Week 2, Day 3

I focused more on non profits today, so I spent some time brushing up on all the stuff Ginny prepared in the NPO section of the back office. I cut and pasted parts of her NPO info letter and created my own personalized letter to send out. With five kids, I've spent about 12 years so far on PTO committees. I know how hard those parents and teachers work to earn money for the extras that mean so much in education. So today, I sent a letter to all the PTO chairs. In the letter, I said things like "Remember how hard we worked to make $2000 at those baked haddock suppers in a 100+ degree kitchin in July?" Well, the school could make that much and more each month with no work at all. AND, did I mention that all the volunteers could make the SAME AMOUNT? I'll let you know how the follow up goes next week.

Tonight, I was in the Maine Mall, shopping for shoes for my kids. I was not planning on talking MPM to anyone since I had to rush home and get dinner on.
But,I had to get the salesman to help me so I started up a conversation. I was unsure of whether to get a girl's size or woman's size for my 9 year old. She is blessed with large feet like her mama. Chris said, "Well, if the shoes don't fit, you can always bring your kids in and ..." Right there, I stopped him. "Oh NOOOOOO WAY! I try to avoid bringing five kids in the mall whenever I can!"

"You must do a lot of you shopping online then? What sites do you shop at"

(OK so now I'm thinking Ginny has a hidden camera and Chris is in on the gig. This was spoon fed, I HAD to talk about MPM).

"I have my own PowerMall and I get rebates back from everything I buy!" (I'm now peeking through the shoe racks expecting to see Jacki or Ginny looking back!) "In fact, My PowerMall also gives money to a charity that I chose. Here, let me give you the site address." "Oh this is great, he says, I have a big family too."

I don't know what I did to deserve this wonderful karmic present, but I wish one for all the bootcampers!

I feel another shoe shopping trip coming on real soon!

Week 2, Day 2

It's amazing when you can see the 'light' go on in people's minds when they really understand what MyPowerMall is all about. I find when they see beyond the obvious personal earning potential, and see the GOOD that can be done, it becomes what Oprah calls an AHA moment. That happened last night to my husband. He was talking to fellow troopers about MPM. One guy, who became a World Changer yesterday, all of a sudden got it. Every one here in Maine state gov't is feeling the pinch, especially the newest troopers. Overtime has been cut and it's based on seniority. A lot of young families are suddenly earning a lot less. His idea was to spread the word about MPM, have every trooper's family become World Changers, and they would all support a non profit together. The families would get the needed income, and a charity would get financial support. Every one would be helping each other to not just survive these difficult times, but to thrive in them.

You know what else is really cool? I found that when I talk to people who may be skeptical about making an income from MPM, the skepticism disappers when I tell them the part of helping out any charity they choose. It's like they're thinking, ok, so it's worth a look. I'm going to take a chance that it's for real. This shows me that in general, people WANT to do good things. People want to help.

Week 2, day 1

Thanksgiving was unusual for me. After putting our turkey in the oven, I sat at my computer to read the blogs. Suddenly, I felt a sharp, unrelenting pain in my chest, I thought I was having a heart attack. My husband and I spent all day in the ER. As you can imagine, our kids were very worried about me. While I was undergoing tests, all I could think about was how unimportant most stuff really is. In those minutes of panic, all I wanted was time with my family. Fortunately, the tests were all negative. For that I am so thankful!

We got home around 4pm, the kids had the table set with a homemade centerpiece! I put all the food on the table (luckily, I had prepared everything the day before.) Well, the turkey looked done, but after we all said grace, Jim cut into the wonderful, crispy on the outside, raw in the inside turkey! We all just burst into laughter! Apparently, I had turned the oven off when we left for the ER, although I don't remember doing this. We laughed so hard we had tears rolling down our cheeks! I'm telling you this because it's important to spend your life doing what matters. My PowerMall matters. Together We Can Change the World matters. This bootcamp matters. There are so many people getting together to do good.

Today, I had no fear as I made my contacts. My husband just called me, HE got a State Trooper to become a World Changer! He spoke with another trooper, told him all about My PowerMall and what I was doing. This Trooper, Chuck, said "If it's to help your wife, I'll do it" Here are two guys who dedicate themselves daily to giving, and now they're ready to give even more!

One of my contacts was the superintendent of our school district. Schools are being hit hard here in Maine with budget cuts. I said to her "I am an ambassador for My PowerMall, a division of Together We Can Change the World. The mission of My PowerMall is to provide perpetual funding for schools, non profits and regular people just like us! Can you imagine having ever INCREASING funding for school programs? Can you imagine teachers, janitors, lunch ladies and principals getting a monthly supplement to their pay of over $2000? Can I please have your contact information so we can discuss this?

