July 2020: Seven Words
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The Dog Days of Summer are upon us, and with that, the GCF family hopes you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy and remaining mindful of others if you are venturing out for recreation. We are living in complex times that speak of transformation in so many ways. Opportunity beckons; it is ours as individuals and societies to decide our direction.
In the past four months since mid-March, life for the GCF family has unmistakably been profound… and remarkable. Seven words come immediately to mind:
Charity: Like for so many, these have been uncertain times financially. GCF has been blessed with the charitable giving of foundations, businesses, and individuals who have supported our mission. We have set up a special thank you page on our website for those who have given so generously.
Collaboration: Whether helping each other teach and learn or helping each other plan and implement to fortify our mission today and for years to come, collaboration is at the foundation of all we do as a family.
Dedication: This includes the devotion to our mission and principles in everything we do, as well as the dedication GCF participants demonstrate in continuing their education as they transitioned from in-person to distance-learning classes.
Flexibility: Many GCF participants have been enrolled at their campuses for years. Within one week’s time from when we suspended in-person classes on March 13, dozens of participants transitioned to online teaching and learning. Since that time, GCF participants have increased their distance-learning involvement to over 60%. In the words of Greg Getty, a GC Springfield participant, "During Covid-19 Global Campus helped me to keep believing in myself and learning remotely showed me anything is possible."
Enthusiasm: Now that our laptop and iPad loaner library is becoming operational, thanks to generous donations by foundations and individuals, even more participants will become involved in distance-learning through the summer, into the fall, and onward.
Excitement: GCF is entering its 20th year! With that, we are in the planning stages of launching a capital campaign to help sustain GCF for another 20 years and beyond. Developing our online and social media presence will play a central role in this campaign. The Oakland Foundation has provided a generous seed grant to launch a new website. We are so appreciative. We have more money to raise before we start work. If you wish to contribute to what promises to be a wonderful new look, you may donate online.
Governance: Since mid-April, we have added four new directors to our board! And what an impressive group, at that.
Charles Dickens wrote in A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” I share that perspective, which makes me take pause. For the Global Campuses Foundation, these are times of great hope, of overcoming challenges and rising to the task. I need not look any further than the challenges and triumphs of GCF participants to take heart and declare, “All things are possible!”
Keeping you and your loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.