Solution Series: The Meeting

We cannot sit by and simply watch from the sidelines. There are no sidelines. Under the laws of Physics, in order to maintain the same relative position to a moving body, one cannot stand still. As others change, so must we…we cannot sit by…we cannot…simply watch from the sidelines…there are no sidelines…laws of Physics…one cannot stand still…as others change, so must we…cannot watch…no sidelines…cannot stand still…as others change, so must we…so must we…must we…we…must…change.

“Alright, it’s 10 minutes past; so I’m going to go ahead and get this thing started.”
“For those of you who don’t know or may have forgotten, My name is BT Solution, and I am the Founder and Director of the ‘Read For the Stars’ Program—the reason for which I assume that you all are here. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to my Co-Director, Ms. Gene Yus. I would also like to recognize returning volunteer and this year’s volunteer coordinator, Ms. Rose McCauley. Become familiar with these three faces. If any needs, concerns, or issues arise, feel free to pull one of us aside and address them. That is why we are here—to serve you as a volunteer.”

BT continued to lay out the foundation for how the summer was going to work. Then, Gene came to the front of the room and effortlessly went over all of the critical points that BT had forgotten. Gene had been spending hours and hours prior to the meeting talking on the phone and sitting down face-to-face with BT getting his program organized. BT outlined out his plan to Gene and told her of the issues he had had the previous year.

Of course, Gene did not let BT know so bluntly, but she could see why BT had so many problems. There were so many holes in his plans that needed to be filled. Not to be confused, Gene was impressed by BT’s vision. He made it clear to her that he wanted to dream—and dream big! She knew BT found something he believed in with this literacy program. But, like the old book told her, faith without works is dead. So, in order to keep his dream alive, that is just what she supplied—work.

Unfortunately, the group of volunteers sitting in the seats of that old school, where they held their meetings, did not know how much effort in which Gene had put forth. If they had, maybe Gene would have received more respect, as she addressed them. But, the clamor of whispers, bathroom exits and returns, and cell phone ringtones said otherwise. Yet, she did not let the people know that it bothered her. She just kept right along, talking and mapping out the masterplan to inspire the next generation.

Gene could never understand it. The volunteers hated BT. He was blindly optimistic and insensitive. He was garrulous and pompous. However, when he spoke, they listened. He commanded their attention. No one loved him, but for some strange reason, they all respected him. There goes that name, again.

Gene continued going over the specifics of lesson plans and activities that were going to be implemented. As she spoke, the disrespectful clamor escalated. Minutes later, mayhem erupted. Meanwhile, a man walked in from the back of the room and took a seat in the very back row. He crossed his legs and cracked a smile, as he watched what was soon to be an apocalypse.

But, soon never happened. As BT stepped back to the front of the group to try to assuage the situation, a voice spoke out,

“I can’t believe you all are acting like this. Don’t you know what’s at stake? I think all you all need to take a good look at yourselves and ask yourselves why you are here. And, if it is not for the right reason, then you should get up and leave! I don’t know about any of you, but I’m here to change some things around in this town.”

“I made it to college just like all of you, but—for me—it was hard. I got rejected by every school I applied to because my test scores were too low. Why was I having problems with the tests? In high school, I was reading at an 8th grade level. So, after high school, I had to spend an extra year working on my reading skills in order to try and get into a school. All I did was work and read. And, it paid off—it got me into Hughes College.”

“Imagine if people like me, who are our age, had had a program like this when we were coming up. Imagine if a few college students from the area had decided to care during the summer, when they came home. But, you can’t imagine, if you’re distracted. And, you can’t imagine, if you don’t listen to the dream.”

“This is not something we can do. This is not even just something we should do. This is something we must do! We can’t just continue to sit around and watch the kids in Alexandria fail. There ain’t no seats! So, all we can do is stand up and make something happen or lay down and get ran over. And, that’s all I got to say.”

Rose sat back down, after speaking words of passion. The room was silent for a moment. The only sounds were Rose’s words still echoing off the walls. BT, standing in awe, moved to the front the room and brought the meeting to a close. He stayed after and congregated with the other college students for a while. Then, he headed to his car, and as he put his backpack in the backseat, he looked up and from his side view mirror, saw Gene and Rose.

They were talking about something. BT didn’t ponder on the topic of their conversation for too long. He was too busy rejoicing. For once, he finally felt like was not alone in the battle.

This time, BT had others latched onto his dream, and he prayed to God that they would not let go.

“BT, I need to talk to you for a minute” yelled a strange voice from the other side of the parking lot.

OxyJon