Free For All Friday: Packaging is Everything

T.G.I.F. A busy week of mailboxes, journaling, whacking, and then even more whacking on the side of the head.

Today is all about teachers and what they consider - after a LONG, hard, year of work - to be ideal gifts/gestures of appreciation. Before I simply open the floor up to our loyal readers and visitors, let me add another dimension to our Free For All...

Before I got married, I always strived to be the most "creative" gift giver. That meant that I thought I was too creative to defer to the couple's registry. The registry, in my mind, was for lazy people who lacked any imagination. Then I got married. I came to appreciate - with every ounce of my being - the "experienced" people who in their infinite wisdom knew that a place setting of china would ultimately be more appreciated than his and her watches bearing each other's names. The truth is, neither of us has much occasion to wear our watches, but each time we set our dining room table we have cause to think about the thoughtful people who chipped in and helped purchase the place settings included in so many of our family celebrations.

My point... sometimes practical has its place. The handful of teachers and educators with whom I have spoken in the past three or four days have all suggested they appreciate receiving gift cards. Teachers, as we know, do not make a lot of money so the ability to shop for something they've eyed but couldn't afford, is actually a thoughtful gesture. So, gift cards should not be considered an impersonal, thoughtless, cop-out.

What is sure to transform a gift card from simply generous to... generous, thoughtful, and even sentimental is... PACKAGING. So, today our loyal readers and visiting teachers should feel free to comment on EITHER: (1) the gift you've most appreciated receiving, or (2) the best packaging of a gift card.

For those of you who love packaging... have no fear. This will not... I repeat will NOT, be the last time we visit this topic. It is one of my favorites and therefore will be revisited again (and again). To get us going, I am including a photograph our loyal reader Heather sent yesterday. It is a photograph of appreciation gifts she just presented to her daughter's teachers. I am happy to report it is a spin-off (much enhanced) of an idea shared via highlowaha.com. The stick of dynamite contains Hershey's Hugs and Kisses, along with Target gift cards for each teacher. The note on top reads, "Hugs and Kisses to a DYNAMITE group of teachers." Proof that creativity breeds creativity and, that on a good day, creativity can be found right here at this very blog site.

Have at it.

Signing off until tomorrow...

What's In Their Water?

Idea first... announcements at the end.  This change in format is thanks to my good and trusted friend.

A part of my morning ritual is flipping through the newspaper in search of interesting stories. If the stories translate into creative ideas then all the better.  Below are two stories I ran across. Individually they might not be all that interesting, but combined... I think they can be something of interest. 

See what you think.

Story#1: Sweet victory: Girl Scout sets cookie-sale record. 

The article tells of a 15 year old girl from Dearborn, Michigan who sold more girl scout cookies in a single season than anyone in the U.S.  ever has.  Her approach... set up Girl Scout Cookie shop in a church parking lot, Monday through Saturday between the hours of 3:00-7:00. Sundays she moved her location to an auto part store and extended her hours.

Story #2: More news play makes sense

This story tells of a 10-year old boy from Carleton, Michigan who collected his goal of 1 million pennies and then presented a check for $10, 000 to his catholic school

Again... individually, maybe not so interesting, but together they at least make you stop and go hmmmmm.  Same Dallas Morning New newspaper, two different sections.  Both articles reporting on resourceful children... IN MICHIGAN... who raised large sums of money.

There's got to be something here.  ESPECIALLY in light of next week's kick off to Taste of USA: What's Your State Made Of. 

For those of you new to the site... Taste of USA is an upcoming contest - showcasing the best of your state.  The winning state will be named host site for the First Annual Highlowaha Brainstorming Summit.  It is bound to be a fun-filled, high energy, community building, you-won't-want-to-miss-it event... complete with giveaways and all.

We are a blog of creative thinkers.  So, put on your thinking caps and help me figure out how we can either capitalize or adapt this information to benefit highlowaha.com.  Need some creative jarring?  Dig into our Wednesday archives for a Whack on the Side of the Head. Literal "brownie" points for the first person who applies one of von Oech's principles.

