Thursday is the IBM Centennial, when IBM as a company turns 100 years old. It’s a pretty amazing thing. I’ve got my own set of reflections on that which will come later, because my brain is currently entirely focussed on what comes first: the IBM Day of Service.

This year all IBMers were asked to pledge at least 8 hours of service to their communities, and if possible, to do that service on June 15th, the last day of the first century of IBM. Through a series of fortuitous happenings I got involved as a service leader for this day, organizing 3 projects at the Poughkeepsie Farm Project. On Wednesday we’ll have 30 volunteers at the farm starting at 7am. I’ve already interacted quite a bit with some amazing volunteers who are helping in the planning to make this possible, and it just puts me in awe at how many truly talented and giving people work at the company. We are seriously going to kick ass and take names on Wednesday, and do a lot of great work for a great organization.

I’m also really happy to be introducing so many new IBMers to the PFP. When I signed up for leading these projects I assumed I’d largely be picking up IBMers already associated with the farm. But, much to my surprise, the ranks are filled with people not associated with the farm at all. Many have never been to the location, and didn’t even know it existed. The folks that have gotten involved early have really gotten invested in the organization already, and it’s my hope that at least a few of them will become long term volunteers as part of the organization once they see the work the PFP does in the community.

We’re going to kick off this great day of service on Wednesday with a Walkway event on Tuesday afternoon, so starting about 2:30 tomorrow, I’m full time service volunteer until Thursday rolls around, and we celebrate 100 years on site in Poughkeepsie.

Pictures will be forthcoming, as well as more reflections once my brain can switch gears again. Now just a few last minute things to take care of in preparation of the day…