December 10, 2024 • 24 mins
Discover the inspiring journey of Felix Linden, a trailblazing educator who made history as the first African-American male named Teacher of the Year for Oklahoma City Public Schools in 2022-23. This episode of the Rotary Spark Podcast reveals how Felix's passion for education and community service has flourished through his involvement with the Rotary, where he has found a platform to enact change and connect with others who share his commitment. From his early teaching days at Roosevelt Middle School to his impactful role at FD Moon Middle School, Felix's story is one of resilience, courage, and dedication. Join us as we discuss how his efforts have not only shaped young minds but also energized the Rotary community in Oklahoma City.
We'll explore the ongoing challenges and triumphs in promoting inclusivity and diversity within Rotary clubs, key to ensuring they reflect the vibrant demographics of our communities. Felix shares his innovative strategies for engaging diverse populations, spotlighting progressive leadership within the Midtown Rotary Club and the importance of youth outreach through collaborations with organizations like Boys and Girls Clubs. Learn how such initiatives are pivotal for the sustainability and relevance of Rotary's mission, and hear a touching story about Rotary's role in connecting students to cultural experiences. As we look to the future, the Midtown Rotary Club stands as a beacon of innovation and inclusivity, continually working to make a significant impact on society.
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Episode Transcript
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Brian Triger (00:15):
This.
This is Brian Traeger with theRotary Spark Podcast.
With me today is Felix Lindenfrom the Midtown Rotary Club.
How are you doing today, felix?
Doing wonderful Brian.
(00:36):
How are you doing sir?
Felix Linden (00:37):
Doing great Thanks for inviting me into your home.
You're welcome Anytime, man,anytime.
Brian Triger (00:43):
I will take you up on that.
Well, don't be too literal now.
Felix Linden (00:47):
Anytime that it's fine for me preferably I will I
will show up frequently.
Ok, that's fine.
I may I may not be here, or mayI may not let you in.
Just so you know you've beenwarned.
Brian Triger (00:59):
So let's see, you're in the Midtown Rotary
Club and you are also teachingat FD Moon Middle School, is
that correct?
Yes, sir, and how long have youbeen teaching?
Felix Linden (01:12):
So I've been teaching 15 years, all in
Oklahoma City public schools.
I started my career teachingseventh grade English at
Roosevelt Middle School in 2010.
And I stayed there for 11 yearsand I left Roosevelt in 2021
after I bought this house thatwe're sitting in right now, and
(01:34):
I went on a short walk and I sawthat there was a school walking
distance, so I walked in,introduced myself to the admin.
My friend from high schoolworked there as his teachers
just the principal secretary andwas just like hey, y'all
looking for anybody, you know,just playing around.
They said no.
I said okay, that's fine, andthen about an hour later, after
(01:55):
I got home, they said actuallywe need somebody that would like
to come work here and in thelanguage arts capacity.
I said yeah, I would love tointerview.
I interviewed in 21 and startedteaching at F&D Middle School
and I've been there now fouryears.
I love it.
Brian Triger (02:10):
Wow, and actually I caught wind that you're a
teacher when I first met you, Ithink, through the media,
because or at least I gotexposed to the idea of your
existence by hearing about theaward that you won.
You were Teacher of the Yearlast year, weren't you?
Felix Linden (02:28):
Yeah, yeah.
So in 2022, 23, I won Teacherof the Year for Oklahoma City
Public Schools, was the firstAfrican-American male to receive
that award, and I've alwaysloved making history and I
consider that one of my biggestaccomplishments that I've ever
achieved in my life, bothpersonally and professionally,
(02:50):
and it has opened a lot of doorsfor me and gave me a lot of
exposure during my time, and Ilook forward to continuing on as
a former Teacher of the Year inour district and also in our
community, because I justbelieve that my platform was to
be bold, and bold with myacronym for being brave,
original, life changing anddestined for greatness, and so I
(03:11):
think in everything I do, I tryto be bold, in every action I
take, and I think that's what'sgoing to benefit society most
about me being me in a bold way.
(03:34):
That's a great message for thekids.
That's a great message for thekids.
And tell us a little bit moreabout your discovery of Rotary
and are a Rotarian before youeven become a Rotarian.
I think you have to have thetraits and exhibit some of the
characteristics of a Rotarianbefore you even get involved
with Rotary, and so Rotary wasjust the soft landing spot that
(03:59):
I found that was able to connectme with people in our community
who are likeminded as myself,and gave me an opportunity and a
platform to pursue service andwhile staying connected to other
people in our community whowasn't aware of, maybe, teachers
and the plight that we face.
And so I thought it was theperfect intersection of my
passion, which is service andjust, also my passion for people
(04:22):
.
And so it was.
In 2016, I ran into LanceSingleton and Marty Postick and
Osamu Cookies.
They had on these shirts thathad a little rotary wheel on it.
I said what's that?
And the last thing you need todo, ever want to do, is ask a
Rotarian what is that?
And they're like okay, let metell you.
And so they ended up invitingme out to Sunrise Rotary that
(04:43):
met on the south side.
They ended up inviting me outto Sunrise Rotary that met on
the south side.
We met, I taught at like I saidRoosevelt and I was able to
start going there as a member,and I joined up shortly in 2017
and just loved my entire timewith that club.
It was a small but mighty club,but they're very supportive of
everything I try to do in theeducation arena and so.
