LUNAFEST Film Festival

Women who hop on bikes and charge up and down mountains... women whose idea of a fun day off is competing in  a grueling race,on foot, on a bike and in the water - all in the same day! That's Team LUNA Chix (NY Mountain Bike and Albany Triathalon).

These are gals who know something about survival... about setting goals and about transcending obstacles. And their next challenge is to help other women who have experienced a different kind of survival- breast cancer survivors and domestic violence survivors. 

To do that they are sponsoring LUNAFEST a film festival with short films by, for and about women. Filled with stories of reflection and whimsy, hope and humor, grace and perseverance, LUNAFEST films are renowned for celebrating the talents and stories of women. Collectively, LUNAFEST films captivate audiences, compel dialogue and arm those who participate with both the knowledge and the motivation to make a difference in their communities.From quirky animation to touching documentaries, the 10 selected films are incredibly diverse in both style and subject matter, united by a common thread of exceptional storytelling by, for, about women

 LUNAFEST Film Festival

Date: January 29, 2011 6:00pm Location: Revolution HallTroy, NY

Ticket Price:
$20 at the door,
$15 seniors, students and presale

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact 518-421-0551 

http://www.lunafest.org/calendar-detail.cfm?EventID=707

BENEFITS:

Breast Cancer Fund 

and 

Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County (DVRC)
http://www.dvrcsaratoga.org/

Best for Women ...all women...everywhere

 

I spent today at the annual Soroptimist retreat. I'll confess, each year when the retreat day comes, I need to drag myself there. That's not a reflection on the retreat, but rather the state of my weekends. So on Saturday morning as I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get it all done this weekend: cleaning the house, paying bills, installing and painting wainscoting, practicing heeling with my puppy (we've done lots of indoor practice with “down”, “stay”, “leave it”, “come”, but too many long workdays meant we've done very little outdoor walking together so we need to seriously cram before Sunday's class), cleaning out the car, and grocery shopping (unless I want a repeat of last weekend where every meal's menu centered around Swiss chard and cheese)-- well the Soroptimist retreat felt like an obligation that I just didn't have the time for.

And then something magical happened... I went to the retreat. Thanks to the fine planning and facilitation by Valerie Orapallo, Rachel Alderman and Stacie Mayette what could be a tedious day of membership retention activities , increasing leadership skills, and strategizing future directions for the Club is instead a day filled with learning, insights, wit and wisdom...and sisterhood. And more than anything this retreat once again (as it does every year) rekindled my commitment to the Club and my appreciation for what an impressive impact Soroptimists have in Saratoga County and worldwide (for more info on specific Soroptimist activities read  http://feel-health.blogspot.com/2011/01/whats-soroptimist.html.

In the years I've been a member, I've seen Soroptimist change-- for the better. The group was always concerned and committed-- and offered wonderful opportunities to interact meaningfully with women who I would not otherwise get to know. But in recent years, we've gotten more focused and mission-oriented, launching new programs, and increasing our expectations of ourselves. The change has not gone unnoticed. Soroptimist of Saratoga County won the governor's cup for our region (and it's clear that there are a number of high achievers in the Club who intend to make sure our Club earns that cup every year!) Their signature local service activity, Project Hope and Power, has also garnered support at the district and regional level.

At the retreat we challenged ourselves to consider whether we're doing enough not only locally, but to help more globally, to support women who commit their lives to global volunteerism, and strategically direct our resources to have the greatest impact.  We also challenged each member to assume a leadership role-- and gave tangible tools to make this happen.

And I left the retreat, not overwhelmed, but rather energized-- not just about my commitment to this fantastic organization, but energized in general...and grateful for the friendships with women who are intelligent, talented, creative, gracious, and inspirational leaders. The challenges of the weekend seemed insignificant-- I'm part of a group that makes a difference in so many lives, surely a little home renovation and housekeeping isn't insurmountable (but it' still gonna take a lot of practice to master “heel” before Sunday's class).

Are YOU Interested in doing one thing to help make a difference for women and girls?

Come to Cabin Fever!

Join us for lunch and to meet
 Mika Brzezinski
 co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe,journalist, author, and media icon

Saturday, January 29^th at noon

For more information visit:

http://www.soroptimistsaratoga.org/1932.html

What's a Soroptimist?

I'm member of Soroptimist and I've had many people ask me, “What is Soroptimist? “and “Why are you member?” So here's very brief overview of Soroptimist.

Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. They are committed to:

• the belief that all women deserve to lead full and productive lives
• women helping women
• international diversity and fellowship
  

Almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community–based and international projects that benefit women and girls.

