Difference Maker: Talisa Lavarry
Event Title: Recessionista's Closet Clothing Swap
How She Made A Difference:
Brought the community together in an effort to raise awareness about green living and give people a chance to gain new wardrobes free of charge. I also managed to accumulate over four large trash bags of clothing to donate to the Dallas Street Ministry.
What Did They Have to Say About It?:
"Talisa, what a nice event and the fashion show was a perfect backdrop." - Stan
"That was very different, you inspired me." - Anonymous Swapper
What Did it Cost You?: A lot of time marketing and hard work.
Warm Fuzzy:
I got warm fuzzies from all the wonderful volunteers that gave unselfishly.
What's Next?:
I am excited about my new Industry Expert column that can be found in the North Dallas Gazette and my upcoming radio show on www.everydayexperiences.com.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Mayor's Meeting Turns into YP Forum
It went something like this...
I slid the paper across the desk, warm from the printer and freshly typed. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, I missed one. Oh, we'll talk about that anyway.
"So I asked my facebook friends what they'd like me to ask you at our meeting...Here are some of the questions they asked."
What service initiative could YPs participate in that would benefit the city?
Mayor Leppert - Mayor's Back To School Event
What can we do about unemployment at Citi Group?
Mayor Leppert -
It's too hot in Texas, what can we do about it?
Mayor Leppert - Shook his head and laughed
What jobs are coming to Dallas?
Mayor Leppert - We are going after companies with the recently published article in the Economist that touts Texas as being more desirable than California.
How much of the bailout money did Dallas receive and where is it being spent?
Mayor Leppert - $50 million
Any plans to raise or lower city taxes?
Mayor Leppert - The goal is to leave them the same.
Free Cowboys tickets for everyone?
Mayor Leppert - No
Senior Citizens and Elderly Programs at the MLK Center?
Mayor Leppert - Available programs should be available on the city website
Clarification: I typed this question too fast and didn't note the concern for cuts to those programs, see below.
How does one go about getting a key to the city?
Mayor Leppert - Keys to the city are extremely limited, but proclamations are more readily available. Visit the city website to submit a request.
The meeting continued. Here is some additional information that you may not know.
I slid the paper across the desk, warm from the printer and freshly typed. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, I missed one. Oh, we'll talk about that anyway.
"So I asked my facebook friends what they'd like me to ask you at our meeting...Here are some of the questions they asked."
What service initiative could YPs participate in that would benefit the city?
Mayor Leppert - Mayor's Back To School Event
What can we do about unemployment at Citi Group?
Mayor Leppert -
It's too hot in Texas, what can we do about it?
Mayor Leppert - Shook his head and laughed
What jobs are coming to Dallas?
Mayor Leppert - We are going after companies with the recently published article in the Economist that touts Texas as being more desirable than California.
How much of the bailout money did Dallas receive and where is it being spent?
Mayor Leppert - $50 million
Any plans to raise or lower city taxes?
Mayor Leppert - The goal is to leave them the same.
Free Cowboys tickets for everyone?
Mayor Leppert - No
Senior Citizens and Elderly Programs at the MLK Center?
Mayor Leppert - Available programs should be available on the city website
Clarification: I typed this question too fast and didn't note the concern for cuts to those programs, see below.
How does one go about getting a key to the city?
Mayor Leppert - Keys to the city are extremely limited, but proclamations are more readily available. Visit the city website to submit a request.
The meeting continued. Here is some additional information that you may not know.
- Ultimately, the city council votes on what gets cut out of the city budget.
- The City Manager will put the budget out on August 10th.
- $130 million needs to be cut.
- A possible source of cuts may be the city's health services. Arthur this could affect the MLK Center programs. Dallas County is responsible for Health services. However, during good years city leaders requested and used funds for programs that could benefit citizens. They did this even when the programs actually fell under the financial jurisdiction of the county. Over the years, the programs grew in size and often in budget due to budget surpluses. As the city looks at ways to cut expenses, those programs may be cut just because they are not the city's responsibility. Sadly, the county may be ill-equipped to take on the financial burden of these programs at this time.
- Paul Quinn was discussed. I walked away feeling as I have before. Those who want to keep Paul Quinn alive and thriving in Dallas must help the university create a strategy for success. That strategy must include organizational and structural strength and consistent financial support. Otherwise the doors will open just long enough for the next tragedy. And don't let me forget to mention that I really like Michael Sorrell.
I left the meeting with a sense that it is up to us as citizens to determine how we can support those things which are important to us. We must speak up, out and work.
The questions you provided prompted the Mayor to agree to a forum with Young Professionals on Saturday, September 12th. Let me know who else you'd like to sit down with and what issues you would like to discuss. To stay on top of forum developments, sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.brandirichard.com.
Special thanks to those of you who posed questions. We may do this more often.YP Global Summer of Service - Let's Get Started
I've accumulated YP service opportunities to post here in support of the President's Summer of Service initiative. To ensure my credibility with you, let me start with what I plan to do to serve others.
Difference Maker: Me
What I'm Doing?: Advocating on behalf of Young Professionals
My goal is to help Young Professionals make their dreams come true. I do this through sharing important information, connections, tools and support with you and then sharing your wonderful contributions with others. Asking the questions you want answered, requesting the assistance that you need, and sharing my adventures along the way is what I do.
How Do I Make A Difference?:
Monthly Advocate Newsletters
Blog
Workshops, Seminars and Forums
Raising Awareness
What's Next?:
Look for my articles and advocacy work with Urban Influence Magazine. www.urbaninfluencemagazine.com
Let me know what you're doing...
Does your job allow you to serve others?
Do you serve the environment through conservation?
