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Member Columns |
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Don’t Quit
No Matter What Happens
By Monica Wheeler
Abundant Life Coaching
It was the worst day of my
life. They herded us scared civilians into a bus from
the motel and we drove to the Air Force Academy grounds.
I sat next to a friend that I had gone to Embry Riddle
Aeronautical University the year before and boy, were
our stomachs churning. We scarcely talked on the ride
to the Academy, as both of us were reeling with anxiety.
No sooner had we arrived at the Academy when an
upperclassman “cadre”—as they were called — came on the
bus and started screaming at us. In no uncertain terms,
he declared that our life was now in the hands of
upperclass cadets and we would not “eat, speak, urinate,
walk or anything else without permission.
We would start each sentence with “sir” or “ma’am,” and
live and breathe military customs and courtesies.”
Before the day was over I had been relieved of my
civilian clothes, dignity, and freedom. I had been
lambasted and yelled at, forced to march for long hours,
and my long hair had been completely chopped off at the
ears.
That night when I got back to my room, I bawled my eyes
out. All that night I thought about quitting. I had
spent my life dreaming of the Air Force Academy and
after one challenging day all I wanted to do was flee.
But I didn’t quit. I didn’t quit because it was the
worst day of my life and I didn’t want to go through
such a day for nothing. I didn’t quit because, quite
frankly, I was just plain stubborn. But sometimes being
stubborn can be a blessing. I am glad I never quit
because I learned so much that year and the many years I
spent in the military after that. I hung in there
through hard times and good and now can be thankful that
I had such a learning experience.
We tend to want to quit something the moment we are
made to feel uncomfortable when we learn just as much
from the uncomfortable moments as the moments of pure
joy.
I would still be stuck on a trail somewhere in the
Cascade Mountain range if several dozen miles into a
many day hike I decided to quit and not walk another
step. Were there moments I didn’t want to walk another
step? You better believe it! But what good would
quitting do?
However, if you’ve been stuck in a dead-end job for
years and hate it and want to try your hand at new
endeavors, quitting just might be the right decision for
you. Setting your sights on higher mountains and taking
a risk isn’t quitting at all, even if you have to
abandon your current situation to accomplish it. It
takes a very wise man to know when to quit and when to
“hang in there.” Trust in yourself and you will find the
right direction to take.
If you want more individualized coaching I can be
reached at 541-383-2464 or by e-mailing
coachmonica@hotmail.com. Also, if you like what
you’ve read check out my ebooks at
www.lifecoachmonica.com.
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Junk
Mail: Here’s How to Get Rid of It
By Tracy Campbell
Design Solutions
Estimates indicate that junk mail in the form of paper
is produced at a rate of 4.5 million tons per year and
most of us receive more than our fair share. To compound
the problem, the risk of identify theft deters the
old-fashioned practice of simply tossing unwanted mail
in the nearest wastebasket or recycling bin.
Many
of us have taken advantage of the National Do Not Call
Registry, which reduces telemarketing calls to your
home. (If not, visit
www.donotcall.gov,
or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to
register.) However, you may not be aware of resources
for reducing receipt of unwanted paper mail and e-mail.
Take advantage of contacting the organizations listed
below and within three months’ time, you should see a
significant decrease in the amount of unsolicited mail
you receive.
Credit bureaus offer a toll-free number that enables
you to “opt-out” of having pre-approved credit offers
sent to you for two years. Call 1-888-5-OPTOUT
(567-8688) or visit
www.optoutprescreen.com
for more information. You will be asked for personal
information including your home telephone number, name,
and Social Security number. The information you provide
is confidential and used only to process your request to
opt out.
The Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Mail
Preference Service lets you opt out of receiving
direct-mail marketing from many national companies for
five years. Solicitations won’t disappear entirely, as
your registration will not stop mailings from
organizations not registered with the DMA’s Mail
Preference Service. Register online at
www.the-dma.org/consumers/offmailinglist.html.
The DMA also has an E-mail Preference Service to help
reduce unsolicited commercial emails. To “opt-out” of
receiving unsolicited commercial email register at
www.dmaconsumers.org/offemaillist.html.
