Memorial Day is a day to remember all those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice; those who died in military service to our country.

In between all the fun this weekend, take a moment to remember them, too.  Watch this 3 1/2 minute history.com video about Memorial Day.  Then, share it with others.

http://www.history.com/flash/VideoPlayer.swf?vid=3092043701

Every parent of the forty who were recognized last night can have a bursting heart this morning.  Today, I am also thankful for the diverse talents among the entire group of honorees.

There were doctors, lawyers, military professionals, and authors.  We were introduced to local legislators, musicians, and entrepreneurs.  We met a man who owns a racing team and another who writes a food blog. We heard success stories rooted in a wide variety of pursuits.

Every one of these men and women are deeply involved in their community.  As impressive as their personal resumes are, it was great to see the that they also used their passion, skills and commitment to help the underserved.  Many of the Forty under 40 serve on non-profits boards, mentor youth, advise start-ups, or have founded their own community service organization.  They fight hunger, cancer, and child abuse.  They preserve neighborhoods, cultures, and history.

I come away from these types of events hopeful for our future.  We are lucky to have the honorees’ enthusiasm, energy and smarts to lead us there.

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Tomorrow is Administrative Professionals Day.  I don’t think our office is any different than most when it comes to the value of our administrative professional, a.k.a. Stacie*.  Anyone who needs to know almost anything, find almost anyone, or generally accomplish the impossible knows that she is one to count on.

She handles a wide variety of duties from executive travel arrangements to coordinating community giving events.  She probably knows more than anyone about the business because everyone trusts her with important, often confidential, information, challenges and projects.  She listens with a smile, follows through on every commitment,  and never says, “that’s not my job.”

She deserves much more than we can give her, but that’s not a reason to just let the day go by.  Let’s create a “gratitude jam!”  I’m challenging everyone to write a notecard, send an email or stop by her desk and share gratitude for whatever she has done to help you – and you know she has done something!

*Fill in your administrative professional’s name here!

Blog readers – - -

If you’re lucky enough to have an administrative professional that you can’t imagine working without, be sure to express your gratititude and appreciation.  On the way in to work tomorrow, stop and pick up some fresh flowers, write a heartfelt card, and send him/her home early.  Then, try to do the work yourself.  Whether you manage it well or not, you’ll really be filled with gratitude on Thursday when he/she returns!  (And, since that will be “Thank you Thursday,” you know what to do!)

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude. ~Author Unknown

Tuesday Tidbits are weekly messages I send to my leadership team. They are generally short & sweet, often focused on leadership or teamwork, always positive and, hopefully, motivational. I hope you also find some meaning in them.

Today, I am thankful to be old enough to remember Saturday afternoons watching American Bandstand.

I can’t help but smiling as I think about watching the dancers so I could learn the newest steps.  I remember the weekly Rate-A-Record segment; “It’s got a good beat and is easy to dance to” was a popular score justification.  Everyone wanted to be like the cool kids on American Bandstand.

Then there are the contributions made to popular music, introducing rock ‘n roll to the masses as the first show to merge popular music and TV.  Songs introduced on the show one week were top forty hits the next.  There are landmark music history moments, too.  Dick Clark changed the ‘all white” rule of the previous host and provided a national stage for Little Anthony, Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker and more.  On the air for thirty years, American Bandstand introduced stars from Buddy Holly to Madonna, the Everly Brothers to Donna Summer.

Although there are numerous other television shows that Dick Clark is responsible for, American Bandstand is what I will most remember him for, with much gratitude and appreciation.

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Continuing a nearly seventy year tradition, the President issued a proclamation declaring March to be American Red Cross month.  How incredible then that, just three days in to the month, the organization’s disaster services are desperately needed.

