First Day at New Job
On 23 May 2007 I left the Md. Washington Minority Contractors Association (MWMCA) on a very, very tense day when my supervisor said something very unprofessional and ignorant to me. It took me seven months to land another job. This period of unemployment was probably a blessing in disguise. It opened my eyes to several things and it was during this period that I was ordained a deacon in the Russian Orthodox Church.
One day after my ordination Michael and Kira, the parents of my godson Tendai, had me over for dinner. The topic of the job market came up and Kira asked what type of work was I seeking and I said an administrative assistant job. She told me about her neighbor who was trying to fill a position. Five minutes Marianne called. Kira told her about me and she said for me to e-mail my resume to her. I did.
Both interviews went very well and just after Christmas I received the word that I am being hired. I went to the office to be finger printed and I started my first day of work on Friday 4 January at the staff meeting.
At the meeting I learned a few very interesting things. One was that BGE publishes a Purple Book which has resources for people who need energy assistance and social services. Contact Mrs. Elkins, 410-265-4119, to order. I also learned that Mercy Hospital has a program to help families living in shelters. Mr. Francis Govan, 410-675-2125, is the contact person. The family must be physically living in a shelter to participate in this program. Also "Get out of the Gang" has a number of programs, including a young artist program. Their number is443-984-7217. The Lions Club will be having a free vision screen for all ages on 14-15 April 2008. Comcast has a current Involvement MOthers award.
O'bette came up with a team builder exercise. Each person was given one word of the puzzle and we had to work together to come up with the sentence: "Vision comes alive when everyone sees his or her contribution makes a difference."
We then had a presentation from the Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods. Gloria Pack first talked with us since she was there early. Then Cliff Sawyer gave a presentation to the office. One thing that he said is that 3-1-1 is for on-going non-emergencies. It is also a tracking system. If the system does not seem to work, then the president of the organization needs to call his office and talk to the representative for that neighborhood. We were given a card with every staff person's contact information.
Finally the Guardian Angels gave a presentation. Pita told us that they are looking to get youths involved. Safety is a key here. The kids do not have to be great students. In fact, they prefer normal students. A criminal record does not automatically disqualifies a candidate, but if he lies about it, that would. Both adults and youth would not normally patrol their own neighborhood. This is a security and safety issue.
They need angels during the day and they are also meeting with many of the church leaders. The police commissioner does not want them to work for a community, but with a community.
I left the meeting convinced that coming to work for Y of Central Maryland is the right thing. My only regret is that I did not do this at least a year ago.
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since Tuesday 22 January 2008.