My Goodbye to ONEin3 - Farewell Friends!

ONEin3ers,

After nearly 4 years of good times, Advisory Council recommendations, business plan presentations, good friends and great volunteers, I bid you all a fond farewell. That’s right, Friday is my last day as Manager of ONEin3 Boston and man does it feel weird to write those words.

During my time as Manager I’ve gotten to know literally thousands of amazing young Bostonians from all over the world, all types of backgrounds, representing every community imaginable.

I’ve learned a million lessons from my mentor and great friend Isabel Hardy, who also happens to be the brain who conceived of ONEin3 and set it on its way.

I’ve worked for and with the best Mayor in America, Mayor Thomas M. Menino, a man who believes fully in the idea that if you want to address the most important issues, you should go out and ask the people what they think.

I’ve participated, alongside 100 past and present members, in ONEin3 Boston Mayor’s Advisory Council work that has yielded tremendous programs and recommendations, from Neighborhood Nights and ONEin3 Gets Around to housing guides to plans for making the BPS School Selection Process more transparent. This year, I have no doubt the Council will produce at its highest level ever and I am proud to have been able to spend time with them.

I’ve played in a ONEin3 Wiffle Ball tournament on City Hall Plaza with our friends at Social Boston Sports and Phoenix Media Group. And the view from my sweet cube at ONEin3 HQ (til Friday) is of the most baller trophy anywhere (I didn’t win…I just stole the trophy!).

I’ve watched the entrepreneurial community in Boston evolve, challenge itself, grow and push the City toward a strategy for incubating our best startups in the Innovation District.

I’ve grown up with Boston Young Entrepreneurs, which was born out of Panos Panay’s civic commitment and Isabel’s vision. The BYE crew has taught me that entrepreneurs are a breed apart. They are people who quit their day jobs to scrape by on no cash. They wake up early and go to bed late and believe that the solution to any problem lies just around the corner. It will appear if and when they focus and work hard/smart enough. And best of all, entrepreneurs believe in supporting each other through good times and bad.

I’ve learned how to manage my budget with Jennifer Lane, ONEin3 Money and Mint.com. I wish I could tell you I’m loaded now but the truth is that Jenn and Mint have simply saved me from bankruptcy stemming from too many take out orders and rounds at the bar.

I’ve gone to events, volunteer opportunities, seminars and speaking engagements organized by our all-star ONEin3 Neighborhood Group leaders in every neighborhood of Boston.

I’ve discussed the future of government service with the bright minds in the Boston Urban Mechanics Program and the ONEin3 City Network.

I’ve worked with the best partners ever in Sonicbids, The Second Glass, Urban Adventours, Audissey Media, Massachusetts Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Boston Home Center and Rental Housing Resource Center, The Office of Business Development, YAVA, Boston Cares, YWCA, Young Non-Profit Professionals Network, Americorps Alumni, MassINC, Time Out Boston, Social Boston Sports, MassChallenge, Shoestring MagazineExemplar Law and so so many more.

I’ve had the most capable and hard working interns imaginable in Matt Brownell, Samantha Vidal, Heather Green and Kendall Kirby, not to mention the craziest soccer fan in the world Nitjyot Saroan. Not my intern, but close enough.

And most recently, I’ve had the privilege to read the thoughts, ideas, hopes, dreams and stories of a tremendous stable of young writers.

In short, I wouldn’t give a minute of the last 4 years back.

So, my fellow young Bostonians, THANK YOU for riding along with me, doing all the work, coming up with all the good ideas and challenging me, the City, the Mayor and your peers to be better, smarter and more fun. You are the proof that Boston is a great city.

I hear all the time about the importance of grooming our future leaders. The implication is that when we’re old enough and it’s our turn, we will take Boston to great heights.

If I’ve learned anything at ONEin3, it’s that ONEin3ers are not future leaders. We are NOW leaders. So go get it!

While I am officially departing (although I’ll carry on with a few things while a replacement is identified), I know that ONEin3 is in great hands. You have built this and it’s yours to drive and grow.

Lastly, if it’s not clear yet, I sincerely love all of you. I consider everyone associated with ONEin3 a friend. Please stay in touch. You can reach me anytime on Facebook, Twitter or email at jdevincole@hotmail.com

-Devin

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28 Comments

  1. Lindsay says:

    Devin, you rule! Good luck with what’s next!

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Thanks Lindsay!

      And thanks for being a longtime loyal commenter!

  2. Jenny says:

    Devin Cole and ONEin3 are the reasons I married my husband. I’m pretty sure so far that’s a good thing.

    Devin, your commitment to this city’s young professionals is unmatched by any of the other sorts of people getting attention for it. You taught me to speak up for what I know is right, and to never back down in demanding the best of myself as a resident and expecting common sense and camaraderie from my city and neighbors.

