Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes (part 1)

Oh boy. I have been a bad little blogger. No post since Easter? Naughty RIKKI!

Sorry things have been so quiet around here. Are you still out there Internet? (*Rikki puts her hand to her ear and gives a listen)

I hope so.

Where to start? I guess the changes huh? Well...I got a new job. WHA? That's right! You heard right.

About a month ago there was an article in our local paper about our YMCA director retiring. I didn't think much of it at the time as I wasn't sure what the qualifications for the position were. A few weeks went by and I decided to check out the national vacancy listing on the YMCA website. I was quite excited to find out that not only did I hold all of the "required" skills, but also most of the "preferred" skills as well.

So I dusted off the ol' resume and submitted it along with my cover letter to the powers that be. I didn't hear anything for a few weeks, but then on the car ride to a weekend trip to St. Louis, I got a phone call saying that they wanted to give me a phone interview. Whoo-hoo! I was SO excited!

I had a few days to prepare myself and when the day for the call came, I felt pretty confident that I had put my best foot forward. I tried not to get my hopes up too much though, as it is hard to gauge what other people are thinking during a phone interview.

Another week goes by...

Then I get another phone call. They wanted to let me know that I was still in the running, but that I had not yet been granted an in-person interview. Gulp. I was left in limbo. Thankfully (for my nerves were SHOT) the recruiter told me she would call back the next day and let me know more...

The next day I was told that I was one of the finalists for the position! I would have an interview some time in the upcoming two weeks! EEEKK! They said I would be required to prepare a 25 minute presentation that would address a "challenge question" that would be given ahead of time.

I worked my hiney off on the presentation. I made a PowerPoint, handouts...the whole nine yards! I went out and bought a suit (it was FANCY-SHMANTSY) and a pair of "power shoes"!

The day of the in-person interview I knew I had done all I could. Though I was nervous walking in to the boardroom once I started my presentation, the nerves disappeared. It went by in the blink of an eye and once more I was forced to wait...

Until that fateful Friday afternoon, when I got the call that they would like to offer me the job as the new Executive Director!

I literally did fist pumps while I was on the phone (that's professional right?). Once I accepted the position, it dawned on me that the hard part wasn't over...it had just begun.

Because I now have to say goodbye to the kids I have loved and cared for over the past 2 1/2 years...(to be continued)