F ID I 3 9 C L U B DEMONSTRATING A PASSION FOR MOVING Each year, FIDIs 39 Club runs a scholarship essay contest for young Affiliates, inviting the author of the first-placed entry to take part in the FIDI Conference. Here, current winner Katlyn Witherspoon, International Move Coordinator at Daryl Flood Relocation & Logistics, talks of how she came to join the industry and the march that inspired her essay KATLYN WITHERSPOON, INTERNATIONAL MOVE COORDINATOR, DARYL FLOOD RELOCATION & LOGISTICS FF: Please tell us about your background KW: I was born and raised in the United States, and went to study abroad in Germany when I was 20 years old I might add, I am neither German, nor are my parents military and one year turned into almost seven! In this time, I completed my Bachelors degree in German and a Masters degree in Indo-European linguistics. I was able to travel to several countries and get to know people from all over the world and all corners of Germany. I became involved with TOS Church in Tbingen and the March of Life movement. These were eye-opening years, and the March represents a cause that I care about deeply. In 2016, this led me to Texas, where I worked parttime as the National Coordinator of March of Life for the USA (March of Remembrance). I have worked in other jobs, including at German delis, in hospital administration, radiology scheduling, German language lessons, driving for Uber and working in a preschool. In November 2018, Roger Moe, from Daryl Flood, contacted me via LinkedIn, as they needed a German speaker for import/export business. I was intrigued by the international nature of the position, but, honestly, I did not have the faintest clue what I would be doing. They took a risk on my novice status and I am really grateful to have been given the opportunity. Standing by to translate if needed for guest speakers from Germany. Samuel Haas, left, was a neo-nazi in his former years. Both he and his father, Pastor Stefan Haas, made clear statements against antisemitism 54 FF297 JunJul20 pp54-55 FIDI 39 Club.indd 54 FF: Where do you work now and describe your career to date? KW: May marks my 18th month with Daryl Flood. I started in a supportive role for import/export business, primarily in and out of Germany. In February 2019, I had the opportunity to to attend the EiM seminar through FIDI in Jacksonville, which was a fantastic experience. I was warned it would be akin to drinking from a fire hose and I can confirm that this metaphor holds true! The programme was highly informative and thoughtprovoking, with the chance to make friendships and memories with coordinators, salespeople and mentors from multiple countries. We had a blast. In the months that ensued, I began training on corporate moves, picking up side projects where possible and joined the FIDI 39 Club. In October 2019, I attended my first IAM convention. This was another experience that broadened my horizons. I learned so much that was businessrelated, but it was also refreshing to experience the family atmosphere that is so widespread in this industry. This year, I have been training to be more involved with corporate moves, but I assist where needed. FF: Please tell us about your winning essay KW: I was not even sure I could write the essay. I feel like I have received more through the March of Life than I could have ever given in return. Learning to break the silence over antisemitism and indifference has impacted me in many ways not to mention the takeaway experience of being in a leadership role. What makes the March of Life unique in the world of Holocaust remembrance and education is the pursuit of reconciliation. Words cannot express those moments, as they cannot be orchestrated. I am reminded of a remembrance event that I attended in Hungary in 2014. This was a side event to several marches that were taking place. The facility was built out of brick, mostly decayed, that had been used as a work camp during the Holocaust. The heaviness in the air was crushing, like weights on our shoulders. There was a band playing and, as they played, the daughter of two Hungarian Holocaust survivors began to dance. Pretty soon, more and more people jumped up to join her forming large dancing circles, everyone locking hands. All of a sudden, new life sprung forth in the darkness of the past. Tears of mourning turned into tears of joy. Descendants of Holocaust survivors dancing with descendants of Nazi perpetrators and this in Hungary, where antisemitism is prevalent. This moment is a snapshot, for me, that represents the movement. (www.marchoflife.org) WW W. F I D I FOC U S . OR G 02/06/2020 12:27