Along with many other nonprofit leaders, I attended a workshop on Tuesday, November 13 at the Hartford Club.  The presentor was Chip Heath, author of the book Made to Stick. 

We learned how to create and craft messages that will stick with our audiences.  In the information overload age, where many business are now considering email free Fridays, it is more important to communicate messages that will stay with the people you are trying to reach.

Chip especially made some key points about keeping your message simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, emotional, and full of stories.  President Kennedy’s challenge to place a man on the moon and return him safely before the end of the decade was a great example of a message that inspired a generation. 

Chip remarked that Aesop’s Fables did not have a target market!  The Hare and the Tortoise and many other stories have endured over many audiences and for many generations  He suggested that your nonprofit can create an effective message that sticks by coming up with an anchor message that people are familiar with and by creating a link that is unexpected and memorable.

At the workshop, one Connecticut nonprofit was trying to explain a savings plan that would encourage individuals to save their own money by having the nonprofit match their savings dollar for dollar.  How to best communicate this concept?  One team came up with the theme ”the Piggy Bank that feeds itself!”.  The anchor message was the piggy bank (a concept that everyone can picture), and the bridge was the unexpected comment that it feeds itself.  This theme makes you want to learn more.

This past March, I had the opportunity to hear Chip Heath speak at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Conference in Dallas, Texas.  His workshop was so well attended that I had to enter the room by another secure door and sat on the floor for an hour and an half!  Chip remarked to me yesterday that he felt like a rock start during that presentation!  I felt so lucky to learn so much in such a short time.

I encourage you to take a look at the book Made to Stick.  This book can help your nonprofit or your business grow in amazing ways as you learn how to effectively communicate with your customers.

For more info, visit www.madetostick.com  Or visit your local bookstore and look in the business section for the book with the piece of duct tape on the orange cover!  You’ll be glad you did.  

Join the Race to Cub Scouting!!!

This fall hundreds of 1st through 5th Grade Boys will join the Race to Cub Scouting. Boys may sign up to be in a Cub Scout Pack either by downloading an application or by attending one of our School Nights for Scouting.

Cub Scouts participate in a variety of activities from games, songs and skits, to canoeing, fishing, archery, and hiking. All activities are designed to promoted the ideals of Cub Scouting whic are Character Development, Personal Fitness, and Citizenship.

Please follow this link to see a list of Cub Scout Packs in your area.

Parents…Want to know what Scouting is all about?

Click Here

Daniel Ingraham was recognized as an Eagle Scout in Troop 1 Court of Honor on August 2 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. A capacity crowd of community and business leaders and family members were on hand to recognize Daniel for this achievement.

Daniel’s Eagle Scout project was to paint markings on telephone poles in coordination with fire hydrants to help show the hydrants location. This action would help the fire department locate the hydrants at night or during snowstorms, or even during fall when there are large piles of leaves on the ground. The funding for the project came from R. M. Harris Electrical Contracting as a donation.

It was heartwarming to observe how Daniel especially thanked his parents, Georgianne and Dan Ingraham for all their help with his Scouting experiences. He also thanked Mr. and Mrs. Fischer who led him in the right direction almost as persistently as his own parents did. He thanked Mrs. Macri for helping him getting him here, starting off as his Cub Scout den leader and helping him complete the write-up of the Eagle Scout project.

Scoutmasters play a huge role in the success of any Eagle Scout. Mike Aurelia had knowledge and enthusiasm that rubbed off on all of the Scouts. His father Dan Ingraham brought them on campouts, ran meetings every Thursday, and went to summer camp. Phil Pittoco also did an outstanding job. Without these three Scoutmasters giving their time to lead the Scouts, Dan would not be an Eagle Scout.

Two women who played the biggest role were his mother and grandmother. His grandmother gave him rides to and from Scout meetings or picked him up from campouts with no complaints. Even when Dan was determined to go to a meeting without a uniform, she would always get him to put it on! His mother always reminded him how important it was to go to meetings and get things done before they were due.

Daniel especially thanked everyone who joined in his Eagle Scout celebration. It really meant a lot that they could all share this experience with him.

Quite a lesson for all of us in the Greenwich commuity.

Col. (R) Perry Baltimore III of the Marshall Legacy Institute and Betsy and Geoff Parkinson of Greenwich invite you to an International Land Mine Awareness Day Program and Reception–to take place at the Greenwich Country Day Lower School, 401 Old Church Road, Greenwich. 

The reception will be on Tuesday, April 10 from 6pm to 8pm.  The program will begin at 630pm. 

 Come meet land mine detection dog Utsi!  Honor local residents who are saving lives around the world.  Learn more about land mines and efforts to help save children.

