Neil Anderson's profile answers

Earning the trust and respect of a new community that culturally was closed to "outsiders". Being fresh out of college, I think I expected acceptance of my abilities to be automatic. It was not. Also, everyday was different at the YMCA. I really has to learn to adapt to different scenarios and community needs and adjust my plans to meet those needs. While this was a challenge, it was also my biggest joy. While with the YMCA, I did a little of everything. Ask me what my claim to fame there was?...

The opportunity to utilize my skills with the public while raising significant money for worthy organizations and causes.

(1) Working hand in hand with a very talented and inspiring group of young people.
(2) Learning first hand about advocacy and what it takes to produce results within a highly charged political climate.
(3) Working in a higher education environment, CLIA was started at and supported by the University of Maryland School of Law. I had the opportunity to work with a team of very bright and talented people who are true difference makers....

Living foot to mouth while building a book of business. Pure commission sales is not for the weak of heart.

Aside from a license to sell health and life insurance, there is none. They offer opportunity for anyone willing to get their feet wet by drawing new business.

I have learned the value a quality sign offers to businesses in increasing their exposure. High end visible signage positively impacts any businesses' marketing efforts and can positively affect their traffic.

Finest Kind Signs is a one man operation independently owned and operated. Cam Bortz produces some of the finest work anywhere and has been a personal friend for years. He and I saw how my skills could expand his production.

Keeping staff morale high. We had a mix of new staff with staff who had worked within the camp for years. A 24/7 environment is very challenging and tiring and tends to affect staff morale in unpredictable ways. It was a constant struggle to keep employees energized and focused.

Adjusting to residential camp life. Prior to this experience, while many of my experiences were relevant and I was certainly accustomed to long work hours, I was able to return home at the end of the day. Residential camping is much different from day camping or traditional youth programming with an entirely different set of challenges....

Simply put, they had an immediate need for an interim director and my experience and skills aligned with what they sought.