My wife was just acknowledged this past week for her 40 years of employment at the university where she works. It’s a thing they do every year - I mentioned it two weeks ago. Once a year in May, employees get recognition and some token of appreciation in thanks for their service starting at their fifth year, and then again in 5-year increments for as long as they stay. Those in the higher seniority ranks, as well as the retirees and those receiving emeritus status (who are also feted at these events), are expected to give a few remarks about their experiences at Seattle University (a Jesuit college, not to be confused with a certain PAC-12 school up the road a few miles). Of course, I was present this year, and I noted a common theme to these speeches — that was their gratefulness for the campus “community”.
That got me thinking. I’ve been to a lot of these things, but this time that struck a particular note with me. It makes sense now after all these years, and I can see why my wife enjoys working at the place. It was never perfect, with some tension at times with supervisors, and low pay initially. But there are threads of continuity, through her co-workers, a few of whom are still there from the beginning. Being part of the school grow and improve has also been a point of enjoyment. And the overall steadiness of the place stands in contrast with many other large businesses - enterprises that change in ways which can make the employees casualties of economic transition.
There is also a culture at the school that we both have always liked, a common world-view by those connected with it, be they Catholic, or areligious as is more the case. I have always enjoyed meeting the people there, be they currently connected, or those long gone down the road. This something lacking in the places I have worked, and I’ve always been envious.
Chapel of St. Ignatius at Seattle University where my son was married. The couple are both SU graduates, a furthering our sense of community with the place.
Community…I did not particularly feel that working at the places where I did. Small businesses, working with people I didn’t have a lot in common with. Sure, I’d have lunch and after-work drinks with them, but my fellow employees and I never really bonded…and that is certainly the case with my bosses.
Then, in the early 1990s I started working for myself as a contractor, often from home with only the cat-o-the-moment to keep me company. That gave me some personal freedom, but working alone can get lonely. Then…
…Boom…the blogs came along. I could have a “coffee-break” or “lunch” with folks from around the country that I could identify with and not some guy talking about his weekend experiences I didn’t get into. Nor did I have to hear their bonehead political thoughts that don’t mesh with mine in the least. So I have taken a sense of community from various sites…especially this spot inn the ‘tubes.
Involvement with my local Democratic Party organization also gives me a strong feeling of community. I walked in cold 12 years ago, but it didn’t take me long to feel right at home with the others of like-mind. Good people. I need that.
Where do you find your sense of community?
RSVPS
1. bleeding blue, organizer (kosmail him to connect)
2. rb137
3. Tbone Apollo
4. ptressel
5. SninkyPoo
6. FlamingoGrrl
7. Gemina13
8.
MAYBEES :
Kitsap River and Charles
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RSVPS
1. ChrisLove, organizer (kosmail him to connect)
2. Smoh (meet-up in honor of...)
3. htowngenie
4. Mary
5. Alan
6.
MAYBEES :
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Netroots Nation 2018