NSA Northwest's Quarterly E-zine - July 2006
In this Issue
- Message from President Jocelyn 'Toolie' Garner
- Annual Chapter Barbecue on July 15th -- Register Now!
- Incoming NSA National President Lenora Billings Harris Speaks to NSA Northwest Chapter
- Meet the New Chapter Board of Directors
- NSA Northwest Members and Affiliates Prepare for National Convention
- Welcoming our New Members and Affiliates
- Have Display Board, Will Travel!
- Upcoming Social Events and Saturday Workshops
Message from President Jocelyn 'Toolie' Garner
Dear Friends,
Summer is here! It's the start of our Chapter's Fiscal and Programming year, and the first month in my capacity as President of NSA Northwest. I'm delighted to be of service! The New Board of Directors is already busy at work on your behalf, preparing for the year's meetings, and brainstorming ways to increase the value of your membership in NSA Northwest.
At our June Workshop, I unveiled the Chapter theme for this year, which is "NSA Northwest: What You Learn Here Can Take You Anywhere." I told the story of my background in education, and how my senior advisor in college explained to me that even though I wasn't excited about becoming a schoolteacher at the time, I would always BE a teacher because that's who I am. Being a teacher and a perpetual student have been a constant theme in my life; no matter what jobs I've held, I've always been called upon to teach what I know to my co-workers. In teaching adults, I discovered one important element that often meant the difference between failure and success:
It's not what you don't know that holds you back,
it's what you are unwilling to learn that keeps you from moving ahead.
Jocelyn 'Toolie' Garner
You can quote me on that! So that realization led me to the question I ask myself daily, which I will now ask of you:
This is a copy of the reminder card I handed out to those who attended the June meeting. I encourage you to print out this page, cut out the reminder, and put it up on your bathroom mirror so that you see it every morning. Let it inspire you to be willing to learn something new daily that benefits you, your business, and your family.
Back to topAnnual Chapter Barbecue on July 15 -- Register Now!
You know that speakers love to talk...well, we also enjoy each company over a plate of food! It's time for the Annual Summer Barbecue at the home of Carla Cross, and YOU are invited! This event is strictly social, so bring your spousal unit or a friend, your family, and definitely bring anyone you think would be interested in belonging to NSA Northwest. This is a "pot luck", so everyone brings their own item to barbecue, plus a dish that feeds 6-8 other people (salad, vegetables, appetizer, or dessert) and their favorite beverages.
We need you to sign up for the BBQ so that we have enough plates and table service for everyone. You can register now by clicking this link. Don't wait: the deadline to sign up is this Monday, July 10th!
And while you're at it, be sure to read about the rest of our upcoming events and mark your calendar with those dates. See you on July 15th!
Incoming NSA National President Lenora Billings-Harris
Speaks to Our NSA Northwest Chapter
The incoming National President of NSA, Lenora Billings-Harris, spoke to our chapter on June 10th, just six weeks prior to her installation as President. We learned of this year’s National NSA Theme, which fit with her program “What’s Your Inclusivity Quotient™? Removing the Barriers that Block Your Message."
Lenora shared with us how to:
- Enhance our own multicultural competencies as a speaker.
- Identify the training and presentation techniques that help learners feel respected and included.
- Explore the most common multicultural barriers in the learning environment.
- Explore ways to evaluate our current programs to identify possible oversights, and then utilize techniques and resources to address them.
As well as:
- The importance of recognizing, understanding, respecting others talents and differences.
- How to save ourselves from common multi-cultural mishaps.
- Methods to vary our language to be more encompassing to a diverse audience.
- Sharing slang phrases to avoid, and up-to-date politically correct language to use.
Inclusivity is a topic that is not commonly addressed, and it can be a sensitive subject. Nevertheless, Lenora created a safe environment for our participants to discuss personal situations and suggestions for them. Knowing more about our National President has given us heightened confidence and enthusiasm for the new and exciting changes in the coming year's national programming.
Member of the Year, Hesketh Award and Board Installation
The chapter meeting continued with the announcement of two awards and the installation of the new Board of Directors.
