Home - Honoree Video Interviews

"We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way. Appreciation is a wonderful feeling, don't overlook it."

Author Unknown

I wanted to share this post on The Home for Little Wanderers Website http://www.thehome.org/

"More than 900 people were at the Seaport World Trade Center on the evening of May 28, 2008 to celebrate the creative artwork and writing of children served by The Home’s residential programs. In addition to the exhibit, the evening included a silent auction, diamond raffle, dinner and program. As part of our celebration, we honored three alumni of The Home who shared their moving stories with us. It was a wonderful evening, raising nearly $1 million for The Home".

"On behalf of all the children and families we serve, our heartfelt thanks to the corporations, individuals and foundations who made this event such a spectacular success through their sponsorship and support".

Please peek at this link to view the pre-taped interview of Greg, Fred and myself during The Home for Little Wanderers Voices and Visions Annual Fundraiser.

http://www.thehome.org/site/PageServer?pagename=events_voices_visions_2008sponsors



http://www.thehome.org/site/PageServer?pagename=news_video_voices_visions_08_honorees



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Appreciation

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:appreciation&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something; "he has a good grasp of accounting practices"

taste: delicate discrimination (especially of aesthetic values); "arrogance and lack of taste contributed to his rapid success"; "to ask at that particular time was the ultimate in bad taste"
an expression of gratitude; "he expressed his appreciation in a short note"

admiration: a favorable judgment; "a small token in admiration of your works"
an increase in price or value; "an appreciation of 30% in the value of real estate" wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn


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Interview

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:interview&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
discuss formally with (somebody) for the purpose of an evaluation; "We interviewed the job candidates" the questioning of a person (or a conversation in which information is elicited); often conducted by journalists; "my interviews with teenagers revealed a weakening of religious bonds"

consultation: a conference (usually with someone important); "he had a consultation with the judge"; "he requested an audience with the king" go for an interview in the hope of being hired;
"The job candidate interviewed everywhere" wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

Unsung Neighbors

“A hero is simply someone who rises above his own
human weaknesses, for an hour, a day, a year,
to do something stirring”.
Betty Deramus

Today I signed an “Authorization to Publish” Unsung Neighbors that still gives me exclusive rights to my own story and photos but allows me to be a contributor of this book that is due out by November 2008 - just in time for the Holiday Season!

The book Unsung Neighbors is by Charlotte Endorf who has written four other books and published them by Outskirts Press Inc. www.outskirtspress.com/bytrain Charlotte wanted to feature the many people she met along her travels that she considers to be “unsung neighbors”. I am thrilled to be a one of them during this project and she made it easy for me to write by sending me a “motivational questionnaire”.

I first heard of Charlotte when I was listening to the 2001 World Champion of Public Speaking, Darren LaCroix’s http://www.humor411.com/ Get Paid to Speak CD. When Darren said Charlotte wrote a book called Plains Bound Fragile Cargo about the Orphan Trains Movement my ears perked because The Home for Little Wanderers was also part of the Orphan Trains Movement. I knew I had to connect with Charlotte and Darren gave me her contact email. This is my second invite from Charlotte to assist on a project but not the last.

I visited Nebraska and spoke on the Orphan Trains during the 2008 Orphan Train Celebration it is Charlotte's turn to come to Boston, MA along with her family, two of the original Orphans from New York Lela and Lois and a camera crew to visit The Home for Little Wanderers. Fingers Crosses with the help of grant from “Pay It Forward” in the hopes that she will be able to http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org/ How exciting is THAT!!?? Sabrina and I can;t wait.

Oh AND we must get them to a BEACH (probably Revere or "Rever;ha" if you're from around the way). Did you know there are NO BEACHES in Nebraska – I didn’t until they told me!! http://www.reverebeach.com/

http://www.reverebeach.com/pm/mccauley-template.htm

“Life, misfortunes, isolation, abandonment, poverty,
are battlefields which have their heroes; obscure heroes,
sometimes, greater than the illustrious heroes”.
Victor Hugo (Les Miserables)

Do YOU know Unsung Neighbors?

Got any "Unsung Neighbor/Hero" Stories YOU want to Share?

Why NOT publish a book too and honor them?

