A Vivid Imagination
… They always told me I had one!!!
Event Planning 101 – Be Professional!
12 years
Professional Event Managers
When you are planning your next event, there are always going to be a million things you will have to do. The list is endless and you have to determine from the start exactly how much you are going to do yourself and how much you can delegate to others. You also have to decide, very carefully, WHO you are delegating to.
Everyone is so well-intentioned when they hear you are planning a party. All your friends start to tell you what they have done in the past and what you should do because “they have learned form their experience”. Some family members will offer to help too and you figure that you now have all your bases covered.
Well, maybe you do.
And then again, maybe you don’t.
That is where you have to debate an issue – go with friends and family that have all good things in mind but may not have the time or the wear-with-all to get the task done or go to a party planner / event manager. That brings us to the crux of this article.
Usually, someone has a “friend of a friend whose cousin’s niece is into that party planning stuff”. Here is the question you need to ask – is that person a professional or just really passionate about making a social event the event of the year?
There are reasons to use a professional party planner or event manager for your upcoming event. Here’s a list of things to keep in mind when you meet with a planner/manager for the first time:
1. Come straight out with it – “Is this your profession? Or are you just doing this on the side?
Let’s face it – you barely have enough time to plan everything; if this “professional” is merely doing this in their spare time, exactly how much attention do you think they can give your event? Don’t expect any to be at your beck and call; you’ll be disappointed when any professional in any field cannot do that for you. But have a normal expectation of their availability. Phone calls should be returned by the end of a business day, e-mails should be professional and responded to expediently.
2. How long have you been planning events? How many events do you have going on simultaneously?
As with any service, longevity can give you a good sign of how the planner/manager approaches things. Many years in the business can mean a wealth of experience and a plethora of ideas, along with contracted vendors who have good working relationships with the planner. Newer managers and planners may have a great many fresh and creative ideas. Some judging of the “book” and “its cover” may be necessary – if the person is scattered and unorganized, be careful. Event management takes a person who is detail oriented and meticulous – something you should be able to see upon your first meeting. Those planners flying solo can only handle so many events at once – a company with full staffing can handle more.
3. Will you be at my event to manage it?
Some will charge for this service, some will say its included. You’re paying for it either way. If the manager will be there, it will only add to you having a pleasant experience on the day of your event.
4. What type of insurance does your company have?
Many different ones, hopefully. Liability being the most important of the insurances. Most venues will only work with fully insured vendors. So your main management company has to carry their own liability insurance and insurance for each one of their subcontractors. Be sure to ask the venue you are booking what their requirements are well in advance of your event. Many people wait far too long and trying to get updated insurance certificates and higher policy limits become extremely difficult if not impossible on the weekends when most events take place.
5. Why should I use your company?
It sounds silly but being straightforward will be the best thing you can do to insure a good working relationship with your planner. Ask the person you are considering to handle your event from beginning to end why they think you should go with their company. If they can’t give you a good enough answer, reconsider.
6. Will we be “going to contract”?
Promises, promises, promises mean nothing if your planner or any of their subcontracted companies don’t show up on the day of your event. So many times, companies that provide similar services to the ones you have booked are called and told “My flowers didn’t show” or “The magician said he got the day wrong”. If that other vendor is available, he’s got another job, you’re going crazy to find him and the vendor you originally hired and a great day can turn into a stress-filled nightmare. Contracts should list all pertinent information such as deposit requirements, cancellation policies, restrictions and requirements for you as a customer and more.
Word to the wise, do your homework and don’t be afraid to ask questions. It is your hard earned money that’s going to pay for all the festivities – make sure your get your money’s worth. And don’t forget the most important thing of all – when you are at your next event, have some fun!!!
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Richard Nixon, Pete Rose and NYC’s Dumbest Election Ever!
12 years
Crook? Gambler? Joke?
I have been shaking my head for a week or so now. I cannot understand how certain public figures seem to think that whatever it is that they do wrong, a society of amnesia victims will vote them, watch them and continue to promote them, regardless.
