Another month on the road, it seems. I said hello and had some laughs (and some stress) in Red Deer (twice), Ponoka (twice), Calgary (twice), St. John's NL, and Golden. 

     I read to four classes at two schools for Read In Week. Young children still like Skippyjon Jones as much as I do, but they also liked my chest (one just grabbed and held on) and another liked my black patent leather boots. At least I assume so, because she was licking them. Perhaps not surprisingly I got a cold shortly after that dogged me the rest of the month. Yet every time I think of those classes and those kids, it cracks me up.

     I was privileged to attend the Edmonton Eskimos Annual Dinner. It is a posh affair and I was seated with alumni (i.e., Royalty), including #63  Hector Pothier (below) so it was a real honour. I am grateful to everyone who made that experience possible for me. 

   

      I participated in a huge AGM for a profession and was reminded that while Parliamentarians serve an important purpose in such forums, it is the wisdom and experience of the Executive Director that is the real key to getting members through difficult matters. If I hadn't had so much at stake on the agenda, I would have truly loved watching the entire thing unfold. But, then again, I'm weird that way...

     I attended a small industry conference I organized and found it refreshing to hear the speaker talk about customer service (remember that?) and the latest buzz of customer intimacy, which talks about actually caring and being invested in your customers. So now there's a name for what I do!

     I attended an industry tradeshow as well as a dinner where I got to hear Ellen Rohr, "The Plumber's Wife to America's Top Expert on Making Big Money Doing Dirty Jobs!" I really liked her style. I don't know if you travel in many plumbing circles, but if you get a chance to hear Ellen you really should.      

     I attended CSAE Edmonton's breakfast on Alberta politics with Paul McLoughlin. His views are always insightful and it was great to reconnect with many colleagues. I also had the privilege of attending CSAE's national conference in St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador. 

     That bucket list trip was only made possible by some generous angels in my life, most notably MaryJane Alanko with an assist by Ralph Suppa. Thank you, MaryJane and Ralph, from the bottom of my heart.

     The conference was good, the AGM was efficient, the entertainment was wicked-good ( Alan flippin' Doyle, people!), catching up with colleagues was smile-exploding, and the location was stunning. 

     I did miles of walking and fit in as much sightseeing as I could given a short time and a busy schedule. I was screeched in (twice), which means I kissed two cods. My lips still taste salt (pffffft). I learned to play the ugly stick (that's me on the left). 

     I got to try on Fluevog shoes at a lovely shop where the astute salesperson let us in a half-hour before opening because she saw us pitifully staring in. I ate all the required foods, including fish-and-chips-and-dressing-and-gravy (twice). And I will definitely be back to explore more of that end of our great country.

     In October I have been in more board meetings, AGMs, board orientations, and board planning sessions than I can actually keep track of. That's why little distractions like Golden help give me  perspective and inspire me to write using adjectives (i.e., plays). 

     It also helps that after a losing streak my football team is picking up steam at the right time. There's only four weeks of football left! Yikes, I better get focused on my #GreyCupFitUp program. 

     So even though I've been sick and so busy I don't know which way to turn, I am exceedingly grateful. Thanksgiving was also part of October, and I had no problem coming up with a long list of things for which I am truly grateful. I hope your list is long, too. May November bring us even more smiles. 

     

"When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back."

-- 

Paulo Coelho

A: Nice timing on your question! A new study is out.                        

• 92% said their board service was a good use of time
• 172 hours/year is the average time spent on board service (High 3000, low 4 hours)
• 51% said there was no expectation of a financial contribution
• 30% female, 70% male
• 29% were 55-60 years old; 18% were 51-54; 16% were 65 or over; 15% were 61-64; 14% were 45-50; 6% were 35-44; 2% were 25-34; 1 person was under 25
• 58% were charitable; 49% were industry/trade association; 26 were professional association; 13% were other NFP
• 66% had 11-25 board members; 27% had 2-10 board members; 14% had 26-50 board members; 2% had 51-70 board members; 1% had 71-100 board members; 1% had more than 101 board members (Frankly, these numbers astonish and upset me)
• 31% served on the board 2-4 years; 19% 5-6 years; 17% 7-9 years; 12% 10-12 years; 10% less than 2 years; 7% more than 15 years; 4% 13-15 years (The need for term limits screams out to me)
• 36% had annual org. revenue of less than $5m; 20 were $5-$10m; 16% were $10-$20m; 11% were more than $100m; 8% were $20-$35m;  5% were $50-$100m; 4% were $35-$50m
• 60% had fewer than 50 employees; 16% had 51-100; 9% had100-200; 8% had more than 500; 5% had 201-400; 2% had 401-500 employees

• 91% supported the mission
• 68% thought they could make a difference
• 53% felt an obligation
• 43% had a personal connection
• 41% saw an opportunity to network
• 41% were asked to serve by a colleague/friend
• 18% saw an opportunity for business development
• 4% were approached by an executive search firm

• 65% Set vision and mission
• 64% Set broad direction
• 54% Oversee finance and performance
• 49% Serve as an ambassador
• 41% Oversee and evaluate CEO
• 18% Impact organizational culture
• 6% Engage in crisis management
• 3% Oversee day-to-day operations
• 2% Senior staff talent management

• 64% Increased
• 26% Stayed the same
• 6% Uncertain/Did not know
• 4% Decreased

• 68% Yes
• 27% No
• 5% Did not know

• 53% Yes
• 45% No
• 2% Did not know 

• 46% Properly prepared to serve
• 35% Neither helped nor hindered
• 15% Did not properly prepare
• 3% Did not know

• 67% said 7 days
• 20% said 14 fays
• 12% said 2 days
• <1% each said Day before, Immediately before, or Didn't Know

• 68% Yes
• 31% No
• 2% Did not know

/lmwe