Retaking the field

"You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough in the second half you give what's left."--Yogi Berra

This week, I participated in what Peace Corps calls our mid-service conference but in fact I am 17 months into the 27 month commitment, so well past the halfway point. I would say that my group of volunteers has in fact given 100% in the first half, leaving our tanks somewhat empty for the second half. The conference was intended to recharge our batteries and well, they tried...luckily we are a determined, awesome bunch and will not be satisfied until we make a good dent in our long project lists before we depart Macedonia.

My game has changed a bit, for the better. As mentioned in earlier posts, working with the local national park, my "job" if you will, was not going smoothly because I struggled to get my coworkers involved in any projects with me. I brought my concerns to Peace Corps and the staff supported me in changing jobs. My new job is with the YMCA in Bitola. YMCA Bitola works with youth on developing leadership skills, leading healthy lives, and exploring the arts through comics and movies. The name YMCA may conjure images of children and rec centers so let me clarify. First, youth in Macedonia means 15-30 year olds (yes, I still make the cut, barely) and second, our only facilities are a small room in an office building.

I have actually been working with my YMCA Bitola coworkers, Viktor and Jovce, since March. They asked me to help them develop their first strategic plan, a three year plan outlining their goals and how they intend to achieve them. Believe me, thinking much more than a month into the future is unusual for organizations here so YMCA Bitola is taking a big step to make themselves better and stronger. My rapport with Viktor and Jovce is great, lots of sharing of ideas and I appreciate their openness to trying new things. Finishing the strategic plan has been one of my biggest accomplishments as a volunteer, so now I'm looking forward to taking a larger role in its implementation too. Game on!

Me and Viktor (far right) with the U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia

Me and Jovce at the YMCA Bitola Office