Learning Never Ends

Greetings from home:

Our strategic planning meeting wrapped up on Sunday with action steps listed and owners identified. I have several more things added to my "to do" list that I'm excited about. Currently NCSPOD elections are taking place....I've received several signed nomination forms and look forward to receiving a few more before the February 1st deadline.

A 2012 conference city has been selected and we'll be making that announcement, to all members, very soon. In the coming months I'll be working with another board member to redesign our newsletter. I'm so excited to learn a new software program and improve upon what we are currently doing. Moving NCSPOD from great to greater is a challenge that I welcome and embrace.

As my learning continues I'll continue to include all of you.
May today be filled with excellence in all you do!

Your learning friend,
Lauri

Striving for success for all NCSPOD members

Hello learning friends,

Today was a very busy day. The NCSPOD Board of Directors gathered at 8:30 this morning. We worked through our agenda, focusing on the future for all NCSPOD members. Tomorrow we'll review our brainstorming ideas, prioritize the list and assign owners to each initiative. I'm looking forward to having a very productive year. We ordered lunch in, boxed lunches from Firehouse Subs. They were great! Several of us opted to take our boxed lunch and sit outside in the sunshine - pool side! Don't get too jealous it was about 50 degrees and the water was WAY TO COLD for this Iowa girl. So there was no swimming!

Our meeting wrapped up about 4:50 p.m.. This evening we all went for dinner at Tony Rama's. For those who know me well, you know there's always a question at meal time that everyone is asked to answer. Tonight's question was, "What's the best concert you've ever been to?" We went around the table and everyone shared....when it got to me....I confidently responded - "My daughter's 1st grade music show." Can you believe everyone laughed??!!! I told them there was nothing sweeter than a 6 year old singing, "Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea!" It's TRUE!!!

I later commented I'd like to do a little souvenir shopping. I want to buy a few postcards to mail to my nieces and nephews. I was able to borrow a car, recruit a driver and bring a few friends along. We were looking for an outlet mall - unfortunately we didn't find the shopping center our driver visited last year. By the time we stopped at a mall it was after 9 p.m. and most of the stores had closed or were closing at 9:30 p.m.. NOTE: This means I wasn't able to shop!!!!

What I did get to do was drive through the local fuel station - to take this picture. I informed my shopping pals that you HAD to see this.....

Yes, that reads $4.99 per gallon!!!!

With that - I'm going to call it a night. I'll be waking up at 6 AM to work out in the Fitness Center. May you discover a KODAK learning moment and share it with others.

Make today special - for someone else!

Lauri

Learning is FUN

Hello everyone,


It's been a wonderful day of learning......I don't even know where to begin!



The trip to Disney University was filled with amazing facts, fun and learning. Walt Disney, himself, would be impressed with the programs and processes that are in place at the largest US employer. It's hard to imagine Mr. Disney went bankrupt several times before he made it rich!


Our visit started with a tour of "Central Operations" where all the mechanical, industrial and maintenance work is done. Having spent 4 years in the Industrial Technologies department at Kirkwood I really connected and had a depth of appreciation for the work and the facilities. Although photos weren't allowed - the things we saw are forever imprinted in my mind. We then had the opportunity to visit with the Disney SafeD program staff members followed by a visit with the learning and development consultant. We had lots of opportunity to ask questions and were grateful for that! I have several ideas and thoughts about what we can consider at Kirkwood. We ended our time at Disney with a trivia quiz. I thought you'd enjoy the opportunity to see how well you know Disney too! Test your knowledge - answers are below!!!


DISNEY TRIVIA QUIZ
1) How many employees work at Disney?
2) After going bankrupt several times which movie was the "make or break" film that turned the corner for Walt Disney?
3) There are 4 Disney Parks in Orlando. Which park opened first? What year did it open?
4) Disney owns ESPN. What does ESPN stand for?
5) How many Disney buses are there at Disney World?


This evening the NCSPOD Board of Directors started our strategic planning meeting with a "I Am Form" activity. It was GREAT! I will definitely be bringing this back to Kirkwood! I will have to get up early to ensure I get my work out in and eat breakfast before we resume at 8:30 tomorrow morning.


Learning & Loving Life!
Lauri


ANSWERS
1) 60,000
2) Cinderella
3) Magic Kingdom - 1970
4) Entertaining Sports Producing Network
5) 340 - and they are ALL washed and cleaned each night!!

Expecting frost in Florida tonight

Hello followers,

It's a cool Thursday evening in Orlando. I was just watching the local news......folks down here are covering their plants, trees, and flowers due to the predicted frost this evening - low of 28 degrees. It's to warm up by Saturday.....of course that's when I'll be in meetings all day! :)

My flights were uneventful (thankfully) and Darla & Elijah welcomed me at the airport. We went to a nice Mexican restaurant for lunch and then I checked into the hotel. I've been reading, reviewing and preparing for the strategic planning meeting. I also made it down to the Fitness Center and worked out - YAH ...... I'm so proud of my continued commitment to a healthier me!

This evening I visited with Judy (Past President of NCSPOD) and her husband John. What a neat couple. They informed me that the 14th of each month is "Love Day" and for the past 25 years they've celebrated their love on the 14th of each month.....how sweet!!!!

Tomorrow will be a fun packed day at Disney. I'll share what I learn so check back tomorrow evening. Oh, one more thing, some of you may like to know that the Shell fueling station, near our hotel, is selling gas for $4.89 per gallon - YIKES!

Enjoy the magic of today.

Lauri

Heading south for some learning......

Hello learning friends,

I've got my bags packed and am anxious to travel south for some learning, laughter and strategic planning with my friends and fellow NCSPOD Board of Directors. With the recent flight delays across the east and south I'm hopeful I'll be able to bypass all of that and arrive in Orlando as scheduled tomorrow afternoon. My sister-in-law plans on picking me up at the airport (thanks Darla) and taking me out to eat before she drops me off at my hotel room. I've packed a book to read, "Finding It And Satisfying My Hunger for Life Without Opening the Fridge." by Valerie Bertinelli. I've read the first 2 chapters and so far....so good.

As President-Elect of NCSPOD I have been working, the past several days, to ensure I'm prepared for an engaging and productive strategic planning week-end. Before the strategic planning begins, Friday evening, I will be spending Friday at Disney. I know what you are thinking......Oh sure, Lauri, this sounds like hard work to me!!! However, it really is work related. One of my fellow board members knew a friend who knew a friend and has set up a wonderful behind the scenes experience that will allow us the opportunity to learn about Disney's programs and process for hiring, training and developing their employees. In my role at KCELT I am eager to learn from one of the leaders in hiring, training, and on-boarding. I'll be sharing what I learn so stay tuned! I'll post each evening so be sure to check back daily.

Once again, I'm excited to have you join me on this learning journey!

Sunny & warm Florida.....here I come!

Lauri