Announcements:

• According to CSPgradstudent - who was appointed highlowaha.com bean counter, all but three states are accounted for.  We need a mere three readers from the following sates: West Virginia, Montana, and Wyoming.
  
• The reader for whom we brainstormed ideas about moving from one office to another reported a successful event.  She used some of our ideas by asking students to record favorite memories in a journal.  She also distributed cards featuring a photo of the view from her office window. Cupcakes were had by all, her signature treat.
  
• CSPgradstudent also hosted the graduation celebration for which she was seeking our ideas. Maybe she'll post the outcome.
  
• Remember!  Our goal is to have 100 educators post favorite student gifts they have received (or wish they would have received) THIS FRIDAY!  It is not to late to help make this happen.  Contact, parents, aunts, uncles, former teachers, coaches, neighbors, former classmates, etc...  All we're asking is that they post one idea.  Their name will go in a drawing for a box of school supplies for next year's classroom.
• Added incentive... if they mention your name... you also win a treat.  

Signing off until tomorrow...

Whack on the Side of the Head Wednesday: School's Out!

New Readers... today is Whack on the Side of the Head Wednesday.  It is the day we draw a card from Roger von Oegh's magical deck of cards and use the concept described to jar our own creativity.  We do this with a particular highlowaha.com predicament in mind and then, of course, I also challenge you to apply the concept to something in your own world.

Today's predicament is compliments of my trusty and creative neighbor.  She called me last night suggesting that highlowaha.com spend some air time generating creative gift ideas for teachers.  It is, after all, the end of the school year and many of us will be looking for ways to show our appreciation.  This might even apply to day care providers... or heck... even your favorite college professors or administrators.  

To the untrained eye, this might sound more like an idea for Free For All Friday.  Friday's, after all, are reserved for generating creative solutions to problems just like these.  But, I got to thinking... Much like we did with Mother's Day (and to a lesser degree Father's Day), it might be nice to hear from actual teachers when generating gift ideas.  What are some of the favorite things/gestures teachers have received?  

How will we muster up enough teachers to make this segment truly useful?  That's where Whack on the Side of the Head Wednesday comes in....

So, today's predicament... How will I assure a significant increase in readership among educators for THIS FRIDAY (5/16).  My goal... have 100 teachers post the favorite treat/gesture they have received... or wish they would have received!  Now to the Whack Pack for my creative solution.

Make a Metaphor.  Philospher Ortega y Gassett:  "The metaphor is probably the most fertile power possessed by man."  The key to metaphorical thinking is comparing unrelated concepts and finding similarities between them.  Example: what do a cat and a refrigerator have in common?  They both have a place to put fish; they both have tails; they purr; they come in a variety of colors; and they both have a lifetime of about fifteen years.  What similarities does your idea have with cooking a meal?  Conducting an orchestra?  Building a house?  Raising a child?  Waging war?  How can these help you understand your idea in a new way?  What can you compare your idea to?

Hmmm... I'll start with the first one and see where that takes me.  What similarities does my idea, of recruiting 100 teachers who are willing to post their ideal gift on this Friday's blog, have with cooking a meal?

• There's more than one way to cook an egg, just like there's more than one way to recruit teachers: Scrambled, poached, sunny-side up, fried, hard boiled, soft boiled... these are all the ways you can prepare and egg.  Call, email, write a note, personal invitation, list serve, word of mouth, students, contact professional teacher associations, notify the PTA, advertise... these are all ways to recruit teachers for Friday's blog. 
  
• Both require turning up the heat:  Barbecue is low and slow.  Grilling is hot and fast.  For the purposes of this week's exercise, we will be GRILLING.  Today is Wednesday.  We have until mid-night on Friday to solicit input from 100 teachers!
  
• Chefs and recruiters follow recipes: A recipe when talking about cooking a meal is fairly obvious, but what about a recipe for recruiting?...  For the purposes of this activity, we'll view recruiting as a form of marketing (marketing the idea of posting to teachers far and wide).  The four "P's" of marketing include : Product (getting teachers to post); Price (free); Promotion (Any teacher who makes a post on Friday will be entered in a drawing to receive school supplies for his/her classroom next year); Place (teacher lounges, highlowaha and other relevant blog sites, pick up and drop off lines outside of school, etc...)
  
