Ode to ODI

By Lisa Malloy

Sorry, you won't find any lyrical rhyming here...maybe I should have consulted Ashley Roussel, who I am personally recommending as League Chanteuse for 2011-2012...but hopefully you'll find a little kernel of leadership inspiration you can use somewhere in your life. If not, I'll settle for a chuckle. Hey, give me a break, I needed a title!

If you want to learn how to sell cookbooks, talk to the ladies from Texas. I never will be able to resist a homemade peanut butter cup! Speaking of target marketing, communicating to all "generations" of the League from veterans to boomers to Gen X'ers and Gen Y'ers isn't one size fits all. If we want sustainer participation, the blog or facebook probably won't get them in the door. An evite works for me, while my nieces prefer facebook "events" and my mom is still a Hallmark-junkie! Communication = sent + received + understood.

Want your kids to impress Grandma or that cute fireman at the annual pancake breakfast? A little trick to help kids learn which glass is theirs at a formal table: Hold both hands in front of you, palms facing each other. Using the tips of your thumb and forefinger, make circles on each hand. The remaining three fingers in each hand point upwards. Your left hand will form a "b" and your right hand will form a "d". Bread plate (b) is on the left, and drink (d) is on the right. (Now, about that soup, I don't think you can blame me for "going left" when it was served AFTER the main course...)

Recruiting isn't about the mission statement, it's about the impact you can make on potential members. Rather than memorizing the mission & vision and reciting them verbatim, put your own spin on it! JLPA-MP - a group of fabulous women learning together and making a difference in the community. Your passion will come through. Diversity isn't just about the numbers, it's about inclusion. It doesn't matter if we can check off all the "boxes", if everyone doesn't feel part of the League. I bet you're wondering where should we hold the next meeting?

Yes, you can wear a white sweater (or cowboy boots or peep-toe shoes or - insert favorite fashion item here - ) in October in Houston.

We've all probably seen the commercial about hiding the veggies in the Spaghettios and my mother-in-law "hides" the spinach in the meatloaf...how about hiding the training in the meeting? Did you know that Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and runs to October 15? You do now!! September 15 is significant as the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

Knowledge only helps the organization if it is passed down...it's not too early to start thinking about your leadership transitions. Fill up those Committee forums, Council Assistants! Be sure to use your "big girl voice" to suggest improvements, too.

Paper airplanes aren't just for kids. Next time you see me, ask me about it! First, I'll thank you for reading this far in my blog post and then I'll tell you the story. Great for all the event planners among us.

Oh, and Dad can handle a 10 month old for 72 hours while you have a little "me" time...ok, there was that peach-rice-pudding for dinner incident. No harm, no foul!

Thanks for the opportunity to represent the League at ODI!

ODI: Organizational Development Institutes are a series of trainings sponsored by the AJLI (Association of Junior Leagues International). For more information, visit the AJLI website at www.ajli.org . To access the member area, retrieve your AJLI number from your profile in our Member Directory.