How about RIASPA Chapter Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Michael Hall
May 17, 2024
The Rhode Island ASPA (RIASPA) Chapter held its 13th Annual Public Service Week Conference May 1, 2024 in the Providence, Rhode Island Public Library. The theme for the program year which included a Fall 2023 Reception and Colloquium and the Public Service Week Conference was “Discovering the Soul of Public Service.” Although the program theme was multifaceted, the keynote speakers provided enough content throughout their presentations to ensure its coverage was more than adequate. This was further evidenced by attendees enthusiastic responses, which transitioned into lively and extensive Q&A sessions.
Torey Malatia of Rhode Island Public Radio or as it is formally known, The Public’s Radio and Michell Tollinchi of Posse New York were selected as this year’s speakers. Mr. Malatia presented a thoughtfully prepared elocution of the public in public service. He noted that from his perspective, in particular, there is more than one public and the best way to approach these different publics is to listen. He noted that he knew it was “hard” to listen since we are used to preparing responses in our heads as someone else is talking. Listening should be practiced often he stated. Dr. Tollinchi, a native New Yorker, both NYC and NYS, covered the development of the service portion of public service. She described her early exposure in the “rough and tumble” Bronx neighborhood she grew up in. She then went on to describe her struggles in finding her way through education at the University of the State of New York at Albany. She was “rescued” by supportive teachers and advisors in the subject area of Social Work, she said. She also reflected on a time when she received support from an academic official at the University of North Carolina at a time when she found she was not fulfilling her full academic potential. She was once again assisted by another of whom she termed “super heroes” dedicated to service via helping. She finished her Masters’ degree and went on to Fordham University. She knew by that time she was dedicated to service which resulted in her position as Executive Director of Posse in New York City. Both Mr. Malatia and Dr. Tollinchi received appreciation gifts and both received donations from RIASPA for their respective nonprofit organizations.
For some years, Dr. Michael Hall, President of RIASPA, had worked with high school students from the two high schools in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Those years were then interrupted by COVID-19 so it wasn’t until the May 1, 2024 conference that Dr. Hall managed to make connections to Hendricken High School’s Leadership Academy. He met with the students during the Fall of 2023 and the Winter/Spring of 2024. These students took on this additional challenge, despite their many other academic and athletic commitments. Their task was to Discover the Soul of Public Service through three group assignments. Dr. Hall assigned indigenous people, community sustainability and public policy makers as the areas of interest for each of the three groups. The groups were told to conduct research via interviews, internet searches and the school library. On May 1, they presented their findings, concluding the session.
First came the reveal of the required posters designed to highlight the final results from their research. Second came the presentations made by the group captains, however, as it turned out each group had elected co-captains as well. Of note, Dr. Hall had made it clear each group would have just 10 minutes to present—and he would be keeping time. Not a single group went over. The informative nature of each presentation was then showcased by an insightful Q&A portion of the students’ work, further confirming just how well-prepared they were.
The conference ended with the presentation of the high school academy students receiving ASPA pins and certificates of membership to follow. Each of the students received a small gift from RIASPA for their work. They were then awarded by ASPA Executive Director, William Shields, Jr., followed by remarks about the importance of ASPA, urging members of the audience to join.
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How about RIASPA Chapter Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization.
By Michael Hall
May 17, 2024
The Rhode Island ASPA (RIASPA) Chapter held its 13th Annual Public Service Week Conference May 1, 2024 in the Providence, Rhode Island Public Library. The theme for the program year which included a Fall 2023 Reception and Colloquium and the Public Service Week Conference was “Discovering the Soul of Public Service.” Although the program theme was multifaceted, the keynote speakers provided enough content throughout their presentations to ensure its coverage was more than adequate. This was further evidenced by attendees enthusiastic responses, which transitioned into lively and extensive Q&A sessions.
Torey Malatia of Rhode Island Public Radio or as it is formally known, The Public’s Radio and Michell Tollinchi of Posse New York were selected as this year’s speakers. Mr. Malatia presented a thoughtfully prepared elocution of the public in public service. He noted that from his perspective, in particular, there is more than one public and the best way to approach these different publics is to listen. He noted that he knew it was “hard” to listen since we are used to preparing responses in our heads as someone else is talking. Listening should be practiced often he stated. Dr. Tollinchi, a native New Yorker, both NYC and NYS, covered the development of the service portion of public service. She described her early exposure in the “rough and tumble” Bronx neighborhood she grew up in. She then went on to describe her struggles in finding her way through education at the University of the State of New York at Albany. She was “rescued” by supportive teachers and advisors in the subject area of Social Work, she said. She also reflected on a time when she received support from an academic official at the University of North Carolina at a time when she found she was not fulfilling her full academic potential. She was once again assisted by another of whom she termed “super heroes” dedicated to service via helping. She finished her Masters’ degree and went on to Fordham University. She knew by that time she was dedicated to service which resulted in her position as Executive Director of Posse in New York City. Both Mr. Malatia and Dr. Tollinchi received appreciation gifts and both received donations from RIASPA for their respective nonprofit organizations.
For some years, Dr. Michael Hall, President of RIASPA, had worked with high school students from the two high schools in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Those years were then interrupted by COVID-19 so it wasn’t until the May 1, 2024 conference that Dr. Hall managed to make connections to Hendricken High School’s Leadership Academy. He met with the students during the Fall of 2023 and the Winter/Spring of 2024. These students took on this additional challenge, despite their many other academic and athletic commitments. Their task was to Discover the Soul of Public Service through three group assignments. Dr. Hall assigned indigenous people, community sustainability and public policy makers as the areas of interest for each of the three groups. The groups were told to conduct research via interviews, internet searches and the school library. On May 1, they presented their findings, concluding the session.
First came the reveal of the required posters designed to highlight the final results from their research. Second came the presentations made by the group captains, however, as it turned out each group had elected co-captains as well. Of note, Dr. Hall had made it clear each group would have just 10 minutes to present—and he would be keeping time. Not a single group went over. The informative nature of each presentation was then showcased by an insightful Q&A portion of the students’ work, further confirming just how well-prepared they were.
The conference ended with the presentation of the high school academy students receiving ASPA pins and certificates of membership to follow. Each of the students received a small gift from RIASPA for their work. They were then awarded by ASPA Executive Director, William Shields, Jr., followed by remarks about the importance of ASPA, urging members of the audience to join.
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