Tonight was great! I met Susanna when I first arrived and we connected with Sharee right away. Sharee was talking to Mayor Hanks so I got to talk to him. Mayor Hanks was very approachable. I introduced him to my friend Morgan Black, a professional harpist, and told him I applied for a Bush Fellowship. He offered to write a reference! I hadn't thought to ask our mayor for a reference but the application did say I needed a community leader. He said he'd written several, but I asked people who knew me personally to write my references. I spoke with Vesta and Tracy but only briefly. I also got to talk to some of our presenters, Sheryl Kirkeby and Kay Rippentrop.
Morgan wanted to meet Senator Adelstein so we spoke to him for a while. Morgan is a professional harpist and went to the same university as the Senator. He was in the same band. He knew of Volunteers of America, Dakotas and our Partner's Breakfast next week. I'm glad I spoke to him because he said he'd been invited but was unsure as to whether or not he would attend until he spoke to me. I believe Passover starts that day and he won't be able to attend but it felt good to make that connection. I will still follow up. I met a childhood friend of Senator Adelstein, too, a man named David Lamb who lives and runs Harney Peak Ranch. David's brother was best friends with the senator when they were children. I met David at a presentation I delivered at an AARP meeting and he recognized me.
I met James Van Nuys at a concert he hosted at his gallery a few weeks ago. He remembered me, and even though it's difficult to talk to him, he was impressed when I introduced him to my harpist friend.
I met up with Andy Ainslie again. Three days after I arrived in Rapid City, I went to a YPG mixer for my new job and I started making connections. I remember Andy told me to collect business cards and reward myself if I reach a certain goal. He said that would be one of the most important tips I would receive on my first job out of college. And he was right. Talking to Andy, I also met Hugh B. Watkins, Associate Director of Academic Support at Ellsworth Campus. My son wants to be a pilot when he grows up so it's always nice to meet folks in that line of work.
Morgan and I eventually ventured into the classrooms and met with representatives of the new University Center. I spoke with Dr. Gus Scully and Theresa Booher of SDSU about Help to Obtain a Powerful Education, the program I am starting as a VISTA Member. They were interested in learning more which is a response that always pleases me. I hope I am awarded the Bush fellowship so that I can continue working on this program. I also met Corinne Hansen of BHSU. My mother's name is Corinne and they spell and pronounce their names the same. She is in Marketing and Communications at BHSU.
I ran into Susanna and Sharee again somewhere during the night and I still needed two business cards. We approached a solitary gentleman and asked for his card. He didn't have any. His name was Jim Hansen and he's running for the school board. I spoke to him about Help to Obtain a Powerful Education and he was interested. I wrote his contact info on the back of Matt Fitting's (of H&R Block) card. Matt was one of the first people I met when I arrived. He was with Barb Shepardson, also of Andy Ainslie's firm, and Barb had already given out all of her cards. When I told her I recently accepted a marketing position with New Neighbors and would she be interested in word of mouth advertising, she gave me her name tag to ensure that I get back to her. Andy informed me that he wants it back so I'd better.
I spoke with Ron Jeffries, General Manager of Central States Fair, as he was the bar tender upstairs. Lynn Kendall was working with him at that time and she introduced me to him. As big as the Black Hills seem to me, it's still a small world. Ron grew up with one of my Piedmont friends and they are cousins.
I think my favorite connection was the last person with whom I exchanged information. Ross Johnson is the owner of Rushmore Cave and I love caves! He also has a graphic design company but that's not nearly as interesting. Rushmore Cave will have a new zip cord attraction this year. They open May 1.
I have followed up with an email to five of the people I met last night and a short snail-mail card to three key people whom I want to ensure they remember my name.
All in all, a very productive evening. I love my jobs.
Morgan wanted to meet Senator Adelstein so we spoke to him for a while. Morgan is a professional harpist and went to the same university as the Senator. He was in the same band. He knew of Volunteers of America, Dakotas and our Partner's Breakfast next week. I'm glad I spoke to him because he said he'd been invited but was unsure as to whether or not he would attend until he spoke to me. I believe Passover starts that day and he won't be able to attend but it felt good to make that connection. I will still follow up. I met a childhood friend of Senator Adelstein, too, a man named David Lamb who lives and runs Harney Peak Ranch. David's brother was best friends with the senator when they were children. I met David at a presentation I delivered at an AARP meeting and he recognized me.
I met James Van Nuys at a concert he hosted at his gallery a few weeks ago. He remembered me, and even though it's difficult to talk to him, he was impressed when I introduced him to my harpist friend.
I met up with Andy Ainslie again. Three days after I arrived in Rapid City, I went to a YPG mixer for my new job and I started making connections. I remember Andy told me to collect business cards and reward myself if I reach a certain goal. He said that would be one of the most important tips I would receive on my first job out of college. And he was right. Talking to Andy, I also met Hugh B. Watkins, Associate Director of Academic Support at Ellsworth Campus. My son wants to be a pilot when he grows up so it's always nice to meet folks in that line of work.
Morgan and I eventually ventured into the classrooms and met with representatives of the new University Center. I spoke with Dr. Gus Scully and Theresa Booher of SDSU about Help to Obtain a Powerful Education, the program I am starting as a VISTA Member. They were interested in learning more which is a response that always pleases me. I hope I am awarded the Bush fellowship so that I can continue working on this program. I also met Corinne Hansen of BHSU. My mother's name is Corinne and they spell and pronounce their names the same. She is in Marketing and Communications at BHSU.
I ran into Susanna and Sharee again somewhere during the night and I still needed two business cards. We approached a solitary gentleman and asked for his card. He didn't have any. His name was Jim Hansen and he's running for the school board. I spoke to him about Help to Obtain a Powerful Education and he was interested. I wrote his contact info on the back of Matt Fitting's (of H&R Block) card. Matt was one of the first people I met when I arrived. He was with Barb Shepardson, also of Andy Ainslie's firm, and Barb had already given out all of her cards. When I told her I recently accepted a marketing position with New Neighbors and would she be interested in word of mouth advertising, she gave me her name tag to ensure that I get back to her. Andy informed me that he wants it back so I'd better.
I spoke with Ron Jeffries, General Manager of Central States Fair, as he was the bar tender upstairs. Lynn Kendall was working with him at that time and she introduced me to him. As big as the Black Hills seem to me, it's still a small world. Ron grew up with one of my Piedmont friends and they are cousins.
I think my favorite connection was the last person with whom I exchanged information. Ross Johnson is the owner of Rushmore Cave and I love caves! He also has a graphic design company but that's not nearly as interesting. Rushmore Cave will have a new zip cord attraction this year. They open May 1.
I have followed up with an email to five of the people I met last night and a short snail-mail card to three key people whom I want to ensure they remember my name.
All in all, a very productive evening. I love my jobs.
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