Well, I've made it this far. And I feel two things: 1) very young and 2) like I could do 100% better next year. I can't believe I'm wrapping stuff up and getting things ready for the new director, Hilary Minnick. Where did my time go? And yet, every time that I write a quarterly report, it takes a long time. How to sum up three months in a few pages?
The first six months were spent desperately trying to figure out what I was doing and frantically planning events for each week. Now I've spent the last three months doing long term planning, working on big projects, and settling into the groove. For example, I developed a year-long calendar for The Galaxy. I even have some semblance of a social life now. (And I'm a little worried as I begin job searching, because I'm having a hard time finding another job where I'm my own boss.)
So, big things in the last quarter. My sister, Tessa, interned at The Galaxy throughout the month of January. It was great to have her here because I love her, of course, but she was really wonderful. She was at all the open hours and special events and got to know the kids. They loved her and always ask about her now. I realized, though, how much I have learned since I began because I had to show and explain so many things to her. After the first day she was exhausted from walking around so much while I apologized for having such a slow day. But by the end of the month she had caught on to the rhythms of The Galaxy and felt free to offer me advice as she saw fit!
I'm getting out the second newsletter a little late. OK, maybe a teensy bit more than a little. But it's four pages instead of two, and I had contributing authors, so the whole thing doesn't sound like a letter from the director. That should be copied and packaged up tomorrow, but who knows about these things since life seems to take at least two weeks longer than I ever expect it to. For the record, if you're one of my board members and reading this, I don't think that this will take me two weeks.
On the other hand, something I've been really on top of is the work I've been putting into increasing The Galaxy's focus on enriching programming. I thought it was important to draw kids in with fun activities, but I think that with a regular attendance at events of about 100 kids, The Galaxy can afford to move into less popular venues than karaoke. So here are my ideas: regular arts and crafts programming during open hours; extended open hours from 7-9 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays for studying, tutoring, and group work; art classes/workshops on Sunday afternoons; scheduled homework times during regular hours; a student-made movie festival; a student radio show on the Grinnell College radio station (KDIC). Some of these are already in the works, and some are more popular than others (ie. Radio show rather than study hours). But it'll get better. It's just going to take a while to convince kids that they really do want to study . . . at The Galaxy.
I'm working on this really neat idea for a grant proposal. Have I ever written a grant before you ask? No. But you gotta start sometime. So here goes: If we want The Galaxy to appeal to lots of different kids (which we do) and provide not just pure entertainment but enriching activities as well (which we do), then we need to have the resources to accomplish those goals. So I propose a three point plan. 1) New computers in the computer lab. Computers that work and have up to date software. Computers that have photo, movie, music, and other programs on them. Computers that kids want to use and are comfortable with. 2) A resource library. Not only your basic reference books like an atlas, dictionary, thesaurus, etc. but also books that provide help with resumes, interviews, cover letters, job searches, and college applications. In addition, I want to have books which provide students with useful and accurate information regarding personal issues in their own lives: peer pressure, self-esteem and image, drugs, being at home alone, mental and physical health. Not only will these books help us tutor students and be study resources, but they will also provide another avenue for students to get personal information that they might not be comfortable getting at the public or school library. 3) An art corner. An established art corner would allow students to have regular arts programming during open hours as well as special classes or workshops. It could provide students with another activity option at The Galaxy and appeal to students who perhaps aren't taken in by pool and foosball. In addition, the art corner (while always in one place) could fold up and move into the closet for dances and big events. I think that all three of these ideas will increase The Galaxy's appeal, usefulness, and utilization.
I'm also working on the first annual "Mid-Iowa Youth Center Conference" tentatively scheduled for the afternoon of Friday, April 12. Wish me luck.
I've fallen out of touch with the newspaper this quarter, so I'm trying to make up for it with a concentrated effort on a regular advertising campaign, a number of big articles, and a letter to all the town "clubs" offering my services as a presenter for their meetings. Hopefully all these things will pay off. Oh yeah, and the aforementioned newsletter. And the spring open house on May 4. And other, smaller things.
What else? I'm beginning to work with the new director, Hilary Minnick. We've made some decisions on dates, stationary, and things like that, but we'll really get into the meat of The Galaxy after spring break. She'll have to remind me that she's still a student so that I don't try and take all her time. I think I'm going to miss this place when June rolls around. She may have to kick me out once she's the boss.
Interesting facts of the quarter: In January and February, over 800 kids attended Galaxy events and open hours (actually, it's pretty close to 1,000). And, at the youth center in Newton, they employ two adults full time, four adults part-time, and 10 high school students. No wonder I'm busy!
