One Big Awkward Circle
We have a tradition at NOI that when someone leaves, we all sit in a circle (we call it an awkward circle) on their last day and everyone is able to tell them what they meant to them, a story of how they changed their life or work, or just thank them for their time. Last week, 18 people were told to leave the building immediately and were never given that chance to say goodbye and thank their friends for how much they did for them. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the #FormerNOI who stood up and organized.
Jen Perrone. You are a great leader. I can’t thank you enough for making me a better person, and our workplace a better place. Wherever you go next, they will be better because of you.
Kwesi Chappin. Your passion for curriculum, and blending the data, digital, and organizing, was something I was excited to work with you on, and the movement will be worse now that progress has been slowed. I know you will continue and I can’t wait to see what you do next.
Marianne von Nordeck. You were a great manager and communicated NOI’s mission both privately and publicly in a way we were all proud of. Entering at a tough time you could have said enough and given up, but instead you dug in and continually worked for NOI’s and all of our best interests. Cannot thank you enough.
Jamie McGonnigal. No one cares more about our community than you -- and it shows in all of your work. Always fighting to ensure all of the NOI community was heard, respected, and helped. Can’t imagine a RootsCamp without you opening it.
Sarah Baker. With your skills you could do whatever you want, designer, developer, writer -- but you chose NOI, even though you could have made so much more anywhere else. I know how much you care about this work, and the people who do it. You have made me better at every single thing I do, and I can’t believe this is the end of our time working together.
Sarah Grant. You are a badass, and your work putting the training team data together has been ridiculous and amazing work. I love that you were not afraid to tell people when shit was fucked up, and hope you keep keeping me in check.
Elice Rojas. In only a short time you took on this job and kicked its ass. Finding ways to save money while giving the best experience was something that you took on and did like it was nothing. I know you have a ton more skills you weren’t able to use in your short time at NOI, and can’t wait to see them in action.
Mariah Minigan. You took on project after project and never stopped working to improve NOI. What you did with the Salary Hiring and Inclusion Project was amazing, and just knocked me back. When you saw a problem, you set out to fix it. You care about the people who do this work so much, and I know that wherever you go that will never stop.
Michael Lambright. I’m sad I cannot just run over to your cube whenever I have a data/tech/general problem that I can’t solve to which you always had the solution, or be able to just say “let’s go grab coffee” and head out. You are a great friend, and I know with your badass data skills you can do whatever you want now.
Brandon Hatton. The ultimate organizer. You are amazing at taking the data and making it personal. You care about people, your coworkers, and this movement so much. Your passion is something that I will always remember.
Shannon Turner. Every day I came to work I learned something new, amazing, and badass that you had learned, built, or casually threw out like it was nothing. Apart from your skills, I think one of the things I will takeaway from our time was the leader you were -- whether it was Hear Me Code or in the workplace -- you were never afraid to stand up for what you believed in or the people who you cared about. I hope someday you remember me when you take over the world.
Anupama Pillalamarri. One badass data manager. I’m sad we will never have another data meeting, another lunch club (seriously you were the best ever), and another time sitting at the lunch table.
Jill Raney. Can’t believe you didn’t get your chance to run a BootCamp. I know it would have been amazing. In your short time you took on tasks and knocked them down like you were nothing. Hope we can keep collaborating on how to help folks get the training they need in the future.
Jose Morales. Every job given to you (and there were many) you took on and just knocked out and said, “what’s next?” Not many people have the skill set or patience to deal with all the stuff you had to over the last year, and I wanted to thank you. You can do whatever you want next and I know you will just finish and keep asking for more.
Natasha Olinger. Asshole cube forever! I know secretly you are not as rough as your on the outside, and you care about all of us so much (you don’t have to ever admit it out loud) and are as loyal and fierce an advocate as they come. I will never forget llama, the dead horse head, or the fact that you are Natasha, Director of Admin. Whatever happens next, I will not let you stop hanging out with us.
Dallas Thompson. We’ll always have New York (jkjk). You pushed all of us to be better, and when we needed a leader you always stepped to do so. I know this is just one step for you on the road to bigger things.
Mike Piel. Will miss your PROWESS and the way you always cut right through everything and bullshit. I know how much you cared about this work and the people, and that you would do anything to help them succeed.
If you want to help the 7 of these folks who were fired without cause or severance, you can donate here.
