WEBVTT
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00:00:14.960Welcome to Off the CUPF.
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00:00:25.359This is a community use of public facilities podcast powered by the Interagency Coordinating Board, also known as the ICB, and that is our governing board.
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00:00:29.839Did you know you can reserve indoor and outdoor community space in a school?
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00:00:37.759Well, schools are great places to conduct a wide variety of activities, classes, performances, camps, and cultural and religious programs.
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00:00:39.759How about regional service centers?
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00:00:46.320They provide an opportunity for bringing together county resources, community activities, and support groups.
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00:00:52.240Available venues are here to be reserved, and we are the office that can make it happen.
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00:00:56.000We are CUPF, and thank you for joining our community podcast.
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00:00:57.359Let's get started.
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00:00:58.960Here we go, here we go.
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00:01:02.560Another phenomenal voiceover by uh director Ramona Bell Pearson.
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00:01:03.119But you know what?
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00:01:04.239I know what, you know what?
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00:01:06.079Last episode we were talking about retirements.
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00:01:12.159You know, I was crying in the background and stuff like that as we were talking about Ramona because Ramona is such an awesome director and awesome person.
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00:01:13.760But Ramona's still here.
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00:01:15.439She's not she's not gone.
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00:01:18.560So we're back doing another one with Ramona.
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00:01:20.879Yes, yeah, yay for us, but hi Ramona.
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00:01:23.040But you know, I suspect Derek, this is the last one.
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00:01:25.280Oh, why you had to be why you had to do that?
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00:01:29.519I gotta, I gotta temper the you know, the expectations.
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00:01:30.480Oh, okay.
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00:01:32.319Well, what are your highs and lows?
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00:01:35.680How are you feeling, Ramona?
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00:01:36.640How are you?
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00:01:39.280The highs are it's been a nice summer.
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00:01:42.159It's been hot, but not too bad.
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00:01:58.480Um, because you know, one of the things that happens in summer when we have really bad temperatures or high temperatures is we have to cancel community use or at least invite permit holders to cancel without a penalty, no cancellation fee, refund of their money, which means we don't make money.
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00:02:00.400But um, so that's a low.
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00:02:04.319Um, but a high is we haven't had that many days this year like that.
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00:02:06.079So that's pretty good.
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00:02:07.040Okay, okay.
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00:02:10.000I think a high for me is that you're you know, you're still around.
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00:02:11.759That's a good high for me.
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00:02:12.240I feel good.
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00:02:12.719I feel good.
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00:02:13.360I feel good.
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00:02:17.120Uh but a low for me is that I our summer fellow is leaving soon.
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00:02:20.240No, yeah, yeah, you know, you know, Sarah, Sarah's been rocking it.
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00:02:22.879Sarah's been rocking it, been doing great work.
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00:02:26.159I'm not even gonna look over if Sarah's not here, but how you doing, Sarah?
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00:02:27.360I'm I'm doing great.
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00:02:30.000Um yeah, I'll go through my highs and lows too.
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00:02:30.639Yes.
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00:02:38.560Um, high is that I do have some time before the school year starts to, you know, do things for myself.
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00:02:41.680Um, so I'll go on a trip somewhere.
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00:02:49.360Um, lows, though, was this program's ending, and I have to go back to my regular insane school schedule.
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00:02:53.280And I've really enjoyed just being able to work for CUPF during the summer.
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00:02:56.879Um, so that's a low for me, is having to go back to school.
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00:02:58.800Oh my god, you gotta go back to school.
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00:03:00.240Yeah, that's crazy.
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00:03:04.000Yeah, Ramona, Ron, Sarah.
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00:03:07.199Wow, this is, you know what, this is we just going down the list.
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00:03:08.879But we got Emily though.
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00:03:10.479Hey, what's up, Emily?
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00:03:12.719Emily's back every Emily's back, everybody.
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00:03:13.759Emily's back.
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00:03:14.719Hey, Emily.
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00:03:16.080Emily, I'm sorry, go ahead.
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00:03:16.800Highs and lows.
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00:03:17.919Just give us everything.
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00:03:19.360Highs and lows.
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00:03:28.639Highs, um, I went out and I bought a whole bunch of rubber ducks uh and I placed them on our manager's desks.
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00:03:30.240I uh gave Derek one.
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00:03:31.840It's right uh in front of us.
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00:03:32.400Thank you.
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00:03:34.240Uh so that's what's his name?
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00:03:35.039I don't know.
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00:03:36.800I was gonna say Howard.
00:03:37.199 -->
00:03:37.919Howard it is.
00:03:37.919 -->
00:03:38.879Howard, the duck.
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00:03:44.080I was afraid he was Howard.
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00:03:45.680Marvel's gonna call.
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00:03:49.680We get a call from Disney immediately.
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00:03:55.599Uh no, I um and my lows, honestly, I don't really have a low.
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00:04:02.240Well, I can say that it's Tuesday, and I wish it was a Friday.
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00:04:05.520But that's not really a low.
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00:04:07.199That's just like any day that's like a Friday.
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00:04:08.240I wish it was a Friday.
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00:04:12.159Well, here we are, here we are.
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00:04:14.639We're just we're just gonna keep laughing and just having good times.
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00:04:21.839But this episode is, you know, connecting the dots, sharing community engagement experiences and how it aligns with our our current titles and stuff like that.
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00:04:23.279But we're gonna jump straight into it.
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00:04:25.759We're gonna talk about uh uh like a did you know, did you know?
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00:04:27.199And Ramona, this is a big one.
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00:04:33.199We we actually got a couple topics going on here, but let's get into our uh to the community, our listeners.
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00:04:36.480Are you familiar with our emergency closing policy?
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00:04:38.800Woo! Do you know about it?
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00:04:43.279It is a very intense conversation when it comes to closings.
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00:04:48.720I'll stop there because I wanted to bounce back to Ramona just to get this conversation started.
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00:04:50.959We have closing policies, Ramona.
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00:04:52.639Director, give it to us.
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00:04:53.519Please, let's talk about it.
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00:04:55.120Yeah, we do, we do.
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00:05:04.480Well, first of all, let me say a lot of people get very upset, concerned, confused when we have inclement weather and they don't exactly know what to do.
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00:05:12.959And the decisions about how the day will go start in the wee hours of the morning, like anywhere from 3 to 4 a.m.
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00:05:14.560Um, there is a 4 a.m.
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00:05:15.120call.
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00:05:37.040There are many executives on that call, including the National Weather Service and the Highway Patrol and the County Executive's office and county council and the school system and fire and rescue and police, because they all need to make decisions about how the community will be protected and directed to handle themselves once the day starts.
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00:05:48.480Decisions as to whether schools will close, it's not the end, um, even as it relates to schools, because often the schools will close for educational purposes, but the administrative offices will be open.
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00:05:53.519If the administrative offices are open, then we are entitled to have our child care open.
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00:05:56.560It opens on the same schedule as the admin offices.
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00:06:01.680So if admins opening two hours late, then the child care can often open two hours late.
00:06:01.680 -->
00:06:08.319The significance of that is parents still need the coverage that school that a school day would normally cover.
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00:06:14.079They have to go to work, they have responsibilities outside of the home, and they need that support.
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00:06:23.600And our gracious child care providers are right there ready, even though their workers have to get out on those roads, which is why we have to make sure that the roads are safe.
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00:06:31.199The school system has to make sure the parking lots and the sidewalks are clear and the building structures are clean and dry so that people won't slip and fall.
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00:06:36.560So there's a lot that goes in to those emergency closings and the inclement weather notices.
