volunteers:

The second half of the GAMER Program is a speaker program consisting of five, 30 minute talks given to the students. The purpose of the speaker program is to communicate the non-academic qualities that are necessary for success in life. Some examples are the importance of being on time, the importance of avoiding drugs and alcohol, and the like. In all, the students will be exposed to the positive messages on how to succeed in life, each and every month of their entire academic career (8 interventions per year).

How can you help support the program? I need motivational speakers. I need people who have been successful in life who know what it takes to obtain that success. My definition of successful is someone who owns their home, owns their car, and has enough money to have a fun vacation once or twice a year. In other words, I want someone who is middle class or better. I am not looking for millionaires, although they would certainly be welcome to participate. Many people may not believe that they would be a good motivational speaker. They may think I am looking for someone like Vince Lombardi. What most people don’t realize is the incredible lack of knowledge about how our society works and the keys to success in the families of the poor. Just the plain truth about what is valued in the work place is very motivational to these children.

There are 7 simple questions which if answers properly will determine whether or not you will be a good motivational speaker. First, do you (or did you) like your job? Second, do you use your brain or bicept muscles at work? Third, do you make an adequate amount of money for the life style you want? Fourth, did you get drunk, stoned and drop out of school, or did you finish your education (dropping out but going back to school later to become a success counts favorably)? Fifth, do you show up to work on time or early? Sixth, do you show proper respect to your, subordinates, peers and superiors? Seventh, do you have to be asked more than once to perform a job from your supervisors?

When I give a talk to the children, I typically start out with my background and upbringing. I was not a Rockefeller and got ahead through education, hard work, honesty, and avoiding drugs and alcohol. I show them pictures of fun vacations that I have taken and ask them if they would like to have fun vacations too. If they want fun vacations and nice things, I inform them that “in the real world people get paid for brains”. I stress that the most valuable thing that these children possess is their brain. I build up the image of their teachers and administrators as being extremely important in their development and the importance of doing their home work every day and paying attention in class. These messages need to be told to the children every time they are exposed to our program.

The last portion of each talk is the unique features that will improve student character. Dr. Terri Boggus (PhD education, St Mary’s University), various business leaders and myself have collaborated in compiling 70 important non-academic keys to success. Examples are the importance of not procrastinating, honesty, being on time, proper dress, proper speech, non-violent verbal conflict resolution of differences etc. Each of the topics for the entire 65 talks (5 for each grade including Kindergarten) has been established so that the curriculum is very structured and will be consistent for each class room in the district