Connecting with Networking
Good day, everyone! I hope you are all keeping warm (no comment from you all in the perpetually warm climates!). Keeping warm...now there's a challenge! I have lived in cold climates for the majority of my life, which began in Rome, New York. I remember the snow blizzard of '62 (that's 1962 for all of you born after 1970!). The snow banks were so high that we could not see the gas station on the street in front of our house! Even as a child, I did not enjoy the cold and snow. I was all for enjoying the hot cup of cocoa without having to GET COLD first! Ironically, 40 years later in 2002, I lived for 2 years in Presque Isle, Maine. In case you don't understand the magnitude of the irony of this move, Google map it and you will be enlightened! Presque Isle is a quaint town, with wonderful and friendly people, a state university, an excellent school system and a terrific hospital. It is "nestled" about a 15-minute drive from the Canadian border and enjoys nearly 9 months of snowmobiling weather! Caribou, Maine, the Northeast's barometer of just how cold it can get up there...is Presque Isle's neighbor. When I described the climate to my mother that first winter, she asked, "Explain to me again why you would choose to move there?" She's tough, my mom!
Why DID I choose Presque Isle, Maine? Mostly, it was the people. It isn't really true that people from Maine don't trust the rest of us. They just take a little more time to assess our sincerity and trustworthiness. In my case, the first people I met on my interview at The Aroostook County Medical Center (TAMC) were smiling, laughing and, in general, having a good time working together. Maybe this was because it was summer!!! No, really, they were especially anxious to help me and to have me live and work among them. I soon realized that there was a lot I could learn from these gentle, if not doubting, Mainers.
So, where am I going with this? Well, recently I read an Advance Magazine article in the "Career Corner" titled, "How Not to Network." In it, Ms. Koehler provides a valuable piece of insight that sent my memories of Presque Isle into a swirl. It goes, "Networking is the key to building new contacts and resources. You may be standing next to someone who can hire you for the next job, provide insight into a tricky problem you're struggling with or even become a mentor, but if you don't start talking, you'll never realize it." The author of that quote, Margaret DeMarino, a corporate trainer, must have once lived in Presque Isle! If not, then her advice couldn't be more appropriate for life in a small town. One of the first "warning orders" I received from our bold and brilliant rehab center secretary at TAMC was "Be careful who you talk about because the person you are talking to is no doubt going to be his or her cousin!" And she was SO right! My hairdresser was related to the guy who did my snowplowing. The gentleman who collected my garbage was close friends with the guy who built the small addition on my house. And the secretary at the rehab center knew EVERYBODY!
But, her advice actually helped me in a much more positive way. As a member of her close-knit community, I provided school-based OT services to 6 local schools. I interacted with their children - their most precious commodity. I offered advice and asked for their support of OT. I asked for their trust. And I can tell you that, from the very beginning, it was evident that trust was the most important ingredient. The parents, principals, teachers and staff needed to know that I would be consistent, open and compassionate. They needed evidence, which they silently collected for the first 3 months. On my side of the bargain, listening, observing and exercising patience were the key elements to success.
I soon learned that my progress was being shared by the parents and staff in each school (as they no doubt were neighbors and/or relatives). How did I learn this? Of course, from the rehab secretary, who was a neighbor or friend or relative with everyone! Within a few months, I found that the staff was asking more questions, the principals were asking for my advice, and the teachers were demonstrating a bit more flexibility in their schedules. (Please understand that these people were wonderful from the start! So I knew that these extras represented their trust in our relationship.)
And then the day came when the true "rite of passage" was tested. First, let's go over a bit of school-based history. This was my first school-based OT position. In my previous life, I was a teacher. I was accustomed in that role to having my own "space." Space is important. It marks your territory, allows for privacy, gives you an identity, and in general, is hard to come by as an OT! I had been informed at the interview that there was a definite lack of space at the schools and that obtaining a dedicated OT space would be a futile struggle. (OK, don't say things like ‘futile struggle' to Katherine...only leads to an attempt to correct that!) After the secretary had bestowed her compliments on me about my ability to "fit right in" and gain the respect of her neighbors/relatives, I decided it was time to "get my space!"
My mentor indicated that I should start by setting up meetings with the six principals. This I did...arming myself with a well-thought out plan for their perusal. And, low and behold, five of the six agreed to provide private space for OT sessions! For some schools, a room was designated for OT use on the days when I worked with their students. For other schools, a room was dedicated solely for OT. Of course, I did a great deal of work in the classrooms, so the spaces allowed for privacy for testing, 1:1 therapy, and storage of equipment.
But here comes the best part! Remember "school number six"...the reluctant one? In all fairness, the school was crowded. However, I found providing services in the hallway as totally unacceptable. Well, the principal of school number one called the principal of school number six and provided some insight. (Turns out that the principal of school number one was previously the Director of Special Education in that district!) She persuaded him to allow OT use of the library for one day! I was in heaven. Sometimes, things just feel good!
Of course, although I'd love to take full credit for this success, I know that it was truly the work of the network of community members in Presque Isle, Maine, who made it happen. Their dedication to the children and their belief in the benefits of OT set it all in motion. In the end, all the neighbors and relatives came together to help the person from "down under" connect with them. Yes, I did learn a lot from them!
So, until next time,
Stay Connected!
Katherine