Posted on July 2nd, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
I miss her.
Raindrop is at Camp Grandma this week.
- Raindrop’s deathly afraid of fireworks.
- They started going off last weekend in our neighborhood.
- My parents live in a less explosive area.
I didn’t realize how much I would miss Raindrop.
- Sure, she sits and stares at me when I work from home.
- And we have early morning negotiations.
- (She lets me pet her until someone gets up to get her breakfast.)
I’m still surprised at my reaction.
- Raindrop stays with my folks every year over the 4th.
- Maybe it’s because she was attacked last month.
- And it took awhile to get her personality back?
Thankfully I pull out for Chicago today for work - will keep me busy until she gets back home!
Makes me think of chapter leaders…are you aware of the energy various members bring to your chapter?
Filed under: Savvy Leadership | No Comments »
Posted on July 1st, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
It’s too soon.
Yesterday I got a 2010 calendar in the mail.
- A giveaway from a nonprofit.
- To make me feel indebted.
- So I would send a donation.
But here’s the thing…
- It’s barely half way through the year.
- I’m not past fireworks yet.
- Definitely not thinking 2010 details.
Plus let’s talk about the calendar…
- Sure the photos are pretty.
- But I don’t use a paper calendar.
- Especially one so thin the first bump will destroy.
I’m not sending a check.
- Guilt over junk doesn’t work on me.
- Make me feel something real.
- I want my money to matter - not pay for poor marketing.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…do you know what motivates your members to take action?
Filed under: Board challenges, Getting More Members Involved | No Comments »
Posted on June 29th, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
Now!
I started working at 5:30 AM today.
- I have a lot on my to-do list.
- Seven hours later I’m grumpy and hungry.
- (Time flies when you’re having fun.)
I stop for a moment.
- James leaves to pick up lunch.
- I grab something to drink.
- And then it happened…
My universe shifted.
- A voice in my head bellowed.
- “Ma’am step away from the computer.”
- Like a cop trying to talk down an almost murderer.
Totally spooked me!
- Was I watching too much TV?
- Or not enough?
- The voice in my head had found reinforcements!
I’ve still got a lot to do today.
- But think I need some down time.
- I’m heeding the voice.
- And checking out for a few hours.
(I don’t want to see my mind escalate to the next level to get my cooperation!)
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you know when it’s time to walk away for a spell?
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Posted on June 25th, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
Today I am still alive.
Yesterday I shared with the world I goofed.
This fall I plan to do a 10-week, 30-city speaking tour.
To make goals, need 100+ participants attending each event.
- Came up with cool idea.
- Would increase odds of success.
- Require 3-4 local chapters to work together as local host teams.
I thought it was brilliant.
- Leaders get to know each other.
- A bigger pool of people to help attract others to events.
- Collaboration is hot!
And local leaders did not buy it.
- Several chapters want to host stops on tour.
- But did not want/have time to work with others.
- They felt they could fill the room - sans extra work.
It was decision time.
- Do I enforce my original rules?
- (With side benefits galore.)
- Or do I let go of control and listen to what my volunteers wanted?
I let go.
- And confessed.
- It felt weird.
- And got strong feedback from leaders about how I was a role model for them to reevaluate how they were working in their chapters.
By being “weak” I encouraged others to be strong - go figure.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…are you willing to let go of being right for the good of your chapter?
Filed under: Board challenges | No Comments »
Posted on June 23rd, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
No one saw me - again.
Just tried to participate in another chat on Twitter.
- No luck.
- No matter what I tried.
- I was barred from playing somehow.
I did reach out for help.
- @JeffHurt gave me some advice.
- Alerted others.
- And at least made me feel noticed.
That said, I missed out AGAIN.
- It was an interesting discussion.
- I made some great comments.
- Which no one saw!
I don’t have problems with Twitter as a general rule.
- Just when I want to connect with others.
- I could chat two weeks ago.
- But not any more.
I almost feel like giving up.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…do your new members feel like ghosts when they try to get involved in your chapter? How do you know?
Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Savvy Leadership | 2 Comments »
Posted on June 21st, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
UGH!
Last week I participated in a teleconference.
- Offered by an association I belong to.
- Topic: PR
- Presenter: “Melba” - also a member.
The phone system had some issues.
- Not all questions got through.
- Melba said to email questions to specific address.
- So I did.
I asked a simple yes/no question.
- Should a photo be attached to email announcement releases?
- Using announcement releases was one her featured strategies.
- Seemed like an easy, clear question.
I got a response 48 hours later.
- From the Melba’s assistant.
- Included a 4 MB photo of Melba.
- Plus a very large file promoting upcoming seminar.
Below is the answer to my yes/no question:
(I changed identifying details.)
Hello Cynthia.
I have attached Melba’s photo for your use. In addition, I have included Melba’s Flyer for her upcoming Fabulous PR Program (this is what she was referring to), she is running a special of $697 plus bring a friend for free!!! A wonderful offer. She would love for you to attend.
Thank you and please let me know if you need anything else.
Warmly,
Missy
Assistant to Melba
Huh?
- Melba’s assistant totally IGNORED my question.
- Almost crashed my computer with big files.
- And spent bulk of message selling me an upcoming seminar.
It’s a mosquito bite from the association who chose Melba.
- One bite is itchy - and not a huge deal.
- A bunch of bites add up to a painful experience.
- And become member repellants.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…do your programs bite?
Filed under: Keeping members | No Comments »
Posted on June 17th, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
And no one cared.
An interesting conversation took place on Twitter.
- Twitter is an online community.
- You communicate 140 characters at a time.
- You can follow conversations by using # in front of key words.
I tried to join the conversation.
- Used the correct #code.
- Saw my tweets (messages) post.
- But did not get engaged in the conversation by others.
I know there had to be some technical glitch.
- And I still felt rejected.
- No matter what I said - silence.
- And everyone else was welcomed, asked for more information, etc.
It was like high school.
- The popular kids got to run the conversation.
- The clueless just watched.
- And were allowed to be envious of the popular kids’ brilliance.
Yuck - what a downer way to end the day!
Makes me think of chapter leaders…do you promote an emergency hotline for members who have trouble connecting?
Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Keeping members | 6 Comments »
Posted on June 16th, 2009 by Cynthia D'Amour
Surprise!
Last week I facilitated ADA’s Leadership Institute.
- It was my fourth year.
- I keep the energy pumped up.
- And run the front of the room.
Periodically during each day I face a corporate challenge.
- Partners and sponsors give 10-15 minute talks.
- I listen for connections to previous general session speakers.
- Showcase my discovery as soon as they stop speaking.
“Did you notice this partner gave us a great example of…”
- Attendees love to hear the application.
- Partners and sponsors love to be showcased as brilliant.
I love the rush of finding the connection in real time.
- I’m never sure what partners and sponsors will say.
- Or the link I’ll be able to find.
- Attendees wonder if I’ll get stumped.
It makes partner and sponsor presentations more exciting.
Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you help make your sponsors both relevant and exciting?
Filed under: Savvy Leadership, Sponsors | No Comments »
