I grew up not knowing that Tom Petty, The Boss, Rolling Stones and The Eagles weren’t the only bands out there. So this past April when Former First Lady of Texas, Mary Gale White talked about The Eagles at the Best of Texas Awards, I was intrigued to how a classic Eagles song could relate to CIS. She said, “The song ‘Hotel California’ by The Eagles says you check in but you never check out. That explains my relationship with CIS, I checked in but can’t check out.” I couldn’t agree more with her statement. I “checked in” four years ago and over the years have checked my family and friends in as well.
When I accepted the Marketing and Communication Director Position at CIS, I was excited to be employed right out of college, but I was surprised how much trust was immediately put in me. My first project was to help plan the Annual Kitchens Tour, an event that places some of the best chefs from theFort Wortharea into some of the most amazing kitchens in the area. Those who know me know I love to plan everything! However, this isn’t your neighbor’s backyard BBQ. It takes an entire committee dedicated to this event every year to make it a success. Along with the committee, a large number of volunteers are required for the day of the event. The first year, I brought my husband to help on the day of the tour. In an office full of women, it’s always good to have some man power, and he immediately got put on trash duty. After four Kitchens Tours, he has yet to be able to get out of trash duty! He and the other volunteers understand that even the most mundane part of an event, like taking out the trash, contributes to the success of the event, and in turn, the success of our students.
Today I am now in charge of all CIS events. I strive for each event to be successful for multiple reasons. The more money we raise, the more students we get to serve. When more people attend an event, more people are aware of CIS. In other words, the more successful an event is, the more people “check in” to CIS. Every event we do, big or small, helps spread the message of CIS and the amazing stories of our students. People “check in” to our events for many different reasons, whether it’s to taste some amazing food or, in my husband’s case, an overly pushy wife. Regardless of why they “check in”, most refuse to “check out” because of the students CIS serve and the future CIS helps them create.
– Michelle Wagner
Marketing & Communications Director
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