Investing in women and girls in our community

The Saratoga County chapter, with about 50 members, gives over $10,000 each year to help local organizations improve the lives of women and girls. That's money to help breast cancer survivors, to help homeless women start over, to console hospitalized children, and to help local girls become, physically fit, and build self-esteem and leadership skills. Soroptimists also provide financial support and a volunteer commitment of over 150 hours each year to help domestic violence victims break free from abusive relationships and achieve financial independence. And they've given thousands of dollars each year to: assist female heads of household to improve their family's quality of life, to recognize teenage girls engaged in volunteer action, and to honor women who work to improve the lives of women and girls.

Helping women and girls across the globe

That's a lot of local effort... but their impact extends far beyond Saratoga County. In just the past two years, our local chapter has:

• providing education and improved living conditions to girls in Eastern European Republic of the Moldova, to prevent them from becoming victims of sex trafficking
• supported clean water projects in third world countries
• provided medical care for girls whose lives were ruined due to fistulas
• sent seeds to war ravaged countries to provide food, income and healing
• helped girls in Sierra Leone, West Africa go to school.

The name, Soroptimist, means "best for women," and that's what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best, working to help other women to be their best.

Chatting With The 6 a.m. Sage- part 2

May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!

Joey Adams

For the end of year blogs, I've been temporarily refocusing from shining a light outward to the community to shining the light within, with a more introspective look at New Year's resolutions and personal change. So I'll just launch into part 2 of the sage advice of the accidental 'guru with a microphone',  John Meaney; if you missed yesterday's blog start there for the background info.

So in that off-air conversation, John shared how, like many of us, two years previously he had set a goal to lose a certain number of pounds. The year started with healthy food choices, exercise... and impressive, steady progress for about 6 months. Then life happened. Busy workdays with quick meals gobbled in front of the computer, unplanned munches while doing shows at remote locations and soon his resolution was careening wildly down that slippery slope. That's when most of us give up, discouraged and haunted by a sense of failure...even after 6 full months of success.

And John admits he initially felt that sense of defeat and started to pick up old habits... then  a realization dawned on him-- he was already halfway to his goal. Even if he totally stopped any more progress, he was in much better shape than when the year had started! Isn't that success? How many of us have hit a roadblock where our resolve stops-- we proclaim our inability to finish the race, and backpedal right back to the start line rather than pausing to enjoy the scenery mid-course? Is the finish line the only important thing? Pondering what motivates (or demotivates) us is probably as important to success as choosing the goal. Which do I enjoy more about hiking, the walk in the woods or the view from the summit? Process or product? (Or is it the time spent on the trail with my dog?)

Back in college, I studied organizational psychology and was always intrigued by different management philosophies. The Japanese have an efficiency and waste reduction philosophy used in factories, called Kaizen. In very basic terms it's a philosophy of continually making small changes that lead to improved performance-- continually unfolding and evolving toward a goal.

So here's how it works:
Identify a goal/problem and start by doing something easy on the path toward that goal-- make the smallest possible change to improve performance, but make this a habit. Once, and only when, that improvement is fully integrated, move on to the next small change. Make sure the changes bring you personal well-being -- this practice isn't embraced because it benefits management, but because it benefits the employee also. Include others in the change and together celebrate all your small successes.

It always stuck me how in the US we tackle change with the swagger and stance of John Wayne, strong, confident, and ambitious...we do it alone and take pride in that independence. While no one can question Asian drive and tenacity in the workplace, their philosophy has a more communal and process-oriented feel to it. Perfection reveals itself not with fanfare; but rather, like a plain sheet of paper lying flat on the table, when patiently and precisely folded... one simple step followed by another... an origami crane emerges and takes flight.

So between now and March 1st, I've got my first resolution strategy to ponder- will I saddle up and gallop into my goal (and enjoy the thrill that brings) or will I gently and methodically unfold toward a new way of being? Or is there a common ground where West meets East? 

"Wishing you a Kaizen New Year?" ... "Partner?"

Chatting with the Six a.m. Sage

“When the student is ready the teacher will appear,” is a common phrase adapted from an ancient Buddhist Proverb.  In cartoons gurus sit static perched atop mountains, visited by devotees who have braved the mountain hoping to receive a pearl of wisdom that will instantaneously enlighten and transform their life. In reality, I think, most sage advice comes to us casually and we don’t even notice or appreciate the proffered wisdom. (For more than 25 years my husband has been muttering, “If only I’d listened to my mother!”)

