Randy March Book Review: RI Chapter 3 & 4

    I like to write, so I thought chapter 3 was very interesting.  Good stories are enjoyable.  It’s learning to ask the right questions, in order to learn someone’s story. I like this portion:  If we want to become great story collectors, we must become great question askers.  That is difficult, but it is worth the effort.  I’m committing to asking more questions, in order to discover more stories. I also like this: Everyone’s life is a walking novel waiting to be read with anticipation.  When we peer into the prism of people’s dreams, we can see their souls shine through. It’s getting below the surface as we get to know people. 
Chapter 4 spoke of the energy we carry within.  How alert are we?   I have to be careful not to “tune out”.  I was challenged by this chapter.  I personally hate a conversation with someone that isn’t paying attention to me.  I thought it was interesting how certain leaders could change the energy in a room by assessing the energy in the room and changing it.    

Natalie's 60 day goal

Sorry, way late in getting this done!
Goal : Assist Annette in planning/coordinating youth girls night out and seniors trip. Action Steps

• Met with Annette to brainstorm - talked about themes for girls night
• Meet with Annette (last week of March-first week April) to determine theme and discuss activities
• Week of girls night do prep for activities - shopping for supplies - set time schedule
• Day before or day of girls night shop for groceries for supper, breakfast and possible baking activity

Jodie's 60 day goal (Mar-Apr)

GOAL: Plan a Mother's Day Woman's Event

ACTION STEPS:
1. Define Event
-Who
-What
-Where
-When
-How
2. Meet with Annette week of March 21st to set plans.
3.  Design a poster and distribute around community and churches.
4.  Ask a team of helpers (decorations, food, publicity).
5.  Advertise in the P&D etc.

Annette's 60 Day Goal (Mar-Apr)

GOAL: To successfully administer the Easter production.  I was trying to think of a different goal, but in the next 60 days, this production will be my #1 focus!  So it only makes sense that I lay out what needs to be done in my goal.  There's a lot of detail that I'm not listing here. :o)  You'll see I've set mini-deadlines within the main goal.  That's just something I have to do to ensure things are ready when they're needed and I reduce the amount of stress on myself being done ahead of time.

ACTION STEPS:

1. Finish final revisions of scenes by March 13th.  DONE (was late)
2. Distribute scripts to cast members by March 14th.  DONE (was late)
3. Schedule scene rehearsals for March as soon as cast members receive script.  DONE
4. Talk to Heidi about dance choreography and rehearsals by March 14th.  DONE
5. Delegate costuming to a responsible individual (obtain costumes from MaryBeth; find seamstress for additional needed costumes; keep track of costumes; dress cast).  DONE
6. Meet with Tech team to review what's needed for production by April 3rd.
7. Confirm lights set-up with Alison Spak by March 27th.  DONE
8. Delegate set construction to a responsible individual (verify materials from last year; adjustments to stage changes; recruit volunteers).  DONE
9. Make final decisions on musical changes by March 20th.  DONE
10. Delegate promotion to a responsible individual (update programs, flyers; posters; distribute information to local press).  DONE
11. Update and finalize tech notes in script and review with stage manager.  DONE
12. Work with church staff to print tickets, promote in bulletin, and sell tickets.  DONE

Obviously everything had to get done.  Overall everything went well but I would give myself about a B- on my preparation.  I was behind this year, even though Easter was late.  I think I allowed other things to crowd these priorities.  I didn't get all stressed out, but some things could have run better if I had been more on top of it. 

Mike's personal growth book

The book I have selected is Disciplines of a Godly Man. There are many times that I feel that if I would do a better job of doing some things that are considered the basics in the christian walk, prayer, time in the Word, etc., so many other things in life would somewhat come into place. I ran across this book title so thought I would read it.

Mike's 60 day goal

GOAL: The next event that will be coming up in Honor Bound is the spring car care clinic which is usually held sometime in April. Action steps needed: 1. Set a date for the event - will need to work with Taylor, John, and church staff (Done) 2. Update sign-up forms (Done) 3. Work on promotions for the event (In progress) (Done - bulletin announcements, preservice slides, church directory phone call list). 4. Line up a work crew 5. Collect money within the groups to help offset the expenses (In progress)
The event was held Saturday April 30. We were able to help 8 different people / families which to date, is the best turn out. Angela Rohan helped served refreshments which was also a big blessing. Some follow up paper work needs to be done (make a list to help improve for future events).

