Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday. Holy Made-Up Holidays, Batman! If you’ve had the same experience I have in the past week, you’ve probably been inundated with opportunities to spend money. So it was refreshing to see an idea in my inbox Tuesday morning about promoting another cleverly made-up special day:
Thanking Thursday.
And for once, it doesn’t cost a thing! In fact, I’ve heard that saying thank you actually puts positive karmic currency back INTO your pocket. (really!!) So I am all over #ThankingThursday in this post.
This year especially, we have so many people to thank. The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School has been a nonprofit educational organization since 1964. Succinctly translated, that means we have needed an entire community to support us in so many different ways. And let’s face it, we’ve been through some serious squall drills in the last few years and we’ve needed all hands on deck. Boy, has that happened. The Hurricane Island Outward Bound School would not be here today without the hard work and steadfast dedication of many in that community. I won’t name any names, because inevitably I will leave someone out or embarrass someone who doesn’t always appreciate being asked to take a public bow (and I have a history of “foot-in mouth” disease). But, in hopefully not-too-broad a swath, here is a list of groups of people we could not do without:
Students
We wouldn’t be a school without students. Each summer hundreds of students arrive at each of our basecamps. And I am certain none of them really have any idea what they are about to experience. If you’re an alum yourself, you probably remember the excitement and/or nervousness of those first few hours of course, overwhelmed by new people to get to know, new skills to develop, and a new environment to immerse yourself in. The magic of an Outward Bound experience is that there is always a unique challenge for each student. Natural, experienced leaders learn how to be supportive crew members. The less confident students find their voice and learn to step up and lead. Students comfortable in the wilderness often learn how to work in a close community, and the social butterflies learn to enjoy solitude and personal reflection. It’s inspiring how our students put so much trust in us so quickly, and then just a few weeks or days later return with newfound courage and compassion.
Alumni
And once those students graduate, with freshly received pins and recovering from bug stress, they return home as our greatest ambassadors. They tell their friends and families about their amazing experience. They demonstrate the growth they achieved over their course. They go on to become leaders in their communities, and many will credit their Outward Bound experience as a pivotal time in their life, putting them on a path to success. Many never really leave Outward Bound – returning as staff members, jumping on the Board or Council, becoming volunteers or donors.
Staff: Instructors, Field & Support Staff, and Administrative Staff
I could probably say this about all of you, but I cannot say often enough about our staff – we could not do what we do without them. We probably ask more than we should of them. And I am amazed at how they continue to rise to the occasion and come back to us year after year to spend time with our students and continue running (IMHO) the best Outward Bound courses in the world. While there have been many changes behind the scenes at Outward Bound over the past five decades, I am proud to say that our courses are much the same as they were when H-1 ran and dipped off Hurricane Island in 1964. And this is entirely due to veteran staff members who continue to mentor new staff, staff members who “retire” from the field but take on another role to continue their journey with us, and new staff who jump in on Day 1 of training and are hooked on our unique educational model that offers so much to our students.
50th Anniversary Volunteers, Honorees, Sponsors, Speakers & Guests
In 2014, we have the unique opportunity to celebrate 50 years of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School. Throwing a big fundraising party in rural Maine—and on an island no less—is a big challenge. Many people stepped up and put in countless hours to make sure the Bash, the Art Auction, the Artists day on Hurricane Island, and the Reunion on Hurricane Island were all successful. Several people lent their names and reputations to the event to make it an event not to be missed. Not to mention the hundreds of people who attended! It’s a lot to ask of someone to travel to midcoast Maine for a weekend in August, and we are so very thankful for all who were able to make the journey up here, and those who couldn’t make it but continue to cheer us on for the next 50 years.
Donors, Supporters and Cheerleaders
Since we re-established as an independent, Maine-based organization in 2012, roughly 20% of each year’s revenue used for operating and scholarship expenses has come in the form of charitable contributions. While the majority of our operating expenses are covered by tuition and fee payments, charitable contributions make it possible for us to bring Outward Bound programs to all individuals in need of an Outward Bound experience through a robust Scholarship Program, allowing us to bring a diverse student population to each course. Contributions also allow us to continuously improve our training offerings to our field staff and work to improve staff benefits to make sure we can hang on to the rock star instructors and logisticians who come to us. A gift to Hurricane Island Outward Bound School is a very tangible and much appreciated way to show your support for what we do.
Board Members & Council Members
Last but not least, those who have stepped up to serve and lead our school. Some Board and Council members have been with us for many years, having previously served as HIOBS Trustees or Members of the Corporation, others have spent countless hours in the field. Some have found their way back to us, many years after their own Outward Bound experience put them on a path for success and want to help make sure the same opportunity continues to be available to others. Whether it’s just sending a note of thanks to a supporter, recruiting students at their local school, putting their own reputations on the line by soliciting gifts of support within their own families and communities, or making a financial gift themselves. We ask a lot of our Board and Council members and they deliver enthusiastically, working tirelessly to ensure we are steering this boat (ahem) in the right direction. They give much of their time, talent and treasure and we are forever grateful for all they do for our staff, students and alumni.
I don’t know if #ThankingThursday will catch on in the greater world of social media, but I’m glad it prompted me reflect on all the people who have made 50 years of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School possible. We couldn’t have done it without you.
So thank you. All of you. With your help and support we will continue to serve, to strive and not to yield for AT LEAST 50 MORE YEARS! (And, yes, I was yelling just then.)
To those in the field,
Eric Denny