We have our core group set to get things started. Only one person met with us yesterday, but the others called and want to know more so we can get this rolling. The overall response was "Wow! That's a great idea!" So I will be meeting with a few people each day, as schedules allow.
One Sgt. signed right up with a Personal mall following the memo last Thursday. I'm sending him a thank you note today, and will encourage him to upgrade.
I am especially happy about another Sgt. who is very interested in not only helping Mike, but his daughter's school as well. He saw the enormous potential immediately. I offered him my full support in working with the school.
I received a very supportive email from Big Z's Mom, and I am taking her advice branch out. It's important to keep moving forward. A letter came in the mail on Saturday from a non profit called Community Partners, Inc. The first sentence reads,"Non profit organizations are facing many challenges in these difficult times."
I will contact the Director of Operations today to set an appointment to meet.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
January 23
This was a challenging day. Things aren't moving fast enough for me, and I need to be patient. I need to learn to let things unfold. Sometimes I focus more on the end result and less on the journey. Jim provides such good balance for me in times like this. I'm a list maker, very task oriented and love a schedule. He's laid back and very spontaneous.
This experience reminds me of one of my favorite times as a new forester. It was January, and a more seasoned forester and I were out cruising timber in Upton, Maine. Using a map and compass, we were walking in a grid pattern over remote, rugged terrain on snowshoes. The day was physically draining due to the cold and amount of distance we had to cover. Hours went by and we trudged on. I loved the outdoors, true, but I was ready for this day to be over.
My cruising partner suddenly took a turn that I knew was not on the compass bearing and motioned me to follow. Of course, it was uphill! I thought he was crazy. Now we'd have to take even more time to retrace our steps to get back on our original line.
But I followed him to the crest of the hill. He had a big grin as he looked on.
Down below, in the cedar swamp,still 500 yards away was a beautiful site. Dozens of whitetail deer bedded down for the winter. I stood awestruck. "Not many people get to see this," he said to me.
The rest of the day seemed to fly. Instead of focusing on being tired and cold, I kept the vision of the deer in my thoughts.
If I had been running the compass line, I never would have veered off course to see what was over the top of the ridge, and I would have missed a spectacular moment.
My challenge for this weekend and coming week is to let things unfold, and realize things may go off course from what was planned. But, as long as I keep the vision of what My PowerMall can do for the schools and Mike in my mind, it doesn't matter.
This experience reminds me of one of my favorite times as a new forester. It was January, and a more seasoned forester and I were out cruising timber in Upton, Maine. Using a map and compass, we were walking in a grid pattern over remote, rugged terrain on snowshoes. The day was physically draining due to the cold and amount of distance we had to cover. Hours went by and we trudged on. I loved the outdoors, true, but I was ready for this day to be over.
My cruising partner suddenly took a turn that I knew was not on the compass bearing and motioned me to follow. Of course, it was uphill! I thought he was crazy. Now we'd have to take even more time to retrace our steps to get back on our original line.
But I followed him to the crest of the hill. He had a big grin as he looked on.
Down below, in the cedar swamp,still 500 yards away was a beautiful site. Dozens of whitetail deer bedded down for the winter. I stood awestruck. "Not many people get to see this," he said to me.
The rest of the day seemed to fly. Instead of focusing on being tired and cold, I kept the vision of the deer in my thoughts.
If I had been running the compass line, I never would have veered off course to see what was over the top of the ridge, and I would have missed a spectacular moment.
My challenge for this weekend and coming week is to let things unfold, and realize things may go off course from what was planned. But, as long as I keep the vision of what My PowerMall can do for the schools and Mike in my mind, it doesn't matter.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
January 22
Jim had the day off but had to go into the barracks for a few minutes so I went with him. I had printed out a few extra copies of the letter just in case. Boy am I glad I did!
My husband is quite a character with an irreverent sense of humor. When he's serious about something, it catches people off guard. Lieutenant Murdoch stopped in, and Jim handed him one of the letters with a brief explanation. The Lieutenant promised to make copies and give them to all his Sergeants today. They will in turn, pass the information on to all the Troopers in their section.
My husband is quite a character with an irreverent sense of humor. When he's serious about something, it catches people off guard. Lieutenant Murdoch stopped in, and Jim handed him one of the letters with a brief explanation. The Lieutenant promised to make copies and give them to all his Sergeants today. They will in turn, pass the information on to all the Troopers in their section.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
January 21
I'm anxious to hear from Jim about the reactions to the letter. But he is in a training class until late, so I'll have to wait until morning.
I wrote a letter today to the Director of Stewardship and Development for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. I actually just modified the same letter I used for the high schools. I mentioned that I had already started the conversation with Cheverus and St. Dom's and now I would like to continue with the K-8 schools in Maine. One thing I learned that I'd like to pass on is to call the non profit first to verify who the contact person is. Some websites are out of date due to budget constraints. Your letter may get round filed if addressed to a person who is no longer there.
I wrote a letter today to the Director of Stewardship and Development for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland. I actually just modified the same letter I used for the high schools. I mentioned that I had already started the conversation with Cheverus and St. Dom's and now I would like to continue with the K-8 schools in Maine. One thing I learned that I'd like to pass on is to call the non profit first to verify who the contact person is. Some websites are out of date due to budget constraints. Your letter may get round filed if addressed to a person who is no longer there.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Unfortunately...
I was getting some mean, nasty comments on my blog so I had to moderate them. I still receive all the comments but get to choose which I post.
January 20, Inauguration Day!!
