#mowsf

[ryanvanmeter]

[ryanvanmeter]

Here's a nice story about the Introduction to Writing Oral History class I created and taught last fall. In it, we discussed the challenges and responsibilities inherent in telling the true stories of other people. For the centerpiece project of the class, my students collected the life histories of older adult clients of Meals On Wheels San Francisco, using recording equipment from StoryCorps.

[findingmybay-blog]

Two weeks left...

This past week was an odd mix of feelings — likely because I kept trying to disillusion myself from the fact that it's already August and from the reality that I'm leaving San Francisco until a future date (TBD).

On Tuesday, I packed my bags and moved out of my apartment of two months and said goodbye to the Inner Richmond.

On Wednesday, I moved in with one of my good friends who I worked with last summer at Global Exchange. It feels good to be back in my stomping grounds (Hello, Mission neighborhood!)

On Thursday, it was August 1st so I decided to plan myself a going away happy hour party on the last night I'm in the city.

And today is Friday, which means I have exactly two weeks until my fellowship programs ends — and until (by this hour) I'm feeling fine on some drinks with good company for my end of summer bash / bye-bye send off.

Tomorrow also begins the "production" of the weeklong fellowship retreat and training that I've been planning for CoFED since the beginning of the summer. I have a 7 a.m. wake-up call and a morning full of food donation pick-ups at various farmers' markets in the Bay Area. The retreat officially begins next week, so I'm trying to brace myself for the insane schedule I have ahead. Though I'm excited to finally meet all the amazing people I've been working so closely with despite our remote locations and physical distance from one another.

Next week is my last to really wrap-up all the work I've been doing for my fellowship program. I'm entering week 10 at Meals on Wheels of San Francisco, and seeing the transformation of everything I have overhauled and developed there has been incredibly rewarding. I owe most of it to my fellowship program.

New Sector Alliance has given me not only an amazing network of nonprofit professionals and peers passionate about the social sector, but also a community of passionate, intelligent, fun and loving friends who I could not be more grateful to have in my life.

As for the rest of the night, I have some much needed R&R with me, myself and I.