NWP: Blossoming in 2007
by Lindsay Sorben, DWP regional liaison
I left the Midwest on a chilly, drizzly March morning for Washington, D.C., packed for a week of Capitol-Hill-lobbying, cherry-blossom-viewing, Smithsonian-walking, and Metro-riding excitement. Delayed flights and terminal sprints got me to our nation’s capital in time for delayed baggage and shuttle-bus searching. Despite the mishaps of traveling, I sat in awe of the city in the back seat of the Super Shuttle van, admiring Roman architecture frosted with pink and white blossoms.
With Sharon Olbertson as my trusty cohort, I enveloped myself in the mission at hand, fully believing in what that mission was and how much of a difference we were going to make for the future of the National Writing Project and Dakota Writing Project. It began with a social (in the style of NWP) and our itinerary of the next two days. Mission: to win over South Dakota legislators and earn their signatures for renewed funding in 2008.
It was a busy day on Capitol Hill. Votes were being taken on the Iraq spending bill, and legislators were committed to various meetings. We knew that meeting with the legislators was going to be difficult.
First Stop: Senator Thune’s office. Sharon and I spoke with Mr. Thune’s education aide. We spoke of National Writing Project philosophy and practices. We also spoke of specific goals and concerns of South Dakota teachers. Fortunately, being a member of the DWP Board of Directors, I had just attended our annual planning retreat, which allowed me to share a few of our visions for the coming year. I explained the plans of using the Dakota Digital Network (DDN) to reach teachers across the state and “broadcast” four DWP teacher-consultants’ writing demonstrations. I expressed DWP’s intentions of being a service to the South Dakota Department of Education. Senator’s aid was diligent in her notes, assuring us that our efforts would be shared with him.
As we were about to leave, Senator Thune himself stepped into the meeting room! Much to the delight of both Sharon and me, we were able to give an abbreviated speech to Senator Thune. We knew he was a hard sell and a busy man. With an assured nod and grin, the Senator left us, and we soon left the aide. We knew that it was unlikely that he would support the Dakota Writing Project with his signature, as he had not done so in the past, but at this point, we were still hopeful.
Second Stop: Representative Herseth’s office. Once again we met with another education aide. This time it was a fellow South Dakotan, and we needed no extra explanation of our state’s geography and challenges because of that. Ms. Herseth has long been a supporter of the Dakota Writing Project, so we went into an easygoing meeting. The speech was simplified, knowing that we had her support. We did include our plans for the year, however, which left the aide excited about the possibilities.
Just as we were leaving her office, Representative Herseth walked through the door! We said a brief hello and wished her well on her wedding only two days later.
Third (and final) Stop: Senator Johnson’s office. We hoped that we would get the chance to meet with Mr. Johnson. Instead, we met with his long-time education aide to education, Erin. Senator Johnson has always supported the cause of NWP, but, unfortunately, his signature would probably not be on the list because of his medical condition and concerns. We were assured, however, that his support was still with us. It was a candid conversation, and Sharon and I left in good spirits, ready to experience D.C.
The challenges of getting to Washington, D.C. were long since forgotten while I walked the Mall and gazed at the cherry blossoms. Not since my year teaching in Japan had I seen such a display. Truly breathtaking!
Friday’s round-table discussions were enjoyable and enlightening. I sat in a session that addressed the concerns that many other sites shared with us: getting our name out there, assisting with the needs of teachers in our region, and continuing the purpose of NWP. Such great discussions and ideas came out of it! I am anxious to tell my fellow DWPers all about it!
My mission had concluded, but my adventure in D.C. had only begun. I took in the Cherry Blossom Festival, including the opening ceremonies. I attended a Smithsonian-sponsored concert kicking off their tribute to Japan and Japanese culture. I walked. I rode the metro. I ventured solo for a day in our nation’s capital. It was an amazing experience.
So I returned to the Midwest from 60- and 70-degree weather to a blustery 40-degree, rainy day, threatening snow and ice. Once again, I was delayed and reassigned a different flight; I missed that flight and was reassigned to a later flight. Unfortunately, my luggage was lost, somewhere between Chicago and Minneapolis. I am uncertain if I was more upset over leaving spring and coming back to winter, losing my belongings, or missing out on what I had left behind in Washington, D.C. I captured as best I could in pictures and words, but those days are only marked by the steps I took where history took place and continues to take place. It was just another NWP stamp in my passport of experiences. I look forward to the next page and next mission.
