Last week at BMSI

I was able to go into Philadelphia and check out the historic sites last week. Our tourist industry can learn a lot from the way things are done here. They really maximise the historic heritage of this area. Even have a purple bus that cost a dollar a ride and runs in a loop around the historic areas of the city. They also have a another bus, called a trolley that is more the guided tour thing. They of course target the family as it is summer here and of course the foreign tourist also will benefit from this.

Last week we managed to give CS a surprise party for her retirement from BMSI. We each got black t-shirts with yellow print. I surmise that yellow was the colour of her class when she was at BM. Lots of pictures were taken and old faculty and alum of BMSI were here.

Last week we had a 30's table, which I found extremely valuable and I was able to ask questions and talk about some of the things that I have been experiencing, which was echoed around the table. This was affirming.

This weekend I was able to go off to the South Eastern Cherokee celebration on the GP on PL. I got some contemporary NA music. I think that art is a way of taking some of the people and the culture of a place with you. Of course I also added to my personal collection of items that I collect in different places.

Being a university town there are two bookstores in the area and I have been able to get a few titles that I have been waiting for for ages back home.

This week really bring to a conclusion the professional development that was running through as a theme in the curriculum. I am inspired and have tons of ideas again. But also focussed in obtaining really specific things.

This week, as part of IE, we are looking at finances, fundraising, budgeting etc. It is extremely useful and valuable and I have some ideas that I hope to use when I get back home.

We are meeting the President of BM, tomorrow. It's been really great that they have been able to collect together in one week- AE- so many HE presidents, and the opportunity to speak with them first hand about many things.

A note: There are 3 BM graduates amongst the participants. BM being women's only HE institute, I think there is a correlation between these women being in leadership positions and having graduated from an all women's HEI.
Therefore, I think the same can be said about the BMSI being all female as with HSAA; that the value in the all female is the role model on unconscious level that is set, which is something that males do not have a problem with because society is patriachal and have many male figures in leadership positions. Hence, little boys have from a very early role models in leadership positions, and do not need the re-socialization to realise their full potential as leaders.