From frustration to inspiration

Casey Lartigue Jr., fourth from proper, holds a Freedom Audio system Worldwide banner alongside members of the board of administrators after their Jan. 18 assembly. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

In moments of frustration or impatience, Individuals usually rely to 10 to regain composure. Dwelling in South Korea, I’ve discovered myself taking this observe to new extremes — counting to 10, then persevering with to 110, after which again right down to 1. As chairman of the board of Freedom Audio system Worldwide (FSI), this methodology of self-control has served me effectively, particularly within the early days of our revamped board.

At our preliminary conferences, I couldn’t assist however surprise what my fellow board members — all South Koreans — had been considering. Their conversations usually revolved round journey and meals quite than the group’s work. Whereas I might perceive this on the first assembly, by the third and fourth, I discovered myself on the point of strolling out with out informing them. As an alternative, I began counting — up, down and in each path — and reminded myself that I’m in Korea, the place relationships usually take time to heat up. Slowly however absolutely, issues started to alter.

I’ve served on the boards of administrators and trustees for a number of organizations over the previous 20 years, and every has provided distinctive classes and challenges. This was the primary time I used to be the board chair and it appeared I had not discovered something from these years of expertise. Some boards had been extremely skilled and targeted, making choices with precision and function. Others had been contentious, affected by back-stabbing, gossip and pointless drama, which created poisonous environments. I’ve additionally skilled boards that had been enjoyable, partaking and galvanizing, just like the one on the Black Alliance for Instructional Choices (BAEO). For a few years, I thought-about BAEO to be my most rewarding board expertise.

However FSI has surpassed even BAEO as probably the most inspiring and uplifting board I’ve served on. Our first assembly of the 12 months, held on Jan. 18, reaffirmed why FSI stands out. It was greater than an administrative gathering — it was a celebration of shared values, mutual assist and real affect.

Some of the inspiring moments got here when board members pledged to assist a Matching Donation Problem sponsored by an American group. Their generosity and dedication demonstrated their perception in FSI’s mission and their dedication to assist it thrive. Their dedication jogged my memory of the deep sense of function that unites us.

Casey Lartigue Jr., within the background, presents a evaluation of Freedom Audio system Worldwide’s 2024 actions in the course of the group’s first board of administrators assembly of the 12 months. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

As I’ve identified in a earlier weblog put up, it’s South Koreans who work behind the scenes to assist North Korean refugees though most reporters seek for proof of discrimination by South Koreans. The South Koreans working behind the scenes to assist us are our paid staffers, main supporters and our board members who’re attorneys, businesspeople, freelancers, medical professionals and accountants.

The assembly itself was a testomony to engaged and supportive participation. I opened the assembly with a evaluation of our 2024 actions and plans for 2025. FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo offered an in depth overview of our monetary data and a complete deep dive into our price range guaranteeing transparency and readability. Board members requested considerate questions and provided constructive suggestions, exhibiting their deep funding in FSI’s success. It was severe, targeted and but there have been loads of smiles and even shared laughter as we mentioned our work.

Behind the scenes, Eun-koo’s efforts proceed to be the spine of our operations as she handles numerous duties, together with making ready board supplies and coordinating logistics. Her dedication retains the group working easily.

FSI co-founder Lee Eun-koo, within the background, presents Freedom Audio system Worldwide’s price range and financials in the course of the group’s first board assembly of 2024. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

After the assembly, we invited three North Korean refugees from FSI’s Keynote Speaker community to affix us for dinner. This gathering was one other spotlight of the day.

Three North Korean refugees be part of Freedom Audio system Worldwide’s board of administrators for dinner following the group’s first assembly of 2025. Courtesy of Freedom Audio system Worldwide

Han Tune-mi, whose memoir „Greenlight to Freedom“ I co-authored, discovered that a number of board members had been enthusiastic supporters of hers. One board member had even bought 100 copies of her memoir and personally shipped them to libraries, taking the time to write down out every library’s identify — an act of thoughtfulness and dedication that moved her deeply. Three different board members shared how a lot they’d loved studying her story, additional affirming her affect.

Jang Sharon, one other North Korean refugee, additionally skilled a heartwarming second when she found that some board members had learn her guide and had been followers of hers. Their admiration for her work left her feeling seen, valued and supported.

Kim Su-jin, a relative newcomer in comparison with Sharon, who has been with us since 2015, and Songmi, who joined in 2019, has already made an impression on our crew and continues to develop in her function. She has arrange a Substack account, has given a number of speeches and meets with us commonly to seek out methods she will be able to get extra deeply concerned with us.

Over dinner, it was additionally a humbling expertise for me personally. I might really feel what pancakes really feel like when syrup will get poured on prime — so candy! A number of board members spoke in loving and supportive phrases about my contributions to FSI, which was each encouraging and deeply touching. Moments like these remind me how fortunate I’m to work alongside such compassionate and devoted people, though I initially resisted changing into the chairman of the board.

The cherry on the highest was when my co-author, Tune-mi, talked about me altering the path of her life in a constructive method. 4 years in the past, she didn’t imagine me once I mentioned she had the potential to change into an writer and speaker. It has occurred and he or she doesn’t miss a chance to thank me for my management and imaginative and prescient.

Curiously, the board members keep a respectful distance from the North Korean refugees, admiring their tales with out forming private connections. This method displays a professionalism I’ve come to worth via my expertise on different boards and didn’t count on with this board. By staying targeted on governance, technique, and organizational growth, the board ensures the group’s continued development and affect.

This board assembly was extra than simply an administrative gathering — it was a celebration of collaboration, mutual assist and a shared dedication to FSI’s mission. Collectively, we’re constructing one thing really significant. And for the previous a number of conferences, I haven’t as soon as needed to rely to 10.

Casey Lartigue Jr. (CJL@alumni.harvard.edu) is the chairman and co-founder of Freedom Audio system Worldwide with Lee Eun-koo, and co-author with Han Tune-mi of her memoir „Greenlight to Freedom: A North Korean Daughter’s Seek for Her Mom and Herself.”