New Arrival- Quota’s Web site

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Gwenn

Quota International

and

The We Share Foundation

proudly announce the arrival of the new

www.quota.org

Months of development and arduous labor have delivered to us a wonderful addition to our Quota family, the new web site.  It is the brain child of our staff and a contingent of consultants. The new arrival is welcomed by the board, staff and members as birth of the Quota of tomorrow. It looks youthful and it mirrors our heritage of service. All generations of Quotarians will be touched by its many possibilities.

I love the story of your caring and sharing told by the dynamic pictures. The videos are so easy to share!  I can run around the site finding everything I need, and so can you using the new search engine. It’s all there!  The service projects, club leaders guides, meeting calendar and convention information, translate as opportunities to see my friends, and even the Quotarian magazine! And it can all be shared with the world, including posting directly into Facebook, etc, etc, with the links.

No need to call the office or fax in forms now! Order club member pins and your President’s theme pin (you know: the cute little stork) on line. After getting your member number from your club president, you can update your information, request email updates, and even check the number of years of participation in Friends of Quota you have or how far you have come in the Stepping Stones program.

The web is the predominant method of transmitting information in the world today. On line resources are now among the first choices for news, education, shopping, marketing, entertainment, and networking. It is essential for Quota to present a contemporary web page to a world that can Google in an instant 115,000,000 sites for community service opportunities. Our members need and want more interaction internationally through the use of technology. There are now countless possibilities.

You have been waiting for this delivery. Celebrate with me all the possibilities it brings for the future of Quota International!

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Midterm

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Gwenn

For most of us, our calendar has at least one major event in the year. It is a special occasion, celebration, family gathering, vacation, travel, important meeting, conclusion of a project or milestone of life. The entire year is marked by this event, pre-event or post-event. The midterm board meeting for QI was one of these events for me. No, there was not a Saints Superbowl win to celebrate and there was no blizzard in DC this year.  Even so, it was an opportunity to travel, visit with friends, celebrate success, develop strategies, evaluate progress, and explore new possibilities. So mark it complete on the calendar, that task is done!

The emotion that follows such an event is a mixture of happiness, relief, and exhaustion. All the energy and effort put into the preparation and meeting days gives the following days a sense of ease. The focus and brain drain are less and when combined with the return of sleep I feel my load is lighter.  The feeling of success and accomplishment further brighten my mood for a few days (But I work this weekend, so the mood will not last long). This combination generally means I will be less productive in the days following, and so it is again this year. I find myself daydreaming and sitting in a pleasant state of semi-consciousness similar to the moments just before a blissful night’s sleep.  I am perfectly happy with this condition, however it is not contributing to meaningful communication with my spouse.  As he commented tonight, everything he has said this week I have asked him to repeat at least once and usually twice before it actually registers in my memory. 

The meeting itself was a definite high for me. I wrote earlier about my appreciation for the mental exercise. It was encouraging to hear staff and board members report on the progress being made in our strategy for the Quota of tomorrow. The enthusiasm for the new web site and electronic magazine, The Quotarian, was uplifting. The volume of work completed in the few short months from convention is inspiring! Things are happening!

Sunday February 6th was Quota International founder’s day, the 92nd anniversary of our organization. We celebrated our heritage and our future with the charter of 2 new clubs in the Philippines, QI of Makati and QI of Pilar. 

QI of Makati and QI Pilar chartered on Feb 6, 2011

The club charters were held concurrently. The board members were able to connect to the festivities through Skype, giving me the opportunity to welcome the new club members personally.  What fun! And how simple to do, connecting our members and leaders across the globe.  This is a wonderful age of technology that can unite our members world-wide in real time. I am certain we will be using it again.

D41 Gov Lynn Piad with Presidents Thess Taylor and Thess Balboa

I was able to return home on Sunday evening without any flight delays, the first time I have made it home on Sunday evening following a board meeting in the entire 5 years I have been on the board.  Perhaps it was Delta’s birthday gift for me.

