Good afternoon!

I am knee deep in paperwork, forms, numbers and other fun paperwork. Every time I see a piece of Goldenrod colored paper my eye twitches. Actually, it is fun if you are in the right mindset, and would be much smoother if I had a head for numbers. Alas, I don't.

I do, however, really love this job of being the IT / Data Manager. It means that I get to go see everyone who works here and spend time with them. Usually, this is because something is broken and I need to kick, I mean fix it. Being the person who can fix your problems has done wonders for my popularity! (To be honest, I think and hope  I was pretty well liked before this too.)

More social than anything else, I started out as a Case Manager, or as we call it, an "Advocate", and that is a very apt name. I would advocate for people and be their voice while they were learning to speak for themselves.

 In an ordinary - out of work arena, think of Advocacy as similar to friendship, parenting, and therapy combined. My friends have always called to order pizza for me because I am too shy to call the Pizza guy. I call everyone's bill collectors and make payment arrangements. My parents listen to the news flashes in my life and when asked to, they will help me prioritize issues - I use them for boundaries and as a reminder of where my limits are. Therapy, everyone has ALWAYS told me their problems.

Being an Advocate is easily the best job to have here. They problem solve, guide, and do most of the work where it comes to members regaining the lives they had, or created the self they want to be. Some of the paperwork is dull – and most of that paperwork now comes to me. The hours can be harsh – most places need 24 hour coverage.

The social environment can be stressing – people lurking in the doorways, walking in unannounced, having tension with other members, members decompensate, and everyone leaves odd voicemails at all hours of the night . . . .

But it is rewarding in the most simple and profound ways. An advocate is the torch bearer of Hope. The Advocate looks at members with unconditional positive regard and offers encouragement for even the smallest of achievements. Advocates have answers or the resources to find answers, and so everyday is a chance to have an immediate impact on another person.

I admit it, I was a little in love with being an advocate.

I changed positions because, rewarding as it was, I had done it for years and even the crisis’ were becoming routine. I wanted to grow and face other challenges, so I went to one of the Directors that I admire, and asked for her help. She answered with a HUGE challenge. *note to self, Shannon delivers*.

I have learned so much about computer systems and email, Access databases, file sharing, and billing; still, I know almost nothing. That is the fun part, exploring the systems needed to keep a large agency flowing smoothly. The miserable part is having everything crash at once! I think there are probably an infinite number of people who could do this job better than I – but none of them would like it as much as I do.