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(August 2010) The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina would like to welcome Verdia Deese as the new Boys & Girls Clubs Manager. A thorough search began after the position was left vacant due to the recent death of Wanda Kay Locklear, the director of the Boys & Girls Clubs for roughly 4 years.
Verdia Deese is from Rowland and a retired educator. Deese will bring 39 years of experience to the table as a former educator within the Public Schools of Robeson County. “Our young people are our future and that is why team work must continue to be the driving force for this program,” she said. Deese gave a personal example of when she was little girl stringing up tobacco; they didn’t count how many leaves their neighbor did, they did it together and they finished together making them feel like they had conquered the world. “Even cooking back then took a half a day to do because you had to work as a team to get everything done, you needed one another,” she continued.
She compared the team like efforts of her day to the individualistic behaviors of today, stating it only takes one person to cut the lawn, one person to wash the dishes, and one person to cook claiming that team work becomes lost in modern technology. “Team work builds confidence and pride which will transform our youth into the great leaders and citizens they are destined to be,” she said with poise. Deese recalled watching the children at the club during Power Hour, a time set aside for homework, saying that those types of behaviors are what she wanted to continue to see; the children working together to help each other.
The new manager is not only focused on the children but the staff she will be responsible for as well. Her stated desire is to bring more structure to the activities and what the clubs are doing through staff development. She expressed that she wants her staff to be able to freely express their concerns and issues. “I’m still learning myself, they are going to teach me a lot out there on the job; you are dead if you stop learning,” said Deese. She plans on partnering with local institutions such as the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Robeson Community College to help her achieve staff development initiatives. She explained the purpose would be for her staff to learn how to improve themselves while working with children, not only their strategies but reaching out for other opportunities. “I want them to feel a part of a top notch program,” she said, “therefore; we should always be asking if we implementing the programs and activities the best way possible.”
She feels that with her educational background that she will be able to observe and evaluate how actives are being presented and from there identify the needs of the children and staff. Deese’s educational background consists of a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, Master of Arts in elementary education and administration, and an Advanced Degree in education. “I’m not ready to stop working,” she said enthusiastically.
CONTACT:
Kendra Danielle Chavis, Public Affairs Specialist
Office: 910.522.2187
Email: kdchavis@lumbeetribe.com |
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Tribe hires new Boys & Girls Club Manager
