FLI Director Gives Special Recognition to Organization's Leadership
Taipei, Taiwan (Republic of China)
May 05, 2007
FLI Director Recognition Awards, 2006-2007
Karl Mertens, FLI Secretary
Incomparable Leadership Award
Gabriela Fraga, FLI Liaison
Following Word With Deed Award
Mike Gieseke, FLI Transitional Consultant
True Advocate Award
David Wei, FLI Treasurer
Staying The Course Award
Alison Cameron, FLI President
FLion! Heart Award
FLI Director's Statement
An organization is only as important as we make it. The success of the Foreign Language Initiative (FLI) depends on the contribution of its members and the degree to which each is involved or committed. My former track and cross-country coach shared an anecdote with me that illustrates the distinction between the two: In a breakfast consisting of ham and eggs, the chicken is involved and the pig is committed.
It behooves the members of the FLI Leadership to continually align people of different backgrounds and interests around a common direction in order to inspire and coordinate productive action rather than having always to mandate it. As we intuitively envision, plan and execute ways to help our organization grow and thrive, we must also listen to individual needs within the scope of the larger collective enterprise. Let us welcome anyone willing to contribute their creativity and intelligence to the FLI. We are all a part of the FLI. A sense of ownership is created with duty and responsibility and one way to uphold it is through committment and genuine accountability.
I am pleased to give special recognition to those officers who worked diligently for the mission of the FLI: To encourage more interaction between different groups of people through lesser taught languages.
Karl Mertens, FLI Secretary. Joined the FLI out of interest in teaching Russian. He started as an Assistant and after one semester became a full-fledged Russian teacher and the organization's secretary. As FLI Secretary, Karl was at the helm of the FLI Leadership, evidenced by the impressive professionalism with which he organized and conducted meetings. His respectful manner and thoughtfulness with regard to the FLI are also greatly appreciated. Although Karl has shared with me that his experience in the FLI is reward enough, he nevertheless earns the year's highest honor:
Incomparable Leadership Award
Gabriela Fraga, FLI Liaison. Although Gabriela never intended to be an FLI officer, our last conversation revolved around how she could make a constructive contribution by bringing into play previous experience gained through other organizations. Gabriela played an unequivocable role in allying the FLI with the International Business Organization and taking the necessary steps towards helping the FLI acquire office space. Gabriela assured me that she would help the FLI accomplish these goals and she remained true to her word. Gabriela is therefore given special recognition:
Following Word With Deed Award
Mike Gieseke, FLI Transitional Consultant. Mike has always believed in the FLI and has shown his committment and support in a variety of ways. As a top-ranking officer, he participated in several language classes, events, and worked closely with me on many FLI organizational issues. This year, he returned from Brazil to ensure the successful restructuring of the FLI. For his continued belief in the FLI, Mike deserves the:
True Advocate Award
David Wei, FLI Secretary. David actively participated in various events that gave the FLI a different kind of exposure during his first semester. As Treasurer, he was called upon to take on greater responsibility. David has been eager to learn and his patience and perserverance have benefited the FLI. For his contribution and vested interest in the FLI, David is awarded the:
Staying the Course Award
Alison Cameron, FLI President. Alison was a dedicated student of FLI Arabic classes when they were at their peak (averaging 15 students per class). She worked diligently at FLI Language Fairs to help fulfill aspects of my vision for the FLI. By virtue of her open-mindedness, she continues to bring to the FLI a unique sensitivity to and understanding of different cultures. For this and many other reasons, the road was paved for her to assume the dual roles of FLI President and Class Coordinator. While she was still in Germany, I shared with her my interest in seeing her play an important role in the FLI. I was deeply touched when she agreed to do this for me. For her caring and dedication she decisively secures the exceptional:
FLion! Heart Award
We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,
Elouen L. Soviac, FLI Director
FLion!, FLI Mascot
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