The Red Cross has mobilized to provide emergency assistance in eleven states hit by Friday’s tornado outbreak.  By Friday evening, their quick response teams had already opened 22 shelters, providing local residents with food, clothes and a safe and warm place to rest.  The Red Cross also provides physical and mental health experts out in the field to offer counseling and support through injury and grief.  They work with damage assessment teams to calculate the scope of damage done and what it will take to rebuild. 

The work of the Red Cross is too important to not help.  Here is how you can help fill the need for food, clothing, medical supplies, clean water and experts to help the local residents impacted by the storms:

If someone would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes and floods, they can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to their local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

If you ever need the Red Cross, they will be there for you.  Today, be there for them.

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In honor of the start of the major league baseball season, this week’s Tuesday Tidbit post included several baseball quotes that can also be applied to the workplace.  After reading the message at work, one of my team members sent me the following email:

You are just a wonder, El.  This one really sums up the Client Services ‘world’ you created/maintained here at (the office), and it really can’t be stated much better:

“Be on time. Bust your butt. Play smart. And have some laughs along the way.” -Whitey Herzog

You know what?  I’m thankful to be described that way!

What sports quote would describe your leadership style?  Or, maybe a sports movie title?

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If you’ve paid attention to international news lately, you know that there is serious conflict happening in Syria.  This conflict has led many Syrians to abandon their homes, seeking refuge in neighboring countries.  Earlier this week, I got the email below from the United Nations Refugee Agency.

I can’t add anything more that would make a difference. Please help. Today.

Dear Eleanor,

We are in urgent need of your support.

As you know, the fighting in Syria is intense, and some 30,000 refugees have already fled in desperation.  More are coming.  They need immediate assistance, and I’m asking you for your immediate and generous support.

Families are pouring over the borders into Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.  They have fled with little more than the clothes on their back, clutching their children and fearing for their lives.  The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is already helping – but I’ve just received an urgent update:

UNHCR needs 2,400 more blankets and other critical supplies like tents and hygiene kits, and they need them now.

They can buy blankets and get them delivered quickly but we must raise the emergency funding to purchase them in the next eight days.  So I ask for your help.

Please donate today to help us buy blankets and other humanitarian assistance for Syrian refugees.

Just $55 will help buy blankets for one refugee family. Click here to access our secure website to make an easy and safe contribution.  And please do it right away – because you might think of the Middle East as being hot and dry, but tonight’s forecast is proof that no child should be sleeping outside without warm covers:

In Lebanon and Jordan, the temperatures will get down to 47ºF/8ºC, and in Turkey it’s even colder – 38ºF/3ºC.

They don’t have homes, they don’t have beds, they don’t have camping gear.  They have hope – hope that you and I will help them.  Please donate today.

Please give generously right away; we must raise the funds for 2,400 blankets in the next eight days. 

Jo Sullivan
Executive Director
USA for UNHCR
www.UNRefugees.org
info@usaforunhcr.org

 PS:  We must raise the money to provide 2,400 blankets in the next eight days.  Can you please help?  Click here to make a compassionate donation to help a refugee family in urgent need. 

St. Patrick’s Day might be over, but you can continue to honor your Irish heritage by supporting The Ireland Funds, “the global Irish making a difference together.”  In addition to eleven other worldwide Ireland Fund organizations, the largest is right here in the United States, with twelve chapters across the country.

For 35 years, the American Ireland Fund has been helping people in need by supporting worthy projects in both Ireland and the U.S.  All of The Ireland Funds currently concentrate on seven priority areas: providing access to education, supporting a shared future for Northern Ireland, investing in Ireland’s communities, promoting Irish culture and heritage, assisting the elderly “Forgotten Irish,” assisting disadvantaged youth and promoting philanthropy.

The specific initiatives supported by The American Ireland Fund include:

Providing improved school facilities and classroom equipment totalling over $1 million to the Integrated Education movement. Still, 94% of all children in Northern Ireland attend segregated schools (Catholic/Protestant). Much work remains and The American Ireland Fund is committed to create a shared society through integrated education.

