This year’s Intern and Apprentice Orientation Retreat was one of our most successful yet! With a total of ____ in attendance during the 3 day event, there was rarely a dull moment. The orientation began with a great meal, followed by a “Human Billboard” icebreaker, providing a fun opportunity to get to know everyone. Throughout the afternoon, Interns, Apprentices, and Supervisors were welcomed into the OC community with introductions by various members of OC’s Board and staff, along with Dean Church, representing CoBank, the Orientation sponsor. The keynote speaker for the afternoon was Julene Bair, author of The Ogallala Road. Julene’s seminar focused on “sharing our stories from the places that shaped us.” The day ended with an excellent Art Slam, where everyone was invited to enter a poem, song, “act” or other talent to share with the group.
The next day began with a Colors Personality assessment, a great tool to analyze personalities—bringing self-awareness and a better understanding of group dynamics. The morning keynote, Buildling Relationships Through Better Understanding of One Another, was given by Debra Bolton, extension specialist in Family and Consumer Sciences at Kansas State University. The ended with an introduction to the 12 Key Assets of the Commonwealth, and a Commonwealth Fair. During the afternoon, interns and apprentices had the opportunity to choose from a variety of workshops, with subjects ranging from communicating to finding funding, to being creative. Before wrapping up the day with contract-signings, interns and apprenctices heard from William Nelson, of CHS, Inc. Kade Wilcox, OC’s strategic planner, also spoke on building important skills needed for the workplace. The orientation concluded the following morning with a panel discussion on thinking about the future following an internship or apprenticeship.
As always, OC is thrilled at the start of this new journey, and we are looking forward to all the great things our interns and apprentices will accomplish!
View the full photo album from the orientation, all photos courtesy of Alphonso Rincon.