• Both are better when they include dessert: Preferably CHOCOLATE.  So, have I got a treat for you!  Refer the greatest number of teachers (which we'll know if they mention your name in the post) and YOU too will earn a treat...compliments of Sous-Chef Claudia.
  

Now your turn.  What ideas can you cook up, using the analogy above?  Or, test out one of the other metaphors...recruiting teachers and... raising a child, conducting an orchestra, building a house, or waging war.  

Either way, we want everyone to pitch in.  Contact every teacher you know and have them tell their friends.  There's no time to waste.  ... Dig in!

Signing off until tomorrow...

I Heart Mail. I Do!

Yesterday it was Make-Shift Mailboxes. Today it is Friendship Journals and Flat Stanley. Clearly I have mail on the mind!

I have Friendship Journals on the mind, because my very good and patient friend, Dawn, is still waiting for the journal's Arizona arrival. Here's the quick low down. About eight years ago ten women I knew tried to join forces to begin a never ending Friendship Journal. The idea was the journal would fill with entries as it moved from person to person. I think the journal started in Georgia, stopped in Arizona, then LA, and then New York where it was lost and never recovered. That was the end of that.


Two years ago my friend Dawn suggested we revive the idea, but this time modified to be a touch more realistic. Round two has worked much better. She started us off. Back and forth between the two of us the journal has gone, ever since. The pages are filled with funny stories, serious reflections, family photos, recipes, winning ideas, life ambitions, and so much more. There's no timeline and no pressure. Hang onto it for a month (or more...) or turn it right around. Tag your it. That's why it works. It's just a simple gesture reflecting our own going commitment to stay in touch... forever.

I savor the days the journal shows up in my mailbox. I never let myself open the envelope immediately, as it is impossibly tempting to flip to the last page and get her latest update. No, instead I savor the experience. I tuck the journal away and make a date with myself. I either go to Starbucks for a cup of coffee, where I can hide in the corner of the store and read the pages slowly, or I curl up under the covers in my bedroom. Either way, it is quiet, uninterrupted time. For those fifteen or twenty minutes I am single, with no kids and remembering what life was like surrounded by supportive and loving girlfriends. It is my oasis.

We've learned a few things along the way... things you might think about should you be inspired to start up your own journal.

• Ship it "Media Mail." It costs less and because there's no rush... it works out fine.
  
• Bubble envelopes can be recycled if you using mailing labels and cut the top.
  
• You'll be surprised to find all the fun, one-dimensional things you can fit in the pages of a journal (DVD's, CD's magazine clippings, stickers, quotes, photographs). Have fun with it and view it as another venue for your creativity.
  

So today the journal is Arizona bound. Off for another journey - carrying with it fun tales, hopes and dreams, pictures, and thoughtful questions. And, maybe a small treat is included in the envelope to boot. From the moment I mail it, the wait begins for its long journey back to Texas. Dawn, tag you're it!

Speaking of journeys... check out Helena's Flat Stanley adventure under today's posts. She did a great job of hosting Stanley in Canada and now he's off to his next destination. Julie beat our readership to the punch, so she is his next host. I am not sure where Julie is posting from (we have a couple), but where ever it is, Flat Stanley is sure to have fun! Julie, pass along your mailing address and I will be sure Helena gets it.

Signing off until tomorrow when we will DEFINITELY will be whacked on the side of the head...

Maintenance Monday and Makeshift Mailboxes

We are a busy group. If you are new to this site, you should know this. The philosophy... For those who much is given (fun, friends, and creative ideas), much is required (participation, input, and even new referrals).

So a quick update for all those... new and returning...

• If there are any Leadershapers out there... HI and thanks for joining us! In the next couple of weeks we will embark on a selection process to determine which of 13 dedicated students we will support in his or her work toward achieving the vision statement developed last week at Leadershape (for some sample visions check out Vision Showcase (5/8) .
  
