Help! I need to become more boring

Some people enjoy being a host.
For me, it's in my blood.

A big reason I left home at a very early age is that my mother is a very good cook and I needed my own kitchen to experiment.


I am afflicted with a rare disorder called I.G.S. : Italian Grandmother Syndrome
Which means if you come over you'll eat too much but leave very happy.


I hosted a friday night bbq dinner party for two years straight. And I loved it.

With a team of 200, we fed 5000 homeless a year out of our Church Hall at a Toronto "Out of the Cold" site. I ended my duties as lead coordinator, head chef so to speak.

If I didn't have to "work" for a living, this is what I'd do.


Life has changed in a wonderful way since then.

Marriage. Cat. Dog. Baby.


Which means, meals now...look like this.


So instead of packing up all my entertaining stuff...I hope to build successors to my host-with-the-most legacy


Are you a young person who hosts others at your dwelling?


Can I give you serving trays, special utensils etc..?
I have some $200 bar stools that I want to find a good home
Futon for the guest room or to add seating space etc..


If you're in my network and want to rock 2011 - please make contact
paulnazareth at rogers.com


With your help, I'll become the Cosby sweater wearing, bad joke making, minivan driving, spending all hours at home boring loving Dad I need to be!


Thanks for the help.

I hate pins

I hate pins

Yes everyone uses them
Yes, they are the charity
and community standard

I still hate 'em.

But even I can't ignore the pride when worn
the loyalty and brands they help build
the recognition they represent

Pins are powerful.

Soon, I will have to make some myself for work. But not today.

Today a peer of mine needed help and asked me for contacts. I know none.

So, as always, I put out a call to the network for referrals!

I love doing this, let's see who has made an impression on their customers!

Here's what came back in 48 hours.

Every referral came with the testimonial of good price, on time and top quality.


Jeffrey Allan & Associates Inc.
www.jeffreyallan.ca
416-366-5333


Trevor Webster: 1.866.841.4560
http://www.kingpins.ca/


Tammy Todorwich, Presidential Environment Inc.
416-960-6317 ext. 221
tammy@presidentialenvironment.com
www.presidentialenvironment.com


Awards Canada
www.awardscanada.com
sales@awardscanada.com
204-237-7617


Katika Integrated Communications Inc.
www.katika.com
Andrew: 905.949.1020


Rideau Recognition Solutions ( Make the Order of Canada pin! )
Chris Adams: 1 (877) 789-0449 Ext. 404
http://rideau.com/

And then there's Brenda.

Brenda is the vendor. My network contact sent my email to her.
Not only did Brenda email me, she called to follow up within one hour.
Good on my network contact, good on Brenda.

If I was quoting a job today, there's no question who would get the first quote.




Brenda MacDonald
PresidentCoyle & Greer
bmacdonald@coylegreer.com
1-800-265-7083 Ext. 233
www.coylegreer.com
www.awards4me.com



Thanks network!

I still hate pins.

Saving souls!

When I think soul - I think James Brown

( James wishes you a Merry Christmas by the way)

The "hardest working man in show business"

as he used to call himself.

My profession overlaps with estate planning. Many people don't know that the hardest working man in show business wasn't buried for months because of a terrible battle over his estate.

James worked hard, sadly, not smart.

As you wind up your year - are you thinking smart about 2011?

Does your board sometimes look like this?

There's a book to save their and your soul.

A national article was done on it recently ( link )

Charity Village's national eteam called it one of the "top five reads to revitalize 2011"

Sounds like you and I should both read it eh.

I've got my hands on one. How 'bout you?

Several strategic leaders I know will be touching base with the publisher because they have organized a bulk purchase deal if you want all your board members to have one.

I checked it out, it's a good deal. ( speak with Jim or Leanne ).

Work like James. Think like Peter.

I hope to rock 2011, would love your help and ideas!

A powerful new skill

I openly admit my addiction - I have seen my enemy

And it is Power Point!

The very thought of powerpoint karaoke turns me on a little bit.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a 400 words per slide guy.

I've read all the best books,

subscribe to the Guy Kawasaki recommended reading

and have a very good audience rating of my powerpoint visual style.

But that doesn't cut it in a small basement of volunteers

I need more.

And so I turn to the creative minds,

the folks who have been pitching and proposing business

longer than I've been breathing air

I read this book in October.

So good, I have to own it.

Got my hands on this book for the holidays.

Can't wait to dig into it but it's going to be a tough slog to pick it up.

Non-profit, boring paper agenda types HATE white boards.

They encourage free thinking and problem solving that is uncontrolled

Who said only scientists can save the world and use this method to think?

2011 - Goal set.

I'd love some teachers...anyone I know great at this?

Have sharpie - will travel.

What makes you a linchpin?

Do you think "the system" is broken?

Do you feel like an outsider at work?

Do you often say "am I the only one seeing this"?

Do you solve problems without being asked?

