Professional Women's Clothing Drive for Genesys Works

Sarah Curfman one of my very best friends and "my people" when it comes to all things Financial has asked for my help. Read below and see if you can help out in an easy way! Thank you any questions please direct to Sarah her information is below. Thank you my kind hearted friends!

HI friends -

I (Sarah Curfman) sent this message to all of my working (present and former) women friends and a few well-connected men…please help me pass the word.

I have a little project that I am undertaking this summer for Genesys Works'. I am asking for your help.

BEWARE!!! This is going to require you to clean out your closets!

There is a phenomenal non-profit, Genesys Works', that I have come to know and love. (www.genesysworks.org)

You may have seen them in the news…one of their Houston students, Vanessa Nunez, spoke at the White House yesterday, as part of the formal launch of "The White House Office of Social Innovation." Vanessa spoke specifically about her experience with Genesys Works. Vanessa went from working low-end restaurant jobs to help her single mother make ends meet before joining the program, to now working in the corporate information technology department of Marathon Oil, a Houston-based Fortune 500 company, and attending the University of Houston.

How do I want you to help?

Genesys Works has an UNPRECEDENTED number of women (27) going through the program this summer. The program has always seen a fair number of men come through, the fact that inner-city high school girls are interested in IT, engineering drafting and accounting/finance is AWESOME!!! Here is the problem - these girls do not have the means to purchase the professional wardrobe required for their jobs.

So –

1. Clean out your closet, and donate!

Any professional wear will be accepted. Suits, Skirts, Khakis, scarves, accessories, briefcases/work bags, belts, blouses, sweaters, etc.

Also, if you have any old gift cards to Gap, Banana, Target, Ann Taylor, etc…even if it only has $5 left on it…we will take it.

If you have any dry-cleaning discounts/coupons, etc…we will take those as well!!!

2. Drop them off at 4505 Xerxes Ave. South.

I will have a box marked for donations the entire month of JULY at my home at 4505 Xerxes Ave. There will be receipts at the drop off location so that you can write off your donation for tax purposes. Genesys Works' is a 501(c)(3)

3. Spread the word to your friends and co-workers!

What am I doing with the clothes?

Though the specifics are not yet worked out…in late July/August, I will be going through the clothing to make "wardrobes" for each of the women. If you are particularly fashion-savvy and want to help "create" these ensembles, please let me know! I hope to have a "work wardrobe" which consists of key pieces and accessories for each woman in August at the end of their training. The focus will be to deliver a professional and fashionable wardrobe so they can start their job placement without worrying about fitting in/what-to-wear/etc!

Anything that we cannot use will be donated to ARC.

If you have questions/suggestions/free time…please call me on my cell phone at 612.237.1919

What is Genesys Works?

For 8 weeks in the summer between their junior and senior years in high school, a group of Twin Cities inner city high school students are trained in the areas of IT, Engineering Drafting, and Accounting/Finance. After their intensive training program they are assigned to work at one of Genesys Works clients part-time (20 hours a week) during their entire senior year. Clients in the Twin Cities include: 3M, Bremer, City of St. Paul, Deluxe, Ecolab, Land O' Lakes, and Travelers.

The training is designed to arm students with the technical knowledge they need to provide value to corporations in IT, Engineering Drafting and Accounting; as well as the professional skills needed to enter and succeed in corporate environments. From the first day they walk into their client, the students are exposed to a culture of high expectations and professionalism.

Throughout the program, students realize first-hand that they can thrive in a corporate environment and that pursing a professional career can help them achieve a much higher standard of living than they are accustomed to. With this knowledge and continuous guidance from the Genesys Works staff, they significantly redefine their long term goals and set plans to pursue them. In fact, over 95 percent of Genesys Works graduates enroll into college immediately after high school. Most are the first in their family to do so.

Father's Day 2009 -- It Rocked

Father's Day 2009 was awesome for the Pulling Tin Crew! To start with we were RV'ing at the The Old Barn Resort in Preston, MN www.barnresort.com If you camp or RV in Minnesota this place comes highly recommended by the Pulling Tin Crew. Secondly, our family tradition continues with the kids picking out the presents to give to us. We also do this tradition for Mother's Day also. The tradition rules: The kids are taken shopping and they are allowed to pick out anything they want to buy for us. Pretty simple rule hey. Well this has produced some really interesting presents over the past two years.

This is the card I received to kick all the presents off:



Father's Day 2009 was no exception. This year I received a steering wheel cover with hearts all over it. Joey said "Dad we bought this present because it was made with love and you will think of our love every-time you drive in your car" I proudly put that one on right away. Just a little side note I don't think the steering wheel cover was not made for a dodge durango....



