SRO Newsletter - July 2009
Message from the Executive Director
At the end of each season there is always the pride in seeing the transformation of the students who make it to LA and in watching their exuberance as they cross the finish line achieving their goal. There is also the sadness that comes with watching the seniors go off to college and other opportunities, and the knowledge that many of our underclassmen will be pursuing other activies in the upcoming school year and not returning to SRO.
Even though the marathon and our celebration banquet were over a month ago, for many of us it feels as though the season is just ending. This year we had record numbers of volunteers attend our seniors' commencement celebrations. With our extended season, we bonded with the students and the students bonded with SRO on a different and deeper level, perhaps making this end of the season much more bittersweet than others.
On a personal level, many of you know that my daughter Alex (SRO alumna) also graduated from high school this June. What I don't often share is that while I am excited for her to start the next phase of her life, I'm not quite ready to send her off and not have her here in Oakland with me. She too is excited about college and at the same time, not ready to leave. Her transition is bittersweet for both of us.
I suppose what makes transitions such meaningful milestones is exactly this dichotomy of feelings and emotions -- this deep desire to soar and reach new heights and the equally forceful desire to keep things the same, to remain comfortable. In speaking to some of our long-standing volunteers, community collaborators, and donors, here too, I see this dichotomy. While we are planning to move the organization to the next level, we also hang on to the past.
As I've had the opportunity to spend more time with SRO's seniors and prepare for Alex heading off to college, this experience further crystallized for me the instrumental role SRO can play in students' lives. We have only scratched the surface, there are tremendous opportunities we can fill; from helping students navigate exit exams and college entrance applications, to securing financial aid, to providing reassurance during this pivotal life transition.
SRO is also at a transformative crossroads. Last year we formed a strategic planning committee with the charter to build a three year plan to serve as SRO's road map to advance the organization. We want to become an even stronger non-profit organization with more comprehensive support so that we can better serve students. We want to expand the programs and services to the students where you can see the greatest transformations, students that some people refer to as "the difficult ones." I am pleased to say that we are making real strides in completing our strategic plan.
We will spend the balance of the summer achieving a major organizational milestone, the completion of our strategic plan and preparing for our 10th Anniverary Celebration. I will be callling on many of you in a variety of roles, from planning and implementing to helping spread the word. Being up close and personal to so many transitions this year, one thing I know for sure is that SRO's tranistion to the next level will also be filled with the dichotomy of emotion and will be bittersweet for many. We will be tasked with the challenge of how to grow and advance, but yet hang onto those things that make us special, and keep us true to our mission.
The new and exciting juxtaposed with the familiar and comfortable can transform each other to a greater and better whole -- that is both our challenge and our opportunity.
Thank you to everyone who made this unique season such a success and thank you in advance for what I know you will do to make our future an outstanding success!
"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
Max De Pree
- Spencer Hooper
Los Angeles Marathon Success
Congratulations to the 2008-2009 SRO student athletes!!
Every student who started the marathon successfully completed it. Our finishing times were helped by unseasonably cool weather and terrific crowd support. Volunteer support throughout the course -- running, cycling, and helping at the finish line -- made the day go quickly. Thanks especially to those volunteers who were running their first marathon! We hope you'll join us again next year.
Tremendous Thanks
Our 2008-2009 season could not have been successful without the support of you, our community.
Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have provided grants, services, and in-kind contributions. We would especially like to thank The Barrios Trust, Children's Hospital, Clif Bar, Mizuno, Oakland Unified School District, Saucony Run for Good, Stewardship Council, Team Up for Youth, and YMCA of Oakland for their ongoing support.
Thank you especially to our friends, family, community members who contributed their time and expertise throughout the season. As a community-based organization, our volunteers and grassroots support are invaluable. We couldn't have done it without you, and as we look forward to celebrating our 10th Anniversary Season, we hope to continue to have your support!
SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.
Upcoming Events
Want to stay in touch with SRO? There are plenty of ways to keep up with us in the off-season...
July. Join us for the Fleet Feet San Francisco Sunset Run benefitting SRO. On Thursday, July 16, at 6:30pm at Marina Green in San Francisco, our friends at Fleet Feet are hosting a 5 Mile Social Run ($10 registration) with all proceeds going directly to SRO.
August. Check our website for updates, our first Volunteer Meeting of the season will be held this month. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.
Save the Date. Stay tuned for details of our 10th Anniversary Celebration! The tentative date is November 7th. More information will be available shortly on our website.
