TIGblogs - Jennifer Corriero

Wow - time is really flying by...here I am, stuck at an airport in miami. the flight was delayed (coming from puerto rico back to toronto) and there are no more flights till 7:30am tomorrow morning...i was incredibly calm in the 3 hour line-up, which was kinda nice. I think that it had something to do with the 'day of rest' that I had yesterday
- the first official 'day of rest' in over a year or so. Or maybe it's because I'm caught up with my e-mails...or because my finger is healing...or because I am FINALLY caught up with my homework - after being 3 weeks behind!! For whatever reason, I'm delighted to have the opportunity to spend a few hours writing a bit of an update, and to reflect on these past few crazy weeks / months.

As a bit of an update - I think it is important for everyone to be aware of the following FIRSTS for TIG in 2002!!

In 2002, TIG has already secured funding from:

-> Hewlett-Packard - it's first 'official technology supporter' in Canada - over $125,000 of an in-kind donation that will go towards our Toronto Office and resource centre...and that we hope to extend as a canada-wide digitial opportunities initiative!

-> Microsoft (in-kind donation of software) $30,000 in value for office / resource centre

-> Renewed funding from Royal Bank for the Career Edge Internship Program ($36,000)

-> Partnership with YMCA has extended to include rent for up to June 2003 (value of cost is $20,000 / yr)

-> Our FIRST government Grant of $3000 that will go towards 3 summer internship positions (from HRDC)

-> Our FIRST foundation Grant of $21,000 that is going towards our toronto workshop series (and cover costs of printers, scanners, new promotional materials, workshop materials, food, part-time staff etc.)

-> Our FIRST UN partnership / funding of $5000 for earthyouth.net (in the process of being 100% finalized) that will go towards hiring a summer intern from India to come and work at TIG who has a lot of experience in the area of sustainable development, along with some technology costs.

-> Our FIRST round of funds from an international devleopment agency (SDC - Swedish Development Corporation) which is allocated towards sending Nick and Terri (along with a TIG delegation of 4 members in developing countries) to the World Summit on the Information Society prep-com that is currently being held in Geneva (approx. $15,000)

.....our budget for 2002
is already over $250,000!!!!!!!

Wow.

...and for those who don't already know, TakingITGlobal
is recognized as a finalist in the Education category for the Stockholm Challenge!! The award ceremony is in Sweden - this October :)

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Tuesday July 2
*****************

~ 7:30am wake up! Check-e-mails and enjoy the early morning rise!

~ Sort e-mails that vanessa cc'd me on or forwarded to me over the past 6 months into folders labelled with countries so that michelle and I can sort through them and ensure that people don't get left behind...

~ Write draft e-mail to the current youth reps based on recent progress and michelle's draft (includes an update on country site development, TIG Youth Day announcement and launch of Youth Rep application process - also explains vaness leaving and welcome note to michelle)

~ have breakfast (egg white omlets & protein smoothie!), then mad-rush packing to get to the bus on time!

~ take a 1-hour shuttle bus ride to the airport and work on sorting e-mails in folders along the way

~ flight from puerto rico to miami...delayed - but arrived on time

~ flight from miami to toronto cancelled...have to stay over in maimi
--> NOT REIMBURSED FOR HOTEL EXPENSES!!! --> back in TO. By 2:30pm on
Wednesday - need to reschedule meetings

~ had a quick workout...writing my progress report ;)

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Monday July 1
*****************

~ happy canada day! It was kinda sad not being in my home country on its national birthday...but I tried to celebrate it in my own little way
- by having a day of rest!! These past few weeks have been incredibly stressful - and on some occasions, a bit overwhelming - so it was nice to be able to kick-back, relax, and enjoy a few of life's luxuries for a day (compliments of the CUES conference I spoke at)! Slept in till about noon...ahhh-- sleep is one of the first luxuries of life!!!

Then woke up to the sun's rays...(another one of my favourite things in life :)

Took a ferry boat to an island and enjoyed the beach, sand and cool water for about an hour. My fav part was sitting on the shore, on the sand and moving with the waves, while watching the fish (who were camaflouged with the seaweed) move around just a few feet away!)

