2015-05-09 TNKR Double Orientation (Tutors and Refugees)

We had two orientation sessions getting ready for our English Matching session on 5/16.

* We made the decision a few months ago to start holding orientation a week in advance of the Matching session. We weren't sure we could get people to come out two weeks in a row. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we've made. Orientation gives us a chance to get to know both the tutors and refugees in advance of the Matching session. Instead of rushing through the orientation to get to the matches, and to do it all within 2 hours, we set aside time the week before to explain the project in detail, to give them time to answer questions. I have also gotten better at handling these sessions, keeping them on schedule and explaining the project so that the volunteers clearly understand it.

* The refugees who joined today, they were fantastic, too. They have all been waiting more than a month to join us. They are really thankful and ready to get started. Seven of them joined today, they all had different reasons for wanting to join us. One good thing is that all of them were referred to us by others who have been in the project. So word of mouth is working. They say that refugees are well aware of us. One refugee says she will choose 6 tutors, another says she will choose 5. We so far have 12 tutors signed up, so we may need to sign up a few more tutors to make sure they all get several tutors.

* Both the volunteers had plenty of questions in their separate orientations. And we got the question we get almost all of the time from the refugees: Why do the volunteer tutors want to help?

* Oh, but I may have been too dominating at times with the volunteers. Unfortunately, some of the recent volunteers have made me have to chase them, give them reminders, not all have been consistently following the rules. That was mistake for not being tougher sooner. So from now, future volunteers will be on probation for the first two weeks after the matching session. Violators will be booted from the project and not allowed to return. If I had unlimited time, I might be more patient, but no more Mr. Nice Guy. I am now updating the FAQ, with the important question: "What do I need to do in order to get kicked out of TNKR?"

*All of the refugees mentioned clear study goals. After today's orientation, I am confident that the next study term will be one of our best.

*We had one tutor return. She could clearly see that we have made changes to the project.

* Mike Ashley came through with yet another donation to TNKR!

* I challenged the volunteers to come up with an idea for a fundraiser to cover the cost of coffee and study rooms. We should be able to save money for both volunteers and refugees on tight budgets.

Obama debating Keyes, 2004, education excerpt

PONCE : Thank you. Let's move to the question of education. Mr. Obama, you've said that you consider education as the most important civil rights issue facing America today. Currently, your children are in private schools. If you're elected to the Senate, will you send them to public schools? OBAMA: Well, my children currently go to the lab school at the University of Chicago where I teach, and my wife works, and we get a good deal for it. But, so - - (laughter, applause) OBAMA: - -it depends on whether we move or not. And that, obviously, hinges on the election and what's gonna happen. We're gonna choose the best possible education for our children, as I suspect all parents are gonna try to do. And that's part of the reason why, consistently when I've been in the state legislature, I've tried to promote those kinds of reforms that would improve what I think is an inadequate performance by too many public schools, all across the state. PONCE : But yo...

Breen's column that outraged Samsung

“What People Got for Christmas” Michael Breen The Korea Times December 25, 2009 At this time of year when Seoul’s bare winter trees are wrapped in beckoning lights ― blue and white are the in colors ― and Merry Xmas signs at hotels and department stores are really saying come-hither-gentle-reveler-and-empty-your-purse, and when expensive restaurants belch noisy year-end office party groups onto every street and the karaoke rooms are full, it is tempting to declare that Christmas has lost its soul. But that would be a mistake. Christmas is a time for giving, and, before they can be given, gifts have to be bought. Commerce is good. Here, as proof, is a round up of some of the gifts given and received today by people in the news. Samsung, the world’s largest conglomerate and the rock upon which the Korean economy rests, sent traditional year-end cards offering best wishes for 2010 to the country’s politicians, prosecutors and journalists, along with 50 million w...

Rating the 10 Magazine speakers

I attended another 10 Magazine speech organized by Barry Welsh. Here are my unofficial grades for the speakers I have heard so far: 1) Shin Dong Hyuk (A+) : The audience was captivated. A few ladies were in tears as he discussed his escape from North Korea, his adjustment to living in South Korea, his difficulty at enjoying life. I first met Shin shortly before the best-selling book (Escape from Camp 14) in America about him was published, and was a bit surprised when he recognized me at an event and struck up a conversation with me even though he is so shy. Even though I was already familiar with his story, it was still great to hear it first hand in an informal setting. I threw a curveball at him, mentioning that that some people have doubted the veracity of his story. He took it in stride. After escaping from a prison camp in North Korea, I guess that there aren't many things that could rattle him. Shin, Lartigue 2) Michael Breen (A): An outstanding mix of humo...

Race, race, race

On the issue of race: Clinton goes first, (surprisingly) without her Selma accent. Biden doesn’t mention that there is a clean and article black person on the stage. Richardson says the next president must talk about race…we need less talk about race, and more about individual action. Edwards said something, apparently to help us transition to the only somewhat black candidate on the panel. Obama has the home field advantage being at Howard, but doesn’t do much with the initial question. Kucinich says that people are told to raise themselves up by their own bootstraps, but then they steal the boots. He gets the loudest cheers. This will be a long night if that continues... Gravel —who? Dodd —like the 64th team in the NCAA basketball pool, Dodd should be one and done. Brb, I’m checking on the NBA draft… CJL

Don't Call It A Comeback

I recently joined the Center for Free Enterprise in South Korea as Director of International Relations. Scroll down to click through to my bio . That means that I have resumed writing and speaking and will be actively seeking opportunities. Will start with letters and opinion pieces in the local papers until I hit on something worth sending abroad. As LL Cool J said, "Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years." This has to be one of the coolest jobs I have ever had. My boss has given me complete freedom to do whatever I want. Of course, after one year, we will evaluate. To get an idea of the kinds of things I can do, check out this original rap video created by CFE . It is a pro-free trade, anti-welfare rap. Last night my boss thanked me for giving them the idea last year, even before I joined the company. * I helped bring the Harvard University men's soccer team to South Korea . They were here for 13 days, played 3 games, visited the DMZ, and had a lot...

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