(05:06):
But since it was small andmighty, we had a hard time
recruiting and maintainingmembers, and so after 2022, our
club dissolved and a lot of ustransitioned over to Midtown,
which, unbeknownst to me, a lotof those members in Sunrise
created and started Midtown, sothey just transitioned
everything over there and Ifollowed them as well.
(05:28):
I did visit a few differentclubs here and there, but I
think that was the one thatsuited me well Really innovative
club, forward, progressivethinking and the way they
approach things.
I love how they focus on artsand education in the community
and the way they approach things.
I love how they focus on artsand education in the community
and just the fact that they havewomen as leaders in their
(05:49):
elected positions.
I think that's always cool.
Hope to see more minoritiesascend to those different
positions as well, and so I'mcurrently on the board of
Midtown Rotary and I'm service.
I serve as a service projectschair.
So again, you know I've setthese goals up.
One of my goals this year wasto expand my civic footprint and
(06:09):
being involved with Rotary andeven more involved as on the
board.
Now I think I was just part ofthat maturation for myself.
That's a mouthful, no, it's a.
It's good stuff.
Brian Triger (06:24):
No, I'm thinking about your club and thinking
about some of the events thatare that are coming up.
I know that you guys have aspelling beer that comes up next
year.
Uh, uh, aside from that, or Iguess, would you like to talk
about that and any other eventsthat we should you know,
spotlight not only for thepodcast but maybe throw up on
the district website.
Felix Linden (06:43):
Oh man, yeah.
So let me.
First of all, let me put a plugin for Spelling Beer.
It's Friday, february 28th, andwe're going to hold it at the
Oklahoma Contemporary ArtsCenter.
It's there on Broadway and 10th.
We had it there last yearReally great turnout.
I participated as a speller andI think I came in third place.
This time around they get somepretty advanced words.
(07:06):
We're not talking likeparagraph and amoeba, we're
getting like lapsophobia and alot of different things I've
never heard of.
But it's always fun toparticipate and compete.
It's always a good time.
So that's going to be Fridaythe 28th, but one thing I'm
looking really forward to is,while I was at Sunrise, there
was a program I created at myold school, roosevelt, called
(07:28):
One Day, and One Day isessentially just a day of
service.
We take one day out of 180 daysin the school year and we give
kids an opportunity to give backto their community, and so in
past events we had the entirestudent body all 800 or so kids
involved.
Past events we had the entirestudent body all 800 or so kids
involved.
And so at my new school lastyear, when I was teacher of the
year, the district allowed me tohave one big idea come to
(07:51):
fruition, and so what I decidedto do was use my little teacher
of the year capital and expandthat program to include every
single middle school in OklahomaCity public schools Wow.
So we had 12 middle schoolsinvolved, had over 1,200
students involved, all over thecity doing various projects, and
so the goal for this year is tomaintain the same schools that
(08:14):
were involved last year all 12middle schools and then expand
up to the high schools andexpand down to the elementary
schools, and the goal is to tryto get every single Rotary club
in our district or in the cityto participate with another
school that's going to doservice projects on that day,
and so the day that we've set upis Friday, may 2nd, and so
(08:34):
we're going to do that andlooking forward to just seeing
what that can become, cause Ithink we want to build our club
for future.
We've got to start investing inthe kids in our community and
make them aware of theopportunity that they can have
through service, through Rotary.
Brian Triger (08:48):
Yeah, definitely.
I mean planting those seeds sothat they can kind of recall
those experiences, because, atthe end of the day, those are
the generations that will takethe lead.
If and when they decide to,it's a choice from both sides.
Yeah, if and when they decideto, it's a choice from both
sides.
I hear a lot and often like howdo we reach younger people?
And questioning whether or notit's going to be as strong or
(09:11):
weaker, et cetera.
Felix Linden (09:21):
But I think that there's really a lot of element
of choice to whether or not thebaton gets passed and how well
it gets passed.
Well, I think it kind of speaksto this saying I have is that
people aren't opposed to things,they just aren't exposed to
things.
And I think that we can exposekids at an early age to just the
idea and concept of service.
And the reason why I believeservice is such a big thing is
because it's the one thing thatwe all can do, no matter what
our background is, whether we'rewhite, black, male, female, gay
(09:43):
, straight, male, female, gay,straight, rich, poor, jock
athlete, the nerd athlete I meannerd, whoever you are.
You can get up with a paintbrushand paint over graffiti.
You can get out there with atrash bag and gloves and pick up
trash.
You can get out there and raisecans and donate cans to a local
non-profit those things thateverybody can participate in.
Because even sports, only fivepeople can play at a time on a
(10:04):
basketball team and only Romeoand Juliet can act in a play.
But everybody starts when youserve, and I believe that we
have to give kids opportunitiesto serve and be great in real
time, and I think that's onething that Rotary if it were up
to me, I think that's one thingI would lean into is like make
sure every school in OklahomaCity Public Schools since we are
the largest district in thestate we should all have a
(10:26):
Rotary chapter adopting schools.
We should have a Rotary clubparticipating with PTA and
making sure that our presence isfelt in the school, but then
also making sure that we engagethose students and those parents
and teachers at those schoolsas well.
Brian Triger (10:41):
I think those are fantastic ideas and I know that
there are times for engagementtied to more of like a forum
structure.