Went jet-skiing for 30min!!! Wooo hooo!!! Took a CraZY ride...rode really fast...splashed around...did some crazy turns...YAY!! Water-sports..another luxury ;)

As sOOOn as the jet-ski pulled into shore, it STARTED TO rain...THEN POUR!!!! Haha!! It was soooo funny - running across the beach towards the ferri dock - trying to catch the next boat back to the hotel!! :)

Towels were soaked. There I was...standing in the rain...no escape....nothing left to do but laugh!! (I later found out that another guy who went out on the jet ski decided to stay out and jet ski in the rain...and the rain pellets were whipping against his face as he slid across the water...trying to look through the foggy skies...crazy!)...and yes - another luxury of life...chance

Once back at the hotel - a health salad with a light vinagrette dressing awated me...along with a fresh smoothie!

Here comes the greatest luxury of all...a 1 hour massage at the spa!! Yay :) spent 1 hour in the tea room after 10min in the steam room and 5 min in the whirl pool!! Then spent another hour in the tea room - before a workout in the gym!!

For dinner...sushi and a chinese food dish.

By 10:00pm...i was completely exhausted and fell asleep within about 5min of getting back to my hotel room...

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Sunday June 30
*****************

~ last day of the conference

~ seeing as I had a week's worth of work to do for school...i spent the entire day READING, reading and MORE reaDING!! Ahhh

~ my assignment was due at midnight...and I submitted part of it on time, and the other part, at 12:24am...damn. Of course, I freaked out for a bit - threw my papers at the windeow (good thing it was closed!) and slammed my text book on the ground (where's a punching bag when you need one!) ...but yes - it is done!! Yay!! And now, I am finally back up to date with my studies...though it won't be long until the next deadline creeps up (next Sunday!)

~ STREssS night for JENERGY!!

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Saturday June 29
*****************

~ high focus gear...preparation for conducting two workshops on the topic of 'Technology and the Future of Work'. The process of preparing for this was relatively stressful because we were speaking to the same audience and needed to ensure that we did not cover the same content.

~ after the conference, I spent the entire evening working on my school assignments (2 out of 3) (I was three weeks behind because of the delay that I faced as a result of my broken finger)...although it's not the best way to spend a saturday night in puerto rico (doing homework in my hotel room)..i did what I had to do. Although it was a bit painful - I'm glad that I focused and got caught up..."business ethics" (the topic of my course) - is incredibly important to the work that I am doing with TIG - and in order for me to gain a grounded academic perspective on my work, I need to do my HOMEWORK!! Argh!

~ of course I got a bit bored of school work every once and a while..and decided to work on more e-mails...my goal was to get my in-box down to zero so that I could enjoy a day of rest on Monday (july 1st!)

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Friday June 28
*****************

~ arrive in puerto rico / drive to hotel / sleep on 1 hour bus ride...exhausted from waking up at 5am and going to sleep at 3am!!!!

~ prepare for presentation...in high focus gear. Topic: 'Connecting With The Future: Young People, Technology, and the Next Economy' - audience - board members of credit unions across the US. The conference was run by an organization called CUES (Credit Union Executives Society). Mike and I were keynote speakers - on a huge stage with microphones that produced an echo...EcHo....which was somewhat annoying. I was really nervous during this presentation - possibly because the topic is pretty ambitious...and my experience still feels limited...we did as much research before our presentation as possible (pulling stats and quotes from a variety of sources including websites and market research reports)...our goal was to help the audience transform their perspectives on how they consider the 'role of young people' to be in their credit unions - which is a mind-set that we hope will transcend to how they see young people in society...(as leaders, problem-solvers and key stakeholders!)

~ spent time working on e-mails - getting in-box down from 80 e-mails to approx. 30

~ spent the evening preparing for Saturday's workshops....pulled stats...read a report that was put together for credit unions...discussed what we learned from the keynote presentation etc.

