Junior Achievement

The most frequently asked question I hear from my friends and family from home is, "So, What are you doing over there?" Well, the initial response "Just playing with my dingy!" doesn't really register in the head of my grandparents, so I have to switch it up a little bit. This post is about a current program that we are working on called, Junior Achievement. Junior Achievement is an organization that is geared towards teaching and promoting business concepts across the world. The organization is an American firm that was first introduced to Bulgaria by a Peace Corps volunteer way back in the day. Here in Belene, we introduced the concept to the local high school here and, with the help of one brave teacher, we were able to start a program here.

Junior Achievement has many different programs that will cater to your schools needs. The programs vary in difficulty and age range. We decided to choose the Company Program. For those who don't know what the Company Program is...



The Company Program, in essence, is a real company that is created and run by students in which they produce a good/service for payment. The Company Program runs from the beginning of the school year (September) and runs until the late spring (April). The program allows the students to get the feel for a real company, pros and cons. They have the opportunity to raise capital, draft a business charter/plan, elect a board of directors, create services or products, maintain financial integrity, etc... The program also allows the students to hire and fire personnel (students) as they see fit.

The school in which our program takes place is called, "Maria Skodvska Curie". This is a technical high school that was originally created as a high school with a focus on nuclear engineering (Due to the construction of the Nuclear Plant, which has been in process since the late 80's). The high school now serves as a general studies school, but also has an economic focus in some of its classes. With the help of Anelia, a teacher, we introduce the materials to the 11th grade class.

The reception of the program was meek at first, but when the students found out that there was a chance to make money, let’s just say, "Shit hit the fan". Since this program is based on the most simplistic capitalist ideas, the students were motivated by money at first. Ironically now, the students are trying to cut down on labor costs (their salaries) in order to make the company more profitable (what a concept, maybe US companies should take note).

The name of the company is, Оптимизъм за Белене, or Optimizium for Belene. The main focus of the company is advertising. Advertising in itself is a very broad field, but this also enabled them to participate in a wide variety of activities. Activities include, building an advertising website, creation of calendars and Christmas cards, and currently, mass production of Martanintsi (red and white bracelets).

So now you ask yourselves, where do I fit in? Well, during the week, the class meets for 1 hour specifically for Junior Achievement. You could call this a weekly staff meeting. At the meetings, the President attends to matters pertaining to the company’s’ problems and any issues or ideas they have for new ventures. I attend these meetings as an advisor to the company (without commission). We try not to tell them what to do, but just guide them on their way. The program is designed to lead them to mistakes, but it is up to them to fix. Every now and then, I will go in and teach them something relating to a problem they are having or just general business knowledge. For example, one class was about the different types of financial institutions and another was about the Cost-Benefit Analysis. Now, these sessions are usually, in itself, a source of comedy due to my patchwork Bulgarian on financial topics, but are taken and applied direct to there work. This is probably the first time I feel that I have actually transferred tangible skills to a group of people that will actually use them. I can see this first hand in the running of the company. Yes, I have participated in over a dozen "training sessions" with other organizations, done Power Points, and attend countless conferences but the transfer is not seen. Yeah, I am sure they may have learnt a thing or two about how to gain more funds from the EU, but have they really LEARNT anything? Maybe they have, and that is good, but with this program, they would not be able to continue or be success in the program without the knowledge taught by the teacher and I.

For any volunteer reading, I would recommend this program to you (COD,TeFL,or YD) as a good secondary project or just a project to do because you have an interest in teaching Business concepts to Bulgarians.

Ok, so everything is good here. I am taking everyday as it comes. I hope to post about my travels to other countries soon.

Stay Classy,

Chase



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This one is for you Rod (this post is kind of a stretch)

"To promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of the peoples served.” This statement can be found on page 14 in our Peace Corps hand book. I trust that many of my fellow volunteers, as well as myself, have tried to exude this all-American image were our sweat smells like freedom and our can-do attitude resembles Chris Farley on speed. We are immune to depression, lack certain tear ducts to express any type of negative emotion, impervious to anger, and can never have a bad day. We do everything correct, if we fail, we don’t fail due to effort, we fail because of bad planning. We don’t take bribes, because we are democratic and believe in justice and equity. We don’t take kick back or “pay-to-play” because Americans don’t do that. It is important that we don’t do these things because we may be the only American that a Bulgarian meets. Their opinion will form from the way we present our values. Generalizing is not only allowed, but encouraged. “Oh look, Chase wears short sleeves during the winter, he must be crazy, All Americans must be crazy.” “There is Chase again, running around like someone is chasing after him, All Americans must just run for no reason. “ “Why does Chase always smile when I see him, All Americans must always smile, weird.” “Oh listen, 50 Cent is rappin a song on TV, Chase, he is American, has to know the words.” “Oh geez, another Illinois politician falls victim to corruption and greed, Chase must be corrupt and greedy, All Americans must be corrupt and greedy.” “God, that Justin Timberlake is one good looking guy, Chase is American, why doesn’t he look like Justin Timberlake, damn, we got ripped off.”



Conversely, my image of Bulgarians is drawn from the people I have come in contact with throughout my stay here in Bulgaria. My opinion of a people can never be drawn from just one person, but rather many. People are people, and a single bad person can not be representative of the entire population. Whether it is the local grocer or my counterparts, I derive my opinion of Bulgarians from the Bulgarians. Let it be known, that all my opinions of Bulgarians are positive. There is nothing bad I can say about Bulgarians in “general”. I have the opportunity to meet and talk to a lot of Bulgarians which other Americans probably have not. Many countries in the European Union often judge and categorize Bulgaria and its citizens as people who are unsavory and corrupt due to its few political leaders whom have stuck to their old ways of doing business, payoffs and “hidden funds”, which leads the EU to cut funding on several programs that would benefit some of the impoverished groups of people in Bulgaria. Instead, these people drive their new BMWs through villages in which the roads have more potholes then the village has people. Should we judge the whole of Bulgaria on a few corrupt politicians with mafia ties? My advice would be to judge Bulgaria on people you meet and experiences you have had with them. Not just one person.



