Building Bridges
The former Prime Minister of Norway, Kjell Bondevik, once said, “Knowledge of other people’s beliefs and ways of thinking must be used to build bridges, not to create conflicts.” Recently, the new advocacy committee and our board executive committee built a new bridge, and I’m excited to say that even though more change is on the horizon, it feels good.
When the agency changed its name last fall, the intent was to find a name that would reflect all the groups we serve – Deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing, hearing, and family members of the above. Our choice of words with the new name created some conflict. But, the board, executive committee, and I asked questions, learned, and gained some understanding over the last few months.
Of course the intent of the new name was not to create conflict. Agencies that grow and change and take chances will have struggles (which we did) and we’ll continue to have challenges as long as we’re not standing still. We’re working hard to provide fantastic programs and services. If you work hard, you can’t be afraid to make mistakes. Or, as Big Bird puts it, “Don’t be afraid to lay an egg.”
I hope the bridges we build in the future will be a testament not only to the amazing programs and services of the last 80 years, but also the phenomenal staff, volunteers, patrons, and friends who work tirelessly and passionately on behalf of this agency to help build them.
Our new name is certainly symbolic to me. (see News!) It’s a symbol of the struggles we’ve recently overcome, but more importantly, it’s a symbol of the infinite, fabulous, future of this amazing place and where we might go from here.
Come see us soon.
– Sallie