• Mark, if you're out there check out the picture below. Read it and weep! Yes... I've been home for LESS than 24 hours and Harvestwood Court has already had its inaugural "Open Grill." For those of you just tuning in, Mark's Colorado neighborhood is the ultimate community. I recently shared (The Value of One, The Power of All - 5/7 ) examples of fun activities shared by he and his neighbors. The concept of an "Open Grill" was one of the many. If you do something fun, let us know so we can feature (and possibly copy) your neighborhood.

• We've had lots of new people post in the recent past. Welcome... Dawn, Beekayroot, Dr. Russ, Jennie, and the others who I might have missed. As for some of our loyal readers... Cassie had her surgery and is in recovery; cspgradstudent graduated on Saturday; Stacie returns to Louisville with her beautiful two-month old baby boy after six successful weeks in Maryland; and sending positive thoughts Heather's way.
  
• Jennie asked last week what title was for someone who worked with college students at a university. A quick note and invitation to Jennie. Jennie, if you think you might be interested in learning more email me at cbeeny@lslog.com and we can talk in greater detail. In the meantime... The position I most recently held was Dean of Students. The work I did at Leadershape was that of a Lead Facilitator, through the Leadershape organization. It is great and rewarding work! Many of the readers, in fact, are in a similar line of work (or will be soon). If you post questions, I am sure you will great lots of helpful information and insight.
  
• Taste of USA will be starting very shortly. Cheryl and I will meet one day this week and with a little luck, we will kick off the contest next week. Last I looked, we still need representative readers from North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and West Virginia. If you know anyone in those four places then please, please, please pass our site along. Our goal is to start the contest with at least one reader per state.
  
• Flat Stanley is in the house! Yes, Helena has had quite an adventuresome month or so with our beloved Stanley. We will hear all about it tomorrow when I post a summary of her adventure and the ONE surviving picture (the explanation is all part of her great adventure). What YOU need to know is that Flat Stanley is up for grabs. The first person to reply TODAY will serve as his next host.

And now for Makeshift Mailboxes....

Yet another great use for paper bags (see This is Your Bag Lady Speaking).

This morning I was unpacking my suitcase from Leadershape and out came my makeshift mailbox. One of the Leadershape traditions is to post a brown bag with the name and picture of each participant on front. Throughout the week participants are encouraged to jot short notes to one another either paying a compliment, making note of an insight one shared; thanking someone for a kind gesture; encouraging someone; or just providing a pick-me-up. I stopped what I was doing and took time to read the notes people wrote me. Fifteen minutes later, I felt GREAT... set for the rest of the day.

I was quickly jolted from the day dream of me standing on a stage, thanking all the people who helped make it possible when Jack hit me over the head with his toy fire engine. But that was ok, because at that particular moment, according to my new found Leadershape friends, I was superwoman!

Maybe I'll try it at home in the next couple of weeks. Each of us will decorate our own brown bag, hang them in either the kitchen or laundry room and for one week we will leave treats or encouraging notes to one another. You can argue... What do you need a brown bag for? Why just a week? Why write down the compliment when you can just open your mouth and just say it? All good, legitimate questions. So, I ask you... when is the last time you took out five minutes to formally acknowledge the things about your family members for which you are proud and appreciative? Our lives are busy and sometimes more time passes between thoughtful gestures than we think.

So, how about it? Brown bags... $1.99, tape for posting bags... $1.00, markers to write with... $4.99, knowing your family is proud of you... priceless.

Signing off until tomorrow...

How Fascinating!

Today I am homeward bound after being gone from home for seven straight days.  It is a long time to be away from family, but as I've mentioned throughout the week it is well worth the investment.  These students from St. Edwards represent our future, so what could be more important than spending time developing them as young adults.  I can't think of a single thing.  ... Except maybe hugs from all my boys.

The ritual on the last night of Leadershape is for each of the Family Clusters to perform skits.   The only criteria is that they must include one leadership concept, assigned to them earlier in the day.  The skits are always very creative and help illuminate which points made over six days and eighty-four hours worth of content are most memorable. 

