connectingpoint
March
2007 The Monthly E-Newsnote for
Centerpoint Institute for Life and Career Renewal
…inspiring people to
discover creativity, passion, and renewed commitment in life and at work
”It takes a lot of
courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But
there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more
security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in
change there is power.” ~ Alan Cohen
Read on to learn more about the many
new efforts and the huge changes occurring at Centerpoint…
In
this issue
Click
on the following links in order to jump ahead
Put on Your Party Hats!
Planning Ahead
Volunteer Opportunities and a Shout
Out
What a milestone! Centerpoint is turning 15 years
old and Megan has planned a fun, entertaining party for us all next Saturday,
March 24th. (Click here
for the details.) Please carve out a little time to attend, even if it’s just
popping in for a piece of birthday cake! It’s a great opportunity for the
Centerpoint Community to reconnect (how about getting in touch with your former
workshop-mates and making a date to meet?); I’d love to see you again and meet
those with whom I haven’t as yet had the opportunity.
It’s a real feat for any business to last this
long; we’re even more proud because we’re a bootstrapping, nonprofit organization.
I could get all nostalgic on you and reminisce about how we’ve survived the ups
and downs of the past 15 years. But in this note I’d rather focus on the future
and where we go from here. (I’ll save the most colorful stories from our
earlier years for the birthday party! J)
As past e-newsnotes have indicated, one of the key
issues we have is how to sustain Centerpoint for the long-haul. Yes, 15 years
is a long time; but we need to be thinking about the next 15 too. We realize
that the organization has to develop a multi-year strategic plan and some
concrete steps for the future. Personally, I often feel as though Centerpoint
does a lot of relying on me. I am committed to having that change. Centerpoint
belongs to the community and we need to find a way to include more and more
people to support it.
We hear so frequently about the significant role
that Centerpoint played in people’s lives as they transitioned into a new
chapter. Have you been helped by our services? What part in ensuring Centerpoint’s
future do you want to play? Can you write a story for the website about how
your life and/or career have changed? Can you help out in the front office? How
can you include Centerpoint in your annual giving to nonprofits? Can you become
a board member? How about renewing your annual membership? How else can you help?
Centerpoint is one of the best-kept secrets in
We are currently trying some tactics of our own. We
applied for the national MetLife Foundation / Civic Ventures Breakthrough
Award. It’s given to
organizations that are creating pathways to good work for people over 50.
(Click here to learn
more.) This is an opportunity to get national recognition for the unique work
and approach we take here at Centerpoint.
Civic Ventures received over 80 applications and
interviewed fewer than half; Centerpoint made it past the first cut and was
interviewed in February… we are so thrilled!
We will hear about making it into the finalist category by the end of
March. Then a specially-appointed, national committee will make the final
decision. (I’m sure Civic Ventures
wouldn’t mind if you’d like to email them before the end of March with your
reasons why Centerpoint should get this award! J)
No matter what the outcome, Civic Ventures is compiling a report on what they
learned from all the interviewed organizations that will be distributed across
the country. Since there aren’t any other organizations like ours out there, we
know that Centerpoint will get some air time there.
This is exciting stuff… and, as you know, it takes
time, energy, and resources. We want and we need you to remain a part of what
we’re trying to create and build. As always, thank you for all the support you
lend us; we can’t accomplish our mission without you! I look forward to seeing
you at our birthday party and hearing how you’d like to stay involved!
All
the best,
Carol Vecchio
co-Founder and Executive Director
P.S. Stay tuned… next month I want to share with
you the bigger impact that Centerpoint is poised to make.
Changes and Transitions
Hello
to all of you! It seems as though we can never escape the natural changes of
life, each time I settle in and get comfortable something else seems to come up
throwing my comfort and stability right out the window. It’s not always a bad
change, just something different. Being an incredibly anal person, a stickler
for set schedules and chained to my plans that I somehow attempt to set in
stone, I have come to the very uncomfortable, in your face reality that I don’t
always have control over my life and/or my path – sometimes things change and I
just have to accept that. So – lately I’ve been trying to just “go with the
flow” and take it day by day; one step at a time right?
Right
now I am in the end of my second week of this new Vet Assistant program I
enrolled in. It’s so much fun but takes up lots of my time and energy. My new
schedule has been tough to adjust to, not just for me but for the people
involved in my life. For starters I’m at Centerpoint less, my focus is spread
amongst school, work, home, my relationships, my babies (meaning my two cats,
fish, two rats and the newest addition, my new dog Carmelita!), not to mention
my sleep schedule has been taking a couple punches to the nose as well!
As
difficult as the transition is, I know it’s possible. Centerpoint (and Carol)
has taught me so much about change, transition, boundaries and flexibility.
It’s so great to be in a place where I am supported by the people I work with, by
my personal relationships and by all of you as well! I am truly blessed – as
much as I’ve been hit with other things lately, once I step back and realize
it’s not all bad, changes can be really good (just somewhat awkward), and the
things I do have are absolutely priceless.