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FACTS

Unsung

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/unsung
un·sung

1. Not honored or praised; uncelebrated: an unsung hero.
2. Not sung: unsung hymns.

Pay It forward
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward

The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of third party beneficiary in which a creditor who offers the debtor the option of "paying" the debt forward by lending it to a third person instead of paying it back to the original creditor.

Debt and payments can be monetary or by good deeds. In sociology, this concept is called "generalized reciprocity" or "generalized exchange". A related transaction, which starts with a gift instead of a loan, is alternative giving.

"To Have and To Hold"

“Once In a While in the Middle of an Ordinary Life LOVE Gives us a Fairy Tale”
Taken right from Angie (Flinn) Key’s Blog http://blog.angiekey.com/

They “DID” it – they got “married” – Toastmasters District 50's Past District Governor Angie Flinn, DTM and 2003 World Champion of Public Speaking, Jim Key – got married on Monday June 30, 2008!


http://www.jimandangiewedding.com/ I met Angie and Jim at the 2007 Toastmasters International Convention in Phoenix Arizona and she had on a “promise ring” then. I hope they attend the Toastmasters International Convention in Calgary this August 2008. Although they may not be able to because they are going on a cruise for their honeymoon. But Jim shares with me that if his friends are in the International Speech Contest - they just may show up!

Besides it won;t be as much fun without them at the President;s Dance - they really know how to throw down on the dance floor and here are some photos to prove!! These were taken by my Toastmaster Craig Strachan who was the LGM in S. Africa and is now the LGET(and his wife Lois is the outgoing LGET and the incoming DG!!) http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdstrachan/sets/72157601702989549/

Peek at Angie’s Blog to view the sweet wedding photos and her beautiful dress with the vibrant blue trim, dad walking her down the stairs and little entourage of flower girls!! Angie's http://blog.angiekey.com/ or Jim’s http://blog.jimkey.com/


I bought them a small gift card to Best Buy on June 15th – to contribute towards their “T.V. Fund” - or at least towards a “romantic” D.V.D.
...Now if I can just make my way to the POST OFFICE to mail it to Plano Texas!

OK friends raise your glasses and let’s make a quick toast to Angie and Jim – “TO HAVE AND TO HOLD… hope your Fairy Tale lasts forever!”…

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Facts

Marriage

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=define+marriage&btnG=Google+Search

1 a : the state of being married b : the mutual relation of husband and wife : WEDLOCK c : the institution whereby men and women are joined in a special kind of social and legal dependence for the purpose of founding and maintaining a family

2 : an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities
3 : an intimate or close union

Excellence in Marketing Award!

“Excellence can be obtained if you:...care more than others think is wise;...risk more than others think is safe;...dream more than others think is practical;...expect more than others think is possible.” Anonymous

Ending the District 31 2007-2008 Toastmasters year with “Excellence in Marketing” award! It was an honor and privilege "TO LEAD and TO SERVE" District 31 as the 2007-2008 Lt. Governor of Marketing!

Friends I want to share that on Friday August 13, 2008 at the Toastmasters International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada inside the Calgary’s TELUS Convention Centre http://www.calgary-convention.com/ at approximately 1:30 PM during the “Hall of Fame” Ceremony I will receive the “Excellence in Marketing” award from the International President, Chris Ford, DTM!!

“Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve
the quality of what you have to offer”
Perry Paxton

And of course I am excited and thrilled to have met the marketing goals for BOTH club building and membership (per caps) BUT I really accept this award on behalf of the MANY members in District 31 who helped and assisted me with meeting our marketing goals!!

Some of my "STAND OUT" Top Performers are -

My Co-Dues Are Dues Coordinators - Tien Truong and Gary Budiansky,
My seven (A-G) Division Demo Team Leaders from – Ray Gatti, Doug Sheadel, Tom Kirschner, Ben Lappen, Sheila Sullivan, Dale Averill, Ed Skurka.
My Club Coaches - (incoming LGM) Bil Lewis and Judy Artley,
My Membership Building Committee.

