While driving to the grocery store this morning, a name suddenly filled my thoughts... Julie H.... a friend for 20 years and a partner in a school mentoring program through Big Brothers Big Sisters and Mead. Of course! Why hadn't I thought of her earlier? Julie's whole career has been with NPOs. Right now, she is the Director of Mahoosuc Kids, an after school program in rural Maine. Her husband Dan is the principal of Telstar High School. Both are very well connected and very well liked.
So, as I picked up my groceries, my head was spinning with ideas. I got home at 10:45 and immediately called her. We caught up on family and careers and then I told her why I was calling. I said I was an ambassador for a company whose sole purpose was to create sustainable funding for NPOs, schools and the people who support them. I told Julie that I had found my dream job, and knew she'd want to hear all about it. We set an appointment right then for next Thursday.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
February 2, later
Here's what I sent in an email to the folks I am asking to help with Mike:
Someone asked me a great question about My PowerMall, so I thought I'd share it with all of you...
The person asked "Who else is making money from all of the people who sign up with World Changer Malls for Mike and Betsy?"
The answer so exemplifies the goodness of spirit of this company.
Well, directly above them is the Buxton Food Pantry. Above them are three good friends who are in need. One is Ed, my next door neighbor. His wife Donna died this past December from cancer. Small world - Ed worked with Mike at Lowe's when Mike had to leave the MSP. They would all see each other at chemo sessions.
Another is a neighbor who is my best friend. She's a second grade teacher and shares my dream of providing clothes for school children in need. They're struggling right now.
The third is my son's best friend, Taryn and her family. Taryn and Ian have known each other since 6th grade. She was there for him when he was terribly bullied throughout middle school. I love her like my own daughter. Her family is having a tough time, too. Then us.
Do you know people in your life that are struggling right now? You can help them just as my family is helping all of the people I mentioned. Just by becoming a World Changer and spending what you are planning to spend anyway!
Someone asked me a great question about My PowerMall, so I thought I'd share it with all of you...
The person asked "Who else is making money from all of the people who sign up with World Changer Malls for Mike and Betsy?"
The answer so exemplifies the goodness of spirit of this company.
Well, directly above them is the Buxton Food Pantry. Above them are three good friends who are in need. One is Ed, my next door neighbor. His wife Donna died this past December from cancer. Small world - Ed worked with Mike at Lowe's when Mike had to leave the MSP. They would all see each other at chemo sessions.
Another is a neighbor who is my best friend. She's a second grade teacher and shares my dream of providing clothes for school children in need. They're struggling right now.
The third is my son's best friend, Taryn and her family. Taryn and Ian have known each other since 6th grade. She was there for him when he was terribly bullied throughout middle school. I love her like my own daughter. Her family is having a tough time, too. Then us.
Do you know people in your life that are struggling right now? You can help them just as my family is helping all of the people I mentioned. Just by becoming a World Changer and spending what you are planning to spend anyway!
February 2, 2009
We're coming out the other side of a yucky long weekend filled with children and stomach bugs.....
New World Changer today - one of the Troopers. Several calls from others wanting to know what's going on. I sent out another very specific email with the action steps again. One rule of communications, people need to see something at least 8 times before they remember it.
New World Changer today - one of the Troopers. Several calls from others wanting to know what's going on. I sent out another very specific email with the action steps again. One rule of communications, people need to see something at least 8 times before they remember it.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
January 29
Brian at Cheverus told me today that his staff had reviewed the information I gave them and their next step was to take it to the school's President. Moving forward!
I called Rus and left a message about TWCCTW Day on March 7, and asked where they were in the process.
A Sgt on the Pike asked Jim if we would hold another meeting about helping Mike, so we will! I am learning to let things unfold. I'm starting from scratch tomorrow, contacting more schools. This way I'll always have something in focus.
I called Rus and left a message about TWCCTW Day on March 7, and asked where they were in the process.
A Sgt on the Pike asked Jim if we would hold another meeting about helping Mike, so we will! I am learning to let things unfold. I'm starting from scratch tomorrow, contacting more schools. This way I'll always have something in focus.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
January 28
I believe in my heart that things are moving forward. Today, I sent out an email to the troopers with very specific instructions. I did not intend to insult them, just give tangible action steps.
Mike and Betsy's online mall is:
http://www.mypowermall.com/mall/158711
Here is what YOU can do right now:
1.Go to THEIR mall, click on the "Get Your Own My PowerMall" button in the upper left.
2.Watch the 13 minute video on World Changer Malls.
3.Sign up to become a World Changer by clicking the large button below the videos. There are other options, but this one is truly the most beneficial to you and them. You'll receive $600/year in gas and grocery rebates which will more than offset the minimal cost.
4. Shop through YOUR mall whenever possible.
5. Purchase American Express gift cards through YOUR mall to use for paying everyday bills and grocery shopping. Amex gives a large rebate back and waives the per card fee for My PowerMall. This is a HUGE component of the pay.
6. Tell 2 or more other people and have them become World Changers through YOUR mall.
In a very short time, we can all play a role in providing Mike the peace of mind in knowing Betsy will be financially secure.
Please keep the positive thoughts coming - tomorrow I will call Cheverus and St. Dom's to follow up and see where they are in the process.
Mike and Betsy's online mall is:
http://www.mypowermall.com/mall/158711
Here is what YOU can do right now:
1.Go to THEIR mall, click on the "Get Your Own My PowerMall" button in the upper left.
2.Watch the 13 minute video on World Changer Malls.
3.Sign up to become a World Changer by clicking the large button below the videos. There are other options, but this one is truly the most beneficial to you and them. You'll receive $600/year in gas and grocery rebates which will more than offset the minimal cost.
4. Shop through YOUR mall whenever possible.
5. Purchase American Express gift cards through YOUR mall to use for paying everyday bills and grocery shopping. Amex gives a large rebate back and waives the per card fee for My PowerMall. This is a HUGE component of the pay.
6. Tell 2 or more other people and have them become World Changers through YOUR mall.
In a very short time, we can all play a role in providing Mike the peace of mind in knowing Betsy will be financially secure.
Please keep the positive thoughts coming - tomorrow I will call Cheverus and St. Dom's to follow up and see where they are in the process.
Monday, January 26, 2009
January 26
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.
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.
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.
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