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Point to Ponder  Have you ever
been totally surprised at something? Surprised that you had
done something that
people noticed? Or talