Four years ago, I left School Business
Partnerships after serving as Director since it’s
inception in 1991. I was moving on to other
pursuits – one of them was learning to play golf.
That game is still a figment of my imagination.
As one of my favorite philosopher, players,
Nick Faldo states – “Golf is a game of mistakes
” — he also said — “you must have fun to
play the game well.”
While these two statements may seem at
odds with one another – to me it reflects on life
in general. We all make mistakes in life, but
rather than dwell on them, we must move on
with a positive attitude and have fun in life. So,
what is my handicap? I haven’t gotten to that
stage in my game, but I do have fun.
Last spring, Barbara Stallone and Karla
Korman, Co-Chairs of the School Business
Partnership Board of Directors invited me to
lunch. As a “retired” person, I am always ready
for a free meal, I readily agreed. Little did I
know what they had in mind.
They wondered what I was doing to fill my
hours besides watching the Golf Academy, and
reading books by Jack Nicklaus and others. As
the discussion progressed and it was apparent
that my scores were not improving; they offered
me the opportunity to return as Executive
Director of School Business Partnerships. After
some thought and further discussion, I agreed to
this new opportunity.
While the program was not the same that I
left in 2001, in many ways it is stronger and
imbedded in the fiber of our community. I continue
to find that the business community is anxious
and willing to participate in meaningful
ways with the education of our youth. |
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There are a multitude of new ideas
for
Partnerships – two examples:
GCI Career
Exploration Opportunities
This is a program
that offers virtual, real time discussion with
business professionals about life, responsibilities,
commitment, plans, choices and opportunities
following high school.
Another is a
Tourism Coalition representing the state’s major
tourism businesses named Going Places – Alaska Tourism
Curriculum
This program
offers instruction to K-12 students about the
growing industry of tourism in the state and the
opportunities for employment. These are just
two of more than 60 new Partnerships that have
been formed this year.
SBP continues to be governed by an all volunteer
Board of Directors. These folks give
their own time through the commitment of the
businesses that they represent to support the
program. There are 25 Board members,
representing all facets of the business and education
community. We meet on a monthly basis providing
direction and strategic planning for the
future. My hat
is off in respect to the Board for their positive
commitment to offer the very best for our youth.
This is truly a special group of people who see
the real value of business involvement through
partnerships in a strong educational system for
our whole community.
I look forward to continued growth and
strength of School Business Partnerships into
the future. As we offer opportunities for business
and education to work side by side in a
mutually beneficial working relationship, we
build a community that is more attractive to all. |
