Yepsen [dot] net [slash] blog

Admittedly, I believed in the power of Social Media before today; but today I was born-again – I experienced it.

For anyone who might not know me and might be reading this blog for this first time, I am the Program Director and Recruiter for the Chicago Youth Centers – Camp Rosenthal.  Today, this position presented itself with a need for some graphic design beyond my experience-level.  So I took it to the online world via Twitter and Facebook with the simple message:  “Any designers out there who would like to donate ~1hr of time to design 2 banners for a summer camp for inner-city kids?”.

Within SECONDS I was ReTweeted by @TrekLightGear and within minutes I was sent all around the Twitterverse by a number of Tweeps who have no other connection to me than a shared online community.  Shortly thereafter, I had 1 Twitter offer, 2 Facebook offers and 1 more Twitter inquiry.

I have now communicated with 2 people who made offers, supplied info to the inquiry, and let one off the hook who was willing to help but ready to submit to the stronger talents of her offering peers.  I am looking forward to seeing the next steps progress and finding out how powerful the world of Social Media can be.

I realize this is no Mayor Shoveling my Grandfather’s Driveway kind of story, but nonetheless it shows the power inherent with people.  As a nonprofit camp in 2010, budgets are tight and I was concerned that design fees would push us out of the running to design these banners we are using to help recruit campers and counselors (as well as spruce up the dining hall a bit).  But people stepped forward to donate a hand and those without the ability lent a hand in finding one that could.

I look forward to keeping you all up-to-date with how this all pans out.

And let me know if there is anything I can do to help you!

Via Twitter:

@TrekLightGear @SherryinAL @thehunterswife @thinkplum
@outdoorjobs @betsycurtin @getaplumjob @EmilyLozano
@ohiooutside @anglersaccess

(Hope I didn’t miss any)

Via Facebook:

www.danielreid.com www.undergracephoto.com

Another night, another night at work. So far, the CHA nights have gone well; I’ve talked to parents representing 100 interested potential campers. Not a bad start, I’d say. I just hope they register!

After this I’ll be heading to Mike & Maggie’s to help them pack up a UHaul trailer with a oneway ticket to suburbian misery, I mean, the suburbs, excuse my slip. Should be fun though, a beverage or two perhaps and some manual labor never hurt anyone.

Come to think of it, that combination has likely hurt many people in the past.

Tomorrow is another work day, well, a work 1/4 day anyway. I have 2 interviews; 1 at 10am and 1 at 11am. I really enjoy doing staff interviews though, so I hardly consider it to be work.

All-in-all, I’d say it was a pretty good week. I feel like I got a lot of work done and had a pretty good time doing it. Now, I just have to find out if mom is in town for Mother’s Day or not…

As Nick’s last meal with Katie and I in Chicago before he moves out and leaves for the Navy, we’re at Taco Bell.

Well, another day another nickel. I started work this morning about 6am, right after I dropped Katie off at work.

I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to waking up at 5am, though I to typically enjoy it once I’m up and moving. The city is awesome as the sun is rising, it’s peaceful. I love driving down Michigan Ave and not getting stopped at every light behind 50 cars.

I’m waiting for my bad luck to hit though. When I parked my car at work, a black cat immediately ran in front of me, you can kind of see it looking all bad-omeny in one of the pics below. Though so far, I remain unscathed.

The hour-plus drive home from Wood Badge was nice, since it gave me a chance to talk to a handful of friends I haven’t heard from in a while. Plus, it was a smooth ride with minimal traffic, always a good thing.

Sadly, I missed the Cubs clinching the division while I was away. But hey, at least it happened, go Cubs! I was upset I missed the Bears game until I saw they blew it!

Well, enough lolly-gagging (is that right? It looks a lot worse types than it sounds, why would anyone gag a lolly?), time to get back to work.

Oh, and I took the pic of that huge crane because as it drove passed me I realize it’s tires were almost as big as my car! That was a bit intimidating, luckily, I survived.