Thanks to lead funding from The American Ireland Fund, Sesame Workshop initially created 26 episodes of Sesame Tree for Northern Ireland’s children. Early follow-up studies by Queen’s University, Belfast show that after watching Sesame Tree, children are more willing to be inclusive of those from other backgrounds.

The American Ireland Fund has announced a partnership with the Irish Government in funding a toll-free helpline that is collaboration between all three Irish centers. Modeled on a successful initiative in Ireland, the U.S. Senior Connect Helpline is available for seniors who are isolated, lonely or in need of services.

If you would like to support these good works in Ireland, click HERE to donate now. For a more social experience, you can join various organizations and societies promoting Irish cultural exploration and celebration by following this link.

You can also make a special St. Patrick’s Day gift to the Promising Ireland campaign, a special effort of The American Ireland Fund to raise $100 million by the end of 2013.  Need for services in Ireland is up and resources are down; this campaign will help needed services continue on the island.

As always, you should research any organization you are considering making a donation to.  Click HERE for Charity Navigator’s rating of The American Ireland Fund.

Then, while skimming my morning updates, I read a post about International Women’s Day, written by daughter, Heather Whaling, aka @prtini.  Inspiration took over, and here is the result.

Two years ago, I wrote a post called Is International Women’s Day Still A Good Idea? bemoaning the fact that - or at least questioning why – there is still a need for this day.

Today, my daughter’s post, Ladies, Get Our Of Your Own Way, explains why there is.

Today (and every day), I am thankful that Heather Whaling is my daughter.

Heather is a wildly successful entrepreneur, founder and president of Geben Communication.  Her business is growing daily, it seems.  She is an excellent public speaker; she really knows her stuff.  She is an expert writer on all things public relations, especialy in today’s social media world.  She has been published numerous times on well-known industry sites and publications, and her blog is a resource for many.  Heather co-moderates PR2.0 chat on Tuesday nights and frequently speaks to PR classes at local colleges.  She truly is an expert in her field.  She doesn’t just talk about “communicating…connecting“, she lives it.

Heather has a heart for those in need and takes action to help.  She visited Haiti to see firsthand how the Heart of Haiti program is helping local Haitian artisans rise above the earthquake horrors.  When she lived in another state, she served on the board of a battered women’s shelter.  Here locally, she supports The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio.  Over the years, she has offered countless tips and hours of help to various non-profits whose missions she believes in.

As her Mom, all of the above are reasons to be proud of her.  But, she’s much more.  She is joyful, compassionate, and dedicated.  She’s comfortable in nearly any social situation.  Heather is both intelligent and wise.  She loves politics (Election Day is her favorite day of the year!). Heather loves the New York Yankees, red wine, vegetables and off the beaten path restaurants.  And shoes.  She has a strong marriage to a wonderful guy, who is also a successful entrepreneur.  Heather and Mike are a perfect match for each other.  They do not “complete” each other – they support each other’s greatness and give the other the space in which to shine.  Her friends are outstanding people in their own right, and I’m honored to know many of them.

So, why am I blabbering on and on about Heather?  To answer the question in the last line of her post today.

What women in your life will you celebrate today?

The Red Cross has mobilized to provide emergency assistance in eleven states hit by Friday’s tornado outbreak.  By Friday evening, their quick response teams had already opened 22 shelters, providing local residents with food, clothes and a safe and warm place to rest.  The Red Cross also provides physical and mental health experts out in the field to offer counseling and support through injury and grief.  They work with damage assessment teams to calculate the scope of damage done and what it will take to rebuild. 

The work of the Red Cross is too important to not help.  Here is how you can help fill the need for food, clothing, medical supplies, clean water and experts to help the local residents impacted by the storms:

If someone would like to help people affected by disasters like tornadoes and floods, they can make a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief by visiting www.redcross.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to their local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

If you ever need the Red Cross, they will be there for you.  Today, be there for them.