Who would think that building a portfolio would be a spin-off of having a blast! Many skills and qualities were demonstrated by a couple of ladies with whom I had the privilege to volunteer recently.Creativity, a willingness to step up to the plate and out of the box, and an ability to work as part of a team were merely a few qualities demonstrated by what I will fondly call the 'Dynamic Duo’. Maybe their experiences will inspire you to take action as well! But now I need to step back in time a tad.
“Brrrr. Turn up the heat please! … It's cold in here,” I stated while taking off a sweater and leaving only bare arms and a t-shirt. This was my comment to Woodstock City Council and the Rogers Cable audience on February 7 as part of a skit to raise awareness about energy conservation. It is in fact amazing how many people act without thinking. Some folks will crank up the heat and then put on a t-shirt in winter, or equally off the wall, they turn on the air conditioner and then put on a sweater in summer!
Preparing for National Sweater Day took on a life of its own this year. As a member of the Woodstock Environmental Advisory Committee, I was tasked to promote National Sweater Day. I enticed Ashley Morley, an Account Manager from K104.7 Heart FM, to assume the voice of reason on their radio station using several radio clips we concocted. I would quickly learn this voice of reason also had a sense of humour. Ashley adeptly morphed from her regular voice to that of an English Granny, then transitioned into the dual role of Granny and Grandchild interchangeably! Apparently always up for a challenge, Ashley accepted my second dare and donned a lovely fluorescent green wig. Together ... we 'sort of crashed’ a City Council meeting with a surprise skit. But not before we rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed at the local Coffee Culture Cafe. After all, every ‘performance’ needs practise!
And then there was Katherine Day, who happily produced her camera and snapped lovely photos of various people in their various sweaters; she also helped draw various sweater and energy conservation enthusiasts to the related Facebook photo contest. (Hmmm, 'various' seems to be the word of the day!) At lunch-time on February 7, Katherine affixed herself at Coffee Culture Cafe where she and I engaged the unexpecting public. With just a little persuasion, several people became ‘models of the moment’ in their warm and fuzzy sweaters! And continuing to be part of the action, Katherine brought her children to the council meeting that same evening to assure they had a chance to see ‘honest to goodness actresses in action’. (Okay, I am pushing my luck here but we did have fun!) You rock, young lady!
In the photo above, taken at the council meeting, is Woodstock City Councillor Jim Northcott, who sits on the Woodstock Environmental Advisory Committee, along with K104.7 Heart FM's Ashley Morley, myself, and Katherine Day, my snap happy photography friend! Ladies, you are both to be commended for your talent and enthusiasm. Thank you! And thank you as well to Woodstock Hydro for your enthusiastic support both in principle and financially, in that you helped fund some of the radio clips used for National Sweater Day!
Now wouldn't you agree, that WAS a great way to build a resume ... while also having a blast?
Do check out my other blog topics while on here! I love writing about people and what inspires them. I also discuss various career and employee development topics, usually with a dash of humour or a grain of salt! I welcome you to join me, and to leave a comment!
Catherine Stewart-Mott; Forward Momentum Services
forwardmomentum.contact@gmail.com