Birthday cake!

Travel log: add 4 flights, no delays!

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Early to rise

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Gwenn

I woke early this morning.  No alarm, no wake-up call from the hotel desk.  It is happening more frequently at my age. Although I do have trouble sleeping the first night in a hotel room this time is different.  This lack of sleep is anticipation.

I am in Washington, DC for the Quota International mid-term board meeting.  Thankfully, I was flying late on Wednesday and my southern home avoided the nasty blizzard affecting most of the US and canceling thousands of flights.  Rarely have I seen the Atlanta airport with clear walkways, no one rushing past me on the escalators, and no lines at the food counters as I saw last evening.  My flights were uneventful and I arrived on schedule to our customary location, that familiar hotel that so adequately sheltered us one year ago in the blizzard of 2010.

As you can imagine, I have been in preparation for the meeting for the last couple of weeks. There were reports to write and read for sure. Time was needed to contemplate the accomplishments of the year and the work still to be done.   I suppose the importance of those issues could be enough to awaken me today, but I know it was not. I am excited to see my friends from across the country, Canada and Australia. I am happy to spend a few days in their company. However, that was not what woke me today.

I woke today in anticipation of the meeting process itself.  From my first experience on the board I recognized how mentally stimulating the meetings are for me.  I love the deliberative process.  I am energized by the concept of taking people of diverse backgrounds, sometimes with our preconceived ideas and certainly with our parochialism, and gradually developing consensus regarding big and small issues alike.  I enjoy the freedom of the discussions, the respect given to each one’s opinions, with the give and take of debate that leads us to make a decision that everyone can support.  It is also exciting to see the passion our board members have for the work all our Quotarian friends are doing.

My sister Lynn is sitting in a board room this week as well. We talked about the differences in the two experiences last weekend. She sits on a state board of licensure for the accounting profession. She is hearing droll testimony of a discipinary process and anticipating a extended time deliberating the sanctions if any that will be given. Her board room has a nice view of the Mississippi River in New Orleans. The hotel is a business environment and there is nothing to entertain your thoughts during a break.  The chair has the unfortunate habit of scheduling the groups meals at the same locations each trip, which in New Orleans is a pity.

I on the other hand will be in a room with no windows to distract me. But this hotel does have several shops to stimulate the senses when the meeting breaks and thankfully a Starbucks!   I also have the traditional dining spots in walking distance of the hotel that offer good but unexciting options.

This is the way we are spending our week prior to Sunday, our birthday. We will not be together again, but it is the last year the board meeting will keep me away from home and our day together.  Thankfully she loves Quota, supports my board participation and is willing to share me.  Next year I will miss being at the meeting with friends and participating in the process I love. But spending a birthday with Lynn and family will be grand.

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Listening Tour Stop #4

Posted on January 30, 2011 by Gwenn

“On the road again 

Goin’ places that I’ve never been.
Seein’ things that I may never see again

And I can’t wait to get on the road again.” Willie Nelson- On the Road Again

Listening Tour Stop 4 was in my own District 21, hosted by QI of Shreveport. Members of the focus group were the students of the Bossier City Community College Culinary Arts program. The club developed a working relationship with the school last August for their first “Icing on the Cake”event. See first blog entry:  http://www.deliveringpossibilities.com/newblog/wp-admin/post.php?post=4&action=edit Five women attended the session getting a few extra points from Chef and they were not even required to prepare the meal.  Unfortunately a misunderstanding regarding participation meant the guys did not attend.

As you might anticipate this group had interest in services for the hungry and disadvantaged. They all have experienced community service and their interest in helping others is not limited to their local community. As full time students their time is rightly prioritized toward that endeavor. 

This is the first focus group within my district. I have expectation of doing one in my own community and hopefully in a few others around District 21. It is so convenient to drive I am still able to fit them into my calendar. I have committed all the available time for other Listening Tour trips and will no longer be adding any North American stops to my calendar.  Beris is working on the SPA tour and if my information is up to date there are still opportunities for me to add focus groups to that itinerary.