I also received a beach towel for when we go to the pools at the campgrounds we go to. Gotta have one of mine own.



The other present was a fedora hat. Joey and Jace said I needed a hat to look more professional for going to work. Not sure if I can pull this style off coming back into vogue in the office. What do you think?



Last but not least was a pair of St. Patrick's Day boxer shorts. I need these to have more St Patrick's day. So the kids told me.




This is what Joey and Jace gave to Tara on Mother's Day 2009. This gives you a little taste of our little family tradition.

Networking Tips from a Regular Guy

This will be an ongoing list of networking tips from a regular guy make his way through this wacky wacky world of reality and social networking. Hope you enjoy and please comment and let me know what you think:

Networking Tip #1: Just ask people to meet once you establish a good foundation. Don't be afraid many people want to meet face to face!

Networking Tip #2: Be yourself when meeting with experienced professionals. they want to know the whole you. Don't let titles scare you!

Networking Tip #3: If you ask you pay,plus if the meeting goes well u will get a second meeting and they will want to pay "even steven"

Networking Tip #4: Build a connection hub for yourself and own your online presence! check out mine at www.keithprivette.com

Networking Tip #5: Set up Google Alerts for your email addresses and name to be notified when it is used online.

Networking Tip #6: Use www.twitter.com to connect with really interesting, even if you do not know them. Start a conversation and engage to build that relationship.

Networking Tip #7: If someone you meet with offers up a name politely ask for an introduction. This is a good indicator it is going well or it did!

Networking Tip #8: Call people when you have not connected in a while. Call them for no reason at all. Facebook.com has a darn nice Phonebook!

Networking Tip #9: Put some time into profile Bio. This is your 30sec commercial for yourself. It also helps people know who you are.

Pulling Tin Crew Trip #1 2009 - Fish Trap Lake Resort

So the Pulling Tin Crew is at it again. The 2009 RV season is upon us and we have our 1st adventure under our belts. The Memorial Day weekend was filled with lots o activities. We arrived into Cushing, MN around 7:30PM after forgetting that there are two stop lights on Hwy 10 that back traffic up for miles.......ooooops I should really remember to read the written journal I keep for every trip we have taken since the beginning.

Friday was all about set up. After arriving we came to soon realize our slide out was literally on the playground, which did not bod well for sleeping in with kids hitting the playground at 7AM. That is OK it forces you out to enjoy the full day.

From May 2009

Saturday was all about dog play and kids exploring the campground and lake. Let me see we had 5 dogs on this trip. Role call Kizzie, Zeke, Baci, Harley, Ducati. They all get along for the most part, but we did find Baci trying to play a little too much with the bigger dogs....oh that Baci she does not realize she is 1/2 the size she is.....

From May 2009

Sunday was filled with fishing, swimming, tractor ride and makin ice cream. Tara, Joe and Eric got to get their fish on. This trip we plan every year to let the fisher people catch some fish. So Christina, Nancy, Joey, Jace and I hang and do campground stuff. I finally took the kids swimming. The weather broke and the kids love swimming pools at the campgrounds we go to. Later on in the evening one of the Pulling Tin crew members had a slight accident.

While I was trying to prepare dinner all of sudden 3 kids from the playground coming running around the corner taking about bleeding. Right away thought popped in my head it is my kid! Ran to the other side of "Pulling Tin" and found Jace with blood running out of his mouth. Scooped up ran to the bathroom in the RV and soon found out he had bit through the inside of his lip. After Grandma (with her nurses skills, thank goodness) took Jace over to her RV and gave him ice and had him lay down on the couch all was good in da hood. Plus I was able to finish dinner. Oh side note lesson learned: When calling the mother of the child don't use the term bit through the lip. That explanation has more horrific picture to a mom. So dont freak your kids mom out with explaning things wrong......ooops sorry honey!










Over all it was a great trip once again! Here are some pictures of the activities we did on this adventure. Check back in a few weeks when the Pulling Tin Crew takes off to southern Minnesota to The Old Barn Resort http://www.barnresort.com til then may you adventures be fun and your sway control bar be tight! We dont like unpulled tin on the roads of America

From May 2009

From May 2009

Keith Privette's Dossier

So the gals over at http://lookingglasslane.com/ threw out a little challenage! I accepted it!

Now I know it was for the ladies but if you read further below you will understand why I plunged in! I challenage you to do your own. It really puts your strengths and yes some of weaknesses out there for you to view and others, that is ok. I hope you get the same feeling that I got after doing this. Hey I am not all that bad, life is actually ok and you know what I am aloud to have flaws!

