Serving Others on the Job

A few weeks ago my Charlotte pastor talked to the church members about how we might serve God. He said that whatever our day job is, there is always an opportunity to serve. It doesn't matter if we work as bankers, lawyers, or other professions that lend themselves more to service such as teachers, social workers, counselors, etc. -- there is always a way to do God's work.

As I was reading the June 2008 issue of The Atlantic magazine recently, I came across a Verizon Wireless ad that made me think of my pastor's talk about service. It's not often that an advertisement makes you think about altruism and how you can help others, but this one did.

Here's Olga Mendez's story and I have to give her credit for finding a way to serve others on the job. These are the words from the ad, verbatim.

Olga Mendez trains employees at a Verizon Wireless call center. But she also helps the company teach another important skill: life.

As part of Verizon Wireless' innovative HopeLine program, which distributes free cell phones and airtime to victims of domestic violence, Olga helps Spanish-speaking women navigate the difficult road back to independence. A survivor of an abusive relationship herself, she gives them the support and practical advice they need to break the cycle of domestic violence and strike out in the world on their own. Speaking in their native Spanish, she helps them with everything from writing a resume to dressing for a job interview.

Olga knows how important it is to gain back one's self-respect. And her career at Verizon Wireless has been a vital part of her recovery.

As Olga says, "A lot of companies talk about giving back to the community, but Verion Wireless really walks the walk."

Do your thing sister!

Live Free or Die!

Here are some intriguing state mottos that I've come across while teaching ESL for Citizenship. These phrases tell you a lot about these states, I think. If you could create a motto for your state, what would you write?

Colorado
Nothing Without the Deity

Maryland
Manly deeds, womanly words

Maine
I lead

California
Eureka

New York
Ever upward

New Hampshire
Live free or die (My personal favorite)

Alabama
We Dare Defend Our Rights

Iowa
Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain

Texas
Friendship

Nebraska
Equality before the law

South Carolina
While I breathe, I hope
and
Ready in soul and resource

North Carolina
To be rather than to seem
(I can identify with that one!)

Obama vs. Clinton: The Stakes are High in North Carolina

Yes, I'm here in beautiful North Carolina and the political atmosphere is high. My phone (both the home phone and mobile) have been ringing off the hook with calls from candidates and their representatives for offices such as County Commissioners, District Court Judges and as you all know, the Democratic candidates for President -- Hillary and Obama.

I must say, the Obama campaign has been relentless. I'm still getting calls from the Tennessee Obama folks (I haven't lived in Tennessee since last summer) and they call me regularly here in Charlotte. Yesterday, a nice lady from Florida who is an Obama campaign worker, actually knocked on my door to ask who I'd be supporting. She told me where and when I could vote and asked if I'd like to volunteer for the campaign (I wish I had the time!)

Hillary's folks haven't called me at all. That just goes to show how much of a superb grassroots effort the Obama campaign has waged. Both Michelle and Obama have called my home (a recording of course) and urged me to get out and vote (early) for Obama.

The nice lady from Florida left a very attractive "Vote for Barack Obama" brochure with me, so I thought I'd share a little of what the pamphlet says:

If you want to change the world, the change has to happen with you first. ... We do what we do because God is with us. ... When Moses was first called to lead people to the Promised Land, he said, "I don't think I can do it, Lord. I don't feel brave and courageous."

The Lord said, "I will be with you ... I'll show you what to do."

-- Barack Obama, Selma Alabama, March 4, 2007

"I believe in the power of prayer. Through prayer, not only can we strengthen ourselves in adversity, but we can also find the empathy and the compassion and the will to deal with the problems that we do control. What I pray for is the strength and the wisdom to be able to act on those things that I can control...."

Amen and alleluia!

Passing the Test

Some of my students will attempt to pass the U.S. citizenship examination after they’ve lived in this country for at least 5 years. The test isn’t easy – they’ll have to prove that they can speak, write, and understand the English language proficiently. They also have to answer a series of questions about their background which can be pretty intimidating, especially if they answer “yes” to any of the questions.

Hear are just a few:

-- Have you ever failed to file your federal or state taxes?
-- Have you ever been a member of a terrorist organization?
--Have you ever advocated the overthrow of any government by force or violence?
-- Have you ever persecuted any person because of race, religion, national origin, or political opinion?
-- Have you ever committed a crime or offense for which you were not arrested?
--Have you ever been arrested, cited or detained by any officer for any reason?
-- Have you ever been charged with any crime or offence? ("No, I never break the law.")
-- Have you ever been convicted of a crime or offence?
-- Have you ever received a suspended sentence or been on probation?
-- Have you ever been a habitual drunkard?
-- Have you ever been a prostitute or procured anyone for prostitution? ("No, I have never done this.")
-- Have you ever sold illegal drugs or narcotics?
-- Have you ever failed to support your dependents or pay alimony?

Pretty intense, huh? How well would you fair if you had to answer those questions?

And here are just some of the Civics questions that the examiner could ask during the Citizenship interview. Do you know the answers to the following questions?

1. How many changes or amendments are there to the Constitution?
2. Who makes the laws in the United States?
3. Can you name the two Senators from your state?
4. What are the duties of the Supreme Court?
5. Who is the current governor of your state?
6. Who becomes President of the United States of America if the President and the Vice-President should die?
7. Who is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court?
8. Who said "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death?"
9. Which countries were our enemies during World War II?
10. Who is the head of our local government?
11. According to the Constitution, a person must meet certain requirements in order to be eligible to become President. Name one of the requirements.
12. Who selects the Supreme Court Justices?
13. How many Supreme Court Justices are there?
14. Who was the main writer of the Declaration of Independence?
15. When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
16. What is the basic belief of the Declaration of Independence?
17. Where does freedom of speech come from?
18. Who signs bills into law?
19. What special group advises the President?
20. Name three rights or freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.
21. Who has the power to declare war?
22. Name one amendment that guarantees or addresses voting rights?
23. In what year was the Constitution written?
24. Name one purpose of the United Nations.
25. How many times may a Senator be re-elected?
26. How many times may a Congressman be re-elected?