I thank the 11 clubs that have or will be having their discussion groups without me. I know you have found the process as inspiring, educational, and fun as I have. And it is so easy to do!!  If your club has not yet considered hosting a discussion group I encourage you to look at the calendar and find 2 convenient hours to meet with young adults about the future of volunteerism. You will be helping Quota identify trends that will impact our organization in the years ahead. It is vital that the board have adequate data to provide meaningful analysis to direct our path ahead.  Your participation in the Listening Tour discussion groups will impact you and your club. If you are uncertain about the future of your club, concerned that your club is not getting younger, or truly want to see Quota International create a dynamic future for our members, begin now to organize a Listening Tour.  All the information you need is at http://www.quota.org/s&p/clubs.listening.guide.htm.  And to my D21 friends, you can get me on the road again. 

For the travel log: 200 miles added, total 960.

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My movie pick

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Gwenn

If you have opportunity see the new movie, The King’s Speech. It is a British film playing around the US and in my community this week. I have heard a number of people recommend it in recent days.  It took the Golden Globe Awards by storm and is a contender for Academy Awards.  I went with several of my Quota friends to see it last week.  It was a natural choice for us because of the story line - King George VI of England courageously struggles with a stammering problem. 

In most of the movie he is actually still Prince Albert and is called ”Bertie”.  It was a nickname his family used for him. I recently saw a program on TV about royal weddings. Had I not, I would have needed a refresher on my British monarchs.  The second son, Albert did not expect to rule as king. He took the throne after his brother abdicated the throne to marry the American divorcee. He is the father of the present Queen Elizabeth and his wife subsequently was known as the Queen Mum. I always admired her and do even more now that I know of her life and love for her King.

The movie explores the relationship between the Prince and his Australian speech therapist.  I found the portrayal of life as royalty rather sad, aside from the palaces, jewels, and public adoration.  The Australian’s irreverence for protocol was funny. His methods were fascinating, addressing physical weakness and psychological wounds.

This movie was a must see on my list because of Colin Firth. I became a big fan the first time I saw the BBC’s 6 hour marathon of Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice. It is now an annual event in my life. It helps to fill the void during the winter after football season ends and before spring baseball begins. For you fans of P&P, Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennett) also appears in the movie.  I will not tell you the role but will let you find her.  I like British movies because of the accent.  In the The King’s Speech you also get to hear the Australian accent.  They are truly different to me now that I have Australian friends.

I hope you enjoy the movie. The accolades are well deserved. I shall be cheering for it and Colin at Oscar time.

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A typical Quota meeting

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Gwenn

Today I attended my local Quota club meeting. It was the first of the new year, our usual lunch time business meeting. We had the usual committee reports and announcements. We are collecting items to be sent to our adopted soldier in Afghanistan for Valentine’s Day. He has asked for chocolate, good timing on his part. It is the only time of the year it can be shipped and not risk melting. Planning is underway for our senior citizen bingo luncheon at Mardi Gras, our Snuggle Buggle Book night, a fund raiser, and our Speech and Hearing Day activities for school children. I was happy to hear the board is exploring a JQ club for us. We have students from the local university who usually help with our activities. It seems a natural step to formalize it. Of course I suggested now is the time to schedule our Listening Tour discussion group.  Announcement was made of QI West Monroe’s upcoming fund raiser. Whenever possible we support our friends in the other Quota club in our community.   Wow, looks like we are filling up the calendar for spring as usual.

I enjoyed talking with my friends about their holidays, families and business.  We got a progress report on the husband of one member who is in a long recovery after an accident the first week of December. An announcement was made regarding the overnight emergency surgery for our most senior member who thankfully is stable in ICU tonight. We welcomed members we had not seen at a meeting for awhile. We talked about the devastating floods and loss of life in Australia and unanimously voted to send a generous donation for that recovery.

