CHARITIES
by David L. Sharkis, 33°, Director of Operations Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc.
ORDER
O U T
O F
C H A O S
When looking for a word to describe the year 2020, “chaos” immediately comes to mind. For most of us, the COVID-19 pandemic has completely uprooted our lives. It has changed the way we work, educate, socialize, worship, and even how we gather with family. Yet even in the darkest of times, our greatest challenges can also usher in great progress. The ritual of the 33rd degree introduces this idea as “Ordo ab Chao”—“Order out of Chaos.”
high, and 26% rated it high for a 99% favorable approval rating. The remaining 1% rated it neutral. We did not receive a single negative response! We needed to take some risks and be creative which led us to develop new processes that will serve us long after this pandemic has subsided. Our monthly Zoom calls with Center Directors and Board chairs are unifying a formerly decentralized team. Our ever-expanding virtual tutoring expertise will enable us to continue to serve children during times when illness or
A
other factors prevent them
s our Dyslexia Centers began to
The Accountability Loop
close last March with COVID-19
• Focusing on desired outcomes
We have developed advanced
• Forgiving those who may have contributed to the situation
training courses which provide
• Determining your role in the solution
education taught by our own
• Taking action—any action that leads you to your goal
revenue streams.
numbers rising around the country, we found ourselves in
chaos, but with the benefit of hindsight, chaos was exactly what we needed. This virus pushed our team to a fork in the road, and the path we chose—the path of accountability—led us to adapt and thrive as an
from coming to the Center.
consistent, high-quality online experts that may lead to future
We will emerge from the As the Director of the Children’s
pandemic a strong, dynamic,
Dyslexia Centers, I can attest
and unified organization. We
that we were guilty of playing
will not only survive when
victim for a few days before we
others fail, but we will become
took accountability and began to
stronger. The lesson here is a
act. Our goal: to continue serving
simple one though it requires
children despite ever-changing
courage and commitment. In
restrictions. Since then, our
the future, when confronted
Dyslexia Centers have conducted
with a situation that is not
• Ignoring the problem
over 30,000 Zoom lessons
entirely of your own making,
• Denying a problem exists
serving over 1,000 children. We
avoid being a victim. Be
are currently training over 250
accountable. Take ownership
educators virtually. In a recent
and control of your situation,
survey of our parents, 73% rated
and create order out of chaos.
organization. The book The Power of Personal Accountability introduces us to the Victim/Accountability Loop models of engaging challenging situations. The Victim Loop
• Blaming others • Hiding from the problem altogether
the quality of our program very
February 2021
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