Last January I had the opportunity to appear on Star101.3’s Morning Show with Brianne Young and John Meaney to talk about the upcoming Bartender’s Ball (by the way mark your calendars for this year’s Ball on February 12, 2011). During the breaks we began talking about the New Year’s resolutions made about 3 weeks earlier and how so many people ‘fail’ at their resolutions within just weeks of the ambitious January 1^st proclamation. John offered an alternative approach to resolutions. Decide what you want to change… but don’t actually start work on the resolution right away. Pick a date in the future, e.g., June 1^st when you’ll actually begin the resolution. In the meantime totally devote yourself to preparing for this important change, and:

·         Think about why you’re doing it.

·         Think about how success will feel.

·         Think about each little step you’ll take toward your goal.

·         Think about the challenges and obstacles.

·         Think about how if that obstacle cropped up today you’d find a way to still keep with the goal.

·         Think about what you’ll do if you slip on the path.

·         Truly consider if you really honestly want to work on this goal and if you’re not truly committed to working on the goal give yourself permission not to-- no one’s perfect! If you are still invested in this goal then make a commitment to yourself to be successful… and like a tri-athlete in training prepare yourself for the challenge and for the successful completion…

but don’t actually start ‘doing’ the goal until your selected date.

I hadn’t thought much about John’s words until the New Year approached again, when I reflected that perhaps I had stumbled upon a wise man on the mountain without realizing it. So this year, no last minute resolutions on December 31^st (and no guilt on January 16^th when I’ve already slipped irretrievably). I’m going to choose one change that will really make a difference in my life and 'try it on' until, say March 1^st-- that’s my chosen start date.

And in my mind I’ll now forever envision John atop a mountain, enswathed in windswept robes, imparting wisdom through a large studio microphone, punctuated by the music of his amiable laugh. Stay tuned for part 2 in my next blog while I share his New Year’s resolution wisdom about failure-- ahem, “redefining success”.

Finding Time For What Counts

If my life were a sheet of paper, you could spot it from across the room-- no white space, lots of writing, multicolored reminders and doodles in the margins, dogeared corners...but not a hint of white space. I have a habit of overfilling my life.

A couple of years ago I signed up for day-long volunteer job. At the time I was raising two teenagers, caring for my mother in her final years of life, and working a job that is decidedly not 9-5. My husband tried to inject common sense into my decisions as he asked, “You complain you don't have time to finish all you need to do, why in the world are you taking on one more volunteer commitment?” I told him to join me for the day and find out. To his credit he did. We spent the day tearing out carpet and testing the electrical circuits in a mobile home being refurbished for EOC's House to Home program. The renovated unit would help one formerly homeless person attain a dream of home ownership. As the day ended he said, “Now I understand why you volunteer.” For me it's important that some of the busy-ness on the page of my life is about helping others... that grounds me. While I used to have long-term volunteer commitments, these days I find giving a day here and there is the best way for me to work community service into my schedule. If one of your goals for 2011 is to make an impact in your community here's some suggestions to get you started:

Donate blood. For an commitment of less than an hour, you can save a life. That's a grand return on a 60 minute investment of time. For the record, of all the places I've donated, the Shenendehowa Adult Community Center had the best post-donation conversations with their volunteers... and home-baked cookies too!

Volunteer with a friend. Find an activity you both enjoy or a cause you care about and do it together. Relay for Life gives lots of opportunities to catch up with friends while also remembering lost loved ones or cheering as those who have courageously battled cancer, from children to silver-haired seniors, walk the survivors' lap. My son's friend, Trish, has been doing the Relay every year for the past 9 years in memory of Mrs. Weisman, a Shenendehowa 5^th grade teacher. Trish's personal tribute to a mentor through participation in the Relay has inspired dozens of other friends to join her in raising much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.

Make it a family event. When you include your children in your volunteer activities, you aren't only instilling a value of community involvement but also creating wonderful moments of bonding around activities that are out of the ordinary. My youngest son and I laugh whenever we see our lime green Rebuilding Together tee shirts and remember the day we got them. Hours later they were totally covered with pine pitch from installing rustic sawmill pine siding on a home for a family with a seriously disabled 4 year old and a father who was injured and out of work. We also recall the joy we felt as the family told us their son's medical tests had just returned with the unexpected positive news that he was not going to be confined to a wheelchair. They shared the news because the crew no longer needed to build a wheelchair ramp that day. I could talk to my kids about being grateful for what we have, but helping others and seeing the challenges they face brought that lesson home far better than any Mom lecture. (Here's one of my rare housekeeping tips: Lestoil is terrific for removing pine pitch. I thought we'd have to throw away the shirts, but a soak in Lestoil and they were like new, so now we have the shirts that preserve that day's memory.)