Your online request will be effective for one year.
To safeguard against identify theft, contact a local
company that specializes in secure paper shredding and
disposal or invest in a high-powered cross-cut shredder
for your own use. Learn more about shredders at
www.about.com.
Finally, join Americans who recycled 42 million tons of
paper last year. Unsure how to get started? Contact your
local garbage and recycling service or search recycling
options at
www.local.com.
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Your Networking
Gold Mine
By Deborah Walker
Revenue Coach
As any entrepreneur knows, referrals are the lifeblood
of small business. Yet as a business coach, I'm often
surprised at how rarely small business owners attend
networking functions.
Events hosted by your local Chamber of Commerce are the
perfect opportunity to expand your network of
professional contacts. Networking leads to a direct
increase in the number of referrals you receive for new
customers, earning you new business. There are three
reasons networking for referrals makes good business
sense for all entrepreneurs:
Referrals come to you pre-sold.
When a network contact sends you a referral, they’ve
already done the selling for you. This is a fantastic
concept if you don’t see yourself as a stellar
salesperson. With a robust network, you’ve got your own
pro-bono sales force enthusiastically working for you
seven days a week. You couldn’t build a better sales
team than that!
Trust is built faster with a referred client.
A key buying motivation with every consumer is reducing
risk. No one wants to feel they’ve made a poor buying
decision. A prospect who has been referred to you sees
you as a friend of a friend, so you are instantly viewed
as trustworthy. A referred customer feels more
comfortable during the buying process and tends to
purchase more.
Referrals clone more referrals
For long-term revenue growth, nothing beats the
multiplying effect of referrals bringing new business
directly to you. Your reputation for quality and
integrity grow with each new “generation” of referred
business. The loyalty factor helps protect you against
the fads and gimmicks of your competitors.
The time you spend building relationships within your
professional network pays off better than any other
marketing strategy. Attending networking events
sponsored by your local Chamber of Commerce,
professional association or college alumni group are all
excellent methods of expanding your network. Dedicate
time each week to meet with others in networking
activities, and you’ll see your referral business grow
in ways you never thought possible.
Visit Deb on the web at
www.RevenueQueen.com
or email
Deb@RevenueQueen.com
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What's New |
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Commute Options Seeking Board Member
The Commute Options board provides direction to the
non-profit agency promoting transportation
alternatives in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson
counties. The group encourages bicycling,
walking, car/vanpooling, teleworking and riding
the bus. The board meets every other month on
the fourth Tuesday afternoon with some special
meetings called as well. The position begins
this July. Board members are nominated by the
Commute Options Working Group and appointed by
the current board. Most meetings are held in
Bend. For further information, please call for a
board roles and responsibilities description and
application. To apply, please send a resume and
completed application to: Jeff Monson, Executive
Director, Commute Options for Central Oregon,
856 NW Bond St., Bend, OR 97701. Tel: 330-2647
or
www.commuteoptions.org.
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Elk Lake Resort Now Open for Summer Season
Elk Lake Resort on Century Drive has opened for the
summer season. Hours are 8 a.m. until 9 p.m.,
seven days a week. The resort will feature live
music every weekend. Cabins are available, with
a one-week minimum, and the resort has a
campground. The resort also has made significant
improvements to docks, has added several boats
and kayaks and a gazebo for weddings and
parties. The reservation phone number is
541-480-7378, and the Web site is
www.elklakeresort.net.
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Ensworth Teacher Selected for Cross-cultural
Exchange in Japan
After a highly competitive national process, Randy
King, a teacher at Ensworth Elementary School,
has been selected to participate in the Japan
Fulbright Memorial Fund (JFMF) Teacher Program
and will spend three weeks in the country. King
left June 10 for Tokyo for a week-long teachers’
conference, before living with a family in the
northern Japan community Aomori for two weeks.
During the fully funded trip, King will visit
schools and see how Japanese students learn. He
hopes to set up a sister-school relationship for
Ensworth Elementary. The JFMF Teacher Program
www.fulbrightmemorialfund.jp is
sponsored by the government of Japan to provide
primary and secondary school teachers and
administrators in the United States the
opportunity learn about Japanese culture and
education.