In my recollection, the title of this article probably refers to the “famous firsts” with major scandals – or rather, the “firsts” to be caught. We are embroiled in perhaps the dumbest election in New York City’s history – perhaps even the country’s history. Marion Barry, conviction and reelections aside (you D.C.’ers know that one all too well), this election season gives us a “middle aged, perpetually horny” candidate for mayor and a confessed client of the world’s oldest profession, running for City Comptroller.
One really has to think about what is going on here.
I was all of about 6 or 7 years old when then President Richard Nixon first denied his involvement, then resigned the office of President over something that, in today’s world almost seems inconsequential; a break-in to Democratic headquarters – all to win an election. The Watergate hearings featured H.R. Haldeman and John Erlichman and a lot of intrigue. I also remember similar hearings when certain other President’s men were deep into the thick of things with “Iran-Contra” and illegal arms deals. Well we all know how that saga played out and for those of us who lived through the September 11th attacks, the actions of those men led us down a path, changing the world forevermore.
One could not imagine living through a second possible impeachment of a United States President but “deny, deny, deny” didn’t seem to get Clinton off the hook either. His supportive wife even caught hell for “standing by her man” – it really is up to her so we should all keep our opinions to ourselves, now shouldn’t we? If Huma Abedin wants to be the new Hillary, it is her choice, whether you like it or not. She has to sleep with him as they say – but Anthony Weiner needs to admit that be he an ordinary citizen, like the rest of us, he, his family and his career would be toast!
Bringing me to more men of position and power – Major League Baseball wants to ban certain players involved in the Biogenesis Drug scandal. Great! Players like Rodriguez and Braun should be banned, season-long or lifetime. Players like McGwire, Sosa, Bonds and Clemens broke records and re-wrote baseball history. An abuse of power and record-breaking play should also be called into question with these players. No asteriks here – they should be stripped of records and banned for life also. Ruth, Gerhig, and Maris DID NOT do what these modern day players did. Pete Rose bet on games – a team sport, difficult for one person to throw, but possible. But in the larger scheme of things? Poor judgement and gambling is not the same as steroid use and the toll it takes on a human body, not to mention the tarnishing of long standing records. .
Spitzer? Need you ask?
And yet, all of these men can’t seem to understand the criticism. “It was in the past; I’m sorry and I’ve changed” is the tag line for this year’s candidates. I guess everyone can change – I don’t believe that a leopard can’t change its spots – I do believe that people can atone and turn their lives around. Living a reasonably normal existence in society as a relatively non-publicized individual is well within the realm of possibility for anyone. To blatantly flaunt your political or famous persona with an “Oh gee, I really am sorry” attitude while you seek to recover the powerful lifestyle you had, is a hard pill to swallow.
The dumbest election ever? Maybe. Do you think maybe its not about this being the dumbest election with candidates who have no right on a moral ground to run, but rather those very candidates who are looking at their constituents thinking, “They’re dumb – they won’t remember”.
Let’s see what happens in November…..
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Marriage Equality, The Catholic Church and Scandal
12 years
Here we go again….
Let me get a few things straight before we get started. I am now a lapsed Catholic – I believe everything I was taught during eight years of Catholic school – my parents both volunteered most of their time to our parish church and school, a trait they not only passed on to me but enjoyed my involvement with the church in the various roles I took. I was an altar server as a teenager (the first girl in my parish to do so), a lector, CCD teacher, Teen Club member, then leader, a Eucharistic Minister, Folk Group leader, softball and swimming coach, volunteer school aide and later, was a teacher in two different Diocesean elementary schools.
I have been “on the inside” since I was a child; my parents volunteered and brought many stories home of their dealings with the clergy and other volunteers – as a curious child, I always loved to “accidentally overhear”. I have been included with adults and their conversations when I was younger as the only kid in the room most times – “You’re smart – you understand” is what I often heard. Dinners over the years with clergy members, from nuns and priests, to pastors and Diocesean big wigs – I have had the honor to know many Bishops in later years as well as a great number of priests, sharing many conversations and a few glasses of wine with some.