But I'd really like to see moreof a collaborative collection
throughout our district to notonly contain but well, no,
contain these ideas so that theycan be brought up on a regular
(11:04):
basis, whether it's a feedbackdistribution center or if it's a
, you know, a districtsatisfaction survey to some
extent.
But I think that thisconversation kind of opens up
the potential doors of basicallymaking sure that any and all
(11:24):
ideas are not only listened tobut collected and and nourished
to some extent.
I mean, not all ideas, you knowwe're not.
We can spend lifetimes and notgo over all ideas and some ideas
really aren't going to work outdepending on the landscape.
But I think some of our ideascould benefit from more, as you
(11:44):
said, exposure.
So I like that a lot and Ithink that you know planting the
seed for myself to kind oflisten to this episode again,
just to, and other episodes,just to kind of see where people
are at and maybe nourish someof these ideas that we're all
talking about.
Felix Linden (12:01):
Exactly.
I think some people make ithard.
They think that you know thekids.
Oh, the kids like.
No, they're people, yeah, justlike you're a person, of course.
And I think one thing we forgetis that we forget what it was
like to be a kid, and when I wasa kid, all I wanted was
something to do to get me outthe house.
(12:26):
And I think if we want to havethat be the same, kids haven't
changed.
They want to get out the housetoo.
But I think what we've got todo now is we have to compete
with phones, we got to competewith gangs, we got to compete
with activities that may or maynot be beneficial to them.
So I think it's important forus to like intercept.
Intercept them from thosenegative habits and instill
positive traits and qualitiesand values in their lives, or
kids that may or may not alreadyhave access to those things.
(12:48):
So I think Rotary can do areally great service to that.
But one thing that we've got todo is be more willing to engage
populations that we may not becomfortable with or just like
unsure of.
But if you already have aRotarian in an environment that
is already willing to do thosethings, just get on board with
(13:11):
what I'm doing and I can showother people how to do it and we
can have everybody on board andmaking it a better place in
real time for these kids.
Brian Triger (13:19):
What is the future of Rotary look like to you?
Felix Linden (13:24):
What does the future of Rotary look like to
you?
Uh, I look at it like this itlooks like whoever you know.
If you know people that looklike you, rotary is going to
look like you.
If you know people who don'tlook like you, then it's not
going to look like you.
I think that's probably one ofmy biggest I don't want to say
(13:45):
issues, but biggest like missedopportunities, that we don't
engage other groups, we don'tengage other populations.
I think that we can do a lotbetter job of being intentional
of how we go out and supportother groups, support other
parts of our city and and wecan't sit around in our, in our
(14:09):
clubs and I'm not talking aboutany particular club, I'm just
talking about in general but wecan't say, well, what's the
future rotary if we don'tpractice that in real time.
The future is the present.
You know what are we doing inreal time to make sure that the
future looks different from whatit is.
And so you know I've made a, Imade a commitment this year as a
board member that every week Iwould try to get somebody new to
(14:32):
come to, a guest, to come to mymeeting, and I invite people I
interact with.
So I've had African-Americanscome to my club as a guest, I've
had Hispanic come to our clubas a guest, I've had females
white, black, either one come tomy club this year because those
are who I interact with.
And so if I'm going to be, ifthat's going to be where my
(14:53):
stance is that we have to makeRotary look like the people we
interact with, then we have totalk about it and interact and
invite people out to our clubsand to our meetings so that way
they can see what it's about.
And if we aren't doing that orwe're just staying isolated or
in own little bubbles or neverventuring outside of this little
area of comfort, then Rotary isjust going to turn around and
(15:15):
it's just going to be what I'veheard told to me before about
Marty Postick male, pale andstale.
Because if we want it to bewhat it's supposed to be, then
we have to get out there and beintentional about who we tell
(15:37):
about it, seeing the samecharacteristics and traits and
values again in other people andsaying, hey, you would make a
good Rotarian and I want you tocome to be a member of my club
and not even a member, just be aguest and then let them see
what it is that we do, andthat's the future of Rotary.
If we don't engage the youth ina more intentional way, if we
(16:00):
don't get out there and hitthese colleges, if we don't get
out there, hit these young adultservice groups that have like,
like the Boys and Girls Club hasa young professionals group.
Once those classes are over,they're going to need a place to
land.
We need to get out there andstart hitting those groups and
inviting them to our clubs ortrying to find a way to
(16:21):
collaborate so that way we canget those people Once again.
They finished their tenure.
They've got to find a place togo.
For example, I was in LoyalLincoln, oklahoma's Young Adult
Leaders through LeadershipOklahoma City.
It was a 10-month process.
Once I was done, I neededsomething to do.
I was in Leadership OklahomaCity, class 36.
Once that was over, I neededsomething to do.
And so what is the something Idid?
(16:42):
I took all my civic education,all my civic knowledge and
understanding, and brought it tothe Rotary education, all my
civic knowledge andunderstanding, and brought it to
the Rotary.
So the Rotary needs people likeme, but I also need people like
me, need Rotary, because Ican't go out and start
organizations and clubs bymyself.
I don't have a problem goinginto an existing club and
bringing what I know andbringing the skills and
(17:03):
resources I have to help makethings better for them, and
resources I have to help makethings better for them and I
could benefit as well.
And so I don't think anythingmeets the four-way test better
than being intentional aboutpeople we don't know, inviting
(17:32):
them and going out there andbeing a bridge to, to giving
people access to opportunitiesto thrive and be successful in
their society, in their, intheir communities.
