It is real!

OMG!!!  Now I have the executive director from the residential treatment center (who is "well-known") in this area by the social services community participating in our parent program.  He was supposed to talk at the suicide prevention Walk I was involved in last year but his wife had just passed away. So I knew he did this "kind of stuff".  Recently, I met him at the latest golf fund-raising event for the new group I'm involved in that helps families with adolescents who need drug treatment. My friend who founded this new group, was the one who introduced me and told him, briefly, what I do.  Anyway,  the drug counselor who was supposed to be involved in the parent presentation couldn't do it because of scheduling so she suggested this same guy!  So - I e-mail him and he said he'd love to do it!!!!  Imagine that!  Now I have to come up with his "role".  I asked him if he could talk, briefly, about treatment centers and what they're about and then be there to answer questions.  I may send him the info. I have on the powerpoint slide so then he knows exactly what that is about.   AND - through the Principal at the Middle School - I was able to get a response (actually two) from the juvenile detective.  He rarely answers my e-mails and yesterday he responded twice.  I had specific drug questions that relate to our community.  The national stats aren't always indicative to our area - so I want to be as accurate as possible.  Well - I am so very glad I did that because it will change my presentation slightly in that area. Whew!  AND the detective said he'd be happy to be a part of this presentation!   Now all I have to do is "NAG" the priest until he responds to me.  He wants this program very much at the school the church has.  He is just extremely busy!  But - if he wants it he HAS to let me know when.  I left him a few e-mails and phone messages and no response - yet. This used to happen to me at the high school with the Principal and I used to take it personally.  I thought he was trying to avoid me.  Well - maybe he was but I know the priest (who is very likable and kind) wants this program but isn't responding so -- patience yet persistence is what it takes - I guess!   Am I nervous?  Not yet - but now - wow - this HAS to be impressive!  I also have to do some major "tweeking" because it can only be an hour long.  I thought we had 1 1/2.  The Principal said any longer - we'll lose them.  The last half hour will be reserved for Q & A.  That part is the worst part.  I remember those meetings in high school and some of those parents - ya just wanted to wring their necks!  Hopefully, the middle school parents will have more intelligent questions to ask!