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00:06:36.959Wow.
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00:06:41.279And as I said, it starts, if not the night before, definitely by 4 a.m.
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00:06:43.600then that morning, it's it's already on.
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00:06:44.399Yeah, yeah.
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00:06:51.920And I I was looking down, I was like, yeah, because you you talk about snow, freezing, rain, school delays, and then you have I'm talking just for the winter.
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00:06:54.160I mean, I I hope I hope it's not snowing in the summer.
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00:06:58.000Anyway, then the summer emergency, we have heat advisories, high temperatures.
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00:07:03.360Well, in the summer, we have hurricanes, Durangos or Durantos, or what are they called?
00:07:03.680 -->
00:07:03.920Something.
00:07:04.079 -->
00:07:05.199It's the summer storm.
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00:07:05.759Yeah.
00:07:05.920 -->
00:07:08.480You know, like a small hurricane or whatever.
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00:07:11.040Uh, and we often will have to close for that.
00:07:11.279 -->
00:07:12.800What was the last one during our stat?
00:07:12.800 -->
00:07:17.279What was the fires or was there something that happened that like there was there something?
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00:07:18.079I'm I'm trying to remember.
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00:07:20.879There was a smoke problem from fires in Canada.
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00:07:21.600Thank you, thank you.
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00:07:22.639Wildfires, yeah.
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00:07:23.360Thank you, thank you.
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00:07:29.839And we had to close outdoor and even some of the indoor things because gymnasiums in some areas don't have air conditioning.
00:07:30.240 -->
00:07:37.920And that was what I was thinking about when I had school buildings and ventilation, but I know we're jumping around, we're talking about it because emergency closing policy is such an important conversation.
00:07:37.920 -->
00:07:41.600But I also had down our circle that because we were talking about is childcare.
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00:07:44.240Uh Ron from a childcare standpoint.
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00:07:46.879Yeah, I know you mentioned it, but I know we have Emily here too.
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00:07:49.519But bouncing it off of the both of y'all, like, how does that work?
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00:07:54.000You know, childcare, emergency policy, is it does it are we good?
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00:07:56.000Emily, you want to jump in?
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00:07:58.160Yeah, I can talk a little bit about that.
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00:08:00.879Really, it's it's not super complicated.
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00:08:13.920If you have a child in childcare, we really just asked to um for you to communicate directly with the childcare provider and uh your school, because they they really um take the reins there.
00:08:13.920 -->
00:08:25.680We're here to make sure that we give them a safe and secure space that is usable and you know, that makes sure everything is covered, you know, with their license uh and all of that.
00:08:25.680 -->
00:08:33.679But really, when it has to do with closing, uh it's on a case-by-case uh situation, like kind of like what Ramona was saying.
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00:08:39.120Uh, if the admin um administration is in the building, then childcare is in the building.
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00:08:57.759Uh and it typically depends, like that's why I said please reach out to your child care provider um directly and they would be able to uh let you know what the move is for that day, or if they're gonna be open all day, or just before and after care, or maybe just before care, maybe not after care.
00:08:57.759 -->
00:09:05.039And it really depends on if the school is closed in the middle of the day or if it's closed, you know, from the morning.
00:09:05.039 -->
00:09:17.200Uh and we just have to wait, like Ramona said, those meetings happen at four o'clock in the morning, and typically the public doesn't get um is not aware of the closings until
5:36,
6:30 in the morning.
00:09:17.200 -->
00:09:24.240So really just make sure that you're on it uh to check with your child care provider to see if they're open.
00:09:24.480 -->
00:09:24.879Wow.
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00:09:25.360Wow.
00:09:25.360 -->
00:09:26.799Yeah, that that's a lot.
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00:09:34.960That I'm listening now and looking at the both of y'all that is a lot of information retaining and coming from the communications avenue and talking about it, it is a lot.
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00:09:36.320I will I will definitely say that.
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00:09:41.120And and working with Ramona and hearing it, it's one of those ones where you got you gotta stay ready.
00:09:41.120 -->
00:09:51.120Especially, I think this last winter, I I I I felt like I had to stay ready, be ready, and and and I've haven't had so we had so many conversations with Ramona.
00:09:51.120 -->
00:09:52.720I was texting Ramona so much, you know.
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00:09:55.519We I was like, wow, we are texting, we are BFFs.
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00:09:56.879We are friends.
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00:09:59.120And that's at like 4 30 in the morning.
00:10:00.000 -->
00:10:00.399What's that?
00:10:00.399 -->
00:10:01.519Oh my goodness.
00:10:01.679 -->
00:10:02.799Yeah, and then it changes.
00:10:03.919 -->
00:10:04.480What's happening?
00:10:04.480 -->
00:10:05.440Is it snowing now?
00:10:05.440 -->
00:10:06.000Is it not?
00:10:06.000 -->
00:10:10.240Anyway, Sarah, I know you've been here with us and we've talked about it.
00:10:10.240 -->
00:10:12.080You've seen the policies and stuff like that.
00:10:12.080 -->
00:10:15.360What is your take on anything emergency closing related and stuff like that?
00:10:15.600 -->
00:10:24.399Yeah, I think something that you have down here that I think is really useful is like the resources for people to be able to stay on top of like whether there's gonna be a closing.
00:10:24.399 -->
00:10:29.039So social media, the CUPF um, like blog, that's helpful.
00:10:29.039 -->
00:10:31.279And then like other like county government resources.
00:10:31.279 -->
00:10:38.639So I think like just having that like bookmarked or like somehow saved on your device to be able to get those reminders is like definitely gonna be very useful.
00:10:38.879 -->
00:10:40.000Oh, yeah, that's very important.
00:10:40.000 -->
00:10:48.080And and for more information about it, like we have a lot of our emergency closing or emergency cancellations and modifications and information, it's on our website.
00:10:48.080 -->
00:10:53.840It's it's it's every we try to keep the information is is possibly in a place where you may just like, where is it at?
00:10:53.840 -->
00:10:54.480Oh, there it is.
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00:10:55.919There it is, there it is.
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00:10:58.159And same with social media, and thank you, um, Sarah.
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00:10:58.960We try to put it there.
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00:11:02.320Uh the gov delivery, social media, and every other place like that.
00:11:02.320 -->
00:11:05.440We try to get the information sent out as much as possible.
00:11:05.440 -->
00:11:13.120But as we continue to bounce around, I wanted to jump in this question real quick, Sarah, because uh let's get into this Axe the Summerfellow series.
00:11:13.120 -->
00:11:17.360I know we didn't do it last time, but before we jump anywhere else, Sarah, did you have any kind of questions you want to ask?
00:11:17.360 -->
00:11:18.159We have Ramona here.
00:11:18.720 -->
00:11:27.200Yeah, I have a question for Ramona as you're reflecting like on your time here with CUPF and thinking about all the different great facilities that we get to work with.
00:11:27.200 -->
00:11:33.600Is there like one facility that you've really enjoyed working with or that you just is your favorite?
00:11:34.720 -->
00:11:41.039I guess I've probably been to more events, uh, which probably suggest that's a favorite.
00:11:41.039 -->
00:11:43.840And that's the Silver Spring Civic Building in the Veterans Plaza.
00:11:43.840 -->
00:11:44.399Oh, yeah.
00:11:44.399 -->
00:11:46.159They have such a variety of things.
00:11:46.159 -->
00:11:55.440I've been there for winter markets where they're having indoor like flea market or um a fair where there's you know different vendors that have different goods.