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Thursday June 27
*****************

~ my birthday...turned 22

~ 9am meeting with executive director of the international child art foundation

~ 11:00am conference call with bremley - discussion about wec.org (website dev. Project for TIG)

~ develop wec proposal / review with wec for final sign-off

~ go to the conference and get lunch (which we almost missed!), listened to keynote speakers in large auditorium

~ called the office and spoke to everyone (individually) about progress being made. Was kinda dissapointed (and shocked) when I found out that one of our staff members made a decision that has done a lot of damage to TIG from a 'partnership / brand' perspective. Realized that each and every commitment that is made between TIG and another organization that involves requires TIG staff/vounteers/members in the process of implementing the partnership agreement - need to be FULLY briefed on the importance of the initiative, and the project requirements. Just as a bit of a comment on why it is so important that we partner with organizations that don't necessarily add 'obvious' value to TIG...i have a very strong perspective on what comes with 'privelege' and 'power'...TakingITglobal is in the process of gaining access to many resources. With our recent support from several major companies and organizations, we are becoming stronger as an organization and as an initiative that is really gaining momentum in the world. There are other initiatives with simiar intentions, that do not have access to the resources that we are gaining access to. I believe that when we are able to share those resources, in a way (that provides a fair enough exchange that we are not completely drained of our resources in the
process) I think that it is important to share. I am sometimes told that I am too giving and generous - especially of my time and energy...as are many of us are - I'm sure...and perhaps this doesn't always make the best business sense - but I still feel that when we are able to share our priveledge, it is important that we accept this responsibility - and with grace. Sometimes, we don't need to expect anything in return, but know that we have done good; and have shared an opportunity with others who are deserving, and who would otherwise not have the opportunity....

~ on my birthday, it rained, poured and thunderstormed outside...

~ I only got a few cards on my birthday (about 5 e-greetings, and a few phone calls)...i cried a lot throughout the day...because I felt soo forgotten. It's weird...i get soo many e-mails and phone calls on most days of the year..but on the day that I was born...just a few. Thanks to those who remembered :) sorry to all those people who have birthdays that I have forgotten...

~ met with leon from 4pm-5pm (who is a guru on knowledge and network
management) - talked about progress and latest developments

~ TIG booth at the National youth summit (was going to see huss - but he got caught up in work stuff)

~ surprise birthday present from mike! Went to hear miriam Makeba (famous African singer - from Johannasburg, South Africa)...i cried for most of the concert...it was so beautiful...it was in the Dar Constitution Hall and was about 1/10th full...although it was a bit sad that the concert wasn't sold out, the people who came were sooOOO joyful and lively! The concert was supposed to start at 8pm - and it actually started at 8;45...i was laughing at about 8:30 - because both dumi (from
zimbabwae) and hafsat (from nigeria)...always talk about 'african time'
- and how 'african time' means that things NEVER start as they are scheduled :) the ancient traditional songs rang closest to my heart...i felt like I could hear the voices of the past ring through my heart, mind and soul. It was soo powerful. After the concert, Mariam Makeba received an award from the Mayor - who deemed June 27th, Miriam Makeeba day - the 'mother of africa'...awww...a birthday to remember!!

~ worked on homework for school (readings and discussion posts)

~ worked on e-mails (epseically those that needed immediate attention!)

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Wednesday June 26
*****************

~ National Youth Summit begins / registration

~ meet up with Harry (Commissioner for Youth and Family Services, United States of America) to discuss presentation

~ 30min power work-out...run on treadmill

~ met with Thomas Tong (who works with a company that deals with Knowledge Transfer)...he was invited to make remarks on our presentation and

~ workshop presentation on the topic of "Youth Engagement" - talked about 'positive youth development' to leaders of various government agencies within the US. Many people were inspired by the ideas that were shared and by the example that TIG is providing as a 'model for youth engagement'...some very powerful stuff came out of this discussion...we have developed a framework for what we are doing, which has proven to be helpful for agencies that spent millions of dollars each year doing 'positive youth development' - many want to partner with TIG! Yay :) will follow-up with contacts there.

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Tuesday June 25
*****************

~ slept in...sorta...mad-rush pack

~ train ride from New York City to Washington DC on a super-fast train

~ worked on MAJOR assignment for school - due at 12:00midnight...worth 20% of mark!! Mega-stressful!

