Old woman, Old woman, Old woman, says I,
Why, oh why to Esther did I say aye?
We started with information on how we
responded
and a definition of some we ways we have bonded.
We care about the same things in at least 110 different ways.
So how in the world can we get through this maze?
Carol Anderson led us through a data scroll
that helped us reflect on our unique roles.
And we were reminded again that alignment,
not agreement, that was our assignment.
The themes of the meaning of our work it seems
include students, mentoring, family, community and societal needs.
And then there was the meaning to be found
where profession, collaboration and empowerment abound.
The legacy goals, the marks we want to leave
are related to students, personal contributions and support for colleagues.
We want to make our mark in field and profession
--in departments and programs, institutions — the nation.
Then Gladys Gary Vaughn
with 50 years now gone,
talked about courage and hope,
without those, no one can cope.
Aunt Rachel was caring; Sweet Clara was
daring.
They had a dream; they had a plan
working together — new horizons to span.
Built on courage and built on trust,
they changed the lives of other — oh so much!
The question she asked, "Can we do less?
It is, after all, a part of our quest."
Mid chaos and change is much confusion,
but we just can’t sit here — musin’ and musin.’
"Relevance, outreach, engagement,"
she said,
"goals for contemporary FCS higher ed."
After lunch we learned about our collective self,
but lots in the room did not feel like it really helped.
We each saw the errors of others’ ways
and did not see that a path we could pave.
We fumed and we fussed; critiqued and discussed.
Why couldn’t others see what was apparent to us?
Those three were important? How could
that be?
That others would see those as more important? Not me!
But then after break, they called our bluff.
We could lead a group and create some stuff!
So Friday morning at nine,
we saw how we would spend our time.
Fourteen sessions in the a.m. on which to focus,
and sixteen more in the p.m. — for more hocus pocus.
Thus, Friday was devoted
to places where heart and feet voted.
Bumble bees and butterflies,
gave us permission to do what we might.
We wrestled with framework and with vision
discerning passionate roles for the profession.
No easy answers — lots of ideas,
some with frustration and some were real pleasin.’
Then to the computer, the point people did go;
now dash away, dash away, come on let’s go.
To summarize —
ideas and new visions.
For most in the group to dinner they went
or shopping or where e‘er by their feet they were sent.
For the steering committee, that august group,
more thinking and work with Carol and Mary Lou.
So what should Saturday be?
How best to set the group free?
How do we get those ideas pent up inside
to some shared goals to move the profession great strides?
Then Saturday came with letters to self and
comments to group
where will this take us? To what kind of loop?
As we leave, we are all changed — with new perceptions
some good feelings — and some exceptions.
What will I do when I go home?
What will I do when I am alone?
Will I change a course?
Will I push research?
Will students be beneficiaries
of my renewed energies?
Remember Aunt Rachel and Sweet Clara.
What they did showed real caring.
Whatever we do when we go home
we must do something to make it known
that for us FCS meaning,
alignment, you know, charts a new course for the millennium.
Thank you for coming. Thank you so much!
And are you now ready for a great lunch?
Your attention to my comments has been most kind
so I will conclude so you can soon dine.
I turn now to Esther Fahm.
She will then tell you when we are done.
—Karen Craig
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