We recognized our outstanding members for their contributions to our chapter. For the Member of the Year award, we had three candidates: Tracey Conway, Marcia Brixey, and Jocelyn "Toolie" Garner. The Tenacious, tireless, tech-wizard, Toolie is our recipient this year. She has helped us streamline our chapter operations, making us more efficient and saving the chapter money.
The next award given, the Hesketh Award, is for distinguished service and named in honor of Joe and Helen Hesketh. It honors a member who has exemplified the highest standards of professionalism as a speaker and sustained service to the Chapter over time. Dorothy Wilhelm has faithfully served for over 20 years and counting: on the Board, as a presenter, as a volunteer and as a mentor, friend and inspiration to many. She is a media personality, author, and speaker, and currently the host and producer of "My Home Town" on AT&T TV.
Finally, outgoing president Jan Dwyer thanked her Board, and Lenora installed the new Board. Their names and descriptions of the new Board Members and their posts for the coming year are described in the section below.
Volunteer Luncheon
After the Workshop concluded, we moved the celebration to the South Bellevue Community Center where we honored those who had volunteered in some capacity during the 2005-2006 Chapter year.
| Corbin Ball | Winston Hall | Ralph Palmen |
| Candace Kovner Belair | Jean Hamilton | Daren Penry |
| Sandy Bjorgen | Steve Holtzer | Richard Schenkar |
| Marcia Brixey | Lorraine Howell | Patt Schwab |
| Tracey Conway | Jolene Jang | Bob Seidensticker |
| Sunny Kobe Cook | Linda Keith | Rita Spek |
| Bill Cooper | Susan Key | Bill Stainton |
| Bonnie Dean | Anna Liotta | Sarah Taylor |
| Max Dixon | DeBorah Little | Deanna Turner |
| Jan Dwyer | Bill McDonald | Brian Walter |
| Michael Fraidenburg | Jan McLaughlin | Dorothy Wilhelm |
| Judith Frost | Steve Miller | Linda Williams |
| Jocelyn Garner | Marilyn Milnor | Patrick Williams |
| Cathy Goodwin | Vanna Novak | Peggy Wolff |
| Jeanette Nyden |
We thank these volunteers for their contributions to the chapter. We truly have a Community of Service!
Meet the New Chapter Board of Directors
The Board of Directors serves a one-year term from July 1st to the following June 30th.
President
Jocelyn "Toolie" Garner, better known as "Toolie the Travel Guide™"
Toolie shows you how to turn business travel time into productive "up-time" with her humorous and informative travel and technology presentations.
President-Elect
<temporarily vacant>
Immediate Past President
Jan Dwyer of Boundless Results
Jan works with people who are ready to make great leaps at work and in life. She’ll help you with Customer Service, Communication Skills and Career Choices.
VP Membership
Sandy Bjorgen of Creative Conversations
Through Improv-based training, Sandy helps business people think on their feet in front of an audience, with the team, and one-to-one.
VP Programming
Jolene Jang, the Fun Specialist
Jolene aka "The Fun Specialist" takes routine meetings, events, and conferences with mind-numbing contents, deadpan presenters, non-stop PowerPointing packed with lethargy and transforms them into valuable ones.
VP Finance
Bill McDonald of Lead in Harmony
A City Manager for over 20 years, Bill helps elected officials work together effectively and lead in harmony.
VP Communication
Dr Daren J. Penry of Lakeview Center Chiropractic
Dr. Daren Penry of Lakeview Center Chiropractic is a principle based chiropractor. He helps people to create better health through a return to common sense education, and by increasing the body's own natural healing powers with spinal adjustments.
VP Marketing
Patrick Williams of Patrick Williams Consulting
As “The Selling Sherpa”, Patrick provides coaching, training, and workshops for selling professionals in all categories of business, as well as marketing guidance for firms who want to ensure effective and cost-responsible advertising.
Secretary
Marilyn Milnor, Storyteller
Marilyn helps you take a break from the ordinary. Her stories heal, encourage, empower, instruct, entertain and inspire.
Director
Anna Liotta of Resultance, Inc.
A speaker and results consultant, Anna Liotta, works with corporate and association executives to create Brilliant Associations that effectively address the bottom line and produce top results.
Director
Peggy Wolff of the Wolff Consulting Group
With wit and sensitivity, Peggy provides retreat facilitation, workplace behavior improvement, team development, and coaching.
