Week 8
Week in Review
Monday May 15, 2017
We had a really good time in PEP today. First, we started out with Scripture and prayer, and then we had our computer lab class where we learn skills on the computer that will help us upon our re-entry. We followed that up with our Toastmasters class that teaches us how to speak in public, including pointers about things to say and things not to say.
PEP also teaches us about art history, world history and American history as well. We enjoy having class run by Bert S. who teaches us business skills and how to be productive businessmen. We take tests that show how much we paid attention and learned. We also have a list of 10 Driving Values that we live by – Accountability, Integrity and Fresh Start Outlook are just a few. The driving values are great because we can apply them in our daily lives. PEP takes us out of our comfort zones by making us dance and giving us “sweet” names, or dancing the Chicken Dance.
There is no place like home, but there is no place like PEP either.
DeQuentin H. (a.k.a. Cheesecake)
Tuesday May 16, 2017
We began the morning with fellowship and prayer. It is a time to bond and demonstrate one of our 10 Driving Values, which is Love. We transitioned into writing our mission statements for our businesses. We went over examples of effective mission statements as well as ineffective mission statements.
We are currently studying Living in the Village by Ryan C. Mack to enhance our knowledge in financial literacy. We covered Chapter 5 today, which consisted of focusing on our future through preparing our wills, so that those who are financially dependent on us will be financially secure for a while after we die.
We recently started the next part of our business plan, which consists of the revenue model, also known as Economics of One Unit (EOUs). We will be tested on EOUs in two days, so we practiced figuring out the formulas for Sales/Revenue, Cost of Goods Sold, Gross Profit, Overhead, Earnings Before Income Taxes, Income Taxes, Net Profit, and Return on Investment. We went over them until they were understood.
One of the most important values we have is Fun. There isn’t one class day when we don’t dance. To get an idea, it is similar to a soul train on steroids. Then energy in the atmosphere is always great. Dancing helps release some built-up stress and worries that come with our circumstances.
On a more serious note, we prayed out two PEP brothers who are going home. We came together and gave our blessings, and then we prayed as a family. There’s no better way to end a great day of PEP.
John H. (a.k.a. Teddy Ruxpin)
Wednesday May 17, 2017
This morning we had a servant-leader meeting. As usual we walked into the PEP room and greeted each other as we came in – it’s just an all-around good environment. We started with prayer and a reading of the Word of the day. After that, we went over the accountability group topic for the week. We then moved on to the Servant-Leaders who wished to speak about their duties. We had two PEP brothers going home, so we had a pray-out. The pray-out is something that you can look back on when you feel like doing something you used to do. We had a few brothers dance down the aisle because it was their birthday – they must have thought we forgot we are a family. After the servant-leader meeting, we all watched the PEP news and conversed on some of our future plans with the program and life once we are back with our families. After the meeting, we came back to the pod and a few brothers and I helped one another with EOUs and our pitches. After helping each other work on EOUs I read Living in the Village and the Entrepreneurship book, studying the definitions. After that, I read the business behavior book which teaches you how to dress and present yourself in public as a gentleman. I then quizzed my brothers over some of the key points I learned in the books. Today was a good day full of knowledge.
Christopher H. (a.k.a. Riri)
Thursday May 18, 2017
Today we began the day like every other day with a pray-in. The word of the day came next along with a daily devotional reading. Then came the anticipated words: “Everything under your chair.” We hear these words every Thursday, but this week was more dreaded than others because we are testing on the Economics of One Unit. The test was passed out: there were 10 questions on the test, but 78 blanks. The time seemed to go by very fast.
Then Jim H. reviewed Chapter 6 of our Entrepreneurship textbook. He taught us how to break down cash flow statements pretty well with his example of the spout and bucket. He explained to us that if we do not have more rain (money) coming in to fill the bucket than you have going out, then your bucket will end up dry (broke) with no cash. He also explained an accounting equation: assets equal liabilities plus equity.
Despite the anxiety of taking a test, reading chapters, doing homework and getting ready for Saturday’s Venture Capital Panel event, the class of Pristine ’17 will survive and succeed to see the end in September.
Gerald H. (a.k.a. Farmer Jane)
Expressions
This week has been an adventure for Pristine ‘17. Monday I had Toastmasters, where I was an evaluator. My duties were to rate one of my brother’s speeches to ensure he covered the objectives and rated him on his overall performance. I really like coming to Toastmasters because it helps me work on the things that I have trouble with – a work in progress.
On Tuesday we went over mission statements for our businesses. After the presentation we went over a slide show of the book Living in The Village. It is a really good book about financial literacy, investments and retirement income-planning. Last but not least we went over the Economics of One Unit (EOUs). Understanding EOUs will help us with the financial structures of our business. Once I made it back to the housing area I began practicing my pitch for this weekend’s Venture Capital Panel (VCP) event. I am adding more excitement to it and memorizing it.
Thursday we took the EOU test, and I am happy I made it through – now I can focus on what is ahead, including Saturday’s VCP. I practice my pitch all the time by myself and in front of my peers in K-pod.
With that said, I do not need to be afraid to look at circumstances, for every individual is different. PEP is teaching us the tools to be better individuals upon our release. Having clarity about where I am heading, what people I am surrounding myself with and what is happening in the world around me will translate into confidence and power.
God bless.
LaMarcus H. (a.k.a. Reading Rainbow)