Allison's 60 day Goal and Action Plan

GOAL: Plan Missions trip to St. Louis Dream Center.

Action Steps:

1. Set Date for Missions trip to Dream Center. SET THE DATE


2. Price cost of trip for Van and or Bus and set cost for trip. SET THE PRICE


3. Present/extend trip to the congregation with a sign up sheet. WILL BE DONE THIS SUNDAY


4. Create a deadline for money to be handed in. SET THE DEADLINE


5. Post in weekly bulletin. POSTED


6. Request a DVD of Dream Center to view in church. NOT DONE YET

Additional Goal related to Missions: Line up speaker(s) for the Missions Festival. One Speaker is lined up.

Jodie's Feb. RI Book Review

Wow,  how many people like the 'Michael Scott's" do we know.  Being total self-UNaware.  I try not to be judgemental of others but sometimes it is almost hilarious - just have to laugh at them.  Having our own opinion of others, yet not trying to judge them - giving them the benefit of the doubt.  I think when I was younger I was so much easier going,  never let people get to me.  Now I find myself at times letting the small things get to me.  I need to  not look at others like that if I can't say honestly they are no different than I am in their thinking.    I see what a work in progress I am in and thank God for his grace and mercy on me!  
Can I handle it if someone criticizes me?  Of course it depends on who it is.  How well they know me.  Are they saying it to puff themselves up or is it out of love and truly wanting me to grow through this.  "Wisdom shouts from the rooftops" as said in a proverb,  maybe God is using that person to tell us something we need to change about ourselves or work on.  I'm all for the examination!  God's ways are not our ways  and I could very easily live in the 'polyanna' world where all is good and don't step on any toes.  But I don't want to be the person I was yesterday and better toughen up, wipe my nose and let others help me through the bumps of life with mature growth.  The Word also says, 'as iron sharpens iron',  that's what I need to remember when we relationship with others.  It's to improve me.

Annette's Feb Post

Chapter 2: The Michael Scott Syndrome

I am a huge Office fan so I totally enjoyed this reference - it makes so much sense. :o)  Self awareness - and the lack of it - definitely defines Michael Scott accurately.  And I immediately knew what was coming...  Since I've done so much reading the last few years, I also knew what was coming as soon as Mr. Saccone started talking about how much God loves us in spite of our flaws (which I am so grateful for).  It seems like when an author starts being very affirmative and reminding us that God's love is unconditional, I brace myself for the sock-it-to-you revelation that is coming.  And I was right!

If you're married, you have someone who is usually very willing to point out your weaknesses.  LOL  But that's not enough if you really want to have an accurate picture of who you are.  He talked about relationships of honesty.  I think that I have built a few of those into my life (thanks Mom & Dad who always taught me this principle), BUT the other side of that is making sure that you're open to seeking that feedback from time to time.  Even if people see things in you and are willing to be honest about it, they generally don't call you up and offer to give you some healthy critique once a month.  So we still have to be responsible to seek that.  That is not a pleasant thing to do...but even in this last year, I've learned a lot from those kinds of conversations.  I also really liked that he talked about activating the reflective mind in you!  I was relieved actually because I regularly do this.  I know you can definitely take it too far - never good enough, beat yourself up etc.  But I do agree it's a healthy practice.  After every meeting I go to (even weekly staff meetings), I think about how I participated or how I led.  Did I include everyone's input?  Did I respond appropriately to any disagreements or differing views?  Did I make sure people I work with feel valued?  Thank goodness it's a good habit!!  :o)

I'm really enjoying this book and I hope that in all of your reviews, you don't just regurgitate what the author wrote.  Your reviews are also an outlet to GET PERSONAL and show what you are learning and applying from this book.

Allison's Personal Growth Book

Actively loving people and aggressively reaching out to others.

Not just being aware of the needs of the world around us but also being apart of the solution. I picked this book because I believe it will help me to not be distracted by everyday problems and help to look outside of myself and refocus on doing the work of Christ. As the mission servant leader there are times of encouragement and times of discouragement on the Missions Field. I want to be better equipped for finding tangibly solutions to the needs of the world.