And especially the MANY Toastmaster members who invited friends and family members to Club meetings, took a roles at our Demo Meetings, helped with Chartering Paper work, submitted their membership dues “on time” to their club Treasurers, “Shared Their Toastmasters Stories”, Assisted at Toastmasters Booths in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island and helped get the WORD out about TOASTMASTERS!!

Some Nice Testimonials from Members in my District 31

“Sherri, thanks for your leadership, enthusiasm and helping to make this another great year for D31”. Dick Karon, DTM - Rhode Island

“THANK YOU for your willingness to make a difference”! George 'Mr. Nice Guy" Manoogian, Division F Governor

“Thank you Sherri - you did a great job”!! Ellen McCurdy

“Sherri - Great stuff! Keep serving...we need more models of excellence like you”.
Bash Turay, DTM, Past District 31 Governor, Past International Director

“Hi Sherri, Congratulations on achieving the Marketing Goal for this year. This is an awesome achievement and one in which you deserve a lot of credit. I know this was a lot of work on your part and I'm delighted with your success”. “Best wishes for more success as you embark on your journey as LGET”. Ray Gatti, Division B Demo Leader

“Sherri You have been a fantastic and dynamic Lt. Gov. Marketing for the past year! Can't remember ever seeing one so enthusiastic in all my Toastmastering Days, and that's A LOT OF DAYS IN FORTY YEARS” ! “ We will miss your leadership in Marketing but I know you will continue to help the District. Congratulations again” ! Eric Ericson, Past President, UCTC - Cape Cod, MASS

I would NOT have been able to achieve the distict goals without the help of MANY people. I think my friend John Lesko, DTM from District 27 summed it up best!!

“Congratulations, Sherri, “... But as you know, the numbers tell just a small part of the over-all story. ... There's a lot of selfless service and team effort behind any district's success. ... Thank you for sharing your TIPS, HINTS, and LESSONS LEARNED. ... But thank you most of all for your FRIENDSHIP”. See you in Calgary! John Lesko, DTM D27 2007-2008 Lt. Governor of Marketing – Excellence in Marketing, 2008-2009 Lt. Gov. Education & Training.


Are YOU a leader? Have You lead a team to success? Share with me some of the ways you say THANK YOU to those who have been instrumental in achieving a goal together!!


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FACTS

Excellence

Excellence is the state or quality of excelling. It is superiority, or the state of being good to a high degree. Excellence is considered to be a value by many organizations, in particular by schools and other institutions of education, and a goal to be pursued. '

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Excellence


http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:excellence&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

Susan B. Anthony

"Failure is Impossible"

"Men their rights, and nothing more, women,

their rights, and nothing less"

Susan Bromwell Anthony

I just joined the Humor & Drama Toastmasters Club - meets the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM - 12:00Noon at MIT on Mass Ave in Cambridge, Mass. Over the past few years I have tried to visit the club as often as I can - spring & fall soccer sometimes prevent me from attending. I miss seeing the 2007 World Champion of Public Speaking, Vikas Jhingran at these meetings - it is where I watched him develop as a speaker and he often gave me great feedback evaluations - I think he really appreciated my theatrical skills.

For this Saturday July 5, 2008 meeting the newly elected District 31 Lt. Governor of Marketing, Bil Lewis, DTM (who is also the son of the first female District 31 Governor, Bettye Underhill, DTM) and is the incoming Humor & Drama Club President wanted to do an "Historical Speeches" meeting to celebrate the 4th of July. Take a sneak peek at his Patrick Henry Clip

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufE99HB49nA

Other speeches were of Everett Edwards, John Hancock, a poem of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Fredrick Douglass and I chose to deliver Susan Bromwell Anthony's "Woman's Right to Vote" I borrowed an historical costume from the Saugus High School's Theatre Department. We videoed the speeches and I do hope to post it on this blog. Oh yeah I also sang the National Anthem! Peek at Susan B. Anthony's Speech - Woman;s Right

http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/anthony.htm

This was a fun way for us to start the new Toastmasters year at the H & D Club with a Theme as well as celebrate Independance Day with some of the most important and influential speeches from people had a desire to "SPEAK UP AND CHANGE THE WORLD" (this is our incoming District Governor's theme!).