Help a senior. Care Links volunteers help to keep people living independently in their homes as long as possible by visiting, buying groceries, or transporting someone to a medical appointment. Just a couple of hours of your time will bring a friendship that touches your heart. For more information call Care Links at CHS 518-399-4624 or email csilvera@chsny.org.

Schedule it. My eldest son says having a regular day and time for volunteering is the best way to incorporate good works into your life. Pick what makes you happy. Like animals? Volunteer at the Saratoga County animal shelter as a dog walker, or in their Clifton Park location caring for the cats & kittens waiting to be adopted.

Go to your recycling bin and pick out a glass jar. Each night empty the loose change (or even the occasional dollar bill) from your pockets or purse into the jar. When it's full, donate the money to a charity. It's surprising how fast it adds up. (Check out Betsy DeMars' December 24^th Media Moms blog for her account of how, with a not-so-gentle nudge from God, her coin jar blessed one man this Christmas.) http://2mediamoms.blogspot.com/2010/12/its-not-just-change-in-jar.html

Multitask- help a charity while reconnecting with friends. At DVRC we have several generous donors who host a party as a fundraiser to support our victim service programs. Friends are invited to the party and invited to give a donation to this charity that their host/hostess cares deeply about. One kind donor said at first she was a little apprehensive when she asked friends to a fundraising party, but everyone had a terrific time and many friends called the following morning to thank her for giving them the opportunity to help a local charity. I know of another group of women who opt for a potluck dinner at someone's home instead going out as a group. The money they saved on the fancy restaurant meal is donated to the hostess' chosen charity. Busy lives call for creative solutions!

Looking for social and networking opportunities as well as community investment? Join a service organization...These groups connect you with other people of similar interests and offer myriad opportunities to make a difference. Interested in helping women and girls? Check out Soroptimist International of Saratoga County. No it's not a sorority-- Soroptimist means Best for Women and that's what this group is all about. http://www.soroptimistsaratoga.org//

Check out the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce's Volunteer JobZone to find hundreds of other ways to make a difference in our community. http://www.saratoga.org/jobs/jobzone-volunteer-index.asp

Shining a Light in the Rearview Mirror

Did you ever notice that endings always make us reflect on beginnings? Leaving a long-term job, you reminisce wistfully on your early days there. As the children grow up and leave home, you think about how just yesterday they were swaddled in your arms, or learning to walk, or heading off to kindergarten. As we near December 31st I’d like to recognize two true leaders who were visionaries who brought remarkable improvements to our local community. They’ve both moved on to a well-deserved retirement (which I can imagine they’ll find even busier than full time work.)

A Builder of Bridges - On June 30th, Judy Ekman retired from the Prevention Council after serving for 17 years as their executive director. I’ve had the honor of working with Judy and have always been impressed not just with her honesty, knowledge, insightfulness and character, but even more with her ability to pull together diverse people to create and build a shared vision. We all see the problems in our community, but somehow get stuck on how to make change happen so energy and enthusiasm dwindle. When that happened in a group she was leading, Judy would say a few simple words that created an “Ahh Ha” moment and the solution became clear and attainable. Judy worked passionately and tirelessly for families for many years; I’m glad she’s taking the time to enjoy her own family. Thanks, Judy, for helping all of us to see your dream, but more importantly for giving us the skills we need to keep the work going. There’s a Welsh proverb, “He that would be a leader must also be a bridge.” Judy you’ve built many bridges in Saratoga County… bridges between people and bridges from problems toward solutions. Thank you.

Mr. Saratoga- Compared to today, Saratoga Springs in the 1970‘s was a one-horse town. Off track betting detracted from track attendance, the downtown business district was teetering, vacant lots were strewn with rubble and as for tourism-- does this sound like a fun place to vacation? And about that time an ambitious and determined Irish lad named Joe Dalton took over the helm at the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. While he didn’t do it alone, unquestionably he was in the center of the mix as the town became a prime destination for shopping, racing, history, arts and tourism. Under his leadership the Chamber membership increased from 330 to 2,800. While always championing the downtown businesses and promotion of economic growth throughout the county, under Joe’s leadership the nonprofit community also thrived. The Bartender’s Ball, coordinated by the Chamber and representatives from the local hospitality industry, has raised over $350,000 for local nonprofits over the past 13 years (mark your calendars so you don’t miss this year’s Ball on January 12, 2011-- more info to come in a future blog). In 1986 the Chamber founded Leadership Saratoga, dedicated to the development of leaders who will serve their communities today and in the future; graduates serve on the Boards of Directors of 135 non-profit organizations from Corinth to Clifton Park. The Chamber has a volunteer job zone to link community members with volunteer opportunities. Thanks Joe for your vision, your tenacity and your true passion for our community.