Brian Triger (17:38):
Essentially through rotary.
Well, that's great.
I, I think that I I'mdefinitely one that gets a
little bit too comfortable attimes and shy away from any
differences, and I think that's,yeah, I I'm, I'm right there
with you.
Uh, I'd like to see a varietyof cultures and perspectives and
(17:58):
not just in any one way, notjust age, not just ethnicity,
not just religion.
Uh, I would say that it it'sdifficult and it's difficult.
It's easy to use the excuse ofyou know, we live in Oklahoma,
and it's difficult and it'sdifficult.
It's easy to use the excuse ofyou know, we live in Oklahoma
and it's conservative, and it'sthe way that it's always been
and nothing's ever going tochange.
I think that's only part of thetruth and you know, I also I'd
(18:21):
like to.
What I was thinking about whenyou were talking is that this is
really a mutually beneficialsituation between Rotary and
Rotarian, because, at the end ofthe day, rotary needs a member
just as much as the member needsRotary and at times, just like
any other relationship, I thinkthere's a kind of an ego stance,
(18:43):
or basically an ego presence,where a person thinks that
Rotary needs them more than theyneed Rotary, which may be the
case, at least for a smallperiod of time, and the other
way around of like oh you don'tmeet the specific standard or
you're causing too much XYZ, sowe don't need you, we'll find
(19:03):
better quality people.
And I'm not knocking Rotary orany other civic organization.
I think it's just a nature oftribal thinking of being either
included or rejected by saidsystem, and it's you know, our
district runs into its ownunique challenges that are
probably present in differentways, and every other district
(19:25):
throughout the world.
So it's one of the cool thingswhen I reach out to whether it's
LA, or whether I reach out toMississippi, or actually, I got
contacted by someone to assistthem with a small integration on
an online community out of Peru.
Okay, and regardless of whatpart of the world is, it's
(19:49):
interesting to see that we allface very similar challenges and
we can all work together aslong as we're willing to kind of
put our baggage aside for aminute and make the changes that
we need to strengthen our bonds.
Felix Linden (20:01):
Well, the human experience is very universal.
We all need to be, we all arelooking for acceptance.
We all need to be, we all arelooking for acceptance and I
think that's what Rotary offerspeople acceptance.
And that's what I get fromRotary.
I get accepted as I am, who Iam, and I don't feel forced to
(20:23):
be there, I don't feeluncomfortable while I'm there.
I love the fact that our club,again the last three or four
presidents, I believe, have allbeen women.
I think that's something.
I think it speaks to the factthat they want to give people
opportunities that may nothistorically look like the male,
pale and stale role, but young,progressive, forward-moving
(20:48):
women, thinking and leaders intheir community, and I just
think that's really cool.
I don't have a problemfollowing anybody.
I think it's really cool andthat's one thing that draws me
to Midtown Alyssa, and beforeher, emily, I think next year
our president-elect is Lisa, Imean.
So we've got a good, solidslate and not just you know,
(21:08):
maybe one day I don't know ifthere's ever been a black
president of Rotary, but slateand not just you know, maybe one
day I don't know if there'sever been a black president of
Rotary, but maybe one day.
If I stay long enough, theymight let me do it.
But either way, it's notnecessarily about who, but what,
and what we all believe,whether we're male, female,
black, white or whatever is thatwe all believe in the power of
Rotary, and I think the power ofRotary is what's going to help
(21:30):
us.
Like you talked about, what isthe future?
The future is the power ofRotary, but we have to realize
the power of Rotary is us, andif we don't use that power to
again encourage other people toget involved and try to make
collaborative connections withother groups, whether it be the
same other Rotary clubs orchapters or other civic
organizations, whatever it isthat we're trying to do, we have
(21:51):
to be fearless and bold in howwe approach these types of
things.
Brian Triger (21:58):
That's great encouragement.
So before we wrap up, tell uswhen Midtown Rotary Club meets
and where.
Felix Linden (22:05):
Oh man, we meet in 40 minutes.
Ok, 40 minutes, okay.
Next, we meet every Tuesdaynight at 6 o'clock and we meet
at McNally's in Midtown on thesecond floor.
Your first water is on me,after that you're on your own.
But it's a joke, brian, I gotyour first water.
If you want tea, I'll buy youtea, but it's fine Either way,
(22:26):
just show up and we'll take careof you.
But now we meet there everyTuesday we have a different
guest speaker, and how theRotary has benefited me
personally.
I mean, a few weeks ago we hada guest speaker from OKC Ballet
and they were on hand talkingabout their Nutcracker
performance that's getting readyto start next week and they
were telling us that there'sstudent performances that
(22:50):
they're going to host, and so Iwas able to connect with them
and I'm taking 25 students frommy middle school for free next
Thursday morning to go see theNutcracker.
And I will guarantee you, noneof those 25 kids has probably
never been to the Civic Center,have never been to a ballet and
they've never seen Nutcracker.
But through Rotary I wasconnected to them and now those
(23:11):
people are going to connect meto these students and those
students are going to beconnected to that and that's how
we plant seeds, and so, again,I go every Tuesday night.
I mean we're always going tohave something that we're
learning about the community,about our city, about our role
in the civic partnership, thecivic contract that we have, and
(23:35):
I think we have to be out thereand engaged because if we
aren't, we're going to miss theboat so bad.