At the end of each season there is always the pride in seeing the transformation of the students who make it to LA and in watching their exuberance as they cross the finish line achieving their goal. There is also the sadness that comes with watching the seniors go off to college and other opportunities, and the knowledge that many of our underclassmen will be pursuing other activies in the upcoming school year and not returning to SRO.
Even though the marathon and our celebration banquet were over a month ago, for many of us it feels as though the season is just ending. This year we had record numbers of volunteers attend our seniors' commencement celebrations. With our extended season, we bonded with the students and the students bonded with SRO on a different and deeper level, perhaps making this end of the season much more bittersweet than others.
On a personal level, many of you know that my daughter Alex (SRO alumna) also graduated from high school this June. What I don't often share is that while I am excited for her to start the next phase of her life, I'm not quite ready to send her off and not have her here in Oakland with me. She too is excited about college and at the same time, not ready to leave. Her transition is bittersweet for both of us.
I suppose what makes transitions such meaningful milestones is exactly this dichotomy of feelings and emotions -- this deep desire to soar and reach new heights and the equally forceful desire to keep things the same, to remain comfortable. In speaking to some of our long-standing volunteers, community collaborators, and donors, here too, I see this dichotomy. While we are planning to move the organization to the next level, we also hang on to the past.
As I've had the opportunity to spend more time with SRO's seniors and prepare for Alex heading off to college, this experience further crystallized for me the instrumental role SRO can play in students' lives. We have only scratched the surface, there are tremendous opportunities we can fill; from helping students navigate exit exams and college entrance applications, to securing financial aid, to providing reassurance during this pivotal life transition.
SRO is also at a transformative crossroads. Last year we formed a strategic planning committee with the charter to build a three year plan to serve as SRO's road map to advance the organization. We want to become an even stronger non-profit organization with more comprehensive support so that we can better serve students. We want to expand the programs and services to the students where you can see the greatest transformations, students that some people refer to as "the difficult ones." I am pleased to say that we are making real strides in completing our strategic plan.
We will spend the balance of the summer achieving a major organizational milestone, the completion of our strategic plan and preparing for our 10th Anniverary Celebration. I will be callling on many of you in a variety of roles, from planning and implementing to helping spread the word. Being up close and personal to so many transitions this year, one thing I know for sure is that SRO's tranistion to the next level will also be filled with the dichotomy of emotion and will be bittersweet for many. We will be tasked with the challenge of how to grow and advance, but yet hang onto those things that make us special, and keep us true to our mission.
The new and exciting juxtaposed with the familiar and comfortable can transform each other to a greater and better whole -- that is both our challenge and our opportunity.
Thank you to everyone who made this unique season such a success and thank you in advance for what I know you will do to make our future an outstanding success!
"We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are."
Max De Pree
- Spencer Hooper
Los Angeles Marathon Success
Congratulations to the 2008-2009 SRO student athletes!!
Every student who started the marathon successfully completed it. Our finishing times were helped by unseasonably cool weather and terrific crowd support. Volunteer support throughout the course -- running, cycling, and helping at the finish line -- made the day go quickly. Thanks especially to those volunteers who were running their first marathon! We hope you'll join us again next year.
Tremendous Thanks
Our 2008-2009 season could not have been successful without the support of you, our community.
Thank you to all of our generous sponsors who have provided grants, services, and in-kind contributions. We would especially like to thank The Barrios Trust, Children's Hospital, Clif Bar, Mizuno, Oakland Unified School District, Saucony Run for Good, Stewardship Council, Team Up for Youth, and YMCA of Oakland for their ongoing support.
Thank you especially to our friends, family, community members who contributed their time and expertise throughout the season. As a community-based organization, our volunteers and grassroots support are invaluable. We couldn't have done it without you, and as we look forward to celebrating our 10th Anniversary Season, we hope to continue to have your support!
SRO's website is www.sroakland.org. Tax-deductible donations can be made online or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 10696, Oakland, CA 94610.
Upcoming Events
Want to stay in touch with SRO? There are plenty of ways to keep up with us in the off-season...
July. Join us for the Fleet Feet San Francisco Sunset Run benefitting SRO. On Thursday, July 16, at 6:30pm at Marina Green in San Francisco, our friends at Fleet Feet are hosting a 5 Mile Social Run ($10 registration) with all proceeds going directly to SRO.
August. Check our website for updates, our first Volunteer Meeting of the season will be held this month. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Steve Roberts.
Save the Date. Stay tuned for details of our 10th Anniversary Celebration! The tentative date is November 7th. More information will be available shortly on our website.
posted by Students Run Oakland at 8:28 PM
