The Wall

"The wall around my stuff should not be the wall around my mind."

Jackie

Morning Interview with Jackie

On the morning of the third day, Jackie is worn, triumphant, and thoughtful. As she recounts the weekend, she remarks that while she could barely stand in the morning, she has made it through. And admirably, I might add.



Key learnings:
It is cold on the streets.
Talk to people. Being dirty doesn't mean someone shouldn't be treated like a person.
"I'm stronger than I thought I was!"

Walking with Jackie

Jackie is becoming an expert on the difference between ground and pavement, and the implications they have for sleeping. Frankly, Jackie is my hero. When the idea of a street retreat was presented during the first Community Outreach meeting, her response was candid: "I'm terrified. I'm not young like the rest of you and I'm diabetic, so sleeping on the streets scares me. But these kids mean so much to me, I'll do it."

She is very conscientious, and every week or so she would have some concern about being a burden on the group and suggest that maybe she shouldn't go. I would tell her she was free to not come, but I insisted she was no trouble. Each time she would look at me discerningly, trying to detect insincerity. But I meant it every time, and every time she would say, "Ok, well, I'm glad. I really want to go, but I don't want to be trouble."

I'm glad she believed me, because her presence is invaluable. Not only is she wonderful and wise, she is more willing to participate and more enthusiastic than many of the younger counterparts. She is motivated by an aunt-like love for the youth, and her genuineness shows.

Public Speaking

Going out into the community involves more than networking, it also requires actually talking. Our public speaking talk was delivered by Jackie, a student at University of Phoenix, but more to the point, an involved member of Toastmasters.

Unfortunately, our video camera was still charging at the youth house at the time of her speech, so it lives on in notes and description.

She covered delivery, including:

• Eye contact
• Walking
• Vocal variety
• Emphasis
• Hand gestures

She also discussed content issues, such as giving reasons, knowing facts, telling stories about the kids and the house, and telling your own story. She also had general advice, such as "Make it easy for them to donate," and "Even if you screw up, they aren't going to stone you."

Concluding her speech, I followed up with an organizational structure particularly suited for persuasive speaking (Monroe's Motivated Sequence - 5 Steps: Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, Action).