February 28, 2008
Playing Hookie
Yesterday I looked on my calendar and realized that I didn't have any meetings. I decided to request a spontaneous vacation day. I have been in desperate need of a mental health day. So far, this has been just the ticket. I have taken care of the items on my to do list that can't be done on the weekend (lots of appointments scheduled, running a couple errands). And, I took a nap. Did seven loads of laundry - which wasn't that glamorous, but now I will sleep in a bed with fresh sheets. And, the best part - I have freed up some of the weekend so I can actually relax! This was a great idea!
February 27, 2008
February 25, 2008
Happy B-Day
It is Robby's 4th Birthday! Yeah! So, four years ago I was in labor. Just reflecting on what he has learned in the past year is amazing: the alphabet, to go potty, vocab words. He is fitting so much together. The kid also has some great dance moves and a silly personality. He brings great joy and I'm looking forward to his fourth year. We are so blessed! As I said to a friend recently, he is wonderful all of the time and a pain just a little of the time!
Last night I hosted a conference call to teach the Guild Board to use Yahoo Groups. This is a great resource for sharing information without clogging up individual harddrives and inboxes.
This week we publicize and begin the 2008 Guild Campus Gift grant process. I'm announcing the request for proposals at today's Administrators Forum. We'll send via mail. I'm looking forward to seeing the requests this year. In 2007 we funded $25K and plan to fund more in 2008.
Off to work!
Last night I hosted a conference call to teach the Guild Board to use Yahoo Groups. This is a great resource for sharing information without clogging up individual harddrives and inboxes.
This week we publicize and begin the 2008 Guild Campus Gift grant process. I'm announcing the request for proposals at today's Administrators Forum. We'll send via mail. I'm looking forward to seeing the requests this year. In 2007 we funded $25K and plan to fund more in 2008.
Off to work!
February 20, 2008
Guild Grants
So, how cool is this? Within a matter of minutes I received updates on two of the 2007 grants that the Guild awarded. First, in spite of the snowy weather - FIVE benches were delivered to Mueller Hall this afternoon. This will provide seating for students (and professors) before and after class.
Then, I received an e-mail from Doug Kocher in the Communications Department. A quick snipet from the e-mail:
"I am proud to report that VU's participation was a success on every level. Funding to establish this program was generously provided by a grant from the University Guild, and I believe that they will find their investment well-spent. Our students, faced with a highly competitive environment, a short time to prepare, and limited experience, responded admirably. Student participants, ranging from sophomores to seniors, learned how to work together as a team under pressure."
While at Morning Worship, I ran into a colleague who asked about the 2008 grants. Our spring intern is preparing the mailing that will go to all department chairs/administrative directors/key student organizations. The deadline to respond with a proposal is March 31, 2008.
Then, I received an e-mail from Doug Kocher in the Communications Department. A quick snipet from the e-mail:
"I am proud to report that VU's participation was a success on every level. Funding to establish this program was generously provided by a grant from the University Guild, and I believe that they will find their investment well-spent. Our students, faced with a highly competitive environment, a short time to prepare, and limited experience, responded admirably. Student participants, ranging from sophomores to seniors, learned how to work together as a team under pressure."
While at Morning Worship, I ran into a colleague who asked about the 2008 grants. Our spring intern is preparing the mailing that will go to all department chairs/administrative directors/key student organizations. The deadline to respond with a proposal is March 31, 2008.
Feb
Where is February going? SO FAR this week, we have been busy sending a State of the Guild newsletter, providing nominees for the Guild scholarships to financial aid, discussing the prayerbook that the Guild is funding, attending a webinar, attending a cabinet meeting, prepping the Day of Prayer postcard, etc. etc. It is a week when a lot of projects can be pushed to the next step. Last Thursday, an intern and I started filming interviews for the "outcomes" video. I'm looking forward to the weather improving so he can get some outside shots. Today I plan to go to Chapel.
On a completely different subject, for Lent, Rick and I are going to donate 40 items to a food pantry. I haven't been as good about giving up stuff in recent years. Maybe I'll donate $40 to a cause I believe in, too.
My workout in the morning is becoming more routine. I feel like I'm gaining flexibility and energy. Haven't lost a pound, but I'm not really about that right now.
On a completely different subject, for Lent, Rick and I are going to donate 40 items to a food pantry. I haven't been as good about giving up stuff in recent years. Maybe I'll donate $40 to a cause I believe in, too.