I am sure glad that we had pioneers who were brave enough to speak out on what they believed in!! Is there an historical speech that YOU would like to give? Why not create a special event and invite others to your club? It is a great way to build up membership, moral and show case your talent. AND Don;t forget to advertise!!


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FACTS and Links

Here is a list of Historical Quotes by Susan Ohanian
http://www.susanohanian.org/quotes.html


http://www.susanohanian.org/quotes.html


http://susanbanthony.net/


http://www.susanbanthony.freewebweb.com/p4_faq.html

19th Ammendment

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/nineteentham.htm

Woman's Suffrage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women

The term women's suffrage refers to the economic and political reform movement aimed at extending suffrage — the right to vote — to women. The movement's origins are usually traced to the United States in the 1820s. New Zealand is often credited with being the first country to give women the vote, but it was not technically a country when it granted women suffrage in 1893, but a mostly self-governing colony.[1] Places with similar status which granted women the vote before New Zealand include Wyoming (1869) and South Australia. Other possible contenders for first country to grant female suffrage include the Corsican Republic, the Isle of Man, the Pitcairn Islands, Franceville and Tavolara, but some of these had brief existences as countries and others were not clearly independent.
Today women's suffrage is considered a right (under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), although a few countries, mainly in the Middle East, continue to deny voting rights to women.

Coaching U12 Soccer

"Make no mistake, as you change your leadership style to one of a coach you will face challenges. There will be times when you question why am I doing this. However, you must at all times keep the long term benefits of being a coach at the forefront of your mind."

Byron & Catherine Pulsifer, from Challenges in Adopting a Coaching Style

I received an email last night from Frank one of the Saugus Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) Board members asking if I would be interested in coaching my daughter Sabrina's U-12 team (!). I REALLY was not expecting this because I really thought that Sabrina would be picked for either the Division A or Division B Travel Teams.

http://www.saugusyouthsoccer.net/SYSA/Home.html

Although I have coached her team two years ago - I would NOT consider myself a know how of the soccer sport - I never played it growing up. I was also the SYSA Equipment Manager for the entire town of Saugus!

I asked Sabrina if she wanted me to coach her new team and she said - "YES MOM" "DO IT" YOU MAKE IT SO FUN"! OK Sabrina WANTS me to coach - well then I will coach.

Today I emailed Andy back and agree to be her coach and asked if I could change the name name (I will let Sabrina pick it - last time she picked THE CHEETAHS.

Andy thanked for "stepping up". And since I have been in Toastmasters I have found that stepping up to leadership roles is as equally important as stepping up to speaking opportunities!

So add this to my arsenal of duties - "Coach Sherri"!!

"Kids don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

unknown

Has YOUR local town or surrounding comminity ever called upon YOU to "step up" and to take on a leadership role? There are MANY leadership opportunities - coach a sport, join the PTO/PTA Board, assist with a church function, charity or fund raiser event. And you don;t even have to wait to be asked...

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FACTS

Soccer

http://www.answers.com/topic/soccer

A game played on a rectangular field with net goals at either end in which two teams of 11 players each try to drive a ball into the other's goal by kicking, heading, or using any part of the body except the arms and hands. The goalie is the only player who may touch or move the ball with the arms or hands.

Coach

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:coach&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

Definitions of coach on the Web:

In sports, a coach or manager is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coach (sport)

* (sports) someone in charge of training an athlete or a team

* a person who gives private instruction (as in singing, acting, etc.)
* passenger car: a railcar where passengers ride
* teach and supervise (someone); act as a trainer or coach (to), as in sports; "He is training our * * Olympic team"; "She is coaching the crew"
* a carriage pulled by four horses with one driver
* drive a coach
* bus: a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport; "he always rode the bus to work" wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

D31 Incoming LGET

Today is July 1, 2008 - the first day of the Toastmasters Year!

I am officially the 2008-2009 Lt. Governor of Education & Training.

I will learn a whole new leadership skill set. Last night at 11:58 PM the District 31 Leadership Trio - the incoming Lt. Govenror of Marketing, Bil Lewis, DTM and the District Governor Ariela Marshall, DTM and myself started our year off with a positive and motivational conference call. I am looking forward to another serving the district 31 which covers eastern Massachusetts - Worcester and the entire state of Rhode Island !!