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High Desert Museum Creates Weekly Summer Pass
The High Desert Museum has created a weekly summer pass
and has increased museum admission and
membership rates. The museum has not increased
its admission fees since 2004. Since then, the
museum has faced significant cost increases to
expand its wildlife collections, animal care,
living history program, and to maintain the
nearly 118,000-square-foot museum on 135 acres.
Until Sept. 30, all museum admission tickets
will be good for one week. The ticket fees will
be: adult, $18/week; senior, $12/week; youth
(ages 5-12), $9/week, and children ages four and
younger, free. Fees for museum memberships,
which include unlimited admission, also have
increased. Information: 382-4754 or
www.highdesertmuseum.org.
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Jewell Student Wins COBRA Art Contest
Jami Smith, a student at Jewell Elementary, finished
first in COBRA’s Cascade Children’s Festival’s
“Kids Are Special” art contest. Her artwork
will be made into the commemorative poster that
promotes the 2007 Cascade Children’s Festival,
to be held this year from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 21 at Drake Park. Smith received
a new mountain bike, sponsored by Mid Oregon
Credit Union. In addition to the grand prize
winner, another prize awarded is for the
classroom with the highest participation. The
winner in this category will receive a pizza
party before the end of the school year. This
year’s winner is Mrs. Cross’ first grade class
at Highland Elementary. The festival is one of
the primary fundraising activities of COBRA,
which provides comprehensive domestic violence
and sexual assault services.
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Wines Win Medals at Sunriver Sunfest
Bank of the Cascades Sunriver Sunfest, Central Oregon’s
most prestigious wine festival, has announced
that Hedges Family Estate 2004 Three Vineyard
Red Mountain Red Blend wine as the 2007 Best in
Show wine of the Gusto Wine competition.
This winning wine will be featured along with 30
other wineries from throughout the region at the
festival, June 16 & 17, 2007, in Sunriver. Also
winning gold medals: Best in Class Red,
Gold - Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery , 2004
Cabernet Sauvignon, California; Best in Class
White, Gold - King Estate Winery, 2005 Vin
Glace Pinot Gris, Oregon; Best in Class Red
Blend, Gold - Hedges Family Estate, 2004
Three Vineyard Red Mountain, Washington; Best
in Class White Blend, Gold - Hedges Family
Estate, 2005 CMS White, Washington.
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Members on the M-O-V-E |
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PEOPLE
Michelle Lauerman, CIC, Commercial
Agent, has rejoined Sage Insurance. She
previously worked for Sage as a Commercial Lines
specialist before leaving to work at a different
local insurance company. She has been in the
insurance industry since 1999.
Stacy Gulnac, CISR, has joined Sage Insurance as
a Commercial Lines Manager. She has been in the
insurance industry for 13 years and specializes
in commercial business.
Tracy Campbell, principal of Design Solutions,
attended the 19th annual National Association of
Professional Organizers conference in
Minneapolis in April. The association is a
non-profit educational group affiliated with the
National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization
and Professional Organizers in Canada.
Scott Steele, AIA, LEED, AP, President of Steele
Associates Architects, recently completed a
training program led by former Vice President Al
Gore to spread the message about the threat of
and solutions to global warming. Steele also is
board president of 3EStrategies.
Bethany Graham, an associate at the Bend office
of the law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt,
recently received recognition from Cascade
Business News as one of Central Oregon’s 2007
“Accomplished Under 40” leaders.
Dylan Grell is Sortor Bushido Kai Karate’s June
student of the month. He is an eight-year-old
purple belt who is training with Sensei Brian
Sortor to be an assistant instructor. He
recently received first place in traditional
forms at Chip Wright’s Champion Karate
Tournament in Medford.
Christopher Ambrose of Ambrose Law Group LLC, with
offices in Portland and Bend, has been named
president of the Oregon Mortgage Lenders
Association. Ambrose Law Group is a business and
real estate law firm.
