2008 Matt's Memoirs
5-21-08
Colorado Jaycees! What a Conference we had in Lamar!! Saturday we started with a
great resume training from Cindy Vigil, aka Big Red. Thanks to her for a great
program. She told us the dos and don’ts of what to put in your resumes and how
important a cover letter is to the overall package. Last minute changes brought
us to a round table discussion facilitated by NVP Ben Sabourin regarding
membership, activation, chapters and projects. From this discussion, we deducted
that the state of CO needs to establish a common membership pitch to our new
members. The members present decided on this: “ CO Junior Chamber is a
Leadership Development and Social Fellowship organization while improving our
communities through the members’ areas of interest.” As you may have noticed
the term “Jaycees” has been omitted, it was concluded that for the benefit
of the organization that we refer to the organization as CO Junior Chamber to
reflect the true intention of the original founding ideals. This will provide CO
a better ability to present the organization in a professional manner while
preserving the integrity of our founding. Saturday, the CO Jaycees were also
lucky to have Diane Cordo from American Cancer Society. She informed us of
different programs and projects associated with their organization and what the
monies from the fundraising is applied to. Please try to attend any of the
upcoming projects to support the Relays. NVP Ben Sabourin gave us a very
inspirational discussion about not being afraid of change and to try new ideas.
I want to thank him for taking time away from his family to spend with us in
Lamar. Awards were also given to many outstanding, deserving folks. Community
area recognition went to Fort Collins. PR recognition went to Fort Collins.
Fundraising area recognition went to Cherry Creek. Membership also went to
Cherry Creek. Administrative area recognition went to Fort Collins. Pres.
Recognition Awards were given to Steph Reidel from Fort Collins, Cherry
Creek’s Tonya Bradshaw & Andrea Strawbridge, Grand Junction and
Greeley’s Sean Wilson and Brittney Girardi. Sunday morning, we were unable to
achieve a quorum at Council of Delegates, due to my large gross error of
understanding of the bylaws. We truly needed only 3 chapters to reach a quorum,
instead of the 5 that I thought were needed. So, we proceeded with the
discussion with an unofficial Council, at which a consensus was reached to
support the NCI candidate for National Pres 2009 from Wisconsin, Mrs. Cindy
Sabourin. The chapters present gave upcoming events, please promote those on the
webpage and yahoo groups. Due to unanticipated circumstances, there was no
Treasurer’s report. Chapters, please note, you should receive YTD billing
statements shortly. All of this business was accomplished within a short, but
very well worth it, 24 hours in Lamar. Thanks to Lamar Jaycees: Shannon Fox,
Paul Bullock, Verna McDowell, and Louise Pierce, your hospitality was gracious
as always. OYC/OYF conference is still open for bids. The date will be August
22, 23, and 24. If you would like to bid, please indicate your interest as soon
as possible. The next Executive Board meeting will be June 28th.
5-20-08 Colorado Jaycees,
It has been a long time since I have written, but alas, I had a
conference to plan and things to get organized. I have done and seen a few
things in the past few days and wanted to share some shout outs.
Cherry Creek Jaycees meeting was held on Thursday the 8th. Pres.
Tricia, I know that things are difficult some times, but hang in there. The
peeps are with you, just remember to promote your activities earlier to give
time for folks to plan.
Friday found myself and Jeff Hicks driving up north to visit Fort
Collins' Pres. Arlen and to invest in someone's future college tuition fund,
also known as a friendly game of poker. Thanks for the invite Arlen, and special
thanks to Jeff for being my chauffeur. Saturday I turned around and did the
North drive again to participate in a pool tourney for the Children's clinic.
Good job to Luke Cronin, project chair. After the pool tourney was over, we went
to Lanette Griffith's graduation party and helped her do some celebrating and
concluded with some more socializing at the local Pitchers.
Wednesday I was fortunate enough to attend Denver Junior Chamber
general membership meeting. I was asked to deliver a brief history program about
the Junior Chamber. Thanks to Pres. Craig Biesterfeld for extending the invite,
and thanks to my traveling buddy, Andrea Strawbridge. Andrea gave a short pitch
about her School supply program. It was nice to see some good energy and
fabulous project ideas, am looking forward to my next visit.
On Friday, I was anxiously awaiting our NVP Ben Sabourin's arrival
at the airport. Just when you don't want an early arrival, due to committments
at work, his flight was early and caught me a little off guard. Friday night was
a chance for me to meet one on one with NVP Ben to catch up on some training
opportunities from earlier in the year due to my late start as our President.
