We make association leaders think.
You just never know.
On Friday, I attended the California Society of Association Executives lunch.
I’m facilitating their Insights 2010 program this February.
Focus will be on transformation.
For experienced executives.
We decided to do a little promo since I was in town.
Had two minutes.
Described the experience and take-aways.
Gave them a sample of Cynthia live.
Walking out two women approached [...]
October 5th, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
And going strong.
Lynn Morton tagged me for the Gen-X meme.
Started by Maddie Grant.
Asks if Gen-Xers have sold out.
(Yes, I’m a Gen-Xer.)
When first out of college I was a certified job- hopper.
I had something like 10 jobs in just a few years.
Fit was more important than sticking around.
(Drove my parents CRAZY!)
I’m still dancing to the [...]
September 28th, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
Is not my problem.
I recently agreed to help out an organization.
I’ve belonged for a while.
It’s a strategic effort.
Seemed like a good fit.
The process involves a series of gates.
Part A must happen before Part B, etc.
I’m Part B.
We all committed to a timeline over a month ago.
Haven’t heard from Part A.
Sent an email.
Was told they [...]
Will you join us?
How are things going in your chapter?
Do you have a surplus of volunteers?
Do you have a strong pool of future leaders?
Do you have new members eager to join your chapter?
If you answered “No” to any of these questions, the Lazy Leader Transforms America – One Volunteer at a Time! tour is calling your [...]
September 11th, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
I’m in.
Last night I watched Glee.
It’s a new TV show about building a glee club in high school.
I’m a sucker for those kinds of shows.
(Can’t wait to see the new Fame movie either.)
I sang for several years growing up.
Was in a competitive choir.
Ensemble groups.
And church choir.
Glee brought back many fond memories.
It made me smile.
Miss [...]
Please stop.
Crowdsourcing is the sexy name.
It’s simply old-fashioned polling.
Vote on your favorites.
Decide which person/idea/thing wins.
It picked up speed with reality shows.
Vote for the best.
Decide who leaves.
(Like my one vote really matters.)
TV voting was okay.
I chose to watch the show.
Didn’t have to pick up the phone.
It was a pretty non-invasive experience.
No more.
Now crowdsourcing is everywhere.
It’s the hottest [...]
Why not?
The holiday weekend is calling…
Family and friends.
Fishing?
Fun.
It’s also a great time to prep your leadership skills for this fall!
That’s fun, right?
Of course it is.
Here are simple three things you can do.
1. Join the Chapter Leaders Playground.
The $50 membership is FREE this weekend.
Listen to the archived “Delegating for Outrageous Results.”
(Actually, you can listen later – just [...]
You’ll be on mute.
It’s a new year.
New committee.
New chair.
Keen on engagement.
Invites committee members to join monthly call.
Between leadership.
Members will be muted.
Questions can be emailed AFTER the call.
The chair’s intentions are good.
Wants people educated.
In the loop.
Excited about what’s going on.
And message communicated is off.
We are the benevolent leaders.
We are transparent.
You don’t matter.
Would you give up an [...]
September 2nd, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
That was the joke.
I got a pedicure this weekend.
My feet hurt from walking all over Toronto.
The convention center was huge.
A foot massage called my name!
Decided be outrageous with my polish color.
Debated between blue and green.
I made my choice.
Lime green crossed with avocado.
I giggled as the color went on.
How would it look?
How would people react?
Did I care?
Aside from [...]
August 24th, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
Or so some think.
Does this photo look like me?
Lots of people in Toronto think so.
People have shook my hand.
And even asked for my autograph.
One woman was totally ticked.
Why me?
Why not her?
She demanded to know the secret of my selection.
I asked her how she volunteered for ASAE.
She sputtered.
Told her I’ve been an active volunteer for [...]
Prove me wrong.
A volunteer shared his experience with me.
This is a true story.
Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
(And the clueless.)
For two years Donald volunteered on a chapter committee.
He worked hard.
Brought fresh ideas.
Was committed to the team.
Donald’s chapter used an antiquated volunteer assignment process.
Members have to apply to be allowed to help the chapter.
Volunteering [...]
And I can’t breathe!
I’m on the road.
And have a problem.
I can’t breathe with my clothes on.
And I can’t take them off.
Tuesday night washed all my clothes.
With new enhanced detergent.
One we’ve used before.
With Downy in the mix.
I noticed the fresh clean smell when packing my clothes.
Sort of relaxing.
Made me smile.
Life was good.
Until I realized the [...]
July 23rd, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
You’re not my parent.
As kids we ask lots of questions – why do I have to…
Clean my room?
Be nice to my brother?
Eat my veggies?
Sometimes parents explain the why.
Other times they fall back on the time-honored, traditional answer.
“Because I said so.”
(It’s a parent’s privilege – or so I’ve been told.)
We zoom forward to adulthood.
Serve as [...]
July 20th, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
(Am I wrong?)
You asked me to serve on your committee.
Pretty high visi-posure.
Important work.
Required my special skills.
I attended first meeting two months ago.
Process explained.
Assignments made.
And then nothing.
I feel like I’m in a black hole.
No communication.
No support.
No clue if I’m on the right track.
Deadline is looming.
My enthusiasm has waned.
Unreturned emails leave me wanting.
Does my contribution really matter?
Maybe I [...]
July 15th, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
Typical crossed wires.
Raindrop likes to snooze in the chair on our porch.
It’s one of her favorite summer activities.
Especially during the day when other dogs are in their houses.
It’s a lazy way to pass the time.
Today two college guys walked up to flyer our porch.
They didn’t see Raindrop.
They were loud in their approach.
And woke her.
Raindrop [...]
July 14th, 2009 | Cynthia D'Amour | Comments | Continued
hi i read... and email lists is the single biggest mistake in membership recruitment. In any given outreach Video quality is good, I feel this much better to read, and we all can view your expressions. ... Any ...
Posterous rocks! :-) 
thaaaaanks http://forum.r1o1.com/ Thanks, Elizabeth! Glad you're getting something out of the series.