REGIONAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT

Transcription

1 THE A PUBLICATION FOR SWEET ADELINES REGIONAL LEADERS REGIONAL LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT We recognize that happy, successful members and chapters are the foundation of Sweet Adelines International and that Regional Management Teams (RMTs) play a vital role in achieving this outcome. To that end, the mission of the Regional Leadership Committee is to serve the members of the RMTs, enabling them to increase their leadership capabilities through education, communication and peer support. PERPETUAL OPTIMISM IS A FORCE MULTIPLIER. THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF A LEADER S ENTHUSIASM AND OPTIMISM IS AWESOME. U.S. ARMY GENERAL (RETIRED) COLIN POWELL February 2016 THEPIPELINE 1

2 Each of us has probably heard about the idea that if we act in a positive, self-confident style, our brain will program us to gradually become that confident person we are portraying. Dr. J.C. Lafferty, a staff member of Human Synergistics, an international management consultancy firm in Plymouth, Mich., believes positive change is a matter of organizing the way an individual thinks. He coined the term achievement thinking, a process that accomplishes success in any human enterprise. Following such a powerful statement, here is what Lafferty calls his five central ideas. A better way of doing something always exists. The threshold step to achievement thinking is a pervasive conviction that there is always a better way of doing a task or an assignment or perhaps even just relaxing! The trick to nurturing and maintaining this attitude is to see yourself always as green and growing, and never as ripe and withering. As General Powell opines: If it ain t broke, don t fix it is the mindset that assumes (or hopes) that today s realities will continue tomorrow in a linear and predictable fashion. And, of course, it has been proven, over and over, this just isn t the case. You can t depend on luck to realize your goals. Achievement thinkers learn to focus on actual steps that have to be taken to accomplish specific goals. It s the opposite of believing in chance, charms or some kind of magic. It s the essence of reality: understanding the present, visualizing the future and determining what has to be done to realize your goal. The efforts of an achievement thinker make a difference. She has a bone-deep confidence that her efforts count and can really make a difference. That feeling empowers oneself and convinces others to forge ahead and succeed. Regional leadership is inspirational because it allows us to experience the success of the members in our region. Inspiration feeds on itself and leads to private and personal motivation in all we touch. Setting goals is an indispensable activity in achievement thinking. Our goals should be feasible standards of excellence. If set too low, they can sap motivation and energy. If set too high, they may dispirit others by programming for disappointment. Lafferty suggests moderate to high goals, which are reasonable under most circumstances, are best because they strike a balance between what is attainable and what is hoped for. Regular feedback is necessary to be successful over the long run. The old adage: No person was ever so much deceived by others as by herself stresses the importance of asking for and receiving feedback to help us grow. SOME MENTAL SHIFTS OFTEN NEEDED FOR LEADERS Leadership can be developed and nurtured by making some of these mental shifts: Direct responsibility for a particular task TO responsibility for many tasks being completed; A self-concept based on personal achievement TO a self-concept based on a group s achievement; Maintaining status quo TO leading through constant change and helping others do the same; and, Responsibility for the well-being of a smaller group TO responsibility for contributions to the entire organization s well-being. In your role as regional leaders, you are one of the most important factors in Sweet Adeline s commitment to excellence because you know your members and understand the programs and assistance that works best for them. We believe each of you is in a perpetual search for excellence in your life and in the life of your region. The Regional Leadership Committee is so grateful for all you continue to do for this life-changing international organization that we re proud to call our own. You re the BEST!! From your Regional Leadership Committee, Marilyn Cox, Chair Debra Aungst Denise Fly February 2016 THEPIPELINE 2

3 Registration is now OPEN! Early Bird Rates end April 24, 2016 Register at: sweetadelines.com/aha JULY 15 17, 2016 UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND February 2016 THEPIPELINE 3

4 Register Today! 2016 Directors Seminar Hotel Monteleone New Orleans, Louisiana August 18 20, 2016 Registration is Now Open! Registration is open to frontline directors. If space is available, registration will open to assistant directors on April 18, Reserve your spot today! Register at February 2016 THEPIPELINE 4

5 WE'RE ALL-IN FOR VEGAS 2016 OCT EARLY BIRD RATES END April 22, 2016 Register today at February 2016 THEPIPELINE 5

6 ALL NEW Shout Out ADS Tell your favorite Sweet Adelines CONGRATULATIONS, GOOD LUCK or just send a special SHOUT OUT in THE PITCHPIPE! $450 $200 $100 Great for regions, choruses, quartets, friends and family to show their support! Send in 25 words or less, one to two high-resolution photos, and we will do the rest! Space is Limited! Contact Communications Department at or communications@sweetadelines.com February 2016 THEPIPELINE 6