00:11:55.440 -->
00:12:01.120Some are Etsy type goods and some are like vendor professional store type things.
00:12:01.120 -->
00:12:05.600Uh, not to say that the Etsy's aren't professionals because I love makers.
00:12:05.600 -->
00:12:13.279And then I've been out to the the plaza where I guess the most recent thing my kids and I went to was the um Pride in the Plaza.
00:12:13.279 -->
00:12:20.960And it was fabulous to see the colors and the artistry and the talent because they had a drag show fashion show.
00:12:20.960 -->
00:12:23.840I don't know if it was a fashion show, but it was it was hilarious.
00:12:23.840 -->
00:12:25.759And and they did a really good job.
00:12:25.759 -->
00:12:30.399I just can't imagine them on their heels jumping on and off the stage like they were.
00:12:30.399 -->
00:12:31.519It was it was really good.
00:12:31.519 -->
00:12:34.320So that's that's a favorite facility for me.
00:12:35.200 -->
00:12:41.519I would like to add, we also had your retirement celebration that's true at the Civic Center at the Great Hall, which is beautiful.
00:12:41.519 -->
00:12:42.480Absolutely.
00:12:42.480 -->
00:12:42.799Yeah.
00:12:42.799 -->
00:12:46.159And we uh just a quick uh tidbit in here.
00:12:46.159 -->
00:12:48.639We were you are able to split that room in half.
00:12:48.639 -->
00:12:51.679If you don't need the whole room, you can you know open it up.
00:12:51.679 -->
00:12:54.879There's some super amazing uh spaces for use there in civic.
00:12:54.879 -->
00:13:00.799I mean, along all of Montgomery County, but specifically we're highlighting uh civic center.
00:13:00.799 -->
00:13:02.960And shout out to Eric, he does an awesome job.
00:13:03.200 -->
00:13:04.480He does, he really does.
00:13:04.480 -->
00:13:14.159Yeah, he's had weddings, bar mitzvahs, bot mitzpas, yeah, retirement ceremonies, church religious events, all kinds of things there.
00:13:14.399 -->
00:13:16.879Yeah, it's it's and Sarah, thank you for that question too.
00:13:16.879 -->
00:13:19.279Because I mean it I know Ramona could have gone any other way.
00:13:19.279 -->
00:13:25.120She could have said any facility that she wanted, but Civic Building is an awesome facility.
00:13:25.120 -->
00:13:28.320But before we jump down and keep going, and thank you for bringing that up too.
00:13:28.320 -->
00:13:32.000Uh, so when we were chatting a little bit on the sidelines, Emily brought up one.
00:13:32.000 -->
00:13:33.039I I missed a few.
00:13:33.039 -->
00:13:35.360I missed a few in regards to anything emergency related.
00:13:35.360 -->
00:13:36.320Is there something that I missed?
00:13:36.559 -->
00:13:45.039Yeah, we just wanted to uh just let everybody know, the listeners know, that you can sign up for uh weather alerts and other emergency alerts through Alert Montgomery.
00:13:45.039 -->
00:13:47.200So that's always a really good tool to use.
00:13:47.200 -->
00:13:54.159Uh if they'll send you a text, uh if you sign up for text or an email, and they will let you know if things are closed within the county.
00:13:54.159 -->
00:14:00.799They'll let you know if there's a thunderstorm on the way and you need to, you know, go somewhere, take, you know, hide or do whatever you need to do.
00:14:00.799 -->
00:14:04.320So that's uh always a really good um tool to use.
00:14:04.320 -->
00:14:08.879And it'll also uh obviously help you know whether or not things are happening.
00:14:08.879 -->
00:14:12.720So if schools open, uh not, childcare is open, not.
00:14:12.720 -->
00:14:14.000So that's always good to have.
00:14:14.240 -->
00:14:14.879Yeah, that's always good.
00:14:14.879 -->
00:14:16.080And thank you for that, Emily, too.
00:14:16.080 -->
00:14:17.679There's so many, what is it?
00:14:17.679 -->
00:14:22.399I guess it's your your cup of tea, wherever you want to go to get your information and get the emergencies and the news.
00:14:22.399 -->
00:14:24.799But the county has some great resources as well, too.
00:14:24.799 -->
00:14:28.799You know, the it's Montgomery County has some resources too as well.
00:14:28.799 -->
00:14:31.840So going down the line, going down the line, let's get into it.
00:14:31.840 -->
00:14:36.480I mean, we did talk about, we're talking about a little bit of the community engagement and sharing experiences.
00:14:36.480 -->
00:14:48.320And I and I know we have, I have Sarah here with me, and I say I have Sarah here with me because we we were able to bond over a couple different uh things that we've done in our past or stuff that we've done currently and all that stuff.
00:14:48.320 -->
00:14:51.120And we're gonna talk about AmeriCorps, our AmeriCorps experiences.
00:14:51.120 -->
00:15:00.240We're not gonna go deep into it, but I would probably say my AmeriCorps experience, I did two different terms, uh, one doing playworks and another doing um public allies.
00:15:00.240 -->
00:15:03.200Uh both programs were more or less leadership programs.
00:15:03.200 -->
00:15:17.679One was working in a school for a year, the other one was a 10-month leadership program, and all both were in DC, but those programs really helped me understand a little bit more about myself, probably what I can and can't do, or what I should understand more about who I should ask.
00:15:17.679 -->
00:15:25.360You know, I think I've learned a lot about thinking what I can do and more or less understanding that there's a team, there's a community and stuff like that.
00:15:25.360 -->
00:15:29.039And I think America helped me understand that, you know, you can try to do what yourself.
00:15:29.039 -->
00:15:34.480You can go and find out the hard way that you probably want to understand how to link up with people and do stuff.
00:15:34.480 -->
00:15:38.000But that's how I was able to kind of connect the dots with my experience.
00:15:38.000 -->
00:15:46.320This to kind of shorten it a little bit, to say from a communication standpoint, I started to understand that how you get out there and do some outreach and stuff like that is that you gotta get out there.
00:15:46.320 -->
00:15:50.320That's that's the only way I was able to kind of get that, get out there and do some stuff like that.
00:15:50.320 -->
00:15:53.200But I want to give a shout out to AmeriCorps being an alum.
00:15:53.200 -->
00:15:59.279I also don't want to put too much time on it, but I'll bounce it to Sarah before we get around because I would love to hear everybody's timelines and stuff like that.
00:15:59.279 -->
00:16:02.159But Sarah, I know we talked about AmeriCorp, but I know you've done other stuff too.
00:16:02.240 -->
00:16:03.039But please.
00:16:03.039 -->
00:16:06.159So yeah, I'm also a proud AmeriCorps alum.
00:16:06.159 -->
00:16:09.519I did three previous programs with AmeriCorps.
00:16:09.519 -->
00:16:12.080They're yeah, they're all education related.
00:16:12.080 -->
00:16:15.759So I did um one called Generation Teach.
00:16:15.759 -->
00:16:25.440They are like a um teaching fellowship, but they run like a summer, like Steam camp for middle school students, and they have different programs around the country.
00:16:25.440 -->
00:16:26.799That was a great experience.
00:16:26.799 -->
00:16:35.120Then I went on to do a mentorship program in Columbus, Ohio, working with like fifth and sixth graders, doing like one-on-one mentorships.
00:16:35.120 -->
00:16:44.799And then I did sit most recently, I did Cityer in DC, which is also like a national organization, but they have uh locations throughout the country.
00:16:44.799 -->
00:16:50.879And yeah, those were just I learned so much from all three of those experiences.
