2019-12-12 Workable Words at Harvard Happy Hour

Each of the three Harvard University events I've been to in Cambridge and Seoul in the last month have been special in different ways. Of course the conference TNKR hosted at the Harvard Graduate School of Education from Nov 15-16 was super special. The annual alumni dinner on December 1st was fantastic yet again. But last night's Happy Hour was absolutely unforgettable.

What were some memorable things about last night?

* Workable Words: Very often at such gatherings, people chit-chat without focus. Yes, I know, it is a Happy Hour, so I expect Happy Talk. But as the evening went on--but before the more serious drinks got poured--it seemed that we were going to breakup into working groups. This is more of what I expected a few years ago when I began attending Harvard alumni events. There are influential, smart and well-connected people at many of these gatherings--but there usually aren't many workable words. After reflecting on it, I will suggest we alternate between Happy Hours and networking nights.

* TNKR was welcomed! I don't know if he wants me to mention his name publicly so I will wait, but one of the attendees publicly pledged a donation of two million won (almost $2,000) to TNKR!

* And he didn't stop there! The donor then praised TNKR at length, then encouraged/challenged others to also donate and volunteer with TNKR. Yes, this was at a Harvard Alumni event--and before the serious drinks got consumed. I was listening, wondering if that was really happening.

* Taking up the challenge: One other attendee took up the challenge, he pledged to donate regularly. Then he suggested a number of ways that he (and others) should support TNKR. Some of the suggestions were so fantastic that I couldn't believe it. It was truly a Happy couple of Hours!

I made a couple of suggestions, one of which I really hope will get done.

Paul Kim, organizer of the Harvard Happy Hours wrote on Facebook: "The 6th Harvard Happy Hour was attended by alums of 6 schools ... 12 folks who joined to close out the 12th month! Here are pictures from dinner and the 2nd round! Looking forward to seeing you all in 2020!"

Support TNKR: www.lovetnkr.org/donate

Radio, Harvard

I'll be a guest on XM 169 The Power this morning from 10:15 a.m. EST. I'll be talking about teaching English abroad. I'll be interviewed by Brian Higgins of MYB Talk . I sang last night for about five hours with friends but I'm sure my voice will be fine. Tuesday, I'll be interviewed by a Harvard University representative who wants my input on a new doctoral program for education leaders . It is a collaboration between the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School. Some folks at the Booker Rising site are (again) reminding me that I'm not as smart as I think I am. CJL

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