And I'm excited to see where weare in five years.
I'm excited to see where we arenext week, because you know,
whether it's five years or aweek, it's in the future.
We can control it, and Ibelieve that we just got to
control it by being involved andengaged with this, with the
(23:56):
future and the kids.
It's all about the kids for mewell, thanks for meeting with us
, felix.
Brian Triger (24:02):
This has been fantastic.
We definitely have to do thisagain and uh, let's see.
I'd like to thank our districtRotary 5750, our subscribers and
to all of our listeners.
Thanks to ITSpark as well.
Have a good night, everyone,thank you.
This.
This is Brian Traeger with theRotary Spark Podcast.
With me today is Felix Lindenfrom the Midtown Rotary Club.
How are you doing today, felix?
Doing wonderful Brian.
(00:36):
How are you doing sir?
Felix Linden (00:37):
Doing great Thanks for inviting me into your home.
You're welcome Anytime, man,anytime.
Brian Triger (00:43):
I will take you up on that.
Well, don't be too literal now.
Felix Linden (00:47):
Anytime that it's fine for me preferably I will I
will show up frequently.
Ok, that's fine.
I may I may not be here, or mayI may not let you in.
Just so you know you've beenwarned.
Brian Triger (00:59):
So let's see, you're in the Midtown Rotary
Club and you are also teachingat FD Moon Middle School, is
that correct?
Yes, sir, and how long have youbeen teaching?
Felix Linden (01:12):
So I've been teaching 15 years, all in
Oklahoma City public schools.
I started my career teachingseventh grade English at
Roosevelt Middle School in 2010.
And I stayed there for 11 yearsand I left Roosevelt in 2021
after I bought this house thatwe're sitting in right now, and
(01:34):
I went on a short walk and I sawthat there was a school walking
distance, so I walked in,introduced myself to the admin.
My friend from high schoolworked there as his teachers
just the principal secretary andwas just like hey, y'all
looking for anybody, you know,just playing around.
They said no.
I said okay, that's fine, andthen about an hour later, after
(01:55):
I got home, they said actuallywe need somebody that would like
to come work here and in thelanguage arts capacity.
I said yeah, I would love tointerview.
I interviewed in 21 and startedteaching at F&D Middle School
and I've been there now fouryears.
I love it.
Brian Triger (02:10):
Wow, and actually I caught wind that you're a
teacher when I first met you, Ithink, through the media,
because or at least I gotexposed to the idea of your
existence by hearing about theaward that you won.
You were Teacher of the Yearlast year, weren't you?
Felix Linden (02:28):
Yeah, yeah.
So in 2022, 23, I won Teacherof the Year for Oklahoma City
Public Schools, was the firstAfrican-American male to receive
that award, and I've alwaysloved making history and I
consider that one of my biggestaccomplishments that I've ever
achieved in my life, bothpersonally and professionally,
(02:50):
and it has opened a lot of doorsfor me and gave me a lot of
exposure during my time, and Ilook forward to continuing on as
a former Teacher of the Year inour district and also in our
community, because I justbelieve that my platform was to
be bold, and bold with myacronym for being brave,
original, life changing anddestined for greatness, and so I
(03:11):
think in everything I do, I tryto be bold, in every action I
take, and I think that's what'sgoing to benefit society most
about me being me in a bold way.
(03:34):
That's a great message for thekids.
That's a great message for thekids.
And tell us a little bit moreabout your discovery of Rotary
and are a Rotarian before youeven become a Rotarian.
I think you have to have thetraits and exhibit some of the
characteristics of a Rotarianbefore you even get involved
with Rotary, and so Rotary wasjust the soft landing spot that
(03:59):
I found that was able to connectme with people in our community
who are likeminded as myself,and gave me an opportunity and a
platform to pursue service andwhile staying connected to other
people in our community whowasn't aware of, maybe, teachers
and the plight that we face.
And so I thought it was theperfect intersection of my
passion, which is service andjust, also my passion for people
(04:22):
.
And so it was.
In 2016, I ran into LanceSingleton and Marty Postick and
Osamu Cookies.
They had on these shirts thathad a little rotary wheel on it.
I said what's that?
And the last thing you need todo, ever want to do, is ask a
Rotarian what is that?
And they're like okay, let metell you.
And so they ended up invitingme out to Sunrise Rotary that
(04:43):
met on the south side.
They ended up inviting me outto Sunrise Rotary that met on
the south side.
We met, I taught at like I saidRoosevelt and I was able to
start going there as a member,and I joined up shortly in 2017
and just loved my entire timewith that club.
It was a small but mighty club,but they're very supportive of
everything I try to do in theeducation arena and so.
(05:06):
But since it was small andmighty, we had a hard time
recruiting and maintainingmembers, and so after 2022, our
club dissolved and a lot of ustransitioned over to Midtown,
which, unbeknownst to me, a lotof those members in Sunrise
created and started Midtown, sothey just transitioned
everything over there and Ifollowed them as well.
(05:28):
I did visit a few differentclubs here and there, but I
think that was the one thatsuited me well Really innovative
club, forward, progressivethinking and the way they
approach things.
I love how they focus on artsand education in the community
and the way they approach things.
I love how they focus on artsand education in the community
and just the fact that they havewomen as leaders in their
(05:49):
elected positions.
