Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

   I totally rejected him.
Last night James was at a meeting.

I got in my extreme comfy clothes.
(Not for public viewing)
And settled in to read a great book.

I saw the salesman approach.

He tried to ring the doorbell.
(It doesn’t work - on purpose.)
He wouldn’t give up.

He looked in the window of our front room.

Saw me immersed in [...]

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Getting More Members Involved, Volunteers | 2 Comments »

   Killed the deal.
Received an email request last week.

I was recommended to her.
She wanted some advice about an event I attended last year.
A few tips for a first-timer.

I got a unexpected break in my schedule.

Used the time to write up a few ideas for her.
Also asked her for ideas about cool things to do in her hometown.
(I’ll be there [...]

Filed under: Keeping members, Volunteers | No Comments »

   Will you respect me in the morning?
For the last couple of years, I’ve been seduced by social media.

I needed to know what was going on.
Had to stay on top.
Wanted to be some sort of player.

I joined communities, blogged, tweeted and more.

There was pressure to be active seven days/week.
What if I missed something?
My online reputation [...]

Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Savvy Leadership | 3 Comments »

   Not fair!
It started a few days ago.

I could tell they were near.
But I didn’t get to investigate.
Dad kept me busy.

Today I got my chance.

First I helped Dad mow the yard.
Then we barbequed dinner together.
Which meant I got to explore the backyard.

Dad left me alone for a few minutes.

He took the meat in the house.
It was all the [...]

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Keeping members | No Comments »

   All struggled for a voice.
Last night I answered the home phone.

A man named Eric asked for James.
James was out.
I asked for a message.

“Tell him Eric from ABC called.”

I changed the names
You’ll see why.

He then continued.

“Tell him I’ll call back at a more convenient time.”
Now that just struck me as odd.
Especially since I knew James didn’t [...]

Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Savvy Leadership | 5 Comments »

   He amazed me.
Today I had a meeting in a coffee shop.

I arrived early.
Got situated.
Started people watching.

Noticed a man hunched over his computer.

One hand moved like crazy over his keyboard.
The other clutched the table.
I looked more closely.

He was typing.

Not hunt and peck with two fingers.
Full keyboard with one hand.
It appeared he typed this way by [...]

Filed under: Board challenges, Keeping members | 2 Comments »

   I am sad.
The nominating committee of an association I belong to just requested a vote of approval for an all male slate of future board directors.

Five men; no women.
In spite of having over 4,000 members.
47% of them women.

What an insult to the women members.

I don’t care that it’s just one-third of the board.
Do you think [...]

Filed under: Board challenges, Keeping members | 4 Comments »

   Or Not!
Last night I had one of those terrible nightmares.

Never-ending.
Couldn’t break free.
Felt drained when finally found a way to wake up!

Was stuck in a chapter’s new member orientation.

One past president after another.
Sharing glory stories.
Who cares?

This went on for hours.

Could have been done in one.
30 minutes social.
30 minutes information.

After all what’s the purpose of a [...]

Filed under: Orientating New Members | No Comments »