’s historic race for the White House.
IMPORTANT:
Please make sure that you know where your Polling Location is. This is absolutely CRITICAL!
Find out here: Committee of Seventy or call 1-866-268-8603. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Also, make sure that you bring two forms of identification – one should be a UTILITY BILL and BOTH should indicate your voter registration information!
Don’t forget to bring a cup of your favorite java or tea, a snack and LOTS of patience! If you are able to, please post about your polling location experiences on Twitter!
The Merger is Complete
I am happy (and relieved) to announce that we have merged! Seeking the Cranberry and The Diversity Projekt are finally one. I thought importing posts and comments would be the brunt of it, but no such luck. I had to remember all of the forums the old blog was listed on, in order to make the necessary changes. I think I got them all. If anyone comes across a forum that does not reflect the transition, please do let me know.I am going to miss my old blog. Well, I am going to miss what Seeking the Cranberry came to represent in my life. I have a feeling it will be reincarnated in some way, shape or form in the near future.
I have a lot of plans for The Diversity Projekt and merging my two halves is just the beginning.
Thank you to everyone who was a part of the last chapter, and I look forward to sharing this new chapter with you as well!
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License
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