Wondering Why: Speaker Series

Happy Wednesday! Today we are starting a new, fun, and informative series titled Wondering Why. 

SLOCA approaches everything we do with careful consideration and purposeful planning––there is an intentional objective behind each choice made, each dollar spent, and every event held. Our fantastic leadership team does their best to convey to us, the SLOCA community, the reasons behind each significant decision made, however, it can be a challenge to make sure everyone gets all the information and clearly understands. Wondering Why will seek to answer some of the lingering “whys” you may have and help you feel more all in as a part of our community.

In February, SLOCA will again host our annual Speaker Series––have you ever wondered why SLOCA prioritizes this event? For our first Wondering Why, Cozy Faber, our Development Director, piques our interest about this year’s speaker while simultaneously offering insight into why SLOCA annually organizes a speaker event (and why we choose who we do!). Read on to hear about a night you do not want to miss.

This year, it is our distinct pleasure to host adventure photographer, Chris Burkard, on Friday, February 21st, at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center. Chris leads a life off the beaten path, traveling the globe with a successful career that he created for himself based on his passions and talents. What started as an interest in surf photography grew into a whole lot more––award-winning documentaries, alpacas, arctic surfing, cycling around Iceland, and an entire brand. Often taking his family with him, having a flexible educational model is crucial. SLOCA is a natural fit, and two years ago they enrolled here. Now he, his wife Bree, and their two children are an integral part of our community. And in a year of Less. But Better., Chris embodies what it can look like when we hone in on what our essential purpose is and pursue it fully. He also models how to do so with the kind of character inherent in our education here.

So, why the annual Speaker Series? First, it helps us get the word out about our school. SLOCA strives to be an active and relevant resource here in our community––not only to our families and students but to our entire SLO county. We offer a unique school for families beyond what is traditionally available––this freedom of choice is a highly desirable characteristic as folks look to relocate and/or remain here. Businesses and local governments alike actively promote the education options parents have in SLO County and we are proud to be a strong contender in the decision-making process. This isn’t the only way we want to serve our community, though.

Secondly, we want to be an asset that actively contributes something beyond the services a school typically provides. We want to give back by contributing to our local cultural milieu. One way of doing this is through our Speaker Series––by hosting interesting, relevant, smart presenters, we add value to the community by offering opportunities to engage with folks we wouldn’t be able to otherwise. We spend lots of time and thought on who we ask each year––in the last few years we’ve hosted Bill Deresiewicz, Scott Kelly, Garrison Keillor, to name a few.

Chris is an inspiration to parents and community members alike. Through him, they can see how a nontraditional job and an unconventional way of life is possible. It is difficult and often scary to go against the grain (and isn’t that what all of us are doing by sending our kids to SLOCA?).  Hearing his story, attendees will be encouraged and inspired to find confidence in their dreams. Also through Chris’ example, our guests will learn that when they have school-aged children, there is an option here on the Central Coast that will support them in their career decisions, all the way from banking to surfing in Iceland under the arctic sky!

Thank you, Cozy for insight into the SLOCA Speaker Series.

For tickets and more info for this spectacular event, Click Here (SLOCA rewards members: be sure to check your January Rewards email for special discounts). Also, local icon Singer/Songwriter and SLOCA parent, Inga Swearingen, will perform originals (including a never before released single!) with her full band for the opening act. Don’t miss it!

Do you have a “why” you have been wondering about? Share them with us by emailing Down Home or commenting on this blog post below!