Home > Out and About — A Wireside Chat > Archives > 2008 > January
January 2008
Man on a Mission: The Case for Reading
Yes, I’m a man on a mission. It is a mission that I choose to accept. The mission is encouraging the pursuit of education and reading in our community.
In a larger sense, that is how we promote unity in the community: education and reading.
We had a wonderful turn out to our Book Review and Discussion about Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Bob Anne Senter and Barbara Cunningham did a fantastic job reviewing the book and answering questions. We also had a great teacher appreciation reception for the high school teachers that are participating in One Book, One Waco. We would like to personally thank the Waco-McLennan County Library, James Karney and the Baylor Library System for their support and for hosting the events.
Next, week at 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble we will have an event for high school students, and we will introduce them to the book.
So, why am I on a mission? Well, the stats are alarming, and the following information is taken from the National Endowment of the Arts:
Only 47% of adults read a work of literature. Literary reading has decreased at all educational levels - young adults are declining rapidly than the general population. And there are more interesting facts about reading that I will share periodically. I’ll save room for the next facts for you.
But, the answer is clear: no one reads like they used to. So, we have to do something to encourage reading while at the same time promoting education.
That’s why One Book, One Waco is important. It is a communitywide movement that will inspire many to pick up a book. It will inspire unity in the community. It will inspire making a difference. It will inspire an engaged community that is focused on reading and education.
It will inspire you to read. Period.
And that is my hope. That is why I’m the One Book, One Waco man. A man on a mission that I choose to accept. I feel like a presidential candidates who is running a campaign, but this campaign is not political. It is an educational mission, mixed with hope and unity.
So, what about you? Will you choose to help me? Will you promote reading and education?
Will you join the mission?
Take a look at the mission here and schedule of our events.
Book Review and Discussion! Tonight!
Please mark your calendars for tonight at 7 p.m. at the Waco-McLennan County Library for a book review and discussion about the One Book, One Waco Selection for Spring 2008.
Everyone is encouraged to attend.
I will be back tomorrow with a full update on One Book and the case for reading….
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Out and About, One Book, and One Legacy….
It’s been awhile! But, as you know, I have been out and about.
As I describe a day in the life of Allan Marshall, it is one of being “out and about” - building relationship, getting out of the office and circulating among the people. It is so great to be able to discuss One Book, One Waco or tell the stories of business leaders who are telling their stories to students in our school districts.
But in a larger sense, this out and about concept is far more than just talk - it’s action, and it’s about leaving a legacy. This legacy could be about creating a giant “Oprah’s Book Club” - encouraging the entire community to unite and read a book. Although, I am not Oprah by any means.
Or this legacy could be about telling the importance in education, and why one must about obtain a higher form of education.
In addition, this legacy could be about “Same Kind of Different as Me”, telling the community of unlikely friendships or discussing with PTA members and educators the importance of a fundamental concept called reading. Maybe, this legacy could truly be about making a difference in this community or promoting a WE DO spirit to our community.
Whatever it is - this legacy must be about something more than just me. It’s about us - all of us. The common good.
As I reflect on the weeks past and the weeks ahead, I am reminded of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr as we reflect on his life. What a legacy! What a spirit! What a man!
As times are changing, we could reflect on his spirit, wisdom, and his actions. So, the question is what about your legacy? What will you leave behind?
It might be a giant book club, a community book club - encouraging people to read. It might be telling your story in a school. It might be about making a difference.
Whatever it is may it be something bigger than yourself, bigger than a particular organization, and bigger than a few individuals. It must be about everyone. That’s what Dr. King wanted: everyone to work, play, and live together in a world filled with differences. It is “Same Kind of Different as Me.”
So, it is about being out and about, one book, and one great legacy. May you be inspired.
Tell Your Story
This week I have been out and about, telling my story. And others have too.
Everyone has a story.
Whether you are from the Piney Woods of East Texas or from Central Texas, your story is important. It is essential, and it can make a difference in someone’s life.
I hope that everyone shares their story - the struggles, the triumphs, the setbacks, the failures and yes the successes. So, tell your story.
I had the opportunity of telling my story at Waco High to a group of students, and it really made my week fulfilling. We started a new program called Business Leadership in Schools where business leaders are telling their stories at Waco High, LaVega High and Rapoport High and offering students advice on future career opportunities.
The program is a “hands-on” approach to sharing stories, being role models, and shaping our youth, and more importantly, the program encourages our students to pursue a higher form of education after graduation. It exposes students to the business community, and it helps them see how their classwork relates to their future opportunities.
I hope that our stories can make a difference in the lives of our students.
Let me know if you are interested in participating in this exciting endeavor or if you have suggestions on our program.
Of course, you get the point: tell your story. It can change the world.
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Town and Gown…..
I attended the 2008 President’s Community Prayer Breakfast, and I was inspired to write an entry about the town-gown relationship (the Waco community and Baylor University).
The community prayer breakfast was held at the Ferrell Center, and the event was a success because it brought the community and Baylor together for the New Year. I am glad that former president Herb Reynolds had the foresight to strengthen the university and community relationship when he started the breakfast during his presidency.
I am always encouraged to see how the town-gown relationship has evolved over the years. But, the truth is everyone must continue to strengthen the relationship between our community and Baylor. It takes everyone to make the change - to make a difference. It takes everyone to be change agents and find ways of collaborating with the community as well as Baylor.
It was exciting to see the energy of the community and Baylor coming together. There are a lot of good things happening in Waco as well as Baylor, and I am excited to be a part of something truly special. But, it takes you and me to strengthen the town and gown relationship.
A special thanks should go out to Baylor University, President Lilley and all of the many community members who attended this morning’s prayer breakfast. We should be happy that Baylor is continuing in the traditions of the past while focusing on the future of the town-gown relationship.
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A New Year: Making a Difference
Yeah, it’s a cliche….making a difference….
Everyone says it, but few people really mean it.
I spent most of my holiday break watching college football, my favorite tv shows, and talking to many family and friends on the phone. Yes, my favorite teams did win; my tv shows were the same; and yes, I loved catching up with family and friends.
But the new year should always being a new me, a new you, and a new year to make a difference.
As you begin a new year, I hope you take the time to discover ways in which you can be a positive influence in this world and make a difference. It doesn’t matter where you work, but what you do to make a difference.
For me, I will make a difference through my job with the Chamber. I plan to be a strong advocate for reading and literacy through our One Book, One Waco program. Please pick up a copy of Same Kind of Different as Me at local bookstores. Also, I plan to be active in the schools as I participate in our Business Leadership in Schools program. This program will enable business leaders to share their careers with some classes at Waco High, LaVega High, and Rapoport High.
In addition, I will continue to participate in our LEAD program where I will be mentoring students from WISD. Please let me know of any other ways I can make a difference in Waco. I am open.
Hopefully, I can be a role model. Hopefully, I can encourage reading, and hopefully I can make a difference.
So what will you do? How can you make a difference? You can get engaged with some of our projects or you can create your own projects. You can provide our school districts some assistance with your time, support, and enthusiasm or you can find other areas to support our community and provide a WE DO spirit.
So, making a difference is being an active and engaged citizen of Waco - being engaged in several fields to make positive and effective change.
Yes, college football is still on and my favorite tv shows will reappear. But, for me and hopefully for you, we will make a difference.
It’s more than a cliche. It’s an action. We do.
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