It's been sooo long

And a quick update is all that I have time for... I am in New Orleans now I have been busy training people how to organize, plan and run construction projects and helping to teach in an inner city school (still operating out of temporary facitlities) in the few days I have been here. The experience has been wonderful and I must say that the focus school systems put on standardized testing is down right criminal!!

We have been working with forth grade students, some cannot read or write, some are so bored that all they can do is make trouble and we are expected to help them with test taking techniques so pass the Leap exam, well - that's what the school social worker requested. At the direction of the teachers (who are experienced at working miricales DAILY) we ended up atually teaching math, english and social studies to small groups of kids- all in all it was a great experience and I learned a lot.

I know... I know...

It has been awhile since my last post; so here's what's up:

I have left the Obama Campaign and helped to start a grassroots organization here in Cincinnati - our focus is on getting people out to the polls to take part in the early voting opportunities here in Ohio.

We have been running a shuttle to the early voting location from the University of Cincinnati Campus, Avondale and Over The Rhine. Over the Rhine and Avondale are two lower income neighborhoods that are really excited about voting and respectful of our efforts...

We have found and trained team leaders and helped them to build their teams - It has been really rewarding to see these experienced people grow (one is a UC grad and the VP of Hip Hop Congress - though busting open the Avondale shuttle market has been a stretch for her).

I hope this made sense - The jist of it was;
I left the Obama campaign
We are running a shuttle to help people vote early
Grassroots organizing is fun
Grassroots organizing is a lot of work
I'm going to bed
Goodnight;)

And then... The Obama Office

It was a little scary making the walk to the Obama office on Tuesday, Oct. 7, I could not imagine anything that could top the previous weekend and I have to admit I was a little frightened of the unknown experiences soon to unravel.

As usually the fear was all for not - it is a good thing I never try to spend too much time worrying.

The first couple of days were a little slow - I spend most of my time researching the issues (and Obama's stance/message), making phone calls and canvassing door to door. I had a few off remarks that con not be repeated here in good taste and a few phones/doors slammed in my face - all experiences that helped to grow my confidence and approach the next interaction with more experience under my belt!!

Thursday brought the man himself, Senator Obama, into town and there was a rally in Ault Park. There is a lead team that organizes these events all over the country and my role was definitely small but crowd control for 10,000+ people was an experience - especially since this crowd was so well behaved!! - Everyone was tired from the miles walked to reach the park gates, frustrated with the lack of communication regarding what was allowed inside the event (no detachable lens cameras) and everyone still found the energy to be polite, courteous and happy.

It is amazing how much this campaign feels as though this is a proactive political movement which is very interesting to be involved with.

Picture: The podium on the morning of the event - the fog would burn off making for a beautiful afternoon speech

Another Crazy Week

My time in Cincinnati started with another wirlwind of activity the first five days were spent providing a shuttle to take students to go and vote. I was fortunate enough to join a team of amazing people and we built on each others energy to get us through the 14 hour days of promotion, organization and opertation. We even planned and marketed a "Get out the vote" party for the Friday (Oct. 4) night.

I just wanted to say tank you for having the oppurtunity to be a part of something so special - our team was full of truly amazing people:)

In the Picture: Kate, Me, Becky and Erik

Diving Right In.

Okay first off I would like to say that the family I am staying with is wonderful - they have been extremely welcoming (even allowing me to borrow their car to get groceries minutes after meeting them!) And the house that I am staying in is on the ridiculous side of big... I will post pictures in a little while.

My first few days in Cincinnati have been a whirlwind of activity working 14-15hr days and not spending enough time getting my bearings but it's all good! I mean the work is basically talking to people and encouraging them to vote - how hard can that be? On Saturday we were at this amazing farmers market downtown (only slightly larger than the Old Scona one) and today I attended service at an African Methodist church - the energy was incredible - we all spoke to the congregation to promote early voting awareness.

Still finding time to take it all in,

James

My Bags Are Packed - I'm ready to go

Well Almost... I leave Wednesday, so I still have some time

This last week has really left me realizing the need for more frequent postings, to avoid the boring list of forgotten milestones that follows;

I finished cleaning up my work and put in my last day at my job

I had my first TV interview - I'll post the link once it's up!

I spent the weekend volunteering for a conference on deliberative democracy related to climate change (http://albertaclimate.ning.com/)

I packed up and moved my stuff into storage

And I finalized my housing arrangements for Cincinnati.

"Wait; did he say Cincinnati!?"

"He definitely just said Cincinnati"

"where does Cincinnati fit into all of this?"

Well though side projects focused on organizational efficiency, community leadership and the dissemination of decision making knowledge I have realized that I have a passion for democracy.

Democracy as the respect for others opinions and ideas and the value that is added through divergent positions. This passion for democracy led me to think - hey, there is a US election going on... I'll be in the US for the final month leading up to the election!... How can I learn about the US Presidential System?

The answer was obvious - Get Involved! and somehow this desire to get involved let me to Cincinnati...

Until October 7 I will be volunteering for Vote Today Ohio! as we take advantage of Golden Week (look it up;)

J~

YES!! - Some more time to up date...

Although I only have a few minute before I rush off to my cousins for dinner:) I wanted to provide a short update on the past couple of weeks;

They have included a lot of travel - In this last week I made my last trip up to Fort McMurray

And I made my way to my first JCI conference in Kelowna

These were both wonderful experiences for growth!!

Fort McMurray - an unexpected oppurtunity to reflect on what I have accomplished - on my journey up to this point.

Kelowna - A wonderful oppurtunity to meet people from all accros the country who are striving to reach their personal best - and spend time developing those lasting personal relationships over a little bit of wine.

Have Fun,

James

Why I Write

I have started this blog to record my upcoming adventures as I leave my, very secure, job in construction management to volunteer my engineering and project management services to the non-profit organizations that have been set up in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

How can I be so crazy? (your question not mine;) - this blog is a result of the many people that have asked me to start one and maybe it will help us all find out.

It all started three years ago on a plane when the pilot made an announcement - "if you look out the left side windows you can see Katrina" as it was making it's way through the Gulf of Mexico - I have had an attachment, to New Orleans, ever since.

I have felt great respect and admiration for the doctors and other emergency response professionals that dropped everything to lend a helping hand, for all the people that were still in the area and stepped up to help their fellow citizens and for the courageous people who have returned to make it their mission to breathe life back into this great city.

I never felt like I could make a difference, that I had valuable skills to offer, until June 2008 when I was having lunch with a friend (at a local Cajun restaurant - come to think of it;) and it came up again. I don't know how and I don't know why, I had never talked of it before, I found myself telling her about it was at this moment that I looked back on the past three years and realized that I have been working in construction, on projects ranging from $5 to $500 million since I completed my engineering degree and this combination has probably given me some valuable skills to offer a city on the mend - I am but one man and will do the best I can.

I have had numerous side projects, over my short career, ranging from organizational efficiency projects and corporate knowledge sharing programs to volunteering on a committee, http://www.intervivos.ca/, started to help young professionals become community leaders.

I see this trip as the culmination of my various interests and a chance to give back.

This blog will share my trials, triumphs and thoughts as I exlpore the bigger questions about how we have orgainized ourselves as a society.

Enjoy!

James