All that being said, I can say to you, I am a Catholic. I believe in my faith, my love for the “Hippie Jesus”, as I like to call him, that I was introduced to as a kid – the 70’s showed us a handsome man with long hair, in a robe and sandals, loving everyone, forgiving everyone – shunning no one but the hypocrites at the Temple. I believe we are here for a reason, to do all the good we can, love one another, celebrate in the joys of a heavenly paradise when we leave this earth, surrounded by the ones we love. Based on that, I want to believe in the best in people, love conquering all, and in the end, goodness in what people do, think and say.
And as I said, here we go again….
I read an article in the Diocesean newspaper recently that began with the sentence “the June 26th decision by the Supreme Court was a tragic day for the Church and the world”. On that day, the United States Supreme Court handed down two decisions regarding marriage equality. The Defense of Marriage Act was dead, California’s Prop 8 was declared null as the people who brought suit did not have the right to do so. Finally, the United States government, the Federal level would be acknowledging same-sex marriages and all the Federal laws and statutes afforded heterosexual couples since this country was founded would be equally afforded to homosexual couples.
This decision was a landmark in the history of America – and one that the Catholic church calls “tragic”. The article seemed to be a repetitive rant stating the Church’s belief that the “truth about marriage” was that it is “one man, one woman, for life”. That is their view, steadfast and pure. But it causes me to ask one question, speaking of steadfast and pure (emphasis on pure) – why has the Catholic Church not been as vocal, passionate and condemning of their own scandal involving sex?
Today, on a New York City radio station, I heard a story of a Catholic priest,”defrocked” because of allegations, later proof of child molestation, who had lost his home because of Superstorm Sandy. As a result of him having “nowhere else to go”, a parish in a neighboring city had taken him in and allowed him to live in the parish rectory. Um, anyone see a problem here?
One of the last years I taught, the faculty was informed of a new Music Director the parish had hired – he would also be running the children’s choir. I distinctly remember another teacher and I both raised our heads up when we heard the man’s name – he had been a parish priest in my home parish where this other faculty member had also taught. We raised our heads because this priest had been in the parish leading the altar boy, sports, teen and music programs. He was there for many years and then suddenly, gone. No explanation – just gone. Now he was the new music director in the school where I was teaching. The other faculty member and I were called into the principal’s office right after the meeting – we were sat down and told that under no circumstances were we to say we knew this new music director. Much younger, more naive, we questioned once and were told we would be “let go” if anything came out about where he was from. Very strange, we both thought, but as the Church’s scandal issues had not been brought forth at that time and because we couldn’t imagine what would have elicited this preemptive reprimand, and valuing our jobs, we left well enough alone. Years later, that priest/music director’s name was in the Daily News as a priest who had been transferred from parish to parish because of child molestation accusation and charges. We were in disbelief.
But this is a M.O. the Catholic Church has used for years, time and time again, in many different parishes all over the world. It is inexcusable, deviant behavior on the part of people entrusted to lead believers, shaping their spiritual beings over lifetimes. It is an abuse of position, power and a deception, the scale of which can only be rivaled in suspense thrillers. Yet the Church not only continues to deny their actions, they vehemently chastise others. “Do as I say, not as I do”. How can even one parish priest, a pastor in charge of their parish make such a grievous decision to take in an accused/convicted child molester? Or should we look at this as “Hippie Jesus” would have – forgiveness, compassion, understanding, rehabilitation of a fallen man? Taking it one step further, if we choose to look at the actions of this pastor as compassionate, should we not, as the whole Church look at “marriage equality” with the same compassion? After all, how is it that a Church, with “Hippie Jesus” as its “front man”, if you will, can’t be all about love? That damn four letter word that has been getting men and women in trouble since Adam and Eve – LOVE!