Saturday was the famous trip to Lamar for the Leadership Day. Didn't see any of
CO finest on the way, so it was a successful quick trip down and back. Thanks
for clearing those roads, Jim!! The details of Leadership Day is a whole other
email.
5/7/08 Colorado Jaycees:
What have you been up to? Are you tired of hearing from me yet? One of my
goals is to
exceed the Yahoo groups monthly e-mail total since it's inception, only
175 more to go for the month.
Are ya'll ready for Spring Fling activity down 'a "La Mar"?
I don't remember where I left off on this Memoirs thing so we'll just pick
it up on Sunday when I found myself walking the open space of Fort Collins
cleaning up the cleanest park I have set foot in. I did however stumble
across Bull snakes doing their spring ritual. That was kinda exciting.
After the usual Monday activity for me of B I N G O was his Name'o,
Tuesday found me doing the Bingo thing for a half session before I had to
High tail it out of there to get some work done. It was the last day of
the month ya' know and add some agendas to dream up. -- Ya
betchya.Wednesday, I found myself groping around the house for clean
clothes to wear. Had to cure that problem all the while getting the Bingo
Loot to the treasurer. Thursday: I participated in Cherry Creek's Dining
out for Life - Project Angel-Heart. Good time, good food, good Amigos
& Amigas - - Atta'boy Billy.
Friday: Hung out with my boy Stan & his girl Amy - fell asleep 5
minutes into the movie by 9:00... it really is a drag turning forty!!
Saturday: Started like any other workday @ 6:00am President Tricia & I
made our way up to Boulder and helped out the Boulder Kinetics day parade
- Nice work Boulder-- Curt, Katherine, Amethyst & ?? ( can't remember
her name). From there went to the Exec. Board meeting - discussed &
solved the mysteries of Jaycee life - thanks to all who attended. It was
nice to see such a large turnout and to help us plan for the Lamar
conference. Then we all headed off to play Poker with the Hicks - another
hootananny. Sunday: I got to play my first round of golf for the year. It
was pretty cool. I was only 15 over for the round while still posting a
nine on the 11th hole par 4. Then I went to dinner, went home and fell
asleep on the couch. WOW What a week!!!!
Are ya'll starting to recognize a pattern in my weeks? Bring your
membership data to Lamar to share with me including all new members for
May, and all June renewal projections. If you can't join the festivities,
please send it to me on email by Saturday.
4/28/08 CO Jaycees--
Just a few quick shout outs to my Bingo soldiers-- saw them on
Monday and Tuesday this past week. I was busy with National closeout on
Wednesday and Thursday, attempting to track folks down. Did some Jaycee planning
over the weekend for the upcoming Leadership day in Lamar. Hope to see you all
there on May 17-18. Made another visit up North to Fort Collins-- on Sunday, we
cleaned up the Arapahoe Bend Natural Area. Thanks to Cindi O, Deanna K, Jenny,
Kailey G, and President Arlen. I had a great time playing with the snakes and
frogs. Thanks to DeeDee Hicks for being my travelin' buddy.
4/21/08 Colorado Jaycees--
Howdy! What a wild weather week!! 70's one day, snow the next.
Sounds like a 70's psycho disco song gone totally wrong. We had a mid-month call
in for membership this week, and I have had a very busy week with work and
finding a post office in aurora open past 6:00pm, there was none.
I haven't discussed membership for a long time, because I truly believe if you
offer a great product, people will come. Jaycees we need to focus on our
membership goals. We currently had 35 fellow friends due in our organization for
April. We need to keep them as friends- more hands make for bigger, better
projects. We just started our 2nd quarter--- where are you on your membership
goals? Have you contacted everyone in your chapter yet this year? Invite them to
some projects, ask them what they want to do. Offer incentives to get people out
to projects and speakers. How many friends will we still have at the end of
April? Let me help you- I can call folks, offer some friendly words, send some
postcards.
Another reminder about Lamar Spring Leadership conference, May 17 -18. Please
make plans to get there to share the celebration and training. Lamar always puts
on a good show and treats the Colorado Jaycees right.
4/14/08 Colorado Jaycees--
Hopefully this won't find you in line to pay taxes at the post
office!! I know you're all done with that government lovin' ritual and we can
all move on to serving our communities with great projects and the like.
This week, I found myself doing some Bingo on Monday. This is such
a great ways and means project. This bingo program has been running for over ten
years. Thanks to Curt Williams and the Boulder Jaycees for a great project on
Wednesday. It was a panel discussion about the future of printed news-media. I
spent the better part of the rest of the week attending to Exec team
communications and individuals within our organization getting ready for the
Lamar Spring Leadership Conference.