~ gotta prepare for presentation TOMORROW!! Yikes!

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Monday June 24
*****************

~ meeting UNDP (United Nations Development Program) about EarthYouth.net proposal...in which the person we were meeting with, Erik, was 1 hour late for the meeting! Good thing I had my notebook, a pen, a lot of ideas to sketch out and think about with mike while waiting...when we finally met with Erik, he brought their 'tech guy' and an administrative support person to discuss the details of the proposal with us. They LOVE IT! Yay :) once going through logistics, we asked if they had seen the tig site (which none of them had)..so we went to a computer and showed them the site...they were COMPLETELY AMAZED!!! The 'tech guy' (I feel soo bad I forget his name!) was the MOSt inspired out of them all - he was glowing with delight and said 'you know - TIG is doing what WE should be doing here at the UN!! This is our business"....that moment...was soo...special...as you can imagine...it was soo beautiful - to see people's faces light up with excitement, after seeing profiles from members in korea, kenya, argentina, nigeria....and then read some of the discussion posts, updates pages, articles...they could not believe that a group of young people were creating such a powerful, dynamic 'space' for youth to connect, share and learn about eachother!! Mmm....moments like this are yummy :)

~ meeting with teachers from long island - who heard mike speak at a conference a while back - they are very aligned with what we are doing (in terms of philosophy...) which is wonderful

~ meeting with skadden arps (law firm based in times square!) there are still a lot of details that need to be worked out - but carol is amazing and that gives me a sense of hope in this department...

~ Taste of New York!! (street festival!) enjoyed some yummy food with new yorkers ;)

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Sunday June 23
*****************

~ work...work...more work...on e-mails, documents, phone conversation with Nick (in AU) before his trip to geneva, phone conversation with dumi and jen from the Youth Employment summit about global knowledge resource...

~ went for a walk to central park and then for a jog...noticed that a drama group was performing a play and decided to stay a while and learn about the american revolution! Continued to jog and returned to the hotel (had breakfast on the way back)

~ meeting with TIG mentor/advisor for dinner - Prakash - architect who wrote 'Architects Report' for TIG...is submitting our 'TIG Centre idea - workplace, learning environment, resource centre of the future' in a design competition!!'

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Saturday June 22
*****************

~ meetings with GYAN - develop draft MOU

~ conference call with potential funder (discussions about
joint-fundraising)

~ Jewel concert (ben got free tickets!! Jewel is GYAN's sponsor...

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Friday June 21
*****************

~ early morning flight to New York City to meet with partners (Global Youth Action Network)

~ check-in with GYAN members (bremley, jonah, ben) and Youth In Action Executive Director (peter)

~ worked on trying to develop and define current and future partnership

~ discussions of merger...didn't get very far seeing as we have common intentions but a different focus in terms of strategy and how we implement the vision...

~ came up with a symbol that somewhat represents that nature of our collaboration - the ying/yang symbol! What do you think? Meetings ended about about 11:00...(after some interesting japanese food and tears that I shed about the challenges of compassion and human suffering)

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Thursday June 20
*****************

~ enrol in fall/winter courses for YorkU (2002/2003) here's my course
load:
* Communication in Organizations
* Matrix Art Studio
* Reasoning about Social Issues
* Cultural Geography
* Thesis - Independent Study - Influencing Global Governance: Youth, Technology and Culture!!

If I am actually able to manage this course load - I will be a full-time student next year - AND - still get to work at TIG (in the office all
day) for 3 days / week!! With a few things coming up in terms of travel
- I really hope I can manage...
Fingers crossed.

~ lunch with an old-friend from high school (alan) who is an architecture student at waterloo! He may help us organize a contest to get ideas for TIG 'opportunity and resource centres' next year!

~ meeting with organizer of 'kids voting project' (which actually conflicted with another meeting that I doubble booked!) ahhh

~ conference call with conference organizers in Puerto Rico to discuss presentation

~ meeting with Andy to discuss fundraising activities & progress

~ 5pm - 7pm TIG Summer 2002 Action Plan meeting - briefing everyone on the proposal

~ kung-fu club (workout on treadmill - still unable to do class with broken finger)

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Wednesday June 19
*****************

~ 9am meeting with professor wheeler about independent study course - came up with course title, description and book list!

