A letter from TYPros Chair Shane Fernandez

[zstyles]

Just got this in my email box...not sure what I think about a mini-tulsa chamber letter....

TYPros Newsletter
   5.12.08

A letter from TYPros Chair Shane Fernandez

Below is a letter from Shane Fernandez, the 2008 TYPros Chair. This is in regards to Representative Kern's comments about sexual preference, religion and terrorism.

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Dear Representative Kern,

On April 23rd, Tulsa#146;s Young Professionals completed our 3rd annual Day at the Capitol event. Our organization initiated this event to give our members a firsthand perspective of how state government works and to introduce our members to respective representatives and senators. We encourage our attendants to visit with his or her legislators in order to express their views and concerns about issues they are passionate about.

I visited your office while we were there and, unfortunately, missed you since you were in session. I was hoping to visit with you in regards to the topic of diversity and the importance this issue has to our organization. The mission of TYPros is to attract and retain young professionals in the metro region. As an organization that is three years old, we have quickly grown to roughly 4,500 members and we continue to be one of the fastest growing young professional and leading young professional organizations in the country.

As much as I would like to say that the growth we have experienced in our organization is solely due to the strategic planning of our leadership team, that would simply not be true. It is my opinion that the success of this organization is based more on the passion of our young professionals and their vision of not so much what Tulsa is today, but what Tulsa could be in the future. The combination of our member#146;s energy and enthusiasm coupled with the unrealized potential of this region is our catalyst. Acceptance and tolerance are ingredients that are necessary to this mix.

I was fortunate enough to have lived in many places around the world before coming to Oklahoma. Two weeks before I started my spring semester at OU, I was caught in the middle of a Coup D#146;état in Manila, Philippines. Four years later in Oklahoma City, I happened to be four blocks away when the Alfred P. Murrah building was destroyed by domestic terrorists. Having been raised in Los Angeles, California, I can promise you that race, religion, and sexual preference change at every stop light and continue to do so whether you are in South Central or Beverly Hills.

So, the purpose of my visit to your office was to simply say, from a personal level, that your view of the links between lifestyle, religion and terrorism is offensive to me. I believe Oklahoma already has an uphill battle to erase the stigma of intolerance that has stereotyped this state. When a public leader makes comments such as yours, it completely undermines the progress many organizations in this state are working towards to establish social and economic equality.

This ad was featured in the Tulsa World and ironically ran the same day of our visit to the state capitol. Our organization, along with others, takes the issue of diversity seriously and it is unfortunate that statements such as yours counteract our efforts to sell Tulsa, Oklahoma to our next generation of leaders. I do, however, have no doubt that our vision and energy will diligently work to rebuild the damage done.

Sincerely,
Shane Fernandez, 2008 TYPros Chair
Vice President and Partner, McFarland Davies Architects

[sgrizzle]

Wow.. all that to say what again?

Is TYPros allowed to have vocal opinions?

[zstyles]

Don't know..I was just kinda like HUH? when I got the email.....I think it has to do with Muslims...and terror..etc..something else with gay folks...not sure....wasn't this two months ago..I haven't heard anything about this in the news since that time..guess we are rehashing it....

[Breadburner]

I wonder if he is still employed by that firm......

[RecycleMichael]

While the words do get a little bit off topic...I think he did a good job wrapping up and explaining why he wanted to speak to her. I agree with his sentiments and think he was honorable in trying to politely engage her.

[cannon_fodder]

Kind of a mess indeed.  Terrorists here, there... some diversity on the side.  On to of the beating a dead horse vibe.

+1 with RM, good message.

[tim huntzinger]

A little off-topic? That is an understatement.  What a disaster.  Guess all the young, professional wordsmiths were busy playing with their legos or something.  and talk about homophobic, the letter does not even use the word.  How queer.

[cks511]

Professional verbosity at its' finest. At least three sentences contain over 30 words. LOL.

[midtownnewbie]

quote:Originally posted by RecycleMichael

While the words do get a little bit off topic...I think he did a good job wrapping up and explaining why he wanted to speak to her. I agree with his sentiments and think he was honorable in trying to politely engage her.

+2

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by cks511

Professional verbosity at its' finest. At least three sentences contain over 30 words. LOL.

When the topic of the letter comes in paragraph 5, then it's not worth writing. Not to mention this is two months after the event in question and there is about a -3% chance he'll get a response. What was the point of this little "communique?"

Here ya go:

Dear Representative Kern,

We want to bring and keep young professionals in Tulsa, and Oklahoma in general. You made some comments that were offensive and will scare many of them off. Quit going against what we have spent so many months talking about working on.

Sincerely,
Shane Fernandez
Shouldn't list my employer or social affiliations without their consent.

[cannon_fodder]

I almost commented on that SQ.  I figure the first 3 paragraphs are boiler plate.  My son had to write a letter to a Congressmen for school, he had to write "My name is cannon_fodder Jr., I go to school at XYA, it is a very good school in Tulsa.  We are learning about government because it is important to be involved in a democracy..." and then his little message.

I figure it was the same thing here. Except 3 paragraphs instead of 3 sentences.

[Gaspar]

ADD at it's finest!

Great example of someone who is emotionally committed to dozens of organizations and causes, but does not possess the logical aptitude to understand his own positions.

I have met Shane, he is a very nice guy and an exceptional young architect!  While I agree with some of what he had to say, I am sad that he could not organize his thoughts better and that it was public statement.  

Creatives minds have a very hard time separating emotion from logic, and many times this is the result.  I have this problem myself, and it causes me to analyze and review everything 10 times before I allow others to see it.  

This will be a learning experience for him, and TYPros.  I'm sorry this went out without someone giving him some guidance.

[spoonbill]

Shane,
Do not write public letters after 6 Mojitos at Tsunami, and especially if you are going to represent your company within the letter.

[Conan71]

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar

ADD at it's finest!

Great example of someone who is emotionally committed to dozens of organizations and causes, but does not possess the logical aptitude to understand his own positions.

I have met Shane, he is a very nice guy and an exceptional young architect!  While I agree with some of what he had to say, I am sad that he could not organize his thoughts better and that it was public statement.  

Creatives minds have a very hard time separating emotion from logic, and many times this is the result.  I have this problem myself, and it causes me to analyze and review everything 10 times before I allow others to see it.  

This will be a learning experience for him, and TYPros.  I'm sorry this went out without someone giving him some guidance.

Precisely why most organizations of 4500 sheeple don't allow a loose cannon to write letters of personal opinion as being representative of the whole group.  That would have never flown in the Jaycees.

For some reason when I think of TyPros I think of blonde hair, blue eyes, black boots and goose-stepping.  [)]

[Double A]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

quote:Originally posted by Gaspar

ADD at it's finest!

Great example of someone who is emotionally committed to dozens of organizations and causes, but does not possess the logical aptitude to understand his own positions.

I have met Shane, he is a very nice guy and an exceptional young architect!  While I agree with some of what he had to say, I am sad that he could not organize his thoughts better and that it was public statement.  

Creatives minds have a very hard time separating emotion from logic, and many times this is the result.  I have this problem myself, and it causes me to analyze and review everything 10 times before I allow others to see it.  

This will be a learning experience for him, and TYPros.  I'm sorry this went out without someone giving him some guidance.

Precisely why most organizations of 4500 sheeple don't allow a loose cannon to write letters of personal opinion as being representative of the whole group.  That would have never flown in the Jaycees.

For some reason when I think of TyPros I think of blonde hair, blue eyes, black boots and goose-stepping.  [)]

Chamber Youth? In all fairness, he did make some good points.