First Post

As some of you know I am joining the Peace Corps as a volunteer.  I have been assigned to Uganda in east Africa and I depart for my 27 month assignment on August 3.  I am simultaneously excited, energized, hopeful, and fearful.  When I discussed my choice with friends and family often the first question asked was, “Why are you becoming a Peace Corps volunteer?"  For those of you who did not have a chance to ask that question I will devote the next few paragraphs to providing an explanation.  (Not interested?  Please skip to, Why I am publishing a blog?) 

Why am I joining the Peace Corps as a volunteer?

1.    Because I can.  I am financially secure, in good health, and I do not have or anticipate other concerns that will render me incapable of performing my role over the next 27 months. 

2.    Give back.  I have had a reasonably successful career, especially when viewed against the context of my origins.  It is very appropriate for me to give back.  Those that know me know I dream big.  So why not try to give to the world rather than just my local community or extended family? 

3.    Being happy.  I am nearing the traditional retirement age.  People I know that have retired seem to be happiest when they are engaged in something where they are adding value.  They seem healthier and happier and as a result are more fun to be around and therefore more engaged with family, community, and friends.  I do not know whether the data are supportive but I suspect they live longer lives.  Adding value in an important endeavor will help keep me engaged and excited about each new day, indeed each new moment. 

4.    Continue my core value of continuous learning/improvement.  I am energized by learning new skills and confronting significant challenges.  In the Peace Corps I will have to learn a new language, understand and function within the culture of a foreign land, add value to agencies and organizations to which I am assigned, and learn the skills of community development.  I expect to be very busy over the next 27 months.  I could not be more excited.  Developing a new set of skills and perspectives will enrich my life in ways I cannot yet imagine. 

5.    More coaching.  My core management style is a coaching style.  That is a skill that I expect to be easily transferable (with adjustments for culture and my inexperience in development) to the new world that I am entering. 

Why am I publishing a blog?  

The reasons are both selfish and altruistic.  Selfishly, this blog is a tool to help drive my development.  The act of recording this life adventure will better enable me to reflect on the experiences and to extract as much learning from the experience as possible.  One of my core values is continuous learning/improvement.  By understanding your comments and engaging in dialogue I will substantially increase both the number and the quality of the lessons extracted from my Peace Corps experience.      

From an altruistic standpoint I hope the readers of this blog are inspired to pursue their dreams.  My hope is focused most tightly toward fellow baby boomers.  We are the generation that both fought in, and demonstrated against, a terrible war and helped force its end.  We drove civil rights legislation, were the shock troops of the sexual revolution and set the stage for recognition of women’s rights.  (Remember when women were not allowed to play sports or even run a marathon?)  We are a great generation and we still have more to give.  For me, I begin with the Peace Corps.  Each of you can find your own beginning.  For those too young to remember the 60s I hope you are encouraged to dream large dreams and then to pursue them with intelligence, energy, and perseverance.  I believe the young of today will do no less than previous generations stretching back to the founders in moving America forward to a better place.    

In the next blog I will cover my first few hours in Uganda and with the Peace Corps.    

I welcome your comments and suggestions for specific topics. 

Statement of Principles for My Blog

I shall abide by the following principles in the creation and distribution of my blog.  

1. I shall not betray confidences from fellow volunteers, past or present, or those individuals and organizations with whom I work or associate in my host country. 
2. I shall not make statements that bring dishonor or other harm to the Peace Corps, the United States of America or my host country. 
3. I shall ensure the blog furthers the mission of the Peace Corps to help people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of people served and of other peoples on the part of Americans.   

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I am preparing to have what will be one of the most valuable experiences of my life.  This experience would not be possible if I had not had the support and encouragement of my family (that includes you Gail) and others that love me.  I cannot mention everyone here but I will try a partial list.  Thank you to my brother and his wife who have offered words of encouragement as well as their home to me.  Dr Bruce Miller, prosthodontist and Dr Raymond J. Haigney, oral and facial surgery and their office staffs who expedited some critical dental work so I would be able to leave on time.  If you require specialist dental services, then they are the people you want to contact.  I thank Bill P., Liam P., and Marci P. for their assistance in areas regarding my health and in the creation of this blog and I thank Christine M. for suggesting I write a blog.  Many others Greta R., Donna R., George E., Mark G., were essential actors in making this trip a reality.  I am grateful to each of them and many others too numerous to name.