Priscilla Martin, Hasson Company top producer,
led the Bend branch in sales in 2006. She has
been a real estate professional since 1986 and
is a past president of the Central Oregon
Association of Realtors and the Commercial
Investment Division.
Stacey Stemach of Steele Associates Architects
has obtained his Oregon architectural license.
He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
architecture and a minor in German at the
University of Idaho.
Kerri VanSise has joined Community First Bank as
a Vice President and Senior Business Development
officer. Her primary role will be to head up the
bank’s new concierge banking efforts as the bank
prepares to open its new downtown Franklin
Crossing location.
Steele Association Architects staff Scott Steele,
Edmund Wadeson, Emily Struck, Mark Connor,
Mariola Vazquez De Lawson, Kimberley Stroup,
Lisa Lambert and Shawn Keenan recently
attended Judith Heerwagen’s workshop “Investing
in People: The Human Benefit of Sustainable
Design.”
Stormi Bettiga and Darla Owens have joined the
staff of Deschutes Insurance, Inc. Bettiga is a
partner and has 25 years experience in property
and casualty. Owens is an employee benefits
specialist and has 14 years experience. She
handles individual and group health, as well as
life, dental and disability.
Tina Myers of Just for Fun! Family entertainment
has added another cast member: Nurse Nancy, who
is now making house and office calls.
Information:
www.justforfunentertainment.net.
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Devianne Rogers, CIC, CISR, Personal Risk
Manager for Sage Insurance, has completed the
continuing education requirement for the Society
of Certified Insurance Counselors. She has been
working in the industry since 1994.
Chris Rubin, Creative Director at Every Idea,
was awarded the Hacker Creative Award at the
recent Drake Awards. The award was begun in 1999
as a memorial to the late Tom Hacker. Rubin has
won numerous awards for her creative design
work.
Jennifer Tracy is the new retail manager and
buyer at Awbrey Glen Golf Club. She will
oversee daily retail operations, purchasing and
product merchandising for the golf shop.
Linda Gill has been promoted to Vice President
and Regional Branch Administrator at South
Valley Bank & Trust. She has more than 28 years
of banking experience in Central Oregon.
BUSINESSES
The Oregon Concrete & Aggregate Producers
Association recently honored Sun Forest
Construction with two Excellence in Concrete
awards at an event held in Portland in late
April. Information: 385-8522 or
www.sforest.com.
During July, owners of Always Wild Seafood, Inc.,
will be catching fresh Kenai River sockeye
salmon from their boat the Junebug and shipping
it fresh overnight to Central Oregon residences.
Information:
www.alwayswildseafood.com or 388-1524.
Help-U-Sell Real Estate, which has an office in
Bend, was ranked the second-best New National
Real Estate franchise brand by the 2007 edition
of the Swanepoel Trends Report.
Acrovision Sports Center in Bend is offering several
“Super Summer Camps” in June and July. Camp
activities include everything from snowboard
training to gymnastics and hip hop and break
dancing. Costs vary. Space is limited, so call
388-5555 or go to
www.acrovisionsportscenter.com.
Bend Valet has begun a new valet parking service
from Newport Avenue to downtown Bend. The
business will provide curbside pickup and
delivery of vehicles on Newport across from N.W.
Brooks Street. Information: 610-9200 or
www.bendvalet.com.
ORGANIZATIONS
The Tower Theatre is holding its 2007-08
membership campaign. Funds from the membership
campaign and donations help maintain the theatre
and its operations. The Tower has booked an
exciting variety of performances and special
presentations. For information about the variety
of individual and business memberships, call
317-0700 or visit
www.towertheatre.org.
The Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation has
won the United States Ski and Snowboard
Association’s Paul Bacon Award, given to an
organization for the greatest contribution to
the association in the field of race
organization.
EVENTS
The Bank of the Cascades Sunriver Sunfest
Wine Festival has announced a partnership
with Gusto magazine. Gusto will feature the
award-winning wineries in attendance at the
event, as well as promote specially made entrees
prepared exclusively for and sold with the
wines, leading up to and including Sunfest
weekend, June 16 and 17, at the Village at
Sunriver Mall.
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