Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

Oh the pain, the pain…

Today I worked out with my trainer Joy.

It was an intense hour.
I pushed myself hard.
As usual.

I thought we were ready to stretch out.

Joy had a different idea - let’s try the Roman Chair!
My heart sank.
Last time I flew off it - literally.

We trudged across the gym.

To the dreaded device.
(Here’s a [...]

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Keeping members | No Comments »

Still holding strong.
As a young woman I was skeptical of marriage.

I wasn’t ready to give up myself.
Add a ball and chain to my life.
Lead a dimmer life.

And yet I wanted to get married.

So I made my list of 45 desired attributes.
And started to shop.
Was the man for me out there?

Finally I found James Carl [...]

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | 3 Comments »

By a kid.
I recently agreed to help out.

With an outreach program for teens.
I attended an event with the kids.
And a committee meeting.

Everything went well.

I was included.
Welcomed warmly.
Had an interesting time.

I missed the last event with the kids.

Business got in the way.
Couldn’t get off a call in time.
Bummed but let it go.

Tonight is the committee [...]

Filed under: Getting More Members Involved | 2 Comments »

   It’s MIA!
I’ve been totally committed.

For the last few months.
100%.
To my exercise program.

Then my knees got jammed.

For two weeks they’ve been tender.
Normal activities beyond me.
Joy trained around it.

But I haven’t…

Gone to the gym daily.
Kept up with my food log.
Been pumped about being healthy.

Not all is lost…

But my mojo is!
I need to reclaim my enthusiasm.
And get my [...]

Filed under: Board challenges, Cynthia's Fitness Adventure | 3 Comments »

My blood feels tainted.
I have a dirty little secret…

I love to watch Michigan Women’s Basketball games.
Saw my first one of the season tonight.
Was neat to see how the women have grown since last year.

What’s the problem?

My blood runs green.
(At least it used to.)
I’m a proud Michigan State grad.

Tonight I told James I’m considering buying [...]

Filed under: Community building, Savvy Leadership | No Comments »

Ouch.
This weekend I attended a party.

Met three young professionals.
Friends in the same profession.
Asked what I did.

Interested when they heard I work with associations.

And teach leaders how to create a surplus of volunteers.
They wanted to know if it possible.
And asked about trends in volunteerism.

They shared insights about their national association.

One had quit due to no [...]

Filed under: Keeping members, Recruiting New Members | No Comments »

Seriously.
A few weeks ago I joined an association.

A professional association.
Since then I’ve felt sort of afloat.
And not quite part of the group yet.

Today I got an email.

From the association leader.
Welcoming me.
At least that’s what I thought - until I read it.

The greeting was off-putting.

She was too busy traveling.
To personally call me.
So she sent me [...]

Filed under: Board challenges, Rants | 3 Comments »

 Holiday letters arriving.
Yesterday I got a traditional end-of-year ask.

From a local nonprofit.
I was lukewarm towards.
Good people - just no personal emotional connection for me.

I read their letter.

First paragraph was bragging.
They got amazing money last year.
From just 800+ people.

Thanks to the generosity, they were able to…

Expand programs.
Do more.
Do better.

I stopped reading.

That’s nice.
Life was good for them.
They didn’t really [...]

Filed under: Savvy Leadership | No Comments »