Overall it was a typical Quota meeting and I left thinking it was business as usual.  That is exactly the beauty of a Quota meeting!  We experience the gathering of friends, the sharing of joys, concerns and needs of people near and far, and plan our response all the while not recognizing in the moment how special it is. We have grown accustomed to our activities and their impact in the lives of others and ourselves. Perhaps the feeling of routine is keeping us from speaking to people about our Quota experience or inviting them to enjoy the same. 

Let’s start the new year with a renewed vision of our Quota experience. Let’s share with excitement the difference Quota makes in our lives and the people we support.  When we do, we will have an abundance of new friends joining this group that is Delivering Possibilities and offers them life changing opportunities.

Posted in Fellowship, Membership, Service | 2 Comments

A schedule for the new year

Posted on January 7, 2011 by Gwenn

I begin every year with a schedule- a college football bowl schedule.  I was fortunate this year to be able to see many of the games even though I was on call for the holiday.  The babies were very thoughtful to wait until after midnight to make their arrival. So I was working from midnight to dawn, sleeping to noon and watching games in the afternoon and early evening.  I am happy to report I was cheering for 90% of the winning teams during this week of games. 

The second schedule I am working on is my travel for the spring. I have 5 trips in the upcoming months  that require researching the air schedules and fares. I am only working on the transportation.  Thankfully, I have several of you who are working on the logistics after I arrive. I just need to make sure I get to the airport on the right day going to the right location. I am in your hands after that and as long as you get me back to the airport on the scheduled day its all good…or at least until the airlines get involved.

I also have this call schedule to be concerned about. It is a complex issue to schedule 13 doctors for clinic appointments, evening and weekend call, off days, etc, particularly when we have 5 different office locations. Thankfully we have a staff member that can handle it. There is no uniformity in the plan for us either.  For example, I no longer work the day after weekend call, I am just too tired.  One partner works only a half day after his weekend, but he starts later than usual.  Others, the young ones, work all day and schedule surgeries. One partner is always off on Wed before he works the weekend. We take one night of call during the week, but not always the same week night. And we often identify something in the family schedule that conflicts and we swap nights with one another. So when I am planning to travel and looking at flight schedules I am also looking at those call schedules to see if I need to make more changes.  The earlier I plan the easier it is on everyone!

And just this week when I visited my hair dresser I found I needed to reschedule appointments for the spring.  Somehow she had my haircut scheduled for the day of the QI board meeting.  And since I only have one afternoon during any week I can plan for personal appointments it was necessary to move every one of those appointments by at least a week.  It just makes no sense to have a haircut every 2 weeks. My hair grows fast but that is ridiculous.  So until the babies interfere with the plan my appointments are set until summer. Gee that is a good feeling.

These are only a few of the examples. I am as firmly tied to my calendar as many of you are. Which makes one of the best days of the year – a no schedule day.  A day to stay home preferably in my sweats and t-shirt, no errands and no need to greet the public. A day when I can either accomplish the often postponed chores or I could just entertain myself with a good book, ballgame or movie. It never hurts to have lousy weather on that day, it seems to justify and enhance the leisure. Looking at the upcoming months I think I will need one of these no schedule days.  I will put it on the calendar.

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Anticipation

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Gwenn

Anticipation is the word to describe the holiday season.  I feel it continually in preparations for seasonal events, the temporary illumination of the neighborhoods with outdoor holiday lighting, family gatherings and the return of children to the nest,  all the favored foods, parties with friends and colleagues, surprises wrapped up in enticing papers, and the joyful music everywhere.  This anticipation is most often exciting and other times dreadful as in traffic, sparse shelves at the supermarket, the search for  “the gift” of the season at the last minute and the Wal-Mart parking lot.  

Traditions fuel the anticipation.  What would Christmas be without Mother’s Christmas bread! Or the family outing in search of the perfect tree? Memory is the foundation of expectation. The anticipation felt this year is a reflection of the joy of past holidays.  Once Christmas Day is past we begin the anticipation of the New Year.