NSA Northwest Members and Affiliates Prepare for National Convention
As of Monday, July 3rd, there are 33 people attending the National Convention from the State of Washington, 23 of whom are Members and Affiliates of NSA Northwest! This is the largest contingent of attendees from the state in recent memory. The NSA National Convention starts Saturday, July 22nd in Orlando, Florida, and runs through Tuesday July 25th at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort & Convention Center. We're looking for a place and time to gather while we're there, so those of you who are attending, stay tuned for further details!
NSA Northwest Members in the News
Sunny Kobe Cook was awarded the Communication and Leadership Award for "Outstanding Service to Industry, Youth and Our Community through Communication and Leadership" at the Toastmasters District 2 Spring Conference on April 22. The award is presented annually to an individual outside of the organization who has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the community and in business.
Welcoming Our New Members and Affiliates
We want to give a warm welcome to our new members and affiliates who have joined NSA Northwest since April 1st.
Tracey Beckes, Affiliate
Tracey Beckes and Associates
traceybeckes@beckes.com
Aliya Nylander, Affiliate
onlinegroups@esanen.com
Aliya is currently writing Finding Your Inner Voice: Lessons on a Motorcycle Journey. Her topic interests are Inner Voice, Conscious Gratitude, Life with no Regrets, and Beliefs.
Peter Stankovich, Affiliate
AXA Advisors
peter@sixfigurecommunications.com
A financial consultant, speaker and author of a soon to be released book, Six-Figure Communications, Peter speaks on wealth management and lessons learned from top communicators.
Have Display Board, Will Travel!
We now have an NSA Northwest display board, due to the artistry of Jocelyn 'Toolie' Garner! The Display Board made its debut at the Toastmasters District 2 Spring Conference on April 22 at Seattle Pacific University. Sandy Bjorgen and Jan Dwyer spent the day meeting people and answering questions about NSA. Sunny Kobe Cook, who received the district’s annual Communication and Leadership Award that day, came by our exhibit to display her plaque and greet visitors too. We made a great showing!
YOU can help us continue to show up big! Think of other memberships you hold, meetings you attend – places you might be able to set up a quick display. You can borrow the board! It is attractively decorated, light-weight, foldable, and comes in a handy carrier. It measures 2' x 3' when open. To arrange for pick-up of board plus fliers and folders, contact Sandy Bjorgen at 205-351-5899 or Sandy@CreativeConversations.us.
Upcoming Social Events and Saturday Workshops
Saturday July 15th
Social Event for Members, Affiliates and Guests
4:00pm to 8:00pm (dinner around 5:30 pm)
Annual NSA Northwest Barbecue
Location: Home of Carla Cross in Issaquah
Cost: Free, but bring something to barbecue, a dish for 6-8 people, and your favorite beverages.
Sign up online
Join us for our annual Summer Social. This one is all about eating and talking, two things NSA/NW folks do best. Sign up online NOW!
August 7, 9, 15, 17, or 21
Social Event for Members, Affiliates and Guests
*Local* Nights at the Movies
Food and networking: 6:30 – 7:00 pm; Movie and Convention Review: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Locations: Seattle (2), Mukilteo, Olympia, Sumner
Cost: $10 paid online. Register here.
Choose from five Puget Sound locations to join your near-by NSA/NW members, affiliates and guests. We’ll eat, socialize, watch an NSA national meeting video, and discuss it. And we’ll hear from those who attended convention in Orlando with their best take-away ideas.
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Saturday Workshop with Dan Poynter, "The Book Guy"
"Turning Speeches into Books"
Registration: 8:00 am
Program: 8:30 am to 11:45 am
Location: Embassy Suites, Bellevue
A book provides you with an additional profit center and lots of credibility. You will discover how to:
- Qualify the project to make sure there is a market for it
- Find material—without leaving home
- Get illustrations that are practically free
- Find relevant quotations and stories
- Get the project ready for the printer. eBooks, audiobooks and more.
- Get celebrities to endorse your book
- Make the choice between looking for an agent or publisher and publishing yourself
- Distributing and promoting your book.
Dan Poynter is the guru in this field. He has authored more than 120 books, has been a publisher since 1969 and is a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP). Come and learn from Dan how you can finally get YOUR book done!