 Greenwich area community organizations already involved include:

–Stanwich School

–Greenwich Country Day School

–Convent of the Sacred Heart

–New Lebanon Elementary School

–Parkway Elementary School

–Brunswick School

–Eagle Hill School

–Greenwich High School

–Greenwich Senior Center

–Greenwich Council, Boy Scouts of America

–Boys and Girls Club

–Norwalk Cub Scouts 

–Saxe Middle School (New Canaan)

–Fairfield Woods Middle School (Fairfield)

–Holmes Elementary School (Darien)

–Grace Christian School (Stamford)

 To attend or for more info, please RSVP to The Parkinsons, 203-661-1314 or elizpark1@optonline.net

 The Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) is a nonprofit organization that helps promote hope, growth and stability in war torn countries.  MLI is bringing CHAMPS (Children Against Mines Program)  to visit students, families, and other caring, global citizens in Greenwich during the week of April 9, 2007. 

The program features a Belgian Malinois named Utsi.  It demonstrates how people and dogs are working together to make a better and safer world.  CHAMPS promotes a spirit of global citizenship, increases awareness of the landmine issue, and provides an opportunity to help others living in landmine threatened communities around the world.

Experience the Difference One Summer Can Make!

Attend the Seton Day Camp in Greenwich. Outdoor adventure for boys 7 to 17. No Scouting experience required. Enjoy archery, arts, crafts, boating, fishing, hiking, nature, Scoutcraft, sports, games, and swimming. Boys ages 11 to 17 also experience field trips and rock climbing.

Boys completing grades 1 to 4 can attend the Cub Scout Day Camp. Boys ages 11 to 17 can attend the Boy Scout Day Camp. No Scouting experience required.

The Seton Scout Reservation offers 249 acres of scenic and pristine adventure at 363 Riversville Road in Greenwich.

The six one-week sessions begin July 2, July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, and August 6. The program runs Monday-Thursday (9 am to 4 pm) and Friday (9 am to 3 pm). Extended Day option is 8 am drop-off (Mon.-Fri.) and 5 pm pickup (Mon.-Thurs.) for additional fees.

Seton  Day Camp Activities

Swimming.  Your child will participate in recreational swim sessions in our Olympic pool under the supervision of certified lifeguards.  Every child takes a swim test which determines his ability in the water.

Fishing. Campers test their angling skills in Seton’s lakes and streams which are stocked with trout, sunfish, and the elusive small mouthed bass.  Campers may bring their own fishing gear or use poles and equipment supplied by the camp.

Field Sports and Games.  Seton Day Camp offers basketball, volleyball, kickball, and other activities.  Campers also relax with one of our board games on the shaded porch of the Pray Building.

Boating and Canoeing.  Hillegas Lake provides an ideal setting for instruction and usage of row boats, canoes, and paddle boats under the watchful eye of certified instructors and lifeguards.  All boaters wear Coast Guard certified Personal Flotation Devices (PFD).

Archery.   At the archery range, boys get to perfect their bow and arrow skills.  This takes place under the guidance of a Connecticut certified instructor who ensures safety and proper techniques.

Nature, Scoutcraft, and Hikes.  Nature classes, Scoutcraft, and hikes are held on the 249 acres of lakes, streams, and fields in this beautiful, living outdoor wilderness where years of Scouting expertise can be shared with our campers.

Rock Climbing. (boys out of grade 5 and up to age 17).  Campers use their agility and strength to scale the heights of local formations.

Cultural Field Trips (boys out of grade 5 and up to age 17).  Discover landmarks, museums, and historical sites and have fun while learning.

Contact: Greenwich Council, Boy Scouts of America
Address: 63 Mason Street, Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone: 203-869-8424
Website: www.greenwichbsa.com

The Black Wolf District of the Greenwich Council, BSA will again be conducting the Scouting for Food drive this March.

This is a great opportunity for all Scouts and the Greenwich community to do a good turn.

This annual canned food drive will help Neighbor to Neighbor, which serves the Greenwich area by providing clothing and food to those in need.

Scouting leaders have received Collection bags at their Roundtables.

Bags will be distributed around the unit’s neighborhood on Saturday, March 17.  A flier inside the bag will inform the Greenwich community on when to place thier Collection bag filled with canned food items on their doorstep.

Scouts and leaders will be following the Youth Protection Guidelines in this project.  All Scouts must go with a buddy.  Cub Scouts must be accompanied by an adult.  Under no circumstances should a Scout enter into someone’s home.

Filled Collection bags can also be dropped off at one of the following Fire Houses the morning of Saturday, March 24 after 9:00 a.m.  These include Glenville Fire Department, Cos Cob Fire Department, Sound Beach Fire Department, and Byram Fire Department.

Bags should be dropped off no later than noon at the Firehouses.

Currently, Neighbor to Neighbor is in need of the following items:  Canned fruit, Canned vegetables, Canned meat (stew, ravioli, chicken, ham, tuna), Pasta sauce, Cereal, Rice, and Pasta.

For more information, contact Brian Landi at 203-869-8424  ext. 3012 or blandi@greenwichbsa.com