Today I am anticipating all the possibilities the new year holds for me personally, my family , my business, and Quota International.  I prefer all the possibilities to be joyful realities and yet I know that is unlikely.  I choose to be optimistic. Anticipating less is already defeat.

In the coming year I am looking with excitement to my son’s graduation from university and launching of his career. I am planning more success in my struggle for physical fitness and balance in life.  I can’t wait for days of leisure spent with friends!  I know challenges confront the business of medical practice  and I am anticipating learning more about medical reform and electronic technology.

In the new year I will be celebrating progress made by Quota International with a new web site, an electronic Quotarian magazine, multiple new clubs chartered and our transformation to Lazy Leaders. I am looking forward to a blizzard free board meeting in February. I will enjoy connecting with many of you as I travel to focus group discussions and district conferences.  I anticipate this new year will be exciting as we continue Delivering Possibilities. Happy New Year!

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Lunch in the playground

Posted on December 9, 2010 by Gwenn

Last week on Wednesday, November 30th to be exact, I had a most unusual lunch experience. I had no laboring patients, no mid day C-section scheduled, no need to dash over to the hospital, no business or Quota meetings  and no sales rep in the office asking for my time. I had the freedom of an unscheduled and uninterrupted hour in the middle of the day!  And to my good fortune Cynthia D’Amour had a live webinar in that hour. The subject : Just ask younger members!  A timely subject for QI.  How could I resist this opportunity!

You remember Cynthia! She is the woman with the outrageous orange hair that led our group training sessions at convention.  Oh, you weren’t there!  Well, you missed the chance to hear a dynamic speaker who has assisted organizations throughout the US grow membership. Her perspective on the needs of members and instruction in how to speak to their interests is already helping our clubs and leaders approach volunteers in winning ways. Her concept of the Lazy Leader is transforming some of us martyrs who would rather do all the work than delegate it even if it is killing us and our enthusiasm for the projects.  Cynthia’s books are easy reads. You can find them and other training materials on her web site http://www.peoplepowerunlimited.com.

Because I have joined The Playground, free, and subscribed to the email reminders, I knew a webinar was scheduled. I had no idea I would be available to listen. Looking ahead during the morning and seeing the possibility, I quickly registered online http://www.chapterleadersplayground.com/ to participate in the webinar. I received a confirmatory email with link and instructions on joining the online seminar.  When I completed seeing the last patient of the morning, only 5 minutes into the webinar presentation I was able to join in without any problem. It was simple really. The presentation was easy to follow, particularly with the outline available to download on the spot.  I have previously listened to the webinars available in the archives, a process that I am able to navigate easily. However, being in on the live presentation was even better. I felt like I was part of a personal private training session -until the end when questions from other participants were addressed.

 I tuned in just as Cynthia was giving her list of the most important things a young member is seeking in membership.  Top of the list: having an impact. No coincidence I am sure that among the answers given at a recent Listening Tour discussion group was exactly that, the young adults want to make an impact in their community. They do not see “community service” as a positive, in fact just the opposite. In the present day terminology community service is a punishment rendered by the courts for our bad behaviors.  They would never want to do that! But the opportunity to impact the lives of children, struggling women and families, the ill, imprisoned and uneducated is a wonderful possibility.  And to impact our group by their participation, ideas, skills, talents and energies is equally appealing. I found the whole session consistent with my own research and the responses of the discussion groups I have been privileged to participate in to date. 

The webinar ended after 30 minutes precisely as scheduled. I then dashed off to grab a snack lunch before the afternoon clinic started.  I have noticed in the calendar of webinar offerings these are usually timed to begin at 1:00pm Eastern Time here in the US, perfect for my noon lunch break here in Louisiana, the central time zone.  Prior to last week my job was interfering with these opportunities and I was sure the only option for catching these sessions was the archives.