Course Title: Influencing Global Governance: The role of youth, culture and technology.

Description: "Jennifer will i) research the history and current reality of youth engagement in significant global or national issues; ii) build hypotheses / a hypothesis of how and why youth have been / are being influential; and iii) test those hypotheses in the context of current events, available technologies and cultural influences. Readings agreed. Methodology discussed. To be defined."

Reading List:

Culture Matters: How Values Shape Human Progress
Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation
The Ingenuity Gap: Can we solve the problems of the future? Digital Economy All Together Now: Connected Communities The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

Whoa! This is WAY too exciting!! I get to design a course based on my deep commitments, passions, curiosities, experiences and interests!! Wow...i am soo glad that I am pursuing this opportunity and HOPE that I get approved for the course!!

~ went to a photoshoot for york university's recruitment brochure (at a downtown studio)...for those that are laughing about the fact that it seems as though I never do my homework and never go to school...for the record - although I'm a year behind (taking 3rd year courses in my 4th year at university)...i actually found out that I have an 'A' average :)...i don't say this to brag...I just don't want people to get the impression that I don't take school seriously...as much as I find it painful to do my homework (which I MUST admit that I do)...i truly value learning and the art of understanding...i also hate getting lost in bureaucracy...and hate feeling like a number...which is why I'm always doing whatever I possibly can to make sure that our members do NOT feel like numbers...(my internal TIG rebellion ;)

~ Straight from the photoshoot to a formal luncheon with Priya (sponsor from Compaq/HP) at Rosewater Supper Club - to hear John Kennedy speak on the topic of environmental sustainability

~ meeting with michelle to discuss international strategy - more specifically - how we recognize, recruit, train and reward youth reps...devleoped a concept that involves recognizing youth reps AFTER they have been involved in 'promoting and developing TIG as a platform, resource and network for youth' - rather than giving them the title first, and then asking them to do 'stuff'...hope this works out well...

~ went straight to Jesse's workshop on 'Getting the Job you Want!'..."This workshop will teach you how to market yourself to potential employers. Go beyond the help wanted ads and learn how to promote yourself through networking, small talk, digital resume writing techniques, personal websites and employment agencies." ...jesse did a wonderful job sharing exciting techniques on how to effectively promote yourself in order to get the job you want! The handbook and powerpoint slides were great ;) there was also a great turnout! Way to go jesse :)

~ spent some time in the evening with a good friend that I met in '98 at shad calgary...sherryn...who is a med-school student at 20! This girl is a star. She is currently in Greece and is always amazing me with stories and perspectives on life.

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Tuesday June 18
*****************

~ Meeting with Harvey Skinner who is the Professor and Chair of the Department of Public Health...they are working on an initiative called 'Global Youth Voices' - and they want to partner!! Yay :) they may be able to provide a research perspective on some of our developments, which would be incredible! It would be great for our work to be recognized from an academic / research perspective...this would add a ton of credibility to our work....

~ Phone call with Ezekiel!!! Talked about getting the application for the conference in ghana online...talked about the trip to ghana...and the world cup :) talked about TIG Youth Day and got his perspectives on how it should be organized

~ trip with karis and sush. To share our wealth 'advisory board' meeting (with greg dobson)...karis and sush both blossomed! What a great reminder of how awesome the members of our team are....awww :)

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Monday June 17
*****************

~ make certificates for karis and susheela

~ speak at Hodgson (Entrepreneuial Adventure program), as part of my volunteer time

~ staff meeting at 3pm

~ planning and organizing for evening activities!!

~ Co-OP appreciation Day!! Over 30 people came to celebrate the achievements and contributions of our most recent co-op student alumni, Karis and Susheela!! Family and friends joined in to listen to stories being shared about experiences at TIG...it was such a proud moment for me to see the faces of people light up after learning about how two very special pepople have helped to change an organization that is having an impact on the world.

Thank you to everyone who is involved in this very special circle...