    There isn’t a pat on the back large enough or an expensive enough champagne (that I can afford, anyway) to properly congratulate you on a job amazingly done with ONEin3 and to wish you all the very best in your future endeavors. This city is so lucky to have you.

    No doubt I will see you again. When my husband forgets our anniversary, I’m coming after you.

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Jenny I think you give me too much credit on all counts…everyone knows you and Nathan were a classic “love at first sight” situation!

      Thank you for all the kind words. Instead of champagne, just keep being awesome and pushing the City to be better. You’re a pro at that and it’s awesome.

  3. Tinu says:

    Thanks for your service Devin!

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Pleasure is all mine!

  4. [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ONEin3 Boston. ONEin3 Boston said: Farewell Friends! @devincole says his goodbyes to ONEin3 Boston after 4 amazing years. http://ht.ly/3yUvd [...]

  5. Former Intern says:

    Although I give you a hard time, I love you Devco and proud of the work I witness you accomplished while sitting all 2 inches from you in OUR cube.

    I would encourage you in your next job to stop being traumatized by the experience you had with me, take a chance and have another intern. Just don’t let them sit at your desk and write on your blog about East Boston.

    Good luck and I we should plan on having a contest with the prize being hanging out with us at the Green Dragon, resulting in just us eating an absurd amount of nachos by ourselves, very soon.

    Love,
    Your 4th Best Intern

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Want to go to the Green Dragon tomorrow right after work? We’ll get some nachos and pretend it’s a ONEin3 event and that we’re really popular.

  6. Chris says:

    Well done sir. You’ve done a great job at the helm here, and I’m entirely confident that you’ll do a great job in all your future endeavors, as you keep spreading the word about what a great city Boston is, while you continue to improve it!

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Thanks and you know I will.

  7. [...] Posted in: Events. Tagged: Picks of the Week · Time Out Boston ← My Goodbye to ONEin3 - Farewell Friends! [...]

  8. Jeanne Dasaro says:

    Good Luck Devin!

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Thanks!

  9. Nicole says:

    Thank you Devin for leading the staff in creating all the insightful enewsletters. Your light and funny prose and your ability to tap into and address the needs of our generation living in this city will be missed. Good luck in your future pursuits.

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Thanks Nicole!

      I must clarify one thing: All those people writing were doing it as volunteers. No staff here, they did it because they love this place and wanted to contribute.

  10. Marc Baizman says:

    Devin,

    We’re going to miss you at YNPN Boston! Thanks so much for all you have done, and good luck on the next chapter for you!

    Marc Baizman
    Co-Chair
    Young Nonprofit Professional Network - Boston

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Marc, thank you for being great partners!

  11. Martina says:

    Devin,

    It was heartbreaking, emotional yet uplifting to read this “goodbye”! You are the OneIn3 and will always be - it is remarkble how much you’ve done with the program and how dedicatied to us, young fellow Bostonians, you have been. The program will miss you as its leader and you will be hard to replace, and most of all we, here at the BRA will miss seeign you every day. I will miss our daily chatting but I am so excited for you.

    Good luck in everyting you do and yeah…you are not gettign rid of us that easily…I will still bother and keep you posted on what’s happenign here! Let me know when you are up for M&S drinks and happy hour :)

    Your Croatian Bostonian,
    Martina

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Martina, you’re the best. I’ll be at M&S any time you want to go.

  12. Best of luck in future endeavors!

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Thanks guys!

  13. Mike Norman says:

    Sorry to see you go Devin. Let us know what’s next for you!

    1. Devin Cole says:

      Hey Mike…I’m going to Boston World Partnerships.

  14. Jessica says:

    Is this why the birds are dying?

  15. Roberto Pyles says:

    My heart is not big enough to hold my love for you, Devin Cole. I think it’s going to explode.

    You are beloved by an admiring public. Our fair city owes a great debt to you. Godspeed, my good man. I look forward to seeing you soon.

    1. Devin Cole says:

      I know a good cardiologist for enlarged heart Rob. Also, you’re the man. I feel a 303 Cafe trip coming on. Followed by Eddie C’s. I’ll be in touch.

  16. [...] We’re very excited to announce the latest addition to the BWP team, Devin Cole, a BWP Connector and former manager of ONEin3 Boston, as our new Director of Engagement. A native Bostonian and an ardent supporter and guru of all-things Boston, Devin led Boston’s first initiative and social network for young Boston professionals between the ages of 24 and 30 – an age group that constitutes one-third of Boston’s population – for four years. Challenged to design programs to educate, retain, and serve young residents, citizens, and entrepreneurs in Boston, Devin has worked closely with numerous local businesses, organizations, and government agencies such as Second Glass, Shoestring Magazine, MassChallenge, and the Boston Redevelopment Authority. His wealth of experience, insights, and enthusiasm will be a tremendous asset to our team and the BWP network. You can read more about his legacy and departure in his recent blog. [...]

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