I'm dangerous when I have no fear:)

I went right home wrote a professional letter to her, recapping everything, and will follow up with a call tomorrow during school hours.

Another person emailed me about my blog. She said "Your mission is great! Someday, I'd like to do something like that for the animal shelter"

Out goes one email explaining how she COULD do it, right now and I would help. I gave her the link to our foundation mall, and asked if I could call her about it.

Just keep focused on what's important.

Day 4

I just got back in from visiting 12 neighbors this morning. We live in a wonderful sub division with lots of kids. People walk around the block and chat and wave. It was pouring earlier, so my visits were short but important. I told each person what I was doing, how I had been selected for the World Changer Reality Bootcamp, and what it would mean to the Buxton Food Pantry. I envision people rallying behind this effort. I know that in this neighborhood, people always have enough. But I also know that just around the corner, there are just as many people who don't.

Can you imagine, in a year from now, that the food pantry has SO much money that it gives some to another non profit? That is a very real possibility. Then we move on to the next, and the next, until every dollar spent online is consciously directed to a charity.

Day 3

I did my Thanksgiving grocery shopping today. I hadn't planned on talking to any one at the store since I was in such a rush, but it just sort of happened!
Talk about props! My girls, ages 7 and 9 were with me at Sam's Club, which was packed with people. I was finished with the essentials and had promised them we would look at the toy aisle. They both froze in front of a Hannah Montana guitar/sing along karaoke/noisy toy every parent hates. One of my girls said "Mom, when My PowerMall is really working, and you are making so much money, can we get this, please?" That's all it took for heads to turn and look at me! "Yea, my Mom got picked for a reality show. In the whole world only 25 people got picked."

Of course, this was the one day I didn't want to be seen, if you know what I mean - no makeup, my 'around the house' jeans...but I just couldn't pass up such an intro!

I didn't have my invitation cards, so I panicked a bit, but then just said "I'm working to create a $2000/month income for the Buxton food pantry and whoever else wants to join the team. I could really use your help. Can I have you emails so I can send you the link to my blog and My PowerMall? If you watch the video on my site, it will give you all the details." TaDa!

Day 2 continues...

Plans changed today. I couldn't go to the USM campus because I had a sick little one at home, so I went to plan B........ Parent Teacher conferences!! I printed out five of the invitation cards, added my own personal touch on the back, and went out in the driving rain with my husband to the school. First, I stopped by the book fair, and talked with a very kind Mom at the cash box, who was genuinely interested. She was easy to approach because she had to sit there, I knew she couldn't get up and run away from me!!

Then I walked down the hall, peering into each classroom. A teacher I didn't recognize (which is odd when you have five kids) caught me looking in and asked if she could help me. I panicked and said "No". Of course, my husband said, "Go in there and talk with her!" So I walked in and said " Actually, I do want to talk with you, I was just chicken!" That broke the ice and our conversation went very well. I told her about the bootcamp and how I was working to take 10 or more people and the Buxton Food Pantry to $2000/month by January 24, 2009 with My PowerMall.

My daughter's teacher has been a favorite for years. After she told us how the pumpkin whoopie cushions I sent in for the class at Halloween were a big hit (what second grader doesn't love that noise??), I wrapped up the conference by telling her all about My PowerMall and the bootcamp. That one was easy, and a nice way to end the day!

Day 2 of Reality Boot Camp

Today I will be going to the University of Southern Maine Gorham campus to tell more people about my efforts to raise money for the Buxton Community Cupboard. I remember back in the day.....a long, long time ago (sigh)....when I was in college. Every one of us needed money for tuition. How cool would it be to help college kids AND the Buxton food pantry?

Something happened to me, maybe it was a change in my attitude, when I talked to my first 5 people yesterday. Suddenly, I realized what a HUGE responsibility I hold in my hands. When I succeed in building 5 World Changer teams, we will have guaranteed the financial stability of the food pantry...GUARANTEED it!

And, there will be a lot of others in my community that will be in a much better place on January 24, 2009.

I need people who want to do this with me. If you are one of the people I spoke with, and handed a card to, please join me! Please go to my web page, follow my blog, become a World Changer! It's so easy, and it's for such a great cause.

Thanks for reading along, wish me luck today : )

http://www.mypowermall.com/mall/26001