The Spring Conference registrations have been uploaded to the Yahoo
groups. Please join us in Lamar May 17-18 for some great training and fun. The
host hotel is the Cow Palace-- the Colorado Jaycees always have a great time in
Lamar. Thanks to Verna McDowell and Shannon Fox-- you ladies rock.
3/31/08 Hey Colorado
Jaycees!!
After spending a few days away from the Presidency of the
Colorado Jaycees, I had the opportunity to reflect on our first quarter. I
am confident you have all taken the time to read the e-mail ‘state
of the state’ that I sent out last week. In evaluating your quarter,
please remember to reflect on your overall programming: individual,
membership, management, community and international.
Last week, several chapters hosted some outstanding community
projects. Kudos to Cherry Creek, Fort Collins, and Greeley for
great Easter Egg hunts. I’m sure it was 2 minutes of pure bliss to those
little toddlers running across the green. Greeley scrambled up some 170
dozen eggs, and after so many years, I hear it is an art form. Fort
Collins managed to pull off another one themselves and I heard the Bunny
Rabbit didn’t scare off any of the kids, while my home chapter hosted
their very own as well. Congratulations to those chapters and the
communities that benefit from these projects over the years.
The Lamar Jaycees are planning on hosting our Spring
Conference on May 17 and 18. We have requested National Vice President Ben
Sabourin to attend and conduct some leadership training and motivational
speaking. The programming will start Saturday at 1:00 with competitions
and trainings ending Sunday by noon. Please plan on attending and bringing
all the Jaycees you can to the Cow Palace to attend the resume writing,
leadership training et al and Council of Delegates meeting.
One last announcement, on Saturday April 5th, the Exec team
will be meeting at 5:30 at the Seniors Inc building, 5840 E. Evans Ave in
Denver (Cherry Creek’s meeting place.) This meeting is open to all, and
I would especially love to see the chapter presidents attend these
meetings. Having aged a year since my last email, I had better go to bed
early and get the needed rest just like all those old buzzards before me.
It appears the Spring thaw has begun and maybe we can begin to satiate
your membership goals. Till next time,
Matt McGuire, 2008 Colorado Jaycee President
"Leading the Way"
3/27/08 Hello Colorado Jaycees:
We are just about to complete the first quarter of the year 2008.
There have been several very fine projects run by the chapters around the state,
Easter has come and gone. I have attended several of these and witnessed first
hand some of the activities conducted by Denver, Fort Collins, Cherry Creek,
Lamar and Morgan County, there is a outstanding IOU to Greeley. I would like to
visit the chapters not mentioned above in the next quarter, I know I have missed
out on several activities coming out of Boulder and am certain Arvada, Grand
Junction and Sterling are doing great things and look forward to the opportunity
to visit with each of these chapters as well.
I am taking this moment to report chapter membership year to date
and to re-confirm how membership call-ins work.
Call-ins work like this (using this month as an example), The data I must report
to Nationals is as follows:
1. We reported any New Members recruited by a chapter during the month of March.
2. We reported all renewals of current chpter members whose renewal date is
April.
3. We reported any 'late' renewals for the month of March.
As of the end of March your chapter has the following membership
Arvada = 22 members, minus 1 YTD
Boulder = 23 members, plus 2 YTD CONGRATULATIONS and Big Ups!!
Cherry Creek = 52 members, even YTD
Denver = 16 members, minus 5 YTD (pending 4 transfers)
Fort Colllins = 59 members, even YTD
Grand Junction = 34 members, minus 4 ytd
Greeley = 18 members, minus 1 YTD
Lamar = 29 members, minus 2 YTD
Morgan County = 12 members, minus 2 YTD
Sterling = 21 members, even YTD
Chapter 999 = 30 members, minus 7 YTD.
As you can tell we are minus 20 YTD and currently at 300 members
for the year thru March. We recieved renewal information for the month of April
from Cherry Creek, Lamar & Sterling, Fort Collins-partial. Thank you to
those that reached out to me and provided the requested information. Arvada,
Greeley & Morgan County had no members renewing during the month of April.
We need to hear from Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins and Grand Junction about any
April renewals.
I have faith in all of you that you are sharing our organization
and hope that we can all say with pride "I am leading the way". Be the
example of positive leaders in your community and you will succeed.
I would like to invite all chapter presidents or representative to
the COJC Board meeting April 5th @ 5:00pm to be held at 5840 E Evans Ave Denver
Co. to share your thoughts ideas and experiences.