00:16:50.879 -->
00:17:19.920Like I definitely can't even summarize all the things that I learned, both like about myself, like my values, the kind of work that I enjoy, but also just about the about each of the communities that I worked in and just the different issues and assets that these communities are facing, especially working with youth, was very enlightening about things that are impacting their lives that I even being a young person myself that I haven't thought that much about.
00:17:19.920 -->
00:17:32.079Um, and I just feel like my experiences they inform everything I do and you know the path I took for my education and the jobs that I choose and the kind of work that I hope to do in the future.
00:17:32.079 -->
00:17:35.200So it, those are very valuable experiences for me.
00:17:35.200 -->
00:17:40.160And I'm like a big advocate for young people like getting involved at Americor.
00:17:40.160 -->
00:17:50.000I think it's a really great way to like give back to communities, but again, like we already mentioned, like get the um experience and learn about yourself and the path that you want to take in the future.
00:17:50.000 -->
00:17:50.559So yeah.
00:17:50.799 -->
00:17:51.039Absolutely.
00:17:51.039 -->
00:17:52.559Fist bump on that fist bump.
00:17:52.559 -->
00:17:53.119Blah doubt.
00:17:53.119 -->
00:17:53.759There we go.
00:17:53.759 -->
00:17:55.599There is some love in the room, love in the room.
00:17:55.599 -->
00:17:57.599As I bounce around, Ramona, I'm gonna save you for last.
00:17:57.599 -->
00:18:00.160Cause I know Ramona, you got 35 years.
00:18:00.160 -->
00:18:03.359You got so much experience, but we're going to save you for last.
00:18:03.359 -->
00:18:10.880But you know, Emily, Emily, I know we we've talked a lot about some of the work you've done in the community, but share with the world what you've done.
00:18:10.880 -->
00:18:11.680Share it.
00:18:12.000 -->
00:18:19.279Well, before I share it, I wanna um I mentioned to Sarah a little earlier, but she's such an amazing person.
00:18:19.279 -->
00:18:21.680She's such an amazing uh young woman.
00:18:21.680 -->
00:18:26.640And it's just it's awesome to just be in her presence, just to hear her speak.
00:18:26.640 -->
00:18:32.400This is, I just have so much hope for the future for humanity, and this is just awesome.
00:18:32.400 -->
00:18:34.000I'm just really happy that you were with us.
00:18:34.000 -->
00:18:49.119Um, but as far as my experience in terms of community uh work and community outreach, uh Ramona mentioned it, I think, in our last uh episode that we recorded that I worked with HHS for almost 10 years.
00:18:49.119 -->
00:18:59.920And that first half, uh, I did community outreach work um with Street Outreach Network, and I worked uh with young people for, like I said, almost 10 years.
00:18:59.920 -->
00:19:05.920And I ran a rites of passage program for uh young women, which was amazing.
00:19:05.920 -->
00:19:07.440Uh, and we did something similar.
00:19:07.440 -->
00:19:08.480I mentioned it before.
00:19:08.480 -->
00:19:11.200You guys do highs and lows, and we used to do roses and thorns.
00:19:11.200 -->
00:19:14.240Uh so that was pretty cool, pretty neat.
00:19:14.240 -->
00:19:22.720Uh, and then I worked with child welfare for um maybe like five-ish years, and I did a lot of community uh support there.
00:19:22.720 -->
00:19:24.319I did some parent education.
00:19:24.319 -->
00:19:32.480Um, I worked closely with the kids that were in foster care, and uh it just I think it takes a special type of person to work with people.
00:19:32.480 -->
00:19:38.720And we're really fortunate to on our team here at CUF, we have people that have a lot of experience with people.
00:19:38.720 -->
00:19:49.119Uh, and it shows because we take really good care of our community and we really care about what we do and all of the, you know, even though we put some boundaries up, we have a lot of rules.
00:19:49.119 -->
00:19:53.119We were talking about Fulas before, we're talking a whole bunch of, you know, other stuff.
00:19:53.119 -->
00:19:57.920Uh, we have a group of people here that really care for their community.
00:19:57.920 -->
00:20:07.119And, you know, I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside Derek too on some of our community outreach stuff that we've done, our events.
00:20:07.119 -->
00:20:09.119Uh, we're very, very excited.
00:20:09.119 -->
00:20:16.000This is just, I I love talking to people, so that's kind of my strong uh, you know, point.
00:20:16.000 -->
00:20:19.039And and I'm just super excited uh for what's to come.
00:20:19.039 -->
00:20:19.920So we'll see.
00:20:19.920 -->
00:20:21.839We'll pass it back to Ramona.
00:20:22.079 -->
00:20:23.680Yeah, Ramona.
00:20:24.160 -->
00:20:26.240So you're interested in background?
00:20:26.240 -->
00:20:28.000Is that what you're interested in?
00:20:28.000 -->
00:20:35.759I was so enthralled by the stories, I was just enjoying listening to Sarah and Emily talk about their past.
00:20:36.000 -->
00:20:36.559I I love it.
00:20:36.559 -->
00:20:37.039I love it.
00:20:37.039 -->
00:20:38.559I know that this it's just so much.
00:20:38.559 -->
00:20:39.359It's just so much.
00:20:39.359 -->
00:20:40.000It's so much.
00:20:40.000 -->
00:20:43.519I don't know if it's tailored like that, but that's some of the information that we get out.
00:20:43.519 -->
00:20:46.880And I know that when we've talked about stuff in the past too, I'm always interested.
00:20:46.880 -->
00:20:51.920Like when I've gone in your office, even though your office is kind of empty right now because you're retired, I put it out there like that.
00:20:51.920 -->
00:20:59.200But when your office was full of all of these paintings and different frameworks and stuff like that, I was like, Ramon, what is that?
00:20:59.200 -->
00:20:59.920What is that?
00:20:59.920 -->
00:21:00.480What is that?
00:21:00.480 -->
00:21:01.839So I'm always intrigued to hear.
00:21:01.839 -->
00:21:09.440I know you've talked about it before, but I think a lot of that work that I've seen or that you've talked about, it it it I see it when I talk to you as a director.
00:21:09.440 -->
00:21:10.799I'm like, I I I see it.
00:21:10.799 -->
00:21:15.839Now, I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but I would love to know is there something about it that has shaped you as a director?
00:21:15.839 -->
00:21:18.400Like you've been doing this, you've been in a game, Ramon.
00:21:19.839 -->
00:21:24.799Well, you know, I started in high school being interested in community service.
00:21:24.799 -->
00:21:30.720I they started a uh crisis helpline when I was probably a sophomore in high school.
00:21:30.720 -->
00:21:33.119And by my junior year, I was volunteering.
00:21:33.119 -->
00:21:39.359And by the end of the junior year, I was like on by myself, you know, because it was hard to get people to work shifts.
00:21:39.359 -->
00:21:43.440And I ended up doing the weekend shifts because nobody else wanted to do them.
00:21:43.440 -->
00:21:47.519And you're in there, you're pretty much by yourself, locked in the building for safety.
00:21:47.519 -->
00:21:52.720Um, and and I learned a lot about myself in in talking to people.
00:21:52.720 -->
00:21:56.000And the main thing I learned was people just want to be heard.
00:21:56.000 -->
00:22:10.160Um, even if they're they're threatening to do harm to themselves or others, or if they're um in a mental health crisis, or if they're which isn't synonymous, those things are, you know, collaborative or whatever.
