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COURTESY COACH: The Box Project
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The Tea Party Company
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Jan 31, 2005 07:24 PST
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IN THIS ISSUE:
A WORTHWHILE WINTER BOREDOM BUSTER!
PRESS RELEASE: SNOW REMOVAL ETIQUETTE
TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATORS
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HELP CULTIVATE A CULTURE OF COURTESY: PASS THIS NEWSLETTER ALONG TO YOUR
FRIENDS!
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FEBRUARY IS:
National Black History Month
National Heart Health Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Time Management Month
National Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
National Friendship Month
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TO DO THIS WEEKEND: MAKE-AHEAD VALENTINE’S WITH YOUR CHILDREN!
Check out:
http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/specialfeature/valentines_cards_ms/
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A WORTHWHILE WINTER BOREDOM-BUSTER!
I am a lifelong procrastinator when it comes to housework and clearing
out clutter. Back when I was a regular classroom teacher, I was more
inspired to keep up with it because I seemed to always have students who
could use things that my children had outgrown. But since I’ve been
working from home, it seems that when it comes to de-cluttering my home
I can always find something more ‘important’ to do.
But finally this past week I stopped the dilly-dallying and cleaned out
the basement–and what a job it was! One of the things that kept me on
task was the fact that many of the like-new hand-me-down toys or books
or clothes that I sorted through will now be delivered to a family which
my own family and I will be connected with because of The Box Project
(www.boxproject.org).
Through The Box Project, my family and I will make a lasting connection
with a needy family by providing support and sending them a box of
supplies about once a month. Their mission is to help families living
in rural poverty in America to become self-sufficient and overcome the
cycle of poverty by offering them friendship, education, and material
aid. They currently serve select areas of rural poverty including
Missippi, Maine, Appalachia, and the Native American reservations of
South Dakota.
So check out their website and while the weather prohibits outside play,
perhaps you and your family will be inspired to de-clutter as well!
**Please note that while like-new hand-me downs are accepted, this does
NOT constitute the entire commitment of becoming a volunteer family–-see
their website for details**
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PRESS RELEASE: SNOW REMOVAL ETIQUETTE
If you live in the Midwest, you may have recently heard the voice of
Cyndee Harrison of Courtesy Coaching on your local radio station
discussing some of the most important DOs and DON’Ts of snow removal
(learned by this southerner first hand since moving to Michigan!).
Here’s an excerpt from the related press release. If you’re looking to
Cultivate a Culture of Courtesy in your own snow-covered neighborhood,
please feel free to pass this along to your local radio or news station!
Have a topic you’d like to see addressed? Drop us a line at
Newsle-@teapartycompany.com!
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cyndee Harrison
Courtesy Coaching
PO Box 36671
Grosse Pointe, MI 48236
www.mannersforkids.com
(ph) 586-246-3123
Love Thy Neighbor and Shovel Thy Snow Politely
Snow Removal Etiquette
Grosse Pointe, MI, January 31, 2004-Neighbors are interesting parts of
our lives. We don’t choose them, but we co-habitate with them. And
like it or not, the fact is that we never know when we may need them.
In cold climates, it’s often true that the interactions we have with our
neighbors are greatly reduced in the wintertime, so a little kindness
towards them can go a particularly long way. And of course, the reverse
is also true so we need to act in a way that elicits the best in
others–whatever the season may be!
-Lend a hand to those who may not be physically able to shovel or who
may find walking to the store or bus stop too treacherous because of the
snow or ice.
-During this intense outdoor activity, the fact is that we can get into
somewhat of a ‘zone’ and become so focused on the task at hand that we
forget to look up and consider what’s being created by the work we are
doing so forethought and consideration are key.
-Snow which falls onto your property or the sidewalk in front of your
house is your responsibility so if, in the process of removing it you do
end up transferring some onto a neighbor’s driveway or sidewalk, it is
necessary for you to remove it right away. For closely spaced houses,
this can also mean avoiding spraying the house next door! What falls on
your property, stays on your property.
-If you street has storm drains, it is essential that these remain clear
as well in order to avoid flooding. It’s important that snow is not
piled up on the sidewalk or street.
-Another issue involving snow blowing is with the timing. Naturally,
for those who leave for work early in the morning, the only available
time to blow or shovel the snow might come early, which is disturbing to
late-rising neighbors or those with small children. When unavoidable,
it might be a nice gesture to simply make contact with the neighbor and
let them know that despite the fact that you’d rather shovel later in
the day, your work schedule prohibits it. If it is an unreasonably
early hour (earlier than say 6:00am or so) then you might want to
consider shoveling in the afternoon or evening upon your return from
-Don’t forget to keep fire hydrants visible...often a difficult task in
snow banks, but an important safety precaution.
-As with any topic, safety must come first. When snow piles are being
made all over town, it is essential that we remind children not to play
in the drifts. We should also avoid placing objects such as trash
receptacles where they can become buried by the snow.
-As is often true, communication is key to avoiding conflict or
resentment.
You know, there’s a great quote which says that the rude are troublesome
to others, but torture to themselves. So be a polite neighbor...for
yourself as well as the people who live around you!
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TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
To further Cultivate a Culture of Courtesy, we are looking to partner
with schools, businesses, and community centers who are interested in
hosting lively interactive training events for teachers, parents, and
others. Request a training quote from our website at
www.mannersforkids.com.
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The mission of The Courtesy Project is to Cultivate a Culture of
Courtesy. Our approach to this goal is three-fold. First, we will
provide direct instruction in the behaviors, skills, and values of good
manners. Secondly, we will complement and complete existing Character
Education initiatives in schools and communities by providing educators
with effective teaching tools to provide quality etiquette training for
every child. Finally, we will foster a partnership with
Considerate-Done.com, a nationwide website designed to provide both
businesses and consumers with positive solutions to courtesy issues in
the marketplace.
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SAVE THE DATE: March is International Women’s Month and in recognition,
we are helping spread the word about one of the most important
charitable organizations in the lives of women and children all over the
globe. Please visit http://www.womenforwomen.org/ today and look for
more information from Courtesy Coaching for ways that you can help!
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LOOKING AHEAD: Courtesy Coaching is excited to partner with
Considerate-Done: A click-to-complain website where consumers and others
can offer positive and helpful solutions for poor customer service and a
lack of courtesy in the marketplace today. More information will follow
in upcoming editions of Courtesy Coach!
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