My workout in the morning is becoming more routine. I feel like I'm gaining flexibility and energy. Haven't lost a pound, but I'm not really about that right now.
February 14, 2008
Happy Heart Day!
Ah...Valentine's Day! We will be videotaping some people who LOVE the Guild for an outcomes video that we plan to premiere at the annual meeting this fall. This is the first day of taping. People may be surprised to know that I'm always a little reluctant (nervous?) to do something new- that is out of my comfort zone. I procrastinate, stall, avoid. This job certainly gives me plenty of opportunity to try to overcome this fear....
The national fundraiser committee met last night. I'm proud of this group because they are getting outside of their "comfort zone" by meeting via conference call (which isn't easy the first time), joining a Yahoo group to share information, and researching a topic that most of us don't know too much about. Yeah for getting started!
The national fundraiser committee met last night. I'm proud of this group because they are getting outside of their "comfort zone" by meeting via conference call (which isn't easy the first time), joining a Yahoo group to share information, and researching a topic that most of us don't know too much about. Yeah for getting started!
February 12, 2008
committees
A lot of Guild committees are up and running. The nominating committee "met" via conference call on Sunday to begin their work at finding the 2009-2011 board members. (Nominations are welcome!) The national fund raiser committee will "meet" Wednesday night. The 2009 CWC committee meets Saturday in Chicago. 2008 is in full swing!
February 11, 2008
bitter cold
The weather is hitting rock bottom. Each day we get closer to spring, so I'm trying to keep a happy outlook.
Students have been calling lapsed members. Most of the people who were members last year are renewing. Most of the people who didn't renew last year (were members in 2005-2006) are not - but it allows us to remove them from our list and 1) save some money; 2) move on. I'd like us to spend more time and energy on recruiting new members than continuing to try to convince the former members. What bugs me is how the former members were so invested in the Guild that was in front of them - their local chapter - that they lost sight of the national mission and influence that the Guild has. Our founding members may have felt shame. Small fundraisers are not what the Guild is about - doing what VALPO NEEDS is what the Guild is about.
I'm thankful that the students are calling. They can get through the lists much quicker. Also, it is good for members to speak with students. We risk offending the members as telemarketers. So many people screen their calls, too. We're trying to put the call in the light of a friendly reminder.
Students have been calling lapsed members. Most of the people who were members last year are renewing. Most of the people who didn't renew last year (were members in 2005-2006) are not - but it allows us to remove them from our list and 1) save some money; 2) move on. I'd like us to spend more time and energy on recruiting new members than continuing to try to convince the former members. What bugs me is how the former members were so invested in the Guild that was in front of them - their local chapter - that they lost sight of the national mission and influence that the Guild has. Our founding members may have felt shame. Small fundraisers are not what the Guild is about - doing what VALPO NEEDS is what the Guild is about.
I'm thankful that the students are calling. They can get through the lists much quicker. Also, it is good for members to speak with students. We risk offending the members as telemarketers. So many people screen their calls, too. We're trying to put the call in the light of a friendly reminder.
February 8, 2008
all is good
The SUN came out - just a little - today. We needed it around here. The snow just keeps on coming!!! Somehow I've managed to have safe rides back and forth so far.
I was out of the office at the end of last week to attend a work function with Rick. He learned on Friday that a staff person had passed away. That put a damper on things, but we still had a nice time being together. I spent Friday volunteering in the city. A lot of walking around in the snow, so I was also tired at the big function.
There are sooooo many projects currently sitting on my desk that just take time and concentration to complete. Not enough time and concentration....then little fires pop up that need attention.
A VERY good piece of news is that Anne Franklin has agreed to serve the rest of Sue's term. Also, in the good news section is that we have our nominating committee established. Here we go again.
The grad lunch details are beginning to fall into place. This year we will invite men and women (limit to 150 attendees). Excited to model our new Guild better.
I was out of the office at the end of last week to attend a work function with Rick. He learned on Friday that a staff person had passed away. That put a damper on things, but we still had a nice time being together. I spent Friday volunteering in the city. A lot of walking around in the snow, so I was also tired at the big function.
There are sooooo many projects currently sitting on my desk that just take time and concentration to complete. Not enough time and concentration....then little fires pop up that need attention.
A VERY good piece of news is that Anne Franklin has agreed to serve the rest of Sue's term. Also, in the good news section is that we have our nominating committee established. Here we go again.
The grad lunch details are beginning to fall into place. This year we will invite men and women (limit to 150 attendees). Excited to model our new Guild better.
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