00:22:10.160 -->
00:22:14.079Um, if you listen to them, you'll learn a lot and you'll help a lot.
00:22:14.079 -->
00:22:22.960And then I moved from there and and after college, I went into law enforcement, which again was an opportunity to work with the community as the way I saw it.
00:22:22.960 -->
00:22:26.960I knew I wanted to go to law school, so I had only planned to do that for a couple of years.
00:22:26.960 -->
00:22:32.319And I did do it for a couple of years as a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation special agent criminal investigator.
00:22:32.480 -->
00:22:32.720What?
00:22:32.880 -->
00:22:50.400So it wasn't uniformed, it was undercover, it was uh white collar crime, just you know, a lot of we were talking before about trigger pull, and I was saying I used to have to exercise my hands to make sure my finger was strong enough to pull the trigger uh when we had to qualify every few months or so.
00:22:50.400 -->
00:22:56.799Um, but then I went to law school, which is where I had intended from probably high school on.
00:22:56.799 -->
00:23:06.720And I didn't have a specific area, except I knew I didn't want to do criminal law because I had been working in criminal law for a few years at that point in law enforcement.
00:23:06.720 -->
00:23:12.400And then I ended up first with the Federal Election Commission because I was a political science major and undergrad.
00:23:12.400 -->
00:23:19.680And I thought politics was just so amazing and the way it changes the country and how everyone has a voice.
00:23:19.680 -->
00:23:24.079And then I really saw the dirty side and said no.
00:23:24.079 -->
00:23:29.359Uh so then I ended up um in litigation, which I really did enjoy.
00:23:29.359 -->
00:23:37.200And I did that for several years, first with the federal government, going from um circuit court to circuit court, arguing for the Social Security Administration.
00:23:37.200 -->
00:23:48.720And then I went to county government and did litigation there and represented the school board and the teachers and police officers and board of education and just a lot of different clients.
00:23:48.720 -->
00:23:53.039And then I ended up in management, and that's how I got here.
00:23:53.279 -->
00:23:53.759Wow.
00:23:53.920 -->
00:23:59.279Um, so all of those things I had a common thread, I think, and that was community service.
00:23:59.279 -->
00:24:07.839Um, I think when you work for a government, you don't just do it because it gives you a a chance to have a life, because it does.
00:24:07.839 -->
00:24:14.480You you pretty much have a nine to five for the most part, but you also have to be dedicated if you stay with it.
00:24:14.480 -->
00:24:21.039And you have to want to work with your community and hear them and and and understand them and try to service them.
00:24:21.039 -->
00:24:22.559Because I'm a public servant.
00:24:22.799 -->
00:24:23.680Yeah, yeah.
00:24:23.680 -->
00:24:24.559Wow, wow.
00:24:24.559 -->
00:24:25.440And you know what?
00:24:25.440 -->
00:24:25.920It's great.
00:24:25.920 -->
00:24:29.920We've talked about it before, and I think we've heard about it even from the retiring party as well, too.
00:24:29.920 -->
00:24:32.720And you were, I guess we've been getting some more information about Ramon.
00:24:32.720 -->
00:24:34.240We know we didn't know that.
00:24:34.240 -->
00:24:35.359We didn't know that.
00:24:35.359 -->
00:24:37.119But it's it's it says a lot.
00:24:37.119 -->
00:24:37.759It says a lot.
00:24:37.759 -->
00:24:42.160And I kind of felt that when we've talked before many, many moons ago, about some stuff like that.
00:24:42.160 -->
00:24:45.839And I got an idea of like a lot of the work you were doing it that you did in the past too.
00:24:45.839 -->
00:24:49.759And I I never got, I can never get over that, all that extra work you were doing with the police and stuff like that.
00:24:49.759 -->
00:24:50.559I was like, what?
00:24:50.559 -->
00:24:52.880That is intense, intense.
00:24:52.880 -->
00:24:54.559But as always, thank you, everybody.
00:24:54.559 -->
00:24:55.440Thank you for sharing.
00:24:55.440 -->
00:25:02.640You know, I know I think Emily, we can go into this even more later on because we've we've talked about stuff like this for forever, forever.
00:25:02.640 -->
00:25:05.920But as we continue on, let's let's let's see if we can get back on track.
00:25:05.920 -->
00:25:06.880You know what?
00:25:06.880 -->
00:25:10.960Sarah, I think uh what what what is your last day?
00:25:11.200 -->
00:25:14.319My last day is next Friday, the 8th of August.
00:25:14.640 -->
00:25:15.4408th of August.
00:25:15.440 -->
00:25:23.440So that means compared to us doing this show or this podcast episode and now, so it's possibility Sarah may not be here.
00:25:23.440 -->
00:25:25.599Well, I won't say it like that.
00:25:25.599 -->
00:25:27.359Sarah would not be around for the podcast.
00:25:27.359 -->
00:25:27.920So Sarah.
00:25:28.240 -->
00:25:28.720She'll be here.
00:25:28.720 -->
00:25:29.440She'll be with us.
00:25:29.440 -->
00:25:30.240Yes, thank you.
00:25:30.319 -->
00:25:30.640Thank you.
00:25:30.640 -->
00:25:31.599You you saw what I did.
00:25:31.599 -->
00:25:33.119I was like, well, I don't want to say it like that.
00:25:33.119 -->
00:25:37.920Because it was in any way, Sarah, Sarah, you know, we I I do believe in giving flowers.
00:25:37.920 -->
00:25:42.079And I do believe that, you know, we're all here, you know, we're enjoying this moment together.
00:25:42.079 -->
00:25:43.039But thank you so much.
00:25:43.039 -->
00:25:44.960Thank you so much for all the work you're doing.
00:25:44.960 -->
00:25:45.440Thank you.
00:25:45.440 -->
00:25:47.920I mean, you're still here, technically, right now.
00:25:47.920 -->
00:25:51.200We have a few more days, you know, that you know, we're going to get stuff done.
00:25:51.200 -->
00:25:59.119But the work that we've been able to accomplish now, what we're going to continue to work on even from a sustainability standpoint, best believe it was much appreciated.
00:25:59.119 -->
00:26:00.160And it will be used.
00:26:00.160 -->
00:26:05.119I don't want you to think you're just going to do your work and roll on out and it's just going to be put in a file cabinet and get dusty.
00:26:05.119 -->
00:26:08.000Uh I'm going to make that promise to you that it will not be.
00:26:08.000 -->
00:26:08.880It won't get dusty.
00:26:08.880 -->
00:26:09.839We're going to take that work.
00:26:09.839 -->
00:26:10.720But thank you so much.
00:26:10.720 -->
00:26:12.720Thank you so much for all that you've done.
00:26:12.720 -->
00:26:15.119That is me talking greatly about you.
00:26:15.119 -->
00:26:18.880I want to keep talking about you, but I feel like I'm the only one in here with the water work's about to come.
00:26:18.880 -->
00:26:21.440So, Ramona, is there anything you would like to say about Sarah?
00:26:21.680 -->
00:26:23.359I would like to say thank you to Sarah.
00:26:23.359 -->
00:26:27.839Uh, thank you for selecting CUPF because you did have choices.
00:26:27.839 -->
00:26:30.480Um, thank you for working as hard as you did.
00:26:30.480 -->
00:26:37.599We are still in the formative stage in terms of how much and what kind and where and what we will do as far as outreach goes.
00:26:37.599 -->
00:26:39.039It's not an easy topic.
00:26:39.039 -->
00:26:44.480Some people think, I'll just put some stuff out there or blog it or you know, get a social media page.
