🌈 Cherie Clonan’s Post

In this Impact Minute ⏲️ Liz Robinson, CEO of Big Education, introduces the article she co-authored with Sarah Seleznyov from the latest issue of Impact. The article explores Big Education's vision to provide pupils with a more holistic experience of education, of head (academic learning), heart (relationships and wellbeing) and hand (creativity and social activism). Read the article here: https://buff.ly/45jDxDR #ImpactJournal

Spent Saturday morning doing something I absolutely love: listening to students present compelling points at the Baltimore Urban Debate League’s Winter Classic. I love BUDL! And try to volunteer whenever able. As my son first began participating in BUDL debate tournaments as an elementary schooler, I first watched him and his teammates in the back of a classroom. I remember geeking out at how fun debate could be and entered into my own relationship with BUDL as volunteer. Thankfully my child did not find this to be embarrassing. I started out as a judge. Then during quarantine was offered a position as a community-based virtual coach for two years. I ended my coaching season with my debaters winning the middle school championship! As schools returned to in-person, I returned as a volunteer to judging. And now do so with my teenager. I marvel in retrospect as to how participation in speech and debate changed my son for the better. He truly found his voice. He learned early on how to conduct research and the usefulness of outlines. He was exposed to new words, laws, and policies, and learned to work as part of a team all while enhancing his listening, oral and written communication skills. For this introvert who could never have imagined standing up in front of people and delivering original oratory speeches or writing rebuttals, I think BUDL has helped me raise my own voice. Challenging ideas. Poking holes in points when evidence supports. (This happens most at work 😉). If I were timing this, I’d say to wrap it up. But I’d close with this: Being able to give back and help others with finding their voice and being confident in who they are has been the best gift. Forever grateful.

Today's Events (2): #1: 💬 LLP Seminar Series: The Critical Citizen?: Donna Smith, Michelle Matherson And Dylan Moore, 'Citizens’ Voices, People’s News: Making The Media Work For Wales 💬 04.05.2023 💬 4.00pm - 5.00pm (UK Time) 💬 Link: https://lnkd.in/ebxsaTev ⚠️ Tickets required to attend. Book your ticket using the link above. #2: 📚 Assessing The Reliability Of Information For Your Assignment 📚 04.05.2023 📚 7.30pm (UK Time) 📚 Link: https://lnkd.in/e-pctjYn *Calendars: If you want to find out about these events at the beginning of every month rather than on the day of the event, please check out the OUSE calendars👇:* 🗓 Find out more about the 'OU Students Events - OU WELS' and 'OU Students Events - OU Library' calendars by completing this request form: https://lnkd.in/dcjzUEy6 (which has info introducing the calendars), or joining the OU Students Events: Build Your Own Calendar Facebook group.

In 2024, I hope we can normalize setting reasonable expectations for events where volunteers provide the content. By this, I mean people who are volunteering to spend time and effort to create and present content, time they are spending in addition to demanding full-time jobs, and time for which they receive no remuneration. This describes most CLE programs for lawyers. I understand this is how the business model works, especially for bar associations and trade organizations. And, knowing this, how might we make the process as easy as possible and flexible for the volunteer presenters? The design of this process needs a deep infusion of empathy and perspective-taking. And, no. I cannot submit my slides to you weeks in advance.