I prepared a letter for 6 Troopers and their spouses today. These 6 couples are very close to Mike and I know they will help. Jim will deliver them personally tomorrow:
As you may know, Mike xxxxx is in his last few months of life. I spoke with Betsy's sister, Wendy, last week, and she told me of their concerns for Betsy's financial security after Mike dies. I have set up a unique giving center for them, and need Troopers and their families to step up once again and help one of their own.
I am an ambassador for Together We Can Change The World, Inc. The sole purpose of this organization is to provide sustainable funding for non profits, schools and charities and the people who support them. My current project pertains to funding for private schools, but I have given Mike and Betsy my full attention for now. It is well within our reach to quickly provide Mike with the peace of mind in knowing his wife is taken care of financially.
I am not asking Troopers to spend or give any extra money. This approach is unique in that the money comes from their everyday spending. I will ask you to please go to the website I have set up for them. In the upper left menu, there is a 'Get Your Own My PowerMall' button. That will take you to a page where a video will automatically launch and explain how this works. Please watch the World Changer Mall video, it is about 13 minutes.
http://www.mypowermall.com/mall/158711
There is a free option and a nearly free better option. When 150 people join with their own World Changer malls, Betsy could receive over $1000/month ongoing. Each person who does this will also be earning money for their family. It's my goal to get this started immediately and I need your help in communicating with others. I will do whatever it takes to make this happen for them. Please call me with any questions xxx-xxxx.
We will meet at the Great Lost Bear on Sunday, January 25th at 1:00 to get things started. Please feel free to enlist others to help and join us.
As you may know, Mike xxxxx is in his last few months of life. I spoke with Betsy's sister, Wendy, last week, and she told me of their concerns for Betsy's financial security after Mike dies. I have set up a unique giving center for them, and need Troopers and their families to step up once again and help one of their own.
I am an ambassador for Together We Can Change The World, Inc. The sole purpose of this organization is to provide sustainable funding for non profits, schools and charities and the people who support them. My current project pertains to funding for private schools, but I have given Mike and Betsy my full attention for now. It is well within our reach to quickly provide Mike with the peace of mind in knowing his wife is taken care of financially.
I am not asking Troopers to spend or give any extra money. This approach is unique in that the money comes from their everyday spending. I will ask you to please go to the website I have set up for them. In the upper left menu, there is a 'Get Your Own My PowerMall' button. That will take you to a page where a video will automatically launch and explain how this works. Please watch the World Changer Mall video, it is about 13 minutes.
http://www.mypowermall.com/mall/158711
There is a free option and a nearly free better option. When 150 people join with their own World Changer malls, Betsy could receive over $1000/month ongoing. Each person who does this will also be earning money for their family. It's my goal to get this started immediately and I need your help in communicating with others. I will do whatever it takes to make this happen for them. Please call me with any questions xxx-xxxx.
We will meet at the Great Lost Bear on Sunday, January 25th at 1:00 to get things started. Please feel free to enlist others to help and join us.
Monday, January 19, 2009
January 19
It was tough to switch gears on the phone call this morning from talking about schools to talking about losing a friend. I didn't want to answer Ginny when she pressed me about my passions, but I'm glad I did.
When my next door neighbor, Donna, told me in November that she had only weeks to live, I was paralyzed with fear. It used to be so easy to meet in the yard and chat. I found myself second guessing everything I wanted to say to her and so I said nothing for 2 weeks. A week before she died, Jim and I went over and sat with her. After a few moments of small talk, I broke down and cried, telling her I was sorry for not visiting sooner, but I had been scared. I told her all the things I had wanted to say and hugged her. I learned a valuable lesson that it wasn't what I said that mattered to her, it was that I was there for her. Now I am going to be there for Mike.
I sat down this afternoon and wrote an email to the Maine State Troopers Association board president, a retired Colonel. I explained what I was doing with My PowerMall and how it could give Mike peace of mind to know Betsy was going to be ok financially after he died. (Mike was diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after they were married about 15 years ago. His life insurance is based on his pay at the time he went out on sick leave, so it isn't much.) I gave him their mall link and directed him to the WCM video. I then asked his help in spreading the word to the troopers. Julia is right when she says how careful you have to be to stay within appropriate boundaries. I can't solicit them directly, but it's ok through the association.
Jim and I put together a list of people who could help us with a sort of telethon. I would get 5 or 6 people on board, explain our objectives, and we would start calling. There are over 300 Troopers, so we could use the extra hands. I am going to make the calls tomorrow to get our team together.
When my next door neighbor, Donna, told me in November that she had only weeks to live, I was paralyzed with fear. It used to be so easy to meet in the yard and chat. I found myself second guessing everything I wanted to say to her and so I said nothing for 2 weeks. A week before she died, Jim and I went over and sat with her. After a few moments of small talk, I broke down and cried, telling her I was sorry for not visiting sooner, but I had been scared. I told her all the things I had wanted to say and hugged her. I learned a valuable lesson that it wasn't what I said that mattered to her, it was that I was there for her. Now I am going to be there for Mike.
I sat down this afternoon and wrote an email to the Maine State Troopers Association board president, a retired Colonel. I explained what I was doing with My PowerMall and how it could give Mike peace of mind to know Betsy was going to be ok financially after he died. (Mike was diagnosed with brain cancer shortly after they were married about 15 years ago. His life insurance is based on his pay at the time he went out on sick leave, so it isn't much.) I gave him their mall link and directed him to the WCM video. I then asked his help in spreading the word to the troopers. Julia is right when she says how careful you have to be to stay within appropriate boundaries. I can't solicit them directly, but it's ok through the association.
Jim and I put together a list of people who could help us with a sort of telethon. I would get 5 or 6 people on board, explain our objectives, and we would start calling. There are over 300 Troopers, so we could use the extra hands. I am going to make the calls tomorrow to get our team together.
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