Thank you ladies of Looking Glass Lane you inspired an unintended demographic!
@missive
@fleurdeleigh
@riasharon
@zenmommy
@modernsinglemom

Looking Glass Powers:The ability to get people to talk and laugh about things that are weirdly funny. Normally they would not laugh out loud, but I can make um.
The ability to have people tell me things. I have a face that people like to talk to or is it because I am the vault! The vault contains many stories that have been burried because people just need to get things off their chest.
The ability to have plutonic relationships with woman. Yes guys we can and they are quite enjoyable because guess what they see and feel about things differently.
The abiltity to drive in any major city and get you there fast, in one piece, but maybe a little shaken

Dress-up Closet: Mossimo: Causual cloths for the summer are so comfortable and durable (RV lifestyle you need durablity).
Calvin Kline: It is my superhero professional suit.
T-Shirts: Any brand any saying any color funny the better

Disguise: Beard, T-Shirts, and Cargo Shorts. When not wearing my superhero costume people hardly recongize me.

Go-To Gadget: My G1 by T-Mobile it is my little key to the kingdom in where I play. You can reach me through any communication channel you wish IM, tweet, email, FB, text, oh and actually call and do voice to voice

Vice: A really good cheeseburger! I know they are not good for me but I would take that everytime to each with fries oh course. I have a couple others but…….maybe when we know each other better and you can witness first hand…..ok out of the gutter!

Magic Potion: COFFEE I can have it anytime with any person at any coffee location. It is so easy to grab and have a conversation!

Battery-Recharge Hub: Sitting in front of a campfire after a long day of Social RV’ing with my wife. Kids are in bed, fire is perfect amount of logs, and we can relax together talk or just enjoy silence, but oh course I always ask a weird off the wall question or comment and we laugh or spark a conversation!

Bratty Spoilers: Meetings with no action items or solving of problems. The meeting before the meeting and the meeting after the meeting and still nothing gets done. oooops read this more like what is my kryptonite........

Owners Manual: Sorry I don’t think I came with one and the technical writers don’t even know where to start. If I had to go with one thing to get you started watch every episode of Seinfeld atleast 7 times and you strached the surface.

Weapon: My Driver in my golf bag. I can drive for show! The putt for dough still working on. Second My car. Just drive with me once and you either love it or you never do it again. That gets me out of car pooling!

How he gets to the Lane: Dodge Durango that handles and drives like a sports car (its got the 5.9 liter engine). Need to get somewhere fast in one piece but a little shaken I am your wheelman!

Nemsis: The Status Quo, NaySayers to Innovation, Passive Agressiveness

Secret Ambition: To be on the Pro Golf tour. Or RV full time and get paid for it. Thinkin a TV show about family RV’ing, how to or not to do things RV’ing, things families can do while at different places. Producers call me family 4 ready to give everything up to RV full time and be filmed. Oh wait what was that divorce rate of married people on reality shows……oh wait this is informative and educational not drama. Ok maybe we are safe!

CREATE YOUR OWN DOSSIER:
So many of you have wanted to create a dossier of your own so I have provided the nuts & bolts...The rest is up to you!!

(cut and paste into the comment section)

Name: (alias will also do)
Looking Glass Powers: (list a few abilities...think big)

Dress-up Closet: (what are the signature items in your wardrobe)

Disguise: (what do you don to go be noticed go unnoticed)

Go-To Gadget: (what item or device do you arm yourself with at nearly all times)

Vice: (what would you hide from your parents)

Magic Potion: (what is your cannot do without liquid and why)

Battery Recharge Hub (where to you plug in, get energ, re-establish you)

Bratty Spoilers: (when in a fit, what makes you all betta)

Owner's Manual: (What defines you in print, what illuminates you)

Weapon: (What is your tool, your device, your method)

Nemesis: (What are you up against, what challenges you)

Secret Ambitions: (What would your six- year-old self say you should grow up to be)

Post to your blog and then tweet with #lookingglass hashtag

Pledge Your Support -- Free Arts Minnesota

Show your support for Free Arts Minnesota Show Your Support » About Free Arts Minnesota » A message from Keith Privette keith.privette@gmail.com. "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." We know that this is not true. Words can hurt "You can't do anything right..." "I wish you were never born..." "I don't love you..." Emotional and psychological abuse happens every day. This is especially true for the children that are served by Free Arts Minnesota. We want to give you the opportunity to deliver a positive message to a child or community member, by adding your name to our online pledge to make our community stronger!