Now for some fun stuff. I am sure all of you back at home and even some people here in Bulgaria have learned about the continued success of Illinois corrupt leaders in government. It is said that 4 out of the last 8 governors of Illinois have been arrested or charge with federal corruption charges (other illegal matters). That means that if you become a governor of Illinois, you have a 50% chance of getting thrown in to the Joilet state penitentiary. And no, this does not mean you get your chance at TV stardom, the Prison Break season is over. So set your goals high kids, if you are not sure of what you want to be when you grow up, either a criminal or a governor of Illinois, just know, your chances of being both are very high. The newest person to fall victim to the “Windy City” politics is Richard Daley, scratch that, I mean Rod Blagojevich. I am sure you all know of the “alleged” accusations that Mr. Governor is being charge with. Here are a few just to get a general idea of this guy’s scumbaggery:

1) “Allegedly” tried to sell the US Senate seat which was previously held by President elect Barack Obama. He compared his position in regards to the Senate seat to a sports agent shopping a player around to “the highest bidder.” (well, I guess with the economy the way it is, someone had to cash in the last remaining Blue chip stock.)
2) “Allegedly” threatened the Chicago Tribune to fire some of the editors who were written bad things about him. (Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words, for that, I will have you fired)
3) “Allegedly” The governor allotted $8 million in funds to Children’s Memorial Hospital, believing he would get $50,000 back from the hospital’s CEO. When the money never came, he checked with staff to see if he could pull back the funding. (Making money off a hospital that focuses on helping and aiding the youth of Illinois is one thing, but taking back the money because you didn’t get your cut is pretty low)

These are just a couple of the alleged actions that Rod sought to realize during his term as Governor of Illinois. This is America right, and every man, women and child is born (or granted) the right to a fair and just trial in the court of law amongst a jury of YOUR peers. I capitalize YOUR because in this case it is the People of Illinois. Since he is elected official of the people of Illinois, elected at the service of the people of Illinois, it should be the people of Illinois that decides his fate, correct? On a recent interview with Larry King, King noted that the comments on the federal wiretaps sounded “Bad”. Rod responded by saying, “Oh, of course it sounds bad. But think about some of the private conversations you might have on the telephone….. You can take all kinds of things out of context.” How right you are. Let me give you a few excerpts from a recent conversation I had with a friend from home, I hope there were no Feds listening:

Me: Hey man, what sup?
Friend: Not much man, just thinking about that car that you have at home. Are you going to give it a way?
Me: Hell no!? “It’s a f-ing valuable thing.” “You just don’t give it away for nothing…. I’ve got this thing, and it’s f-ing golden.”
Friend: Are you sure, I mean, my parents are looking for a good used car and they thought that maybe you could give it to them. They would really appreciate it.
Me: “They’re not willing to give me anything but appreciation. F— them.”
Friend: Hey man, easy, those are my parents you are talking about. Let’s get off that subject. I got your package in the mail and read the article in the paper about you and your mission there in Bulgaria. I was pretty taken back; they appear to thing that you are lazy and worthless at your site. Is that true?
Me: Yeah the editors don’t like me that much, as far as I am concerned, “Fire all those f—ing people. Get them the f— out of there. And get us some editorial support”


The recent impeachment by the Illinois state government has given Rod the chance to stand up and, “Fight, Fight, Fight, Fight until my last breath” right? You would think that you would do everything in your power to clear your name, in his case, bribe the person holding the incriminating tapes, use the newest intimidation techniques and try to pay off as many people as possible, right? You would defend yourself in front of your peers from the very beginning to the very end of your trial. On the night of your trial, you dream of the images in which Tom Cruise interrogates Jack Nickalus. Jack (you) stands defiant in his defense and offers the famous words, “You can’t handle to truth!” You can’t wait to get into the court room and stand your ground, or not.

Well, not this man. Instead of coming to the opening trial remarks you head to the wonderful place that we call TV land. You decide to plead your case on shows like The View and Larry King Live. Barbara and Larry are great people, but really? Do you think that the mothers of Massachusetts have any say or play any part in the outcome of your fate? Do you think Larry and his national coverage will allow you to convince a man in Texas that you are innocent? Maybe yes, maybe no, but let me inform you of something. Your fate is decided by the people of Illinois, not Bubba Bill in Tennessee.

You leave Springfield and the people of Illinois in the most peculiar position. The man, in which the House just impeach 117-1, does not show up to prove his innocence, or should I say disprove his guilt, leaves us wondering why? With the amount of evidence piling up against you and the people of Illinois searching for answers, you give us Star Jones. Thank you Rod, you are one classy man. If you don’t believe you can get in a fair trial in the state that you represent, where can you go? You think the people of Wisconsin give two shits about your predicament? Your alleged crimes took place in Illinois, while you were Governor of Illinois. Your trial and jury will be held and found in Illinois. Sorry Rod, looks like your chances of avoiding impeachment are none. So, in closing, I urge everyone not to judge a people by a single person, but rather a sampling of individuals. Don’t fault us for the actions of one person and also remember not to credit us with the accomplishments of one person.

Oh, one last thing. Congrats to Obama!!!

Stay Classy Chicago (Rod)
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