00:26:44.480 -->
00:26:46.799It's not that easy, as you well know.
00:26:46.799 -->
00:26:53.039And uh, you did really good work for demographics with us to help us understand where to do outreach and how to do it.
00:26:53.039 -->
00:27:02.960You did good work documenting things that we probably already had in existence somewhere, but because it wasn't in an intelligible state, we weren't actually using it.
00:27:02.960 -->
00:27:08.400So I do appreciate all your effort and I wish you all the best in your coming ventures.
00:27:08.400 -->
00:27:11.839And um, I don't won't say adventures, I'll say ventures.
00:27:11.839 -->
00:27:13.839Um, because that suggests money.
00:27:13.839 -->
00:27:16.640Never thought about it like that.
00:27:16.640 -->
00:27:18.400Yeah, yeah, that's the way I think of it.
00:27:18.400 -->
00:27:23.359So I I think you will um be a success at whatever you want to do.
00:27:23.680 -->
00:27:24.079Thank you.
00:27:24.079 -->
00:27:24.799Thank you all.
00:27:24.799 -->
00:27:28.079Um, yeah, it's been a really great summer.
00:27:28.079 -->
00:27:33.119Went by really fast, but it's I've really learned a lot through this experience.
00:27:33.119 -->
00:27:47.279I think something that I've really appreciated, both like during my time with CUPF, but also like the research project that we each had to do as fellows was just the opportunity to be able to connect with like different people in the county government.
00:27:47.279 -->
00:27:51.599So obviously with CUPF, like working with everyone in the office and talking with them.
00:27:51.599 -->
00:28:03.839And through like the fellow program, we've had the opportunity to like chat with a bunch of the council members, which has been really amazing, and to ask them questions and learn more about sort of their journeys to public service.
00:28:03.839 -->
00:28:12.160And then for our research project, we've each had the opportunity to like interview different people in the communities that can provide us guidance on our research.
00:28:12.160 -->
00:28:19.920And so I feel like within these past like eight weeks, I've built a sort of like network of all these people that I've been able to talk to and reach out to.
00:28:19.920 -->
00:28:33.680And like that's definitely something that I feel like happy and like proud about that I can like walk away with at the end of these 10 weeks and definitely like gonna be looking to Montgomery Gaunty for like future opportunities, maybe.
00:28:33.680 -->
00:28:35.839Um, so yeah, it's just been really great.
00:28:35.839 -->
00:28:41.599And I'm I'm very like grateful to be to have been placed in CUPF to be able to work with all of you guys.
00:28:42.000 -->
00:28:42.319Thank you.
00:28:43.440 -->
00:28:44.480Oh, thank you, thank you so much.
00:28:44.480 -->
00:28:46.720So I dear, I have to tell a story.
00:28:47.039 -->
00:28:48.960Yes, school is starting, right?
00:28:48.960 -->
00:28:51.279Um, I'm originally from Tennessee.
00:28:51.279 -->
00:28:56.400And I have a great nephew who started first grade yesterday.
00:28:56.400 -->
00:28:57.839He had his little sign.
00:28:57.839 -->
00:29:01.119I got a picture of him with a sign on said his name, said first grade.
00:29:01.119 -->
00:29:09.599He gets to the school, and apparently they have this process where you roll up with your child in the car and the teacher opens the door to greet the kid and then takes them into the school.
00:29:09.599 -->
00:29:12.559Well, my nephew's name is Jace.
00:29:12.559 -->
00:29:19.200So the car pulls up, he's getting out, the teacher, and he looks her in the eye and he says, You know, I still can't read.
00:29:19.200 -->
00:29:21.519And she said, That's okay.
00:29:21.519 -->
00:29:22.640We're gonna teach you.
00:29:22.640 -->
00:29:24.799And he was like, Well, okay.
00:29:24.799 -->
00:29:30.960Like, like, you know, he's telling her, setting those expectations from the beginning.
00:29:30.960 -->
00:29:32.400But that's the way Jace is.
00:29:32.400 -->
00:29:36.640He's like a, you know, about the facts, just the facts, man, type kid.
00:29:36.960 -->
00:29:37.359I like that.
00:29:37.359 -->
00:29:37.839I like that.
00:29:37.839 -->
00:29:39.599I mean, okay, okay.
00:29:39.599 -->
00:29:40.880I'm I'm with you on it.
00:29:40.880 -->
00:29:41.440I'm with you.
00:29:41.440 -->
00:29:42.079I like that.
00:29:42.079 -->
00:29:43.599I like okay, okay.
00:29:43.599 -->
00:29:48.000Emily, I I mean you've you've been speaking so highly of Sarah and we appreciate it so much.
00:29:48.000 -->
00:29:51.279Is there anything you would like to say one more time or you're good to go?
00:29:51.599 -->
00:29:55.279No, I just wanted to say she's a major trailblazer.
00:29:55.279 -->
00:29:59.440This is like uh if you haven't already.
00:29:59.440 -->
00:30:04.400Please follow her journey because I'm sure she's going to do amazing, amazing things.
00:30:04.400 -->
00:30:10.480Uh, so I I'm like we said, we're super fortunate to have had you uh, you know, with us for the summer.
00:30:10.480 -->
00:30:16.880You're all the research and stuff that you did, invaluable, like completely just amazing work.
00:30:16.880 -->
00:30:20.880It's gonna help us major, majorly.
00:30:20.880 -->
00:30:25.680Uh and yeah, I mean, I I think everybody has said some pretty amazing things.
00:30:25.680 -->
00:30:27.359I don't know that I can say too much more.
00:30:27.359 -->
00:30:28.720They took all the words for me.
00:30:28.720 -->
00:30:29.759Yeah, thank you.
00:30:29.759 -->
00:30:30.079Thank you.
00:30:30.880 -->
00:30:34.160But we're going to talk about a big update that just recently happened.
00:30:34.160 -->
00:30:37.759Well, wouldn't say recently, Ramona, I guess it happened what, months ago a little bit.
00:30:37.759 -->
00:30:46.000Um, but the PTA, PTSA changes regarding priority use and dates and how you reserve in schools and stuff like that.
00:30:46.000 -->
00:30:47.599But Ramon, I'll bounce it back to you.
00:30:47.599 -->
00:30:55.279Like I know we've done it and it was part of the whole fee structured stuff like that, but please jump into it a little bit more just in case, because I know it's a tough topic, but an interesting one.
00:30:55.839 -->
00:30:56.240It is.
00:30:56.240 -->
00:31:00.319Um, and and I think it it might uh confuse the community a little bit.
00:31:00.319 -->
00:31:08.640But the uh Parent Teachers Association, um, PTA, PTSA, is an organization that is partnered with Montgomery County Public Schools.
00:31:08.640 -->
00:31:18.400They do a service to the schools because they provide forums for the parents, information for the parents, they support the students by having fundraisers and different activities.
00:31:18.400 -->
00:31:26.640They are informational sources, um, all types of resources that fully support the educational component that schools have.
00:31:26.640 -->
00:31:40.720Because they're partnered with schools, we had the understanding from MCPS that they wanted to facilitate their use of the facilities as much as possible so that they would have the ability to do all of the outreach and the things that I just mentioned.
00:31:40.720 -->
00:31:52.400On that vein, a when we did the fee schedule, we reorganized locations and how groups are put together and established fees based on the placement of those groups.
00:31:52.400 -->
00:31:59.759One of those groups that was put into a category as a partnership agreement with uh MCPS was PTAs.