Since
there have been so many changes in my life lately, I realize that I can’t do it
all and need to ask for help. My schedule is going to change at Centerpoint
soon and I am looking for some help in the office. What I need is someone to
help me pick up the slack; I simply don’t have enough hands anymore. I need
someone to work Mon-Thurs 5-7:30pm and Saturdays from 9am-1pm, the pay rate is
$10 an hour. I need someone who preferably has office skills, will help with
greeting clients, assisting with class set up; basically your typical office
duties. Call or email me and let me know if you’re interested – I’d love to
hear from you!
Until
next time,
Megan Murphy
Front Office Manager
Office Hours that Better Fit Your Schedule
We hope you’re all taking advantage of our new office hours: Monday through
Thursday 12:30pm-7:30pm, Fridays 12:30pm-5pm and some Saturdays (currently March
17th and April 14th from 9-1pm). Hope to see you soon!
Come Celebrate Centerpoint’s
15th birthday!
The
skinny
Who: Friends, family, former/current clients, strangers… we
want you all here!
What: You’ll have the chance to catch up with fellow alumni,
meet us for the first time, enjoy live entertainment, eat some food, and have a
drink
Where: Centerpoint Institute,
When: Saturday March 24th from 6:30-9:30pm
Cost: $10 per person, kids are free
Pre-register: Please call 206.686.5433 or email
admin@centerpointonline.org
The
entertainment
Clave
de Sol—Danielle McCutcheon and Dawn Corl
Jacinta
Koreski and the Koreski Studio
Blues
Baby Whitney Fliss piano and vocals
Rebecca
Agiewich—excerpt from The Breakup Babe
Brenda
Givens—poetry
Call today to pre-register so we know how much
birthday cake to order! J
A Passion for
Writing Career
Forum on March 29th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Thanks to
help from the fabulous volunteer working on this forum, we have a full panel! Five
people will speak about their different backgrounds and various experiences in
the writing field. Here’s a list of our fascinating panelists:
·
Rebecca Agiewich, Novelist, Blogger,
Travel Writer, Writing Teacher
·
Jeff Barber, Writer/Analyst
·
Maura Deering, Legal Writer
·
Doug Underwood, Writer
·
Steve Wiecking, Senior
Editor,
To register
for this amazing event, please call or email. Tuition: Free to Centerpoint members,
$22 for the public.
Passion
Search
Uncover what gives your life meaning and purpose. Create a clear, compelling vision for your
next chapter. Upcoming classes: Monday evenings beginning on April 2nd
or Tuesday evenings beginning on April 17th. Please call
206.686.5433 or email
us to register.
LifeWork
Renewal
If you or someone you know is in need of gaining a fresh new perspective
on the changes you have been experiencing in your life and work then this just
might be the right fit! Upcoming
classes: all-day session Saturday March 31st or April 21st
from 9:30am to 4:30pm and the condensed session on Thursday April 12th
or Monday April 30th from 6:15-9:15pm, both $139 (condensed session
includes Associate Membership). Please call 206.686.5433 or email
us to register.
If you are interested in a
class but have scheduling conflicts, Centerpoint keeps track of requests for
date and time changes or additions.
Individual sessions are also available. Please contact us for more
information.
Volunteer Opportunities
and a Shout Out!
First off I want to say THANK YOU to my current and
recent past volunteers. Basically anyone who has helped while I’ve been at
Centerpoint you rock! Your help is so important to me; I couldn’t do it without
you.
Much appreciation,
Megan
Upcoming
volunteer needs:
Catalog Distribution:
It’s that time of year again! We’re going to press soon and the new catalogs
will be ready to distribute the second week in April. Call or email soon and
let me know if you’re interested!
Next Trimester Career Forum:
We need your help! Do you have energy for a certain career path? Is there some
new cutting edge job that you know about? We are in need of a topic for next trimester’s
career forum. We need ideas… and fast! Email us soon and let us know if you
have something in mind.
As a non-profit organization, Centerpoint strives
to serve the community in every way possible. We need your help to do that.
Following is a list of items that Centerpoint will need to help us move forward
technologically and in our services. We would love it if you could donate an
actual item, but of course we’d also accept a cash donation to cover the costs!
Besides the tax deduction, you or your organization will be publicly recognized
by Centerpoint Institute for your contribution.
Digital Audio Recorder (2)
Digital Camcorder with Internal Hard Disk Drive (1)
Adobe Creative
Upgrade to FileMaker Pro 8.5 (1)
FileMaker Pro 8.5 (3 @ $299)
Centerpoint Institute for Life and
Career Renewal
4000 NE 41st Street
Building D, Suite 2
Seattle, Washington 98105-5428
tel/fax: 206.686.LIFE (5433)
www.centerpointonline.org
...inspiring
people to discover creativity, passion, and renewed commitment in life and at
work
Office Hours: Monday –
Thursday 12:30 to 7:30pm, Friday 12:30 to 5pm; Check the website for the Saturdays
we’re open!
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