Do you crave creativity, innovation and solutions?

This is the book for you.

Seth Godin is a big picture thinker and author

But this book was different.

Many who read it felt it spoke directly to them.

Here's a great video summary of the book

So! What are you going to do about it?!

June last year the author ca

lled a "Global Meetup". It was amazing.

This year we're meeting again.

December 7

Annex Billiards

6:30pm

Come to connect with like minds and:

- Solve more problems

- Save the world

- Save your sanity

Theme: Philanthropic/non-profit sector

Come with rants, ideas and bones to pick

Billiards is optional. Networking is not.

See you soon, Paul

Hunting powerful books!

Lions hunt in packs

Usually in the early morning or at night

- which is my tribe's networking schedule too

I hunt almost daily for powerful books

My bias; I would always rather take a personal recommendation

Better than random/fake reviews or snazzy book covers

Can you help?

Please share books you're reading that are helping you:

- Work smarter

- Achieve results

- Produce more

- Be happier

- Slow down, rest, rejuvenate

Can I help you?

If you're on LinkedIn please join my book list. I post reviews there often.

If we're connected on LinkedIn, please post reviews and tell me so I can follow your list!

I'm just one oompa-loompa short of a chocolate factory and can use all the help I can get!

As always, thanks for sharing

Paul - (This is a funny video of me getting caught 'crashing' AFP Congress)

Ps. I love books and yes I too have no $ - use the friggin library!

The Toronto Public Library

is the second largest circulatory system in the WORLD.

IT RULES

If you use it though, you're saving money like me.

Please consider donating some of that $.

It will literally change lives.

Standing by you

I'm an 80's child. When you say team..

This is who I think of.

We all want leaders like Hannibal,

sometimes we get Mr. T.

I was at Canada's largest fundraising conference this afternoon. I was at another fundraising association reception after work. I talked to over 250 people today.

Yes....we're doing great things, we're changing the world, saving lives, feeding the hungry etc....

But what about US dear network. Are YOU all right?

I heard some stories of frustration,

of sadness, anger and challenge today.

People looking for work, pushed around,

knocked down, looking for a clear future.

For those of you on the hunt,

looking for your chance to make a difference.

Keep the faith, stay positive,

I'm just one little goofball trying to help

But I'll die trying.

Thank you for allowing a dork like me to be of help.

To simply walk with you at this time.

Saw this today - It's how my network makes me feel.

Hope you know, they and me - stand by you.

Please forgive me for being sappy.

I admire and respect you.

No other way to say, we should be there more.

I promise to be here when needed.

Paul

National Online Fundraising Courses

Looking to upgrade or gain new fundraising skills?

Not close to one of Canada's many fundraising programs?

Please share news of this great certificate in fundraising at Georgian College!

Yes - I'm a new instructor of the planned giving course.

Would really appreciate you taking the time to share with your network.

CLICK

TO VIEW

LARGER

IMAGE

Buying fundraising books

Greetings peers in the fundraising sector.

Are you going to the Association of Fundraising Professionals conference this week?

No?
Me neither!!!!

This will be the largest gathering of this conference ever with over 1000 delegates.

Can you imagine the knowledge and experience in the room this week?!
I can, and I won't miss it because of budgets and other lame excuses.

Want to crash the party?
( Dear organizing committee, this is my way of supporting paid attendance.
Every fundraising professional should be fighting for budget to attend this conference.
Until that happens, we have to find our way in by hook or by crook. AFP Congress RULES! )

Here's two good reasons and ways to do so.

1) I'm hosting a dinner off site on Tuesday night for out of town delegates and ANY other fundraiser who wants to attend. I have over 30 people coming right now. Only 15 of them are from the conference. Free event, easy venue.

Come out and network. ( 7pm Nov 30 @ Marche BCE/Brookfield Place )

2) Books!! There's this crazy book booth, the best fundraising book sale in Canada happens at this conference and if you don't go, you'll miss it. So drop by the convention centre just to buy these books and save the shipping!

Many of them you can't buy off amazon anyway.

Here's the full list.

These are the books I highly recommend:

If you're sick and tired of hearing about philanthropy 2.0 peek into the future with the "Dr. Who of fundraising" the always challenging Jon Duschinsky.

I don't like this book because it's like preaching to the converted. But if you're a board member, new leader in philanthropy or if you're a philanthropist yourself - this is a MUST READ.

(Warning: Read only if you want to do good,

NOT if you want to feel good )

Some people know me as "Mr. Networking" and after reading 25+ books on the subject this is still the number one book I recommend to anyone.

It's not about handshaking and breath mints. This is the science of human interaction to help you succeed in work and life.

The booth is selling it cheaper than you can buy it off the shelf at Chapters





If you leave this conference with one book, if you're on a budget but want to get a book that will challenge you and help with work....this is the one. At $15 it punches over its' weight - a little cheater too because it summarizes another brilliant fundraising book inside!! This book is about the future of legacy giving in Canada and my number one read on the topic.

