Cynthia D’Amour on Leadership and Life

Twins, no.
We have two dogs.

Raindrop who is almost seven years old.
GiGi who is almost nine months.
Both are chugs - chihuahua/pugs.

Lately something strange has been going on.

If I call GiGi, Raindrop comes running.
If I call Raindrop, GiGi comes.
It’s sort of amusing.

Are they trying to play the identical twin game?

Switching names.
Faking people out.
As if we can’t tell [...]

Filed under: Adventures of GiGi, Adventures of Raindrop, Getting More Members Involved | No Comments »

Started out blue.
Today I got weighed in by my trainer Mollie.

We’ve been working together a little over three months.
She likes to do a monthly check.
Gives Mollie feedback - and me too.

I was down a total of 24.5 pounds.

Whoopee.
Sort of disappointing.
I had fantasies of so much more.

Mollie didn’t like my lack of celebration.

She reminded me [...]

Filed under: Cynthia's Fitness Adventure, Getting More Members Involved | No Comments »

They can buy it.
The Macaroni Grill near Portland has a fresh idea.

They provide reading glasses at the hostess stand.
Makes reading menus easy for guests.
And visits there less stressful.

Makes me think of chapter leaders…how do you make it easy for members to buy involvement in your chapter?

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He was clueless.

A hotel shuttle took me to the Mall of America.

It ran every hour.
We waited in the lobby to board.
When it pulled up, we surged forward.

The driver opened the door.

We got in.
He did not greet us.
Or even acknowledge us.

The short trip was below brand standards.

The driver rocked the seat back.
He was practically [...]

Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Strategic Thinking | No Comments »

   Out of GiGi’s mouth - literally.
Raindrop is my 6.5 year old dog.

Her favorite toy is a Gatorade bottle filled with kibble.
She twists the tops off.
And loves the extra treats.

Enter GiGi the puppy.

Who does things differently than Raindrop.
GiGi does not twist tops off.
She chews through them until they release!

At first Raindrop was territorial.

Raindrop would not let GiGi near [...]

Filed under: Adventures of GiGi, Adventures of Raindrop, Getting More Members Involved, Volunteers | No Comments »

   Doesn’t work for me.
James and I belong to a local organization.

For several years now.
I rarely can attend due to travel.
But still have fond feelings for it.

Just learned they left me out for years!

Of a weekly update about what’s going on.
What the heck?
Why James and not me?

I understand just sending one snail mail newsletter.

Printing costs.
So [...]

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

   I’m gonna get you!
Gigi, our new puppy, is mystified by her water bowl.

She stares into it.
Looking at her future.
Or scanning for potential enemies.

She attacks the water one slurp at a time.

In a sporadic rhythm.
As if she wants to surprise it.
Or is wary of potential villians within.

It’s become a party at the water bowl.

James and [...]

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

And warm.
Lounging on the beach.

Sun warming my body.
Calypso music in the background.
Handsome James by my side.

“Fresca!”

The voice boomed.
Startling my reality.
Slamming me from my dream.

A flight attendant stood in front of me.

Placed a glass of Fresca on my table.
Smiled.
And walked away.

What was he thinking?

Couldn’t he see me sleeping?
Surely I had a big smile on my [...]

Filed under: Getting More Members Involved, Rants | No Comments »