G2 Quick Update and Next Steps

[David Gordon]

Dear G2,

We hope you had a nice and relaxing break....because the real fun is about to begin!  

Quick Update

As you know, Matt and Jon are currently in Vietnam and will return this Wednesday.  Although we have yet to receive full feedback, there has been at least one unexpected change.  Hue airport will be undergoing renovation in March, forcing us to travel to Hue via Da Nang.  Because Da Nang is a 90 minute drive from Hue, this may require that we adjust our schedule.  Everyone on the ISR staff is pushing as quickly as possible for a resolution to this issue, and will we communicate the new itinerary as soon as we receive it.  In the meantime, if anyone finds any sites worthwhile in Da Nang, we would be all ears.

Next Meeting(s)

Are folks free from 4:45-5:45 pm on Monday, January 29 for a meeting?  Please let us know ASAP.  Once class schedules are finalized, we will set a standing meeting time that works for everyone.  Until then, we'll be forced to do things a bit ad hoc.

Taskings

Louis, Matt seemed a bit skeptical about the Wise Men presentation format.  We respectfully pushed back, asking for an opportunity to outline our proposal before any final verdict was rendered.  Can you please draft a short memo outlining 1) the proposed choreography of the Wise Men presentations and 2) why you think such a format is more conductive to these characters/issues than a more traditional presentation?  Please then circulate it to the G2 for comments, at which point we will send it along to Matt and Jon.  Do you think you can have something to the team in advance of our proposed Monday meeting?  Please let us know if this sounds too onerous.

Agenda    

You may be asking yourself what more we can possibly expect from you, given all that you have accomplished thus far.  Good question!  Below please find the current list of outstanding requirements as of today.  This list will likely evolve as the semester progresses, and we will be certain to keep you appraised as it does.  We can talk priorities and deadlines when we next meet.  As with everything G2-related, we welcome your input on this list, so please let us know if anything seems absent or amiss.

1.  Finalize character list and questions based on scouting feedback and potential schedule changes.

2.  Compile reading lists for your characters (Not a bad thing to do now, if you have the time.)

3.  Assign characters to participants, including ourselves.

4.  Write narrative (We currently envision having you draft language specific to your characters while we stitch together these pieces into the broader story; We are open to other suggestions, however.)

5.  Meet with participants individually to ensure they understand their characters' questions.

6.  Plan and execute kick-off event.

7.  Support DV coordinator.

8.  Support PAO on maps/fly-away book.

9.  Prepare annotated bibliography to familiarize participants with relevant scholarship authored by DVs Killebrew and West.  (We feel this will facilitate more substantive interaction between students and these two DVs).

10.  Organize Colin Powell event?!?

You all have done an amazing job thus far.  We really mean that.  Please keep it up as we enter crunch time!

-Kelly & Dave