It may never happen again that I hear the webinar live, but it happened once! With the email reminders and advance schedule I should be able to set them on my calendar and perhaps one day get to tune in again.  As a backup plan I have scheduled a reminder task to catch the latest archived seminar after each event.  It is a fact that I live by my calendar. The unpredictability of obstetrics wreaks havoc with the plan at times which makes the discipline of keeping the calendar even more a priority. It is an anchor that keeps me from drifting.

If you are somewhere on the other side of the globe, 1:00pm Eastern time in the US is 12-14 hours later. Not exactly the most convenient time to hear a live seminar for many of us unless you are nocturnal.  That is why the free presentations on the archives provide such a valuable tool for us, it is good information for our clubs provided on a schedule that you make work for you!  I encourage you to check out the web site http://www.chapterleadersplayground.com/and identify a webinar on a subject you find important to your club and take advantage of these opportunities to impact your club and membership.  Maybe you will have an unexpected opportunity in your calendar to enjoy lunch in the playground.

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Local club activities

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Gwenn

The past several weeks have been devoted to work, family and my local Quota club.  My Quota travel will be curtailed for present due to the holiday season. I think it time to share what is happening for Quota International of Monroe.

Our new holiday project is a signing Santa party. We were fortunate to find a gentle, engaging man to play Santa.  He has used sign language from childhood and attended Louisiana School for the Deaf and Gallaudet University. Other than a little trouble keeping the facial hair secured and needing a little more padding to fill the suit he looked and played the role well.

Our Santa also enlisted his friends of his local church to be present, provide additional gifts for the children and generally assist in the activities. QI Monroe has a long standing relationship with the local university Dept of Speech-Language Pathology. We were happy to have a couple of students attend as well.

college students help out

All together we were prepared with more assistants than needed, but it added to the festive atmosphere.  The event was held in the community room of a local outpatient medical office facility at no cost to us.

I was at the committee meeting when this project was discussed and I was tagged the organizer. I was a true lazy leader, enlisting several members. We worked by email, made assignments, set goals not details,  reminded one another of our responsibilities and kept each other accountable. It all came together without a hitch and no duplication of efforts. I had no stress and enjoyed it. But its OK for another member to lead next year.

The children and family members enjoyed refreshments and simple holiday crafts. Each child received a Quota bear and had a picture taken with Santa.

Quota Bear for every child

The parents were truly appreciative for this innovative holiday activity for their children.  We received attention from the local press with TV and newspaper coverage. The newspaper reporter stayed a while and enjoyed learning a few Christmas themed signs from Santa.

Learning a few signs

We assured all our participants we would be doing this next year and have many ideas about promoting it in the community for an even bigger event.

Monroe is a regional referral center for medical care in north Louisiana. We are fortunate to be the smallest community to have a Ronald McDonald House.

Monroe's Ronald McDonald House

That facility recently celebrated 25 years providing housing for families of hospitalized children.  Executive Director Georgia Street is a past president of QI of Monroe.  This has been a favorite partner for our club over the years. We have assisted with fund raising and providing material needs for the house.  We assisted with the reception that commemorated the recent anniversary.  Present at the event were previous residents of the house, the many volunteers who house sit, and community leaders.

Last month the club members and spouses met for an informal dinner. No Quota business, just the chance to visit with our friends. Among our group were the Christmans, Sybil and Chris. Chris celebrated his 90th birthday last week.  He is in good health. Because Sybil is legally blind now, Chris drives her to one of our meetings each month. She misses one meeting a month because her church group is now meeting for lunch that day.

This week we are attending, as a group, a production of Scrooge done by a local church.  This is an event that is well known in our community and considered a highlight of the holiday season. I know several musicians who participate each year, among them our Quota member Twila Crockett, who you may remember from convention dressed in toga as an Olympic torch bearer giving out medals,

and her husband Derek, an old friend from high school days. Charles and I are looking forward to seeing it for the first time.  I suppose it was the other priorities of the season and kids activities that kept us from seeing it in the past. Charles claims this as one of the benefits of that empty nest, socializing and  having new experiences with a group of adults.

Local club participation in Quota …just one of the possibilities.

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