Good morning everyone!
I am currently sitting on the train making my way to New Jersey where I will be serving with Charity Navigator. First and foremost, I want to wish everyone good, continued and meaningful service.
Class 11 fellows: This is the beginning of a journey that we will ultimately shape ourselves, so get ready to take hold and harness in all the support and resources that have been provided to us. We are off to a great start. I am excited to see everyone’s future progress, development and achievements, because I know we have a great group and a great support team in the Atlas Corps staff. As well, from getting to meet some of your supervisors, it seems clear to me that there will be substantial solid leadership development to come.
To the fellows leaving in the next month or two: You are some of the pioneers that are helping pave the way for this program. Make the most out of the last portion of your stay and thank you for all the feedback and recommendations that have helped shape the program. It is time of an exciting next step. Enjoy the ride!
I must say, these past two weeks have been more than I expected; not only from a professional standpoint, but from a personal one as well. To Scott, Kelly, Abby, Emily, Meredith, Lenore, Dave and Dipanwita: “Thanks for the great orientation and training that you put together and just getting us all here in the first place.”
From a personal standpoint, thank you Atlas Corps family. I have had so many great and deep conversations over the past two weeks and learnt so much from everyone that it has been a pleasure to get to meet and get closer to all of you. I feel quite humble to be in the same group. In being a satellite fellow, I know that I will be a bit removed, but I do hope to be able to keep in touch with as many of you as possible.
It is definitely bittersweet to be leaving to my host organization. I will definitely miss the packed, crazy and dynamic last two weeks, but at the same time, I have been growing incrementally excited about getting to my host organization. My curiosity in learning more about the organization and how I can best contribute has peaked, so I actually can’t wait to arrive in just a few hours.
On that note, I will leave you with one last thought: “Change your perspective, change the world.”
And when you think about it. Why not?
Your fellow,
Steven Caron serving at Charity Navigator in New Jersey