From frustration to inspiration

From Frustration To Inspiration

Casey Lartigue Jr., fourth from right, holds a Freedom Speakers Internationalbanner alongside members of the board of directors after their Jan. 18meeting. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Casey Lartigue Jr., fourth from proper, holds a Freedom Audio system Worldwide banner alongside members of the board of administrators after their Jan. 18 assembly. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

By Casey Lartigue Jr.

In moments of frustration or impatience, People typically rely to 10 to regain composure. Residing in South Korea, I’ve discovered myself taking this apply to new extremes — counting to 10, then persevering with to 110, after which again right down to 1. As chairman of the board of Freedom Audio system Worldwide (FSI), this technique of self-control has served me effectively, particularly within the early days of our revamped board.

At our preliminary conferences, I couldn’t assist however marvel what my fellow board members — all South Koreans — have been considering. Their conversations typically revolved round journey and meals reasonably than the group’s work. Whereas I may perceive this on the first assembly, by the third and fourth, I discovered myself on the point of strolling out with out informing them. As an alternative, I began counting — up, down and in each course — and reminded myself that I’m in Korea, the place relationships typically take time to heat up. Slowly however certainly, issues started to alter.

I’ve served on the boards of administrators and trustees for a number of organizations over the previous twenty years, and every has provided distinctive classes and challenges. This was the primary time I used to be the board chair and it appeared I had not discovered something from these years of expertise. Some boards have been extremely skilled and centered, making selections with precision and goal. Others have been contentious, stricken by back-stabbing, gossip and pointless drama, which created poisonous environments. I’ve additionally skilled boards that have been enjoyable, participating and provoking, just like the one on the Black Alliance for Instructional Choices (BAEO). For a few years, I thought-about BAEO to be my most rewarding board expertise.

However FSI has surpassed even BAEO as essentially the most inspiring and uplifting board I’ve served on. Our first assembly of the yr, held on Jan. 18, reaffirmed why FSI stands out. It was greater than an administrative gathering — it was a celebration of shared values, mutual help and real influence.

One of the inspiring moments got here when board members pledged to help a Matching Donation Problem sponsored by an American group. Their generosity and dedication demonstrated their perception in FSI’s mission and their willpower to assist it thrive. Their dedication jogged my memory of the deep sense of goal that unites us.

Casey Lartigue Jr., in the background, presents a review of Freedom SpeakersInternational’s 2024 activities during the organization’s first board of directorsmeeting of the year. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

Casey Lartigue Jr., within the background, presents a evaluate of Freedom Audio system Worldwide’s 2024 actions through the group’s first board of administrators assembly of the yr. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

As I’ve identified in a earlier weblog publish, it’s South Koreans who work behind the scenes to help North Korean refugees though most reporters seek for proof of discrimination by South Koreans. The South Koreans working behind the scenes to help us are our paid staffers, main supporters and our board members who’re legal professionals, businesspeople, freelancers, medical professionals and accountants.

The assembly itself was a testomony to engaged and supportive participation. I opened the assembly with a evaluate of our 2024 actions and plans for 2025. FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo offered an in depth overview of our monetary data and a complete deep dive into our price range guaranteeing transparency and readability. Board members requested considerate questions and provided constructive suggestions, exhibiting their deep funding in FSI’s success. It was critical, centered and but there have been loads of smiles and even shared laughter as we mentioned our work.

Behind the scenes, Eun-koo’s efforts proceed to be the spine of our operations as she handles numerous obligations, together with making ready board supplies and coordinating logistics. Her dedication retains the group working easily.

FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo, in the background, presents Freedom SpeakersInternational’s budget and financials during the organization’s first board meetingof 2024. Courtesy of Freedom Speakers International

FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo, within the background, presents Freedom Audio system Worldwide’s price range and financials through the group’s first board assembly of 2024. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

After the assembly, we invited three North Korean refugees from FSI’s Keynote Speaker community to hitch us for dinner. This gathering was one other spotlight of the day.

Three North Korean refugees join Freedom Speakers International’s board ofdirectors for dinner following the organization’s first meeting of 2025. Courtesy ofFreedom Speakers International

Three North Korean refugees be part of Freedom Audio system Worldwide’s board of administrators for dinner following the group’s first assembly of 2025. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

Han Music-mi, whose memoir „Greenlight to Freedom“ I co-authored, discovered that a number of board members have been enthusiastic supporters of hers. One board member had even bought 100 copies of her memoir and personally shipped them to libraries, taking the time to jot down out every library’s title — an act of thoughtfulness and dedication that moved her deeply. Three different board members shared how a lot that they had loved studying her story, additional affirming her influence.

Jang Sharon, one other North Korean refugee, additionally skilled a heartwarming second when she found that some board members had learn her e-book and have been followers of hers. Their admiration for her work left her feeling seen, valued and supported.

Kim Su-jin, a relative newcomer in comparison with Sharon, who has been with us since 2015, and Songmi, who joined in 2019, has already made an impression on our workforce and continues to develop in her position. She has arrange a Substack account, has given a number of speeches and meets with us usually to seek out methods she will get extra deeply concerned with us.

Over dinner, it was additionally a humbling expertise for me personally. I may really feel what pancakes really feel like when syrup will get poured on prime — so candy! A number of board members spoke in loving and supportive phrases about my contributions to FSI, which was each encouraging and deeply touching. Moments like these remind me how fortunate I’m to work alongside such compassionate and devoted people, although I initially resisted turning into the chairman of the board.

The cherry on the highest was when my co-author, Music-mi, talked about me altering the course of her life in a optimistic method. 4 years in the past, she didn’t consider me after I stated she had the potential to develop into an writer and speaker. It has occurred and he or she doesn’t miss a possibility to thank me for my management and imaginative and prescient.

Apparently, the board members preserve a respectful distance from the North Korean refugees, admiring their tales with out forming private connections. This method displays a professionalism I’ve come to worth by way of my expertise on different boards and didn’t count on with this board. By staying centered on governance, technique, and organizational improvement, the board ensures the group’s continued progress and influence.

This board assembly was extra than simply an administrative gathering — it was a celebration of collaboration, mutual help and a shared dedication to FSI’s mission. Collectively, we’re constructing one thing really significant. And for the previous a number of conferences, I haven’t as soon as needed to rely to 10.

Casey Lartigue Jr. (CJL@alumni.harvard.edu) is the chairman and co-founder of Freedom Audio system Worldwide with Lee Eun-koo, and co-author with Han Music-mi of her memoir „Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter’s Seek for Her Mom and Herself.”

 

Přejít nahoru