Compassion for those who hide who they are for fear of familial shunning, societal scorn and religious ridicule – when will the Church recognize the fact that many men have grown up, victims of the Church’s scandalous behavior and have floundered as adults, some even choosing suicide as an option to relieve their pain? When will the Church who professes compassion, concern and love realize that many people in the LGBT community want to be good Catholics but have nowhere to turn within the Church only to leave an institution they grew up in and for some, choosing to end their own lives because the pain and shunning is too great? More and more lapsed Catholics lead to dwindling church attendance, less proselytizing on behalf of an ancient order and the contradiction just seems to create a wider and deeper chasm between the believers that are left.
Perhaps it is the word LOVE we should really invest our attention to – “walk a mile in another man’s shoes” – empathy for others brings about the highest level of love regardless of religious, political, economic, or lifestyle standing.
When push comes to shove, where do you stand on the “Empathy Scale”? Think about your faults and what criticism and shunning you may face as a result of your beliefs – think about being the minority when it comes to that position. Perhaps then, you can truly understand what being human is all about.
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“Stronger Than The Storm”…
12 years
#STTS – one would hope!
By now, most people (at least those in the Northeast) are familiar with the commercials featuring the jingle, “Cause we’re stronger than the storm”. Running on both TV and radio, the driving rythmn of this promotion makes you stop and take note.
The Jersey shore is back as they boast in the commercial – even Governor Chris Christie and his family appear, the state’s biggest cheerleaders, reiterating the jingle – not even a storm can hold back the spirit of the Jersey-ites! But let’s be honest here, stronger? It sounds nice, positive, and downright optimistic. However, for most homeowners, small business owners and people who just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time last October, the word “stronger” brings more sarcastic humor to the table than anything else.
My scorecard from Superstorm Sandy?
Three cousins with completely destroyed basements – every momento, appliance, and memory – gone in an instant. One cousin’s house was almost completely destroyed by the Atlantic Ocean. Over one dozen cars, both personal and those used for business – flooded. A 105 year old business flooded – its first and basement floors rendered useless. The business my partner and I put every ounce of our effort into for 20 years, gone along with every piece of equipment. Buildings so damaged that going back down to brick was the only solution.
Now after most of the repairs have been done, let’s talk about how the government sponsored programs have worked for us “victims”.
There was a tremendous amount of money “set aside” by the Federal government for people that were the latest victims of Mother Nature’s wrath. The United States Senate passed a $50.5 billion aid package and a $9.7 billion increase in national flood insurance in early January. Sandy victims were told that $60.2 billion was indeed set aside for them and financial rescue would be on its way. Then the rejection letters started piling in.
Any program, whether on the state level or the Federal level came with it a huge amount of paperwork. Funny how in the first few days, the paperwork was downplayed and every FEMA/SBA worker, every NYCEDC staffer, Congressmen, City Council Members and any other dignitary who was around at that time, reassured the “victims” that they would indeed be “there for all of you”. The money was allocated and once approved, we would be able to come back “stronger than before”, kind of like the jingle says.
People who open a small business are told that most businesses fail within the first year or two. I have watched businesses that were “in business” for 3, 5, 10, 20 years or more struggle over the last few years – from terrorist attacks to economic downturn to the “bubble of the week” that burst and now, a 100 year storm. A good number of these businesses tried every way to get approval from whatever agency would listen. A lot just never reopened. The required paperwork assumes that every person in a small business has enough time in the course of their day to be completely caught up with their record keeping, invoicing and debt totals and the ability to continue a clean-up, the likes of which most people should never have to see in their lifetime’s while trying to maintain their business footing in a very competitive market during “iffy” economic times and corral the required financial paperwork. And to boot, a lot of businesses have all their property on one level – so most paperwork, financials, computers and more were swept out with the tide, making compliance almost impossible. In Coney Island, 98 “micro businesses” came back after the Superstorm – over 75% of those businesses footing their own bill – no help, no loans, no grants (save for a $500 dollar grant from the Alliance for Coney Island).