If you no longer wish to receive email messages sent from your friends on behalf of this organization, please click here or paste this URL into your browser: http://fam.convio.net/site/TellFriendOpt?action=optout&toe=eb12724dbde92f69f71fe21fe34d62463de7adeb4b3cbee5c157793613dbaef5

Positive Messages + Art + YOU = Healing for Children

This email was delivered to me today, but I wanted to share and give you the opportunity to pledge something or to someone a positive change. Also if you would like to leave a special message to be delviered to the children of Free Arts Minnesota that would be great too! I pledge to be the best person I can be in every situation life throws at me.

Please pass along if you are inspired to do so. Have a great day whereever or whatever you are doing today!

Having trouble? View this message on our website.

Dear Keith, I am inviting you, as a member of the Healing Circle and the Board of Directors, to send a positive message to a Free Arts child, by signing our pledge to "Make our Community Stronger." By clicking on the send a positive message link above and filling out the pledge form, you will be making our community stronger by: • Raising awareness about the important work you support • Motivating others to take action • Helping and healing children in the Free Arts Minnesota program "I wish you were never born." "You can't do anything right." "I don't love you." Verbal, emotional and psychological abuse happens every day. Our Free Arts Minnesota children need to hear your positive messages today, because it takes 1,000 positive messages to erase 1 "you're no good" message. Four year old Avaya (pictured above), is one of 2,000 children served by Free Arts Minnesota. There are 14,000 children that are still in need of our services. One of the first steps to reach more children is to raise awareness. I am asking that you help me spread the word about the healing work Free Arts Minnesota does with abused, homeless and at-risk children in our community. Please add your signature to our pledge today. Together we can use words of encouragement and positivity to strengthen our community and children. Art Heals! Michelle Silverman Executive Director Michelle Silverman Executive Director & Avaya

Unsubscribe Forward to a Friend Visit Our Web Site 400 1st Avenue North • Suite 518 • Minneapolis, MN • 55401 • 612.824.ARTS (2787) Free Arts Minnesota © 2009 All rights reserved.

"My Boss Is an Idiot" post in Social Media

So I have been reading a lot of articles about people expressing discontent for their direct manager, supervisor, boss or boss' boss and the backlash that ensues from the companies that these people work for. I can see both sides of this argument, but the question I have is that a reflection of the person that says it or the person they are directing the comments at?

I am not going to be wishy-washy in my perspective. I think it leans 80-90% (always have to account for the bottom 10% that take 90% of our time to manage) of the time towards the reflection of the person being called an “Idiot”. For the simple reason good or great leaders or inspirational leaders or managers (there are differences) don't get publicly scrutinized they are held up and interviewed or asked to do speaking engagements. I have a feeling if you polled the team that this one individual works on and had the courage to speak in a public forum 70-80% would agree, but just aren’t wired to take this leap to speak in the public forum, that is ok, not everyone is wired to do this.

So which is worse for the company the one person that calls his or her boss and “idiot” or the boss that manages people with "boots on the ground" to not be executing to their fullest potential because of lack of an inspirational leader or aspiring to do more for these individuals?

So how did you answer that question? If you answered the guy or gal that said it.....uuummm I have a challenge for you, if you choose to read further.

So next time if you are the person reviewing public space information about your company or company employees, maybe take a different approach and explore the other side of the story you might be surprised and find your next inspirational leader or manager. Or you might even find out better ways to engage your employees, maybe they are not in the right seat on the bus, which is ok, maybe they need a new challenge. These are great opportunities get closer to employees, by approaching in an engagement in relationship building perspective. This public information is a chance to engage in different ways than we have never done so in the past. Seize the opportunity and move the needle for your company. I think we will really start to move closer to fully employee engagement with your company.

I really like people to weigh in on this one! I want to know if I am way off. If I am that is ok I can learn and dialogue! Comment Lines are open and ready to assist you! Oh and it is free!

Take Care
Keith Privette
www.keithprivette.com
@keithprivette

ps check me on twitter you will understand the pic

Inbox Insanity - The Future of Email Marketing: Colle+McVoy’s Feed It Series

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Thank you for attending last Friday's Digital Education Series event, Inbox Insanity - The Future of Email Marketing, with Jeffrey Rohrs. We hope you enjoyed the event and conversation. A video of the presentation is available by clicking on the link below. Please reply to this email with any feedback about the event. And, look for additional invitations in the coming months. Best regards, Your friends at Colle+McVoy www.collemcvoy.com www.twitter.com/collemcvoy
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