If you can't make it to the dinner or won't see me crashing the book booth on Thursday around lunch then come out to the "2nd Annual Linchpin Philanthropy Meetup" on December 7!

Who encourages your creativity? Moleskine plug!

Everyone needs someone who can rip them out of their routine
PUNCHES through the clutter of your life...
Who thinks in brilliant terms but from real world experience
Who pumps out ideas and touch points to inspire and challenge

Someone in my world who does this with consistency is Promod Sharma.

He SHOULD be a boring nerd being an actuary with decades of business experience.
These days he's an advisor to professionals in the financial sector ( website & blog )
I know him as the original Seth Godin fan and marketing zeitgeist monitor.
With some killer blogs on marketing.
Every issue always has something to tempt my imagination.

Last month he highlighted a great set of articles on "the power of the notebook". Not the movie that strikes fear into the hearts of men everywhere, the recording device.

I've always been a fan, but my shelf looked like this.

Then a series of articles in newspapers and magazines and two network contacts converted me to.....the moleskine.

Sure it's got a great marketing spiel. But it's the many stories of brilliant people who have used it along the way and the many small details that make it best in class.

I read about 2 books a week and listen to another 2 on audio. The non-floppy but small size allows me to write while jammed in shaky buses, subways, on the side of the road in my car, or in a daze on my nightstand.

They store well for easy reference. I have different colours by topic: black for audio books, red for written books, brown for networking. If you're a fellow user, check out this great list of tips for using your moleskine!

Killer tip - a mentor of mine named Keith Lohnes of the Salvation Army (who has been around the world and back in service of humanity) transformed my world by sharing that he keeps 3, just 3 post-it notes stuck in every notebook and wallet. For transferring ideas, sharing things with contacts and reminders.

So, how do you capture your brilliance and who is stoking your fire on a regular basis?

Topic of conversation when we meet next.

In the mean time. Promod Sharma rules.

A Moment of Silence on November 11

For Canadians, today is a powerful and important day.

Today we Remember.

I would love to hear your stories of Remembrance - here's mine.

It's no secret, UofT is in my blood

- I bleed blue and white.

When I was a student at the University of Toronto I visited the Soldiers' Tower, Canada's second largest war memorial each November 11.

My first year I went up to the "memorial room", the University of Toronto's museum of Remembrance. There was a panoramic picture from the Great War, of students who were going to war, all lined up on front campus. They looked no different than me. I realized then the only difference between us was when we were born.

When I worked for the University I got connected to the Soldiers' Tower Committee who stewards the Tower. I can't tell you the real life stories of Veterans I learned. It's not the ones that died, it's the ones that returned home and never really lived a normal life.

If you know my personal motto ( to learn from the wisdom of others ) I have learned much from the members of this team being their youngest non-military member.

Each year since 2004 I take the day off and help run the UofT Remembrance Day events.

I have no doubt that you'll join me today in a moment of silence at 11am.

Here are a couple shots of a memorial the engineers put together a couple years ago.

It was truly thoughtful and respectful, with the actual names of the alumni on each cross.


I am an arts student - so I truly feel that engineers are a dirty filthy bunch of purple turds with inflated ego's and no social skills.

And if turds can respect and remember....

Can't we all?

Time to get serious about looking

Job seekers are job seekers, easy to understand. I'm happy to help those that are openly looking.

I have a lot of tips to escape the HR toilet bowl swirl of internet application madness.

That's the easy path.

But I have in my network, what I call "the army of the passionate", at least 50 people who are "looking".

Undercover.

Tonight I sat on the phone and listened to the story of a bully boss who reduced a peer to tears.

I've heard this story too many times.

Like Jimmy McMillan of "The Rent is Too Damn High" party running for Mayor of New York - I don't have chance of making huge change. Although I am not a karate expert, I am a few cards short of a deck, sure.

But like Jimmy, I have to say my piece and run anyway.
Perhaps I can change just a few lives.

Maybe....just yours.

If I can, I'll certainly die happy.

I can't take any more stories of mothers fired on maternity leave, phone throwing, swearing, threats, miscarriages due to bosses, serious health risks because of some power tripping dirt bag. I can't fight them, but I have to do something.

So! I have started a list in my LinkedIn contacts.
It's 100% confidential, I will not share your intention with anyone without talking to you first. I'll just send you what I hear about, keep you in the loop. Help with your search.

Let's get you to a healthy place, a positive place, a place where you can do and be at your best.

Where you are succeeding not in SPITE of
but BECAUSE of your team.

Email me today at paulnazareth @ rogers dot com and I'll add you to this list.

The HR process is broken, it's time to get a little more skin in the game (you and me both!) and network like we mean it!

Ready to claim the job you deserve?

The challenge you were born for?

Let's make like a tree - and get you out of there!