Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

   Register today.
Today I got an email from an acronym organization asking me to attend their program.

I have no idea who they are.
Their promotions don’t give a lot of clues.
Topics are pretty generic.

Tried to check their domain name.

The one in their return address.
Got a temporary page holder.
Still clueless about sender.

Just noticed graphics in the message.

I don’t usually [...]

Filed under: Recruiting New Members | 2 Comments »

   Alas.
I’m new on a board.

Can’t make the first meeting - even virtually.
I’ll be in Iowa.
They’ll be in Ann Arbor.

Just got a reminder from the President.

Meeting next week.
Directions to house.
Agenda of topics to cover.

If you are a NO, we will get you caught up on actions and plans following the meeting by email or phone
The [...]

Filed under: Board challenges | No Comments »

   Raindrop here.
I’m mad at my mom.

I stole her computer.
Dragged it in my house.
And decided to blog about it.

Mom’s in town this week - so what about me?

I was a good girl.
I guarded her for hours.
And Mom petted that darn computer all day - ignoring me!

I wanted some attention.

I barked.
I jumped up by her feet.
I batted the [...]

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

   That was the joke.
I got a pedicure this weekend.

My feet hurt from walking all over Toronto.
The convention center was huge.
A foot massage called my name!

Decided be outrageous with my polish color.

Debated between blue and green.
I made my choice.
Lime green crossed with avocado.

I giggled as the color went on.

How would it look?
How would people react?
Did I care?

Aside from [...]

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | 1 Comment »

   For the D’Amours
Everywhere we turn there are bees.

First Raindrop’s allergic reaction.
James’ discovery of three colonies.
Now this weekend.

We visited the little local bakery.

Sat on the bench eating our treats.
Relaxing in the weekend morn.
Enjoying the scenery.

A man cut the sunflowers in front of the bakery.

Raindrop charmed him.
(Definitely a dog lover.)
He returned with a sunflower for Raindrop.

We [...]

Filed under: Adventures of Raindrop, Board challenges | No Comments »

   At ASAE09
How do you meet the needs of many at a single party?

By many, I mean thousands.
Of different generations.
And multiple likes.

Often, the farewell party at ASAE has been pretty much one-size fits all.

Appetizers galore.
A band popular in the 1970s.
In a big concert venue.

Toronto had some similar elements.

A variety of finger food.
RBTO - a tired [...]

Filed under: Board challenges, Getting More Members Involved | 8 Comments »

   At ASAE09
 
It was a special event at a cool location.

Open to anyone.

Hosted by myself and Sharon Kneebone.

(We do this at every ASAE annual meeting.)

This year - Karaoke!

Sharon is an amazing singer.

Let’s just call me enthusiastic.

Plus it’s a ton of fun.

We decided to hold it opening night.

After the formal reception.

To give people a chance to reconnect.

And find [...]

Filed under: Community building, Getting More Members Involved | 2 Comments »

   Or so some think.
Does this photo look like me?

Lots of people in Toronto think so.
People have shook my hand.
And even asked for my autograph.

One woman was totally ticked.

Why me?
Why not her?
She demanded to know the secret of my selection.

I asked her how she volunteered for ASAE.

She sputtered.
Told her I’ve been an active volunteer for [...]

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | 4 Comments »