We’re back with the new “New Sensation” feature. We’ve updated the questions based on your feedback. You’ll now learn about the best YouTube videos on the web, read about gift ideas for the holiday season, and learn about the career accomplishments of our new members. As a reminder, we developed this feature to introduce you to new ELGL members and as a way on connecting ELGL members with similar interests.
Vitals
Whitney Rhodes
Pierce County, Assistant to the Auditor
Education: University of Washington Tacoma
Connect with Pierce County Auditor’s Office: Facebook, Twitter, and World Wide Web
Lightning Round
Tell us about three of your biggest accomplishments.
Graduating college. The road to graduation was long and winding for me, and by the time I finally got there I was exhausted! But the look on my Dad’s face was priceless. I was the first in his family to finish college.
Owning my business. Prior to public service, I owned my own business and while it was scary and hard, it was super rewarding. I met some of the most amazing people and was able to advocate for small business in the community.
Consistently seeking adventure. This one is a little vague, but I made a promise to myself many years ago to live my life adventurously. I can say that between travels, writing, and outdoor pursuits I’ve been successful.
Top three holiday gifts that you’ve received. Given?
Top gifts? Well there is a set of carved monkeys that have been passed around the family forever. They are from the 1970’s and what started as a joke has become a regular tradition. Getting them was the mark of being accepted as an adult – I was finally old enough to be given the monkeys.
(Complete this sentence) I feel old when I……..
Realize my best friend and I have known each other for 16 (almost 17!) years. Also, when I do something like ice skating and the next day my body reminds me I’m getting old.
(Complete these phrases) Best thing about the….
80’s was……. My ballet class.
90’s was…… being a rock star on the stage in my bedroom.
00’s was….. being an adult – the good, bad, and ugly parts.
last year was….. Josh.
Tell us about two mistakes that you’ve made that we can learn from.
Don’t break your ankle. I fell doing something silly and risky and have regretted it ever since. Also, don’t go to Brazil and expect anyone to speak any language but Portuguese. We tried French, Spanish, and English before giving up and trying to learn Portuguese on the fly.
How did you hear about ELGL?
Twitter! I stumbled upon you on twitter and your feisty but knowledgeable account caught my eye.
Give us a few of your favorite YouTube videos.
I’m not really a YouTube aficionado (I leave that title to the boyfriend), but in the past year I have enjoyed “Ain’t nobody got time for that” and learning what the fox says.
Editor’s Note: ELGL couldn’t agree more with these selections.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udS-OcNtSWo
Our annual conference will be held in October 2014. Name three topics or speakers that we should consider.
Getting coworkers to embrace technology.
Social media, citizen dialog, and public records.
Working effectively with people to think you are too young to know anything.
Name three of your mentors and describe them in five words.
Marty – Mathematical genius. Grand master chess player. Patient.
Hope – Kind. Generous. Pure, unequivocal acceptance.
Julie – Integrity. Dependable. Unflappable. Seeks the best in everything.
First concert you ever saw? Last concert you saw?
I’m not a big concert go-er. I can tell you the best band I’ve ever seen live is The Paperboys. Freaking amazing!
Fast forward one year, what will factor into your decision on whether to renew your ELGL membership?
Do you inspire me? Do you help me do my job better?
What questions should we have asked?
Favorite books. For me? Harry Potter, Persuasion, and Little Women.