 

You can imagine with so much air time in front of these students that my co-lead and I were are fair game for lots of poking and prodding.  After all... to keep these students engaged we had to pull out a lot of stops.  We found ourselves doing things we might otherwise never do... start the wave, sing My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, and start the Conga Line.  Then of course there are all the things that aren't intended to be funny, but, that after six days, are quickly turned into a parody.  These are things such as impersonators of my co-lead entering the stage with a Diet Pepsi in hand (the drink he could not be found without); me wearing the same black sweat shirt I wore all week; hand gestures; and inflections to our voices.  It made for a fun-filled night with lots of laughter.

The one phrase that seemed to stick out most to students throughout the week, as made evident in their skits, was from a video they watched titled, "Radiating Possibility."  The video tells of passionate man who teaches young students in the New England Conservatory.  He makes five major points about life... "Live in the Front Row of Your Life," "See Mistakes as Fascinating," "Quiet Your Inner Voice," "Live in Possibility," and "Realize It Is All Invented."  

 

In the video he describes the importance of taking risks and not being scared to make mistakes. He,  in fact, demonstrates what one ought to do when they make a mistake.  He throws his hands in the air, raises his eyebrows, and then in a high-pitched and enthusiastic voice exclaims, "How fascinating!"  His rationale... mistakes are actually very similar to successes.  We learn when we do something well and we learn just as much when we make a mistake.  Both are valuable learning experiences.  So... "how fascinating!" 

I made lots of mistakes this past week and when I get back to Grapevine later today will embark on a whole new week of mistake-making.  But, I'm invigorated.  I am rejuvenated by the idea that I have high hopes and lots of vision.  The future of Highlowaha is bright and with the creativity and enthusiasm of this readership, we will do something big.  What, I don't know. What mistakes will we make a long the way?  I don't know that either.  But, you can be sure they will be fascinating.

Signing off until Monday....  Tomorrow I will take a well-deserved break and get re-connected with the other job I love so much... that of being a mother!

Free For All Friday: Next Big Challenge

T.G.I.F. everyone! These students and this curriculum have meant an average of four hours of sleep over the past five nights. It's starting to take its toll, so I am committed to knocking out today's entry so I can steal a quick nap.

A few announcements:

• Today is Cassie's surgery. By the time she reads this it will be over, so... Cassie, I hope you bounce back quickly and I'll be home Saturday afternoon if there's something I can do.
• Rock the Vote!!! Today is the day we need to gather forces and place a vote for Gwen Beauchamp as America's Favorite Mother. You can vote by going to the Today Show's website. Her name will be listed under Chair of Everything (COE) Mothers.

Today is Free For All Friday - the day when we harness the collective creativity of our readership to solve problems. Boy have I got a goody!

As you know this whole week has culminated in students developing visions about which they are passionate and willing to commit their lives. We instruct them when developing their visions to have a healthy disregard for the impossible.  Great examples exist of leaders who against all odds changed the course of history (or their industry... or their neighborhood/community), because they were willing to focus not on what was but on what could be.  We explain that what so many of these visions have in common is they are vivid, challenging, service directed, expandable, and compelling. Finally... we prepare students that their visions can take years - even decades - to implement and that they must be persistent and patient in its pursuit.

What you don't know is that I too have been developing a vision statement this week... about something for which I am passionate. Why of course... highlowaha.com!!!!! Are you ready? I am about to unveil my vivid, challenging, service directed, expandable, compelling, and serious... vision for highlowaha. Then we will use Free For All Friday to generate brilliant ideas about how to make it happen.  The blog can be the primary vehicle or only a portion of the method.  

One, two, three... (drum roll, please)...

My vision is to "Foster creativity in communities around the world"

Ok, that' it. What are your creative, bold, ideas about how that can happen? Think Big. No boundaries. We're just brainstorming. When you brainstorm there are no wrong answers. Be my partners is this endeavor and let's see how big we can think.  

Signing off until tomorrow and sitting on the edge of my seat to see what you come up with...