I think that's always cool.
Hope to see more minoritiesascend to those different
positions as well, and so I'mcurrently on the board of
Midtown Rotary and I'm service.
I serve as a service projectschair.
So again, you know I've setthese goals up.
One of my goals this year wasto expand my civic footprint and
(06:09):
being involved with Rotary andeven more involved as on the
board.
Now I think I was just part ofthat maturation for myself.
That's a mouthful, no, it's a.
It's good stuff.
Brian Triger (06:24):
No, I'm thinking about your club and thinking
about some of the events thatare that are coming up.
I know that you guys have aspelling beer that comes up next
year.
Uh, uh, aside from that, or Iguess, would you like to talk
about that and any other eventsthat we should you know,
spotlight not only for thepodcast but maybe throw up on
the district website.
Felix Linden (06:43):
Oh man, yeah.
So let me.
First of all, let me put a plugin for Spelling Beer.
It's Friday, february 28th, andwe're going to hold it at the
Oklahoma Contemporary ArtsCenter.
It's there on Broadway and 10th.
We had it there last yearReally great turnout.
I participated as a speller andI think I came in third place.
This time around they get somepretty advanced words.
(07:06):
We're not talking likeparagraph and amoeba, we're
getting like lapsophobia and alot of different things I've
never heard of.
But it's always fun toparticipate and compete.
It's always a good time.
So that's going to be Fridaythe 28th, but one thing I'm
looking really forward to is,while I was at Sunrise, there
was a program I created at myold school, roosevelt, called
(07:28):
One Day, and One Day isessentially just a day of
service.
We take one day out of 180 daysin the school year and we give
kids an opportunity to give backto their community, and so in
past events we had the entirestudent body all 800 or so kids
involved.
Past events we had the entirestudent body all 800 or so kids
involved.
And so at my new school lastyear, when I was teacher of the
year, the district allowed me tohave one big idea come to
(07:51):
fruition, and so what I decidedto do was use my little teacher
of the year capital and expandthat program to include every
single middle school in OklahomaCity public schools Wow.
So we had 12 middle schoolsinvolved, had over 1,200
students involved, all over thecity doing various projects, and
so the goal for this year is tomaintain the same schools that
(08:14):
were involved last year all 12middle schools and then expand
up to the high schools andexpand down to the elementary
schools, and the goal is to tryto get every single Rotary club
in our district or in the cityto participate with another
school that's going to doservice projects on that day,
and so the day that we've set upis Friday, may 2nd, and so
(08:34):
we're going to do that andlooking forward to just seeing
what that can become, cause Ithink we want to build our club
for future.
We've got to start investing inthe kids in our community and
make them aware of theopportunity that they can have
through service, through Rotary.
Brian Triger (08:48):
Yeah, definitely.
I mean planting those seeds sothat they can kind of recall
those experiences, because, atthe end of the day, those are
the generations that will takethe lead.
If and when they decide to,it's a choice from both sides.
Yeah, if and when they decideto, it's a choice from both
sides.
I hear a lot and often like howdo we reach younger people?
And questioning whether or notit's going to be as strong or
(09:11):
weaker, et cetera.
Felix Linden (09:21):
But I think that there's really a lot of element
of choice to whether or not thebaton gets passed and how well
it gets passed.
Well, I think it kind of speaksto this saying I have is that
people aren't opposed to things,they just aren't exposed to
things.
And I think that we can exposekids at an early age to just the
idea and concept of service.
And the reason why I believeservice is such a big thing is
because it's the one thing thatwe all can do, no matter what
our background is, whether we'rewhite, black, male, female, gay
(09:43):
, straight, male, female, gay,straight, rich, poor, jock
athlete, the nerd athlete I meannerd, whoever you are.
You can get up with a paintbrushand paint over graffiti.
You can get out there with atrash bag and gloves and pick up
trash.
You can get out there and raisecans and donate cans to a local
non-profit those things thateverybody can participate in.
Because even sports, only fivepeople can play at a time on a
(10:04):
basketball team and only Romeoand Juliet can act in a play.
But everybody starts when youserve, and I believe that we
have to give kids opportunitiesto serve and be great in real
time, and I think that's onething that Rotary if it were up
to me, I think that's one thingI would lean into is like make
sure every school in OklahomaCity Public Schools since we are
the largest district in thestate we should all have a
(10:26):
Rotary chapter adopting schools.
We should have a Rotary clubparticipating with PTA and
making sure that our presence isfelt in the school, but then
also making sure that we engagethose students and those parents
and teachers at those schoolsas well.
Brian Triger (10:41):
I think those are fantastic ideas and I know that
there are times for engagementtied to more of like a forum
structure.
But I'd really like to see moreof a collaborative collection
throughout our district to notonly contain but well, no,
contain these ideas so that theycan be brought up on a regular
(11:04):
basis, whether it's a feedbackdistribution center or if it's a
, you know, a districtsatisfaction survey to some
extent.
But I think that thisconversation kind of opens up
the potential doors of basicallymaking sure that any and all
(11:24):
ideas are not only listened tobut collected and and nourished
to some extent.
I mean, not all ideas, you knowwe're not.
We can spend lifetimes and notgo over all ideas and some ideas
really aren't going to work outdepending on the landscape.
But I think some of our ideascould benefit from more, as you
(11:44):
said, exposure.