00:31:59.759 -->
00:32:04.559And those PTAs in that partnership are now entitled to have free use of facilities.
00:32:04.559 -->
00:32:09.200When we say free use, free is not necessarily free.
00:32:09.440 -->
00:32:09.599Okay.
00:32:09.920 -->
00:32:25.759Because with any entity, if you have free use of a facility, you still have to pay if staff are needed, if cleanup is needed, if a security is needed, any incidental, if you need audiovisual, you need a media specialist, all of those things come with additional fees.
00:32:25.759 -->
00:32:27.519Those fees are not waived.
00:32:27.519 -->
00:32:27.680Okay.
00:32:27.680 -->
00:32:29.440It's the fee for the facility.
00:32:29.440 -->
00:32:36.799So that's where the support of PTA comes in because the average PTA meeting doesn't need additional support.
00:32:36.799 -->
00:32:42.720Um so it it would be a free venture for them to just have a PTA meeting, but they often have other things.
00:32:42.720 -->
00:32:48.720They have fundraiser events, they have activities, and when they do that, they do incur those additional fees.
00:32:49.039 -->
00:32:49.440Wow.
00:32:49.440 -->
00:32:49.839Wow.
00:32:49.839 -->
00:32:54.319And Emily, I know you're here too, and we're talking about PTAs and PTSAs.
00:32:54.319 -->
00:32:57.680Is there anything that you want to jump in, especially from the child care angle and stuff like that?
00:32:58.160 -->
00:33:06.799Um, so if you check on our website, uh you'd be able to see our list of priority users, I would say.
00:33:06.799 -->
00:33:11.599Uh so the first on the top of the list is obviously MCPS for MCPS use.
00:33:11.599 -->
00:33:19.599So if the school has use within if there's like a play or something going on, they could obviously book their own school or use their own space.
00:33:19.599 -->
00:33:21.920And then comes child care.
00:33:21.920 -->
00:33:31.039So child care, that's before and after uh school, sometimes during admin days, and then comes PTAs, PTSAs.
00:33:31.039 -->
00:33:43.519Uh and one important thing that we want to just continue to say is that if you need to reserve a space within a school, you have to do it through our website, through CUPF.
00:33:43.519 -->
00:33:47.920You can either call us, you can email us, you can put it through Active Montgomery.
00:33:47.920 -->
00:33:57.279And then PTAs would basically, I don't know if Ramona mentioned this uh just now or not, but um would then go back to the school and figure out a payment plan with the school.
00:33:57.279 -->
00:34:06.559So the school will book the space for the PTA typically, or they'll request, uh, and then the PTA will have an agreement with the school in terms of how they're gonna pay for the space or anything like that.
00:34:06.559 -->
00:34:20.079But it's really important to um make sure you book the space online because then we know that the space is uh reserved and we don't give that reservation to somebody else or we don't book child care or somebody in that space uh when they need it.
00:34:20.079 -->
00:34:30.880And typically, if let's say one of my childcare uh providers is in the space that a PTA needs, uh, they can just call CUPF or email CUPF and say, hey, we have something going on.
00:34:30.880 -->
00:34:35.679We have a big event going on, we need the gym space from I don't know, five to eight.
00:34:35.679 -->
00:34:42.079Uh we're very easy to, you know, move things around and we really work with um whoever needs the the space.
00:34:42.079 -->
00:34:46.079We really try to get everybody in to make sure that they can run their event.
00:34:46.079 -->
00:34:52.719And that's just as easy as moving childcare to another space, so another classroom, another, maybe the gym or something like that.
00:34:52.719 -->
00:34:58.239But yeah, we just ask for everybody to please reserve using our online format.
00:34:58.880 -->
00:34:59.599Okay, okay.
00:34:59.599 -->
00:35:06.639Sarah, I could bounce it back to you before we close out about anything PTA or PTSAs or anything in regards to priority usage.
00:35:06.639 -->
00:35:11.440And I know, Emily, thank you for that too, about breaking down the priority use and how it goes for CUPF like that.
00:35:11.440 -->
00:35:13.360But is there anything from your angle, Sarah, as well?
00:35:13.599 -->
00:35:34.159Yeah, I think um, I mean, something that I've you know have learned um through this summer looking at some of like the facilities and um their sort of their usage is like a lot of times it's these priority uses that um impact whether or not like a space is available or not or whether they're being utilized.
00:35:34.159 -->
00:35:44.000So there are certain spaces in the county where when we like initially looked at the the like usage data, um, we thought that maybe oh, they're underutilized.
00:35:44.000 -->
00:35:55.679But um upon like further, like you know, we look at the data a little more and think about what the facilities are, figured out that oh, it's just it's because they are being utilized for sort of these like priority things.
00:35:55.679 -->
00:36:00.320So whether that's like the schools using them for storage or it's like aftercare space.
00:36:00.320 -->
00:36:06.960Um so yeah, it can impact like sort of like which facilities are more available and have more times open.
00:36:06.960 -->
00:36:11.440So that's something to consider, like when looking at what's available in reservations.
00:36:12.000 -->
00:36:12.800That was spot on.
00:36:12.800 -->
00:36:14.480Boy, she's learned a lot, hasn't she?
00:36:14.480 -->
00:36:16.559Well, you said 10, you may hit 10 weeks.
00:36:16.559 -->
00:36:19.519You made 35 years, right?
00:36:19.519 -->
00:36:22.880Because that sounded like a Ramona answer.
00:36:22.880 -->
00:36:24.88035 years of the world.
00:36:24.880 -->
00:36:26.639Well, you know, we're gonna close out this show.
00:36:26.639 -->
00:36:27.519We're gonna close it out.
00:36:27.519 -->
00:36:28.880We we've spent some good time on it.
00:36:28.880 -->
00:36:37.119You know, we try to bounce in a little comedy, a little some, some, some, some realness in regards to PTA, PTSAs, and everything else and our experiences.
00:36:37.119 -->
00:36:39.440We try to give you a little bit of some of everything.
00:36:39.440 -->
00:36:43.599But Ramona, I think we're just gonna close it out and we're gonna, you know, give a shout out to our Summerfellow.
00:36:43.599 -->
00:36:44.639You know, you know, why not?
00:36:44.639 -->
00:36:45.039Why not?
00:36:45.039 -->
00:36:45.599You know, why not?
00:36:45.599 -->
00:36:46.480Sarah's here.
00:36:46.480 -->
00:36:47.440So why not?
00:36:47.440 -->
00:36:48.719Why not call y'all while you're here?
00:36:48.719 -->
00:36:54.960But thank you so much, Sarah, once again, for all of the work that you're doing, you continue to do, and we wish you so much, so much success.
00:36:54.960 -->
00:37:06.719And yes, ladies and gentlemen, everybody in the world that you're listening to it, yes, we are gonna continue to give flowers and love because it's the only right thing that we can do as we continue to um give support to so many different people.
00:37:06.719 -->
00:37:11.280But Ramona, I'll start off with you because I I really want to hear your your last last.
00:37:11.280 -->
00:37:12.880Is this your last last?
00:37:12.880 -->
00:37:14.000He keeps saying that, right?
00:37:14.800 -->
00:37:17.920Like as if saying it will make it not be true or something.
00:37:18.800 -->
00:37:19.440Oh, okay.
00:37:19.440 -->
00:37:26.559But please, Ramona, your last before I get around everybody, I want to hear your last, last.
00:37:27.920 -->
00:37:29.119Well, I don't know.
00:37:29.119 -->
00:37:32.400We've been doing these for a while now, and I've really enjoyed it.