Do you feed the homeless or look after a friend's children so he/she can take a class?
Visit the contact me section of my website or contact me via facebook or twitter.
www.brandirichard.com
www.facebook.com/brandirichard
www.twitter.com/brandirichard
Monday, July 13, 2009
What Will Your Legacy Be?
Over the past few weeks, so many have lost their lives, that I thought I wouldn't be able to devote my pen to the service opportunities that I intended. I've just been so distracted that I felt the need to slow down and refocus. In the midst of the relaxation, I discovered a jewel that keeps floating ever so slightly to the surface, legacy.
It's rolled off of my tongue so many times over the past couple of months, that it can't just be happenstance that it showed up again. My boss recently asked me to create a presentation that encourages our staff to write accomplishments from the "legacy" perspective. I half-heartedly agreed, wondering if legacy could truly be derived from the mundane reality of performance metrics (what we do). The presentation stemmed from my Big Boss's stirring speech to our mentoring group, "What will remain after you are gone? When you move on to another position, what will you leave in your current one?"
Legacy after you leave the job, hmm. Maybe something like, "I improved communication across the team by...creating this presentation exactly as my boss requested."
Interestingly enough, we've had two more familiar examples of legacy...legacy after death.
Michael Jackson, King of Pop and arguably the greatest entertainer of all time, was eulogized through word, song and raw emotion. As a product of the 1st MTV generation, I became extremely fond of all things Michael Jackson, from the red Thriller jacket to our 5th grade graduation rendition of We Are the World. I just new I was Diana with my extra puffy press and curl.
But during his memorial on every major channel, many described a man who strove for greatness, attempted perfection and along the way, became this great, world-renowned entertainer.
Then we have a spectacular athlete who chose to attend an HBCU and still made it to the pros. One who contributed to countless charitable organizations and had a beautiful family. Sportscasters and athletes touted his professionalism and sheer athletic courage on the field.
Both of these men left incredible bodies of work and charitable giving. But as news anchors pondered whether or not Michael Jackson was receiving too much press, they cut to a visibly distressed man, "I don't know why a child molester and a pervert deserves all of this attention." And Steve McNair, I feel conflicted about him myself. "How do you raise boys who love and respect women, when you have girlfriends?"
As you and I both ponder why I felt the need to go here, it's because I wonder about my own legacy. Will my daughter understand the sacrifices that I made to serve the community? And will those sacrifices net a change that she can be proud of if she has to sit on the front row of a church gazing at my casket? I hope that no one has to make an Al Sharpton speech to her about the fact that her momma wasn't crazy. And I pray that no one has to make sure they don't mention the specifics of my death.
Legacies are more than your professional resume. They are more than how much money you give away, how many hit albums you produce, and how many touch downs you score. As I work with Young Professionals, it sometimes amazes me how much we focus on success and how little we worry about what will be left in its wake.
What will your legacy be?
This summer, I would like to highlight your efforts to make the world better than you found it through service. As you will see through my coming posts, there are many ways to be of service to others. Share with me how you've done it, through work, volunteer service, organization, etc. and I'll share it with as many people as I can. :)
brandi@brandirichard.com
www.brandirichard.com
It's rolled off of my tongue so many times over the past couple of months, that it can't just be happenstance that it showed up again. My boss recently asked me to create a presentation that encourages our staff to write accomplishments from the "legacy" perspective. I half-heartedly agreed, wondering if legacy could truly be derived from the mundane reality of performance metrics (what we do). The presentation stemmed from my Big Boss's stirring speech to our mentoring group, "What will remain after you are gone? When you move on to another position, what will you leave in your current one?"
Legacy after you leave the job, hmm. Maybe something like, "I improved communication across the team by...creating this presentation exactly as my boss requested."
Interestingly enough, we've had two more familiar examples of legacy...legacy after death.
Michael Jackson, King of Pop and arguably the greatest entertainer of all time, was eulogized through word, song and raw emotion. As a product of the 1st MTV generation, I became extremely fond of all things Michael Jackson, from the red Thriller jacket to our 5th grade graduation rendition of We Are the World. I just new I was Diana with my extra puffy press and curl.
But during his memorial on every major channel, many described a man who strove for greatness, attempted perfection and along the way, became this great, world-renowned entertainer.
Then we have a spectacular athlete who chose to attend an HBCU and still made it to the pros. One who contributed to countless charitable organizations and had a beautiful family. Sportscasters and athletes touted his professionalism and sheer athletic courage on the field.
Both of these men left incredible bodies of work and charitable giving. But as news anchors pondered whether or not Michael Jackson was receiving too much press, they cut to a visibly distressed man, "I don't know why a child molester and a pervert deserves all of this attention." And Steve McNair, I feel conflicted about him myself. "How do you raise boys who love and respect women, when you have girlfriends?"
As you and I both ponder why I felt the need to go here, it's because I wonder about my own legacy. Will my daughter understand the sacrifices that I made to serve the community? And will those sacrifices net a change that she can be proud of if she has to sit on the front row of a church gazing at my casket? I hope that no one has to make an Al Sharpton speech to her about the fact that her momma wasn't crazy. And I pray that no one has to make sure they don't mention the specifics of my death.
Legacies are more than your professional resume. They are more than how much money you give away, how many hit albums you produce, and how many touch downs you score. As I work with Young Professionals, it sometimes amazes me how much we focus on success and how little we worry about what will be left in its wake.
What will your legacy be?
This summer, I would like to highlight your efforts to make the world better than you found it through service. As you will see through my coming posts, there are many ways to be of service to others. Share with me how you've done it, through work, volunteer service, organization, etc. and I'll share it with as many people as I can. :)
brandi@brandirichard.com
www.brandirichard.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)