So I like that a lot and Ithink that you know planting the
seed for myself to kind oflisten to this episode again,
just to, and other episodes,just to kind of see where people
are at and maybe nourish someof these ideas that we're all
talking about.
Felix Linden (12:01):
Exactly.
I think some people make ithard.
They think that you know thekids.
Oh, the kids like.
No, they're people, yeah, justlike you're a person, of course.
And I think one thing we forgetis that we forget what it was
like to be a kid, and when I wasa kid, all I wanted was
something to do to get me outthe house.
(12:26):
And I think if we want to havethat be the same, kids haven't
changed.
They want to get out the housetoo.
But I think what we've got todo now is we have to compete
with phones, we got to competewith gangs, we got to compete
with activities that may or maynot be beneficial to them.
So I think it's important forus to like intercept.
Intercept them from thosenegative habits and instill
positive traits and qualitiesand values in their lives, or
kids that may or may not alreadyhave access to those things.
(12:48):
So I think Rotary can do areally great service to that.
But one thing that we've got todo is be more willing to engage
populations that we may not becomfortable with or just like
unsure of.
But if you already have aRotarian in an environment that
is already willing to do thosethings, just get on board with
(13:11):
what I'm doing and I can showother people how to do it and we
can have everybody on board andmaking it a better place in
real time for these kids.
Brian Triger (13:19):
What is the future of Rotary look like to you?
Felix Linden (13:24):
What does the future of Rotary look like to
you?
Uh, I look at it like this itlooks like whoever you know.
If you know people that looklike you, rotary is going to
look like you.
If you know people who don'tlook like you, then it's not
going to look like you.
I think that's probably one ofmy biggest I don't want to say
(13:45):
issues, but biggest like missedopportunities, that we don't
engage other groups, we don'tengage other populations.
I think that we can do a lotbetter job of being intentional
of how we go out and supportother groups, support other
parts of our city and and wecan't sit around in our, in our
(14:09):
clubs and I'm not talking aboutany particular club, I'm just
talking about in general but wecan't say, well, what's the
future rotary if we don'tpractice that in real time.
The future is the present.
You know what are we doing inreal time to make sure that the
future looks different from whatit is.
And so you know I've made a, Imade a commitment this year as a
board member that every week Iwould try to get somebody new to
(14:32):
come to, a guest, to come to mymeeting, and I invite people I
interact with.
So I've had African-Americanscome to my club as a guest, I've
had Hispanic come to our clubas a guest, I've had females
white, black, either one come tomy club this year because those
are who I interact with.
And so if I'm going to be, ifthat's going to be where my
(14:53):
stance is that we have to makeRotary look like the people we
interact with, then we have totalk about it and interact and
invite people out to our clubsand to our meetings so that way
they can see what it's about.
And if we aren't doing that orwe're just staying isolated or
in own little bubbles or neverventuring outside of this little
area of comfort, then Rotary isjust going to turn around and
(15:15):
it's just going to be what I'veheard told to me before about
Marty Postick male, pale andstale.
Because if we want it to bewhat it's supposed to be, then
we have to get out there and beintentional about who we tell
(15:37):
about it, seeing the samecharacteristics and traits and
values again in other people andsaying, hey, you would make a
good Rotarian and I want you tocome to be a member of my club
and not even a member, just be aguest and then let them see
what it is that we do, andthat's the future of Rotary.
If we don't engage the youth ina more intentional way, if we
(16:00):
don't get out there and hitthese colleges, if we don't get
out there, hit these young adultservice groups that have like,
like the Boys and Girls Club hasa young professionals group.
Once those classes are over,they're going to need a place to
land.
We need to get out there andstart hitting those groups and
inviting them to our clubs ortrying to find a way to
(16:21):
collaborate so that way we canget those people Once again.
They finished their tenure.
They've got to find a place togo.
For example, I was in LoyalLincoln, oklahoma's Young Adult
Leaders through LeadershipOklahoma City.
It was a 10-month process.
Once I was done, I neededsomething to do.
I was in Leadership OklahomaCity, class 36.
Once that was over, I neededsomething to do.
And so what is the something Idid?
(16:42):
I took all my civic education,all my civic knowledge and
understanding, and brought it tothe Rotary education, all my
civic knowledge andunderstanding, and brought it to
the Rotary.
So the Rotary needs people likeme, but I also need people like
me, need Rotary, because Ican't go out and start
organizations and clubs bymyself.
I don't have a problem goinginto an existing club and
bringing what I know andbringing the skills and
(17:03):
resources I have to help makethings better for them, and
resources I have to help makethings better for them and I
could benefit as well.
And so I don't think anythingmeets the four-way test better
than being intentional aboutpeople we don't know, inviting
(17:32):
them and going out there andbeing a bridge to, to giving
people access to opportunitiesto thrive and be successful in
their society, in their, intheir communities.
Brian Triger (17:38):
Essentially through rotary.
Well, that's great.
I, I think that I I'mdefinitely one that gets a
little bit too comfortable attimes and shy away from any
differences, and I think that's,yeah, I I'm, I'm right there
with you.
Uh, I'd like to see a varietyof cultures and perspectives and
(17:58):
not just in any one way, notjust age, not just ethnicity,
not just religion.
Uh, I would say that it it'sdifficult and it's difficult.
It's easy to use the excuse ofyou know, we live in Oklahoma,
and it's difficult and it'sdifficult.