00:37:32.400 -->
00:37:39.280I appreciate the fact that you took it upon yourself to look at things that we needed and get it started.
00:37:39.280 -->
00:37:44.079Um, we've been talking for years about doing podcasts and getting on social media, and it didn't happen.
00:37:44.079 -->
00:37:46.559It happened under you, and I want to thank you for that.
00:37:46.559 -->
00:37:50.960I think that you are a good steward to leave all of this in your hands.
00:37:50.960 -->
00:37:59.360And I feel very confident that CUPF is going to continue to be more successful, open, available, which is what we want.
00:37:59.360 -->
00:38:09.840Um, so thank you for doing that and for giving us uh a voice and a face that I think people enjoy and that will be successful in communicating our message.
00:38:10.079 -->
00:38:10.480Thank you.
00:38:10.480 -->
00:38:10.960Thank you.
00:38:10.960 -->
00:38:14.000I I I'll take that and run with it and say thank you so much.
00:38:14.000 -->
00:38:14.880I I appreciate it.
00:38:14.880 -->
00:38:18.880Uh, I like I said, I've learned, I've learned, you know, with connecting the dots, community and engagement.
00:38:18.880 -->
00:38:23.280I have learned through my wicked ways, Ramona, that I need to communicate and talk.
00:38:23.280 -->
00:38:25.760And and I have Emily here and Sarah's here.
00:38:25.760 -->
00:38:28.400And it's like, I cannot block this greatness.
00:38:28.400 -->
00:38:31.920I can't block all of this awesomeness that's happening with CUPF right now.
00:38:31.920 -->
00:38:37.840So I just wanted to say thank you, thank you.
00:38:37.840 -->
00:38:39.280But who do we go to?
00:38:39.280 -->
00:38:40.000Emily.
00:38:40.000 -->
00:38:42.480Last words, you just want to close out this show.
00:38:42.719 -->
00:38:48.079Uh, just piggybacking on Ramona, I you don't get a lot of flowers on this show.
00:38:48.079 -->
00:38:51.199Uh, so I want to give them to everybody here.
00:38:51.199 -->
00:38:55.679Um, but Ramona's heard my flowers a little bit, and Sarah's heard my flowers a little bit.
00:38:55.679 -->
00:39:21.280And just to give your flowers, uh, you your flowers, Derek, you have done an amazing job at gathering us, like as a whole unit, uh, and just, you know, sparking this movement of getting connected to the community and really just engaging uh in a different way that's more effective, that's fun, that's lighthearted at times, which is wonderful.
00:39:21.280 -->
00:39:29.920Because, you know, in in the world that we live in today, we need a voice and a person like you, Derek, that can really just bring light uh to what we do.
00:39:29.920 -->
00:39:36.480So I'm very grateful that I'm here uh on the podcast, but I'm also super grateful that I have the opportunity to work with you.
00:39:36.480 -->
00:39:37.599So it's not well.
00:39:37.840 -->
00:39:38.639And she'll be back, right?
00:39:38.639 -->
00:39:39.519Yes, yes, yes.
00:39:39.840 -->
00:39:42.239I mean, I'm I'm trying to keep throwing Ramona.
00:39:42.239 -->
00:39:45.760We need to do a better job of telling Emily you got to come back.
00:39:45.760 -->
00:39:47.920You gotta come back.
00:39:47.920 -->
00:39:48.639You're not good.
00:39:48.639 -->
00:39:49.199I'll be back.
00:39:49.280 -->
00:39:49.599I'll be back.
00:39:50.400 -->
00:39:50.880You're gonna be back?
00:39:51.039 -->
00:39:51.599Yeah, I'll be back.
00:39:51.679 -->
00:39:52.880Yeah, like Arnold will be.
00:39:53.199 -->
00:39:55.519She can even do an episode in Spanish.
00:39:55.679 -->
00:39:57.039Oh, yes, that's what we want.
00:39:57.119 -->
00:39:58.000That's what we need to do.
00:39:58.000 -->
00:40:00.800Maybe, maybe we yeah, maybe anyway.
00:40:00.800 -->
00:40:02.000We will we'll we'll do it.
00:40:02.000 -->
00:40:05.199You and Vanessa could could team each other.
00:40:05.199 -->
00:40:06.400Oh, yeah, yeah.
00:40:06.800 -->
00:40:08.480Ramona's because that's because you're not leaving, right?
00:40:08.480 -->
00:40:09.440Because this is that was a good idea.
00:40:09.679 -->
00:40:11.039Ramona will be here for the no, I'm just kidding.
00:40:11.119 -->
00:40:13.920She's not gonna be exactly in spirit, yeah.
00:40:13.920 -->
00:40:16.559In spirit, in spirit, in spirit, Sarah, Sarah.
00:40:16.559 -->
00:40:21.039So technically, this is Ramona's last last time.
00:40:21.039 -->
00:40:23.679Is Sarah's last last time?
00:40:23.679 -->
00:40:26.079Did you have any last, last words?
00:40:26.320 -->
00:40:28.000I think, yeah, my last words.
00:40:28.000 -->
00:40:34.159I think uh, I mean, to piggyback off of Emily, I think just thank you, Derek, for like really great summer.
00:40:34.159 -->
00:40:52.480I learned a lot about like working in county government, but also just like communications, outreach, thinking of new ideas to like present and like advertise information, because this is definitely not something that I have like as much experience in, I would say, at least the communication sides of things.
00:40:52.480 -->
00:40:54.639So it's been really great like working with you.
00:40:54.639 -->
00:40:57.199And like I couldn't have asked for a better supervisor.
00:40:57.199 -->
00:41:09.760You're really great in like, you know, giving me freedom to choose what I wanted to do, but also offering support and like giving suggestions and feedback and like being able to come on the podcast has like definitely been a highlight of the summer.
00:41:09.760 -->
00:41:12.559So yeah, just thank you for a really great experience.
00:41:12.800 -->
00:41:17.280What C, see, see, see what I feel like I got flipped back on me, but thank you so much.
00:41:17.280 -->
00:41:18.159Thank you so much.
00:41:18.159 -->
00:41:22.559Once again, we we've done a great job with all that we continue to do as a team.
00:41:22.559 -->
00:41:31.280We have so many people flipping in this room as well as we record, but there is also an individual in here named Cell, also part of the county as well, too, has been helping us as well.
00:41:31.280 -->
00:41:33.039So we're just gonna keep giving flowers out.
00:41:33.039 -->
00:41:34.400We have a lot of things coming along.
00:41:34.400 -->
00:41:37.519CUPF has done a great job, our leadership has done a great job.
00:41:37.519 -->
00:41:39.039So we're gonna hold strong.
00:41:39.039 -->
00:41:40.800Sustainability is going in.
00:41:40.800 -->
00:41:42.480Emily's not going anywhere.
00:41:42.480 -->
00:41:43.920You're probably coming back again.
00:41:43.920 -->
00:41:45.199So thank you again, everybody.
00:41:45.199 -->
00:41:45.840Thank you so much.
00:41:45.840 -->
00:41:46.559And check in.
00:41:46.559 -->
00:41:51.599We have a lot more we're gonna talk about, and we hope, we hope, we hope the community is gonna keep on listening and enjoying it.
00:41:51.599 -->
00:41:52.400But thank you so much.
00:41:52.400 -->
00:41:53.280Thank you.
00:41:54.320 -->
00:42:02.079This podcast is brought to you by County Cable Montgomery, your source for news and information from the Montgomery County government.
00:42:02.079 -->
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