In the morning, a grumpy old man played the role of Santa loved by kids! After that, I returned to the office for several meetings.
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The first meeting was with representatives from a local community center. They learned about us recently, and began looking us up, watching all of our videos on YouTube.
They brought us gifts which we will donate to students and staff who happen to visit the office.
What I remembered: I got them to subscribe to TNKR-related YouTube channels.
What I forgot: To take individual photos.
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The next meeting was with a mother and daughter. The daughter is a high school student who wants to volunteer with TNKR. We talked about the good and the bad, challenges and opportunities, and our high expectations.
What I remembered: To take a photo with them individually.
What I forgot: To have them sign up for our YouTube channel.
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I skipped our next meeting, about one of our projects with an external organization. Instead, I set up a new fundraiser because we lack funding for refugee interns. In 2020 I would like to have refugee interns in our office as part of our Employment and Education Project. If I fail to raise the money then I will need to dip into my own pocket to make it happen. That means the project won't be sustainable.
Sponsor a refugee intern: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1308031272861440/ (Facebook)
https://give.lovetnkr.com/en/NK-interns (crowdfunding site)
Education and Employment Project: https://give.lovetnkr.com/en/EEP
After the staff meeting, we went out to dinner. Dinner is usually good for boosting staff morale!
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More photos from yesterday's Santa Experience.
Some of them were mesmerized, even speechless, but some others told me point-blank they knew I was a pretend Santa. I asked them if they thought it was pretend gifts they had received.
I was a better Santa this year. Last year, i went online, checked videos about being Santa. This year, I decided to just be myself.
It turned out that I didn't need to entertain them, just give them gifts and be playful.