It's easy to use the excuse ofyou know, we live in Oklahoma
and it's conservative, and it'sthe way that it's always been
and nothing's ever going tochange.
I think that's only part of thetruth and you know, I also I'd
(18:21):
like to.
What I was thinking about whenyou were talking is that this is
really a mutually beneficialsituation between Rotary and
Rotarian, because, at the end ofthe day, rotary needs a member
just as much as the member needsRotary and at times, just like
any other relationship, I thinkthere's a kind of an ego stance,
(18:43):
or basically an ego presence,where a person thinks that
Rotary needs them more than theyneed Rotary, which may be the
case, at least for a smallperiod of time, and the other
way around of like oh you don'tmeet the specific standard or
you're causing too much XYZ, sowe don't need you, we'll find
(19:03):
better quality people.
And I'm not knocking Rotary orany other civic organization.
I think it's just a nature oftribal thinking of being either
included or rejected by saidsystem, and it's you know, our
district runs into its ownunique challenges that are
probably present in differentways, and every other district
(19:25):
throughout the world.
So it's one of the cool thingswhen I reach out to whether it's
LA, or whether I reach out toMississippi, or actually, I got
contacted by someone to assistthem with a small integration on
an online community out of Peru.
Okay, and regardless of whatpart of the world is, it's
(19:49):
interesting to see that we allface very similar challenges and
we can all work together aslong as we're willing to kind of
put our baggage aside for aminute and make the changes that
we need to strengthen our bonds.
Felix Linden (20:01):
Well, the human experience is very universal.
We all need to be, we all arelooking for acceptance.
We all need to be, we all arelooking for acceptance and I
think that's what Rotary offerspeople acceptance.
And that's what I get fromRotary.
I get accepted as I am, who Iam, and I don't feel forced to
(20:23):
be there, I don't feeluncomfortable while I'm there.
I love the fact that our club,again the last three or four
presidents, I believe, have allbeen women.
I think that's something.
I think it speaks to the factthat they want to give people
opportunities that may nothistorically look like the male,
pale and stale role, but young,progressive, forward-moving
(20:48):
women, thinking and leaders intheir community, and I just
think that's really cool.
I don't have a problemfollowing anybody.
I think it's really cool andthat's one thing that draws me
to Midtown Alyssa, and beforeher, emily, I think next year
our president-elect is Lisa, Imean.
So we've got a good, solidslate and not just you know,
(21:08):
maybe one day I don't know ifthere's ever been a black
president of Rotary, but slateand not just you know, maybe one
day I don't know if there'sever been a black president of
Rotary, but maybe one day.
If I stay long enough, theymight let me do it.
But either way, it's notnecessarily about who, but what,
and what we all believe,whether we're male, female,
black, white or whatever is thatwe all believe in the power of
Rotary, and I think the power ofRotary is what's going to help
(21:30):
us.
Like you talked about, what isthe future?
The future is the power ofRotary, but we have to realize
the power of Rotary is us, andif we don't use that power to
again encourage other people toget involved and try to make
collaborative connections withother groups, whether it be the
same other Rotary clubs orchapters or other civic
organizations, whatever it isthat we're trying to do, we have
(21:51):
to be fearless and bold in howwe approach these types of
things.
Brian Triger (21:58):
That's great encouragement.
So before we wrap up, tell uswhen Midtown Rotary Club meets
and where.
Felix Linden (22:05):
Oh man, we meet in 40 minutes.
Ok, 40 minutes, okay.
Next, we meet every Tuesdaynight at 6 o'clock and we meet
at McNally's in Midtown on thesecond floor.
Your first water is on me,after that you're on your own.
But it's a joke, brian, I gotyour first water.
If you want tea, I'll buy youtea, but it's fine Either way,
(22:26):
just show up and we'll take careof you.
But now we meet there everyTuesday we have a different
guest speaker, and how theRotary has benefited me
personally.
I mean, a few weeks ago we hada guest speaker from OKC Ballet
and they were on hand talkingabout their Nutcracker
performance that's getting readyto start next week and they
were telling us that there'sstudent performances that
(22:50):
they're going to host, and so Iwas able to connect with them
and I'm taking 25 students frommy middle school for free next
Thursday morning to go see theNutcracker.
And I will guarantee you, noneof those 25 kids has probably
never been to the Civic Center,have never been to a ballet and
they've never seen Nutcracker.
But through Rotary I wasconnected to them and now those
(23:11):
people are going to connect meto these students and those
students are going to beconnected to that and that's how
we plant seeds, and so, again,I go every Tuesday night.
I mean we're always going tohave something that we're
learning about the community,about our city, about our role
in the civic partnership, thecivic contract that we have, and
(23:35):
I think we have to be out thereand engaged because if we
aren't, we're going to miss theboat so bad.
And I'm excited to see where weare in five years.
I'm excited to see where we arenext week, because you know,
whether it's five years or aweek, it's in the future.
We can control it, and Ibelieve that we just got to
control it by being involved andengaged with this, with the
(23:56):
future and the kids.
It's all about the kids for mewell, thanks for meeting with us
, felix.
Brian Triger (24:02):
This has been fantastic.
We definitely have to do thisagain and uh, let's see.
I'd like to thank our districtRotary 5750, our subscribers and
to all of our listeners.
Thanks to ITSpark as well.
Have a good night, everyone,thank you.
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