Mining for Gems

Mining for Gems

One of the class activities the girls love most is called Mining for Gems.  Much like creating dream collages, mining for gemshelps the girls visualize their ambitions in life through a tangible display of pictures, words, and other images that are clipped from magazines and catalogues. Thanks to the help of the Manhattan Beach Soroptimist not only does the Crown Jewel Club have access to tons of donated magazines, but the Soroptomist also cut out these clippings for the girls.  The girls put these collages in there own notebooks as a special place to keep all the things that they really love.  It is believed that by putting out these images to the universe, it knows exactly what we want and can do a better job of delivering.

 

However, we cannot leave everything up to the universe and positive thinking, achieving your dreams also takes hard work; something we encourage and reinforce to the girls all the time.  We tell them, if you have something you really want in life you need to work hard. Creativity such as that involved with mining for gems is a wonderful way of exploring your inner-self and coming face-to-face with who you really are.  I believe that these collages open these girls’ eyes to a world of new inspirations. My hope is that the girls will look at their notebooks to make them feel happy, hopefully, and proud of the person they are.

 

When I was a younger I started creating dream collages full of everything from my favorite flowers to wedding dresses and holiday decorations to tea sets.  Throughout the years I’ve made pages upon pages of dream collages that fill up my very own album that I still look at every chance I get. With hope and dedication, I can now say that I have made so many of those items, those dreams, come to life, including the Crown Jewel Club!

The Building of a Board

Just in case I haven’t made it abundantly clear already, being recognized by the Women in Business Committee of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce earlier this year has been a huge privilege and boost for the Crown Jewel Club. Through MBWIB and the 2008 conference, at which we received the Heart & Soul Award, the contacts that have been made are off the charts.  The more women that learn about our unique program, the more that want to become involved. As a result, our Executive and Advisory Boards have benefited tremendously, including the additions and contributions  of many new crucial members.  

More specifically, it is though Women in Business that I became acquainted with Kathleen Terry, who immediately volunteered her assistance.  Now, as Vice President of the CJC Board of Directors, she’s my right-hand woman. In her day-job, she helps start-up businesses with organization and teamwork. With CJC, she has helped us build a stellar Board of Directors, and has taught me so much about assembling and leading such a board. It is an auspicious beginning for Crown Jewel Club’s fourth year!