The point of this article is not to cry over what has happened. The purpose of this article is to warn small and microbusiness owners. The days of the pizza man with his receipts in a shoe box are not ever going to go away – let’s face it, some businesses are just that small and although most people couldn’t live without their computers, there are still many people in business that rely on support staff or other professionals to pull it all together once or twice a year. Even so, accounting software, tax laws, credit applications and government filings are a daunting process. Stay on top of your business’ “business” – know when too much is just that – too much. Small business is a gamble even in the best of times.
Second opinions make sense when dealing with health issues; second opinions should matter where the health of your business is concerned also. Take yearly inventory or your insurance policies – liability, property, general, umbrella and don’t forget Worker’s Compensation and Disability. Make sure employee numbers and equipment purchases are noted and updated whenever they change. Make sure you “self-insure” for those things that are never supposed to happen but do. It may not be a lot that you can put away, but the rainy day can come sooner than you ever expect and 3, 5, 10 or 20 years seem like a blink of the eye.
Regardless of what other community based businesses or organizations tell you, ALWAYS get involved with the community you are in. The particular industry our business has been involved in has always stressed community involvement and activism in order to spread the word about our products and services. Many years ago, we spoke to business owner’s in our community about going to Community Board meetings and Chamber of Commerce meetings – we were told that “those people” were shady and crooked and you “really didn’t want to get involved with that sort of thing”. Funny thing about that is the same people who told us not to get involved with the local groups are now “in tight” with them and (surprisingly, or not) are receiving media attention and (funnier) money. Go to those meetings, network, network, NETWORK!!! It is the key to knowing what is going on, how you can be involved and most importantly, regardless of the size of your business, you will never be “too small to be forgotten” in the eyes of your community.
One question still remains, and that would be where all the Federal Aid promised is going. New programs seem to be cropping up constantly as the money allotted still sits in Federal coffers. Hopefully, the “right thing” will be done (eventually) and sometime before the micro businesses go under for the last time (pardon the pun), help will truly arrive.
via PressSync
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The Pup That Almost Wasn’t
12 years
by Jane Parmel
in That's Adogable
The happy puppy!
A puppy.
How many children have ever asked for that one simple thing?
A puppy.
Now, you may say “Well, its simple from a child’s perspective but dogs are a lot of work”. That much is true. There is the training and housebreaking, trips to the vet, the groomer and more. Play time, sleep time, time to eat, treat time and more.
But here’s the thing – the big payoff in the end – the undying, unwavering, unconditional love and loyalty from that furry, four legged bucket of love – something that once you have, you never want to lose. That is the one irreplaceable thing – the reason we dog lovers do what we do!
My first confession? I purchased my puppy. I didn’t go to a shelter and rescue – I walked into a pet store and paid outright for my pet. Maybe not the “politically correct” thing to do in this day and age, but you will soon see why it may have been fate that I did. Not knowing too much about dogs, I trusted the store owner and was surprisingly disappointed to say the least. After one week and an insane level of attachment to this puppy, he became violently ill. The largest animal hospital in Manhattan basically told me that he was in very bad shape and “needed to be hospitalized for a week or so”.
Here are the lessons learned from my experience: first, “buyer beware” – stand alone pet stores really are not “regulated” per se – with only themselves to answer to, cutting corners and shady practices with the care of their animals is a strong possibility. Secondly, if you choose to purchase a dog, do your homework – find a reputable and licensed breeder. Visit their facilities – make sure to look everywhere and ask plenty of questions. How many animals are kept at any time? How often is the facility cleaned?
Third on the list would be to bring your new puppy to a recommended veterinarian – one recommended by someone you know who has a dog – not one that the breeder recommends. Have the puppy checked for everything at that first visit – worms, parasites, deformities, etc. Not to say you wouldn’t keep the pet but it is good to know what you are dealing with.
Remember, this is not just another purchase or an investment – this is a living, breathing new member of your family. The level of attachment escalates very quickly – you fall in love before you even realize it. Take the time to insure that your new little puppy will be around for a long time.