Good Night everyone
Matt McGuire, 2008 Colorado Jaycee President Leading the Way
3/23/08 Hey Colorado Jaycees:
I was supposed to get this out to you before I left for Memphis and
our National convention, but got caught up in preparations to depart and am now
doing so. Since the last time we spoke I had traveled up to Fort Collins for
their St. Patricks Parade, it was a fabulous event and we were able to
distribute to thousands of folks information on the happenings in the Fort
Collins Jaycee world. Huge Thank you's and congratulations go out to all the Fort
Collins Jaycees for a wonderful event. Keep on Leading the Way.
That same week I visited with the Morgan County Crew, I made
their membership meeting and foune them all excited about the new year. They,
like the rest of us have challenges but, are operating as a team and am
confident they will be sucessful in their endeavors. Thanks for having me up MC
Jaycees and I look forward to several more trips throughout the year.
I also made it down to Lamar for their bowling social with
the help of Beth Grimes. We had a good time rolling the ball and re-acquainting
with some old friends. Lamar is planning on submitting a submission for the May
17,18 conference at which I am hoping to have our National Vice President Ben
Sabourin come out and speak to us about what it means to be a leader in our
organization and how to 'Make an Impact' in our communities. So prepare
yourselves and let's make it a memorable one.
I want to visit all of you out there and share my thoughts on how we all can
'Make an Impact' in our communities.
I hope you had not forgotten that we had some membership incentives
going on this month.
Any chapter at growth +3 by March 15-- gets a pair of tix to either
Colorado Rockies or the Rapids
Any chapter at growth +1 by March 15-- gets a pair of tix to either
the Colorado Crush or the Mammoth.
I'll close this one out with a belated happy Easter and ask that
you continue to share our organization with others. We are pretty close to being
able to report growth for the state of Colorado for the first time since
September 2007. If we are to recruit 9 more Jaycees for the month, we will do
it. I know we can do it. It is time to stem the bleeding and get back to the
business of being the best organization in Colorado for young men and women.
Matt McGuire
3/10/08 Colorado Jaycees,
Just as teams must report scores during March Madness, so must I
report our 'score' to Nationals. Please remember the pre-closeout date is
Saturday, March 15. I must hear from y'all before the halftime buzzer sounds.
Also let's report for those March Madness incentives!! Here is the instant
replay:
Matt's March Madness for Membership:
For the Month of March---
Any chapter at growth +3 by March 15-- gets a pair of tix to either
Colorado Rockies or the Rapids
Any chapter at growth +1 by March 15-- gets a pair of tix to either
the Colorado Crush or the Mammoth
Jumbotron announcements for the week-- Karen Baumgartner for being
first to respond to my email. Thanks, I will see you soon. Saturday found Jo
& I celebrating some Frozen Dead Guy moments with the Denver Jaycees.
Thanks to Carrie and Renee for setting up such a frozen nipple day!!! I think I
left as the Frozen Skinny Guy status. Sunday was the official stuffing day for
Easter Eggs in Cherry Creek. Go Andrea, Tonya, and Bill--- project
chairs.
I am off to Memphis next week for the US Jaycees Annual Meeting. I
won't be saying NUTS at this time next year, because I want you to all plan to
attend and celebrate our successes at the National Year End Conference.
Talk with y'all soon. Call me with those invites to projects....
.
2/16/08 Colorado Jaycees,
It was great to see the chapters that took me up on advertising
upcoming events. I put them on my calendar, so watch for me to visit. Today I
participated in the Ronald McDonald House project with the Cherry Creek Jaycees.
They were asked to help on a project on Thursday evening and had 9 Jaycee and
friends there today at an early 8:00 am. What a great project-- helped out the
community and unloaded two large semis full with furniture and one very large
black and white cow!! Thanks Cherry Creek for letting me help.
I would love to be invited to other happenings in the state. Make
my phone ring-- my goal is to have an Executive Committee member visit every
chapter at least once every quarter. We need to get out and visit the people
that we serve. Dig in the trenches next to our comrades. Jaycees, that is what
we do best--- helping others out. The Exec team is ready to work-- let us help
you: either recruiting, assisting with projects, or attending meetings to
facilitate training.
Call me anytime. Use the webpage. Cindy Osburn and Verna McDowell
have done an excellent job setting up the page--- www.colojaycees.
org. Check it out. Thanks ladies. Way to Lead the Way for the Colorado Jaycees!!
Matt McGuire
