Toward the end of last year, an opportunity arose to become part of a research and lecture team made up of lawyers and law students and led by a professor associated with Oak Brook College of Law. The purpose of this team was and is to confront our culture regarding the danger of evolutionary thought through a discussion of the 1925 Scopes Trial.
Initially, I joined this team because I love history and research, not so much out of a desire to do much lecturing. After all, I told myself that “I am a horrible public speaker.”
As has frequently happened in my life, God had a bigger reason for this step in my life. As I started my research, God began to give me a strong desire to share this message.
And once again, He reminded me of His conversation with Moses in Exodus 4:10-12. “And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.”
Who am I to say “I can’t” when God has said “go, and I will teach you what to say”? Lord, give me the strength and the courage to share your message because it’s not about me, it’s about YOU.
For more information about our team or the Scopes Trial Lecture, feel free to contact me at anita.paulsson@gmail.com or Professor Caprera at robcaprera@aol.com.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Alumni Association at the Crossroads - The 2009 President's Report
Every organization starts with a vision of something great. For the Alumni Association, that was a vision of expanding, promoting, and growing OBCL's unique calling. Even as a student, I could see the vision of those that worked to establish this organization. It was apparent, and it trickled all the way down to my study-swamped self. In the intervening years, the vision has been clarified and built.
And in every organization's life comes a time in which the established vision must be put into practical reality by dint of hard work. And as I looked back on the last year's work done by the Alumni Association Board and numerous volunteers, I can't help but realize that we are at that point in the Alumni Association's life. The vision is there, and it is clear - and now comes the time in which we must turn that vision into practical reality.
This past year, the Board worked to lay the foundation to build this reality on. So many "small" components go into effective communication, effective promotion, and effective fundraising...and this list of essentials could go on. Beyond those normal challenges, the Alumni Association faces unique challenges simply because we are scattered all across this nation! One thing that I have greatly appreciated about the Board of Directors of this association is their willingness to do things the right way. We've never taken an idea and gone off half-cocked; we've taken good ideas and made them better - those ideas and that work is the foundation.
But right now we have this chance to turn vision into reality, if we are willing to put our noses to their respective grindstones and do the work. It's time to take the foundation and build on it, taking those ideas into reality. And that is our goal for this year.
It was terrific to see the excitement of the alumni at the annual meeting last week. Indeed, I found it impossible not to get excited myself! We have the skills and the desire to do the building - and we have the foundation to build on.
It is going to be a great year.
And in every organization's life comes a time in which the established vision must be put into practical reality by dint of hard work. And as I looked back on the last year's work done by the Alumni Association Board and numerous volunteers, I can't help but realize that we are at that point in the Alumni Association's life. The vision is there, and it is clear - and now comes the time in which we must turn that vision into practical reality.
This past year, the Board worked to lay the foundation to build this reality on. So many "small" components go into effective communication, effective promotion, and effective fundraising...and this list of essentials could go on. Beyond those normal challenges, the Alumni Association faces unique challenges simply because we are scattered all across this nation! One thing that I have greatly appreciated about the Board of Directors of this association is their willingness to do things the right way. We've never taken an idea and gone off half-cocked; we've taken good ideas and made them better - those ideas and that work is the foundation.
But right now we have this chance to turn vision into reality, if we are willing to put our noses to their respective grindstones and do the work. It's time to take the foundation and build on it, taking those ideas into reality. And that is our goal for this year.
It was terrific to see the excitement of the alumni at the annual meeting last week. Indeed, I found it impossible not to get excited myself! We have the skills and the desire to do the building - and we have the foundation to build on.
It is going to be a great year.
Monday, October 5, 2009
For the Complete Tahoe Update
If you are having trouble accessing the complete Lake Tahoe post at www.obclalumni.org, try www.obclaa.blogspot.com. Thank you for your patience.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
2009 Alumni Weekend at Lake Tahoe
October 2nd through 4th was the weekend of the sixth Annual Oak Brook College of Law Alumni Association. This was the second year that alumni weekend was held in beautiful Lake Tahoe.
Over 30 members and associates of the alumni association gathered for a weekend of fun and fellowship.
The annual meeting was held on the lake at beautiful Zephyr Cove. At the general business meeting, the following board was elected:
President, Gabe Waddell
Vice President, Nathan DeLadurantey
Treasurer, Quinton Miller
Secretary, Emily Younger
Paralegal Liaison, Crystal Kinz
Student Relations, Adam York
Alumni Relations, Brandon Stallings
Media and Promotions, Mark Bigger
Association and Accreditation, Charissa Sontagg
College Liaison, Anita Paulsson
Student Liaison, Kait Showerman
Three break out sessions were conducted:
Facilitating College Outreach (with Mark Bigger and Peter Fear)
Alumni discussed ways to increase current college enrollment such as sponsoring google Adwords, using your practice to get the word out, use of social media in your practice and for the college, and using alumni skills and personal contacts in the community to generate interest in the school.
Please contact Peter or Mark if you would like more information or would like to get involved.
2. Helping Students Prepare for the Bar (with Adam York )
Alumni explored ways that the Alumni Association can assist 4th year students study for the Bar, including scholarships for bar review materials, staging reviews, video and audio conferencing, assistance with PTs, and improving the mentoring program.
Please contact Adam if you would like to be a part of this effort or need more information.
3. Creative Fundraising for the Future (with Nathan Deladurantey)
Alumni brainstormed (significantly longer than the other groups) on ways to connect with willing givers, facilitate giving, and link giving with projects and advertising.
Nathan Deladurantey is heading up a group committed to fundraising this year. Please contact him if you would like more information or to get involved.
After the session, alumni spread out over the South Lake area to hike, sight see, shop, or rest back at one houses reserved for alumni and family. On Saturday night, we had a BBQ and social time at a 4100 square foot house rented for alumni use by Peter Fear. On Sunday morning (late), we gathered at another vacation rental for a time of worship and reflection on God's blessings on OBCL over the last 14 years.
More pictures of the weekend will posted shortly. You can also find more pictures on facebook.
Lake Tahoe will also be the site of the 2010 annual meeting. A September date should be announced by the Board by the end of the year. Please plan on coming next year!
Contact Mark Bigger at mjbigger@juno.com if you have any questions from this post.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tahoe, here we come!
We have a terrific group registered for this year's Annual Meeting and Retreat in beautiful South Lake Tahoe. If you can't make it, be sure to check back here soon for pictures from the weekend!
If you are going to be able to make it, you are in for a treat - not only do we have a great group of people, not only is the weather supposed to be great, but I got a chance to sample some of the homemade goodies baked up for us by some enterprising alumni. Treats all around!
See you soon.
If you are going to be able to make it, you are in for a treat - not only do we have a great group of people, not only is the weather supposed to be great, but I got a chance to sample some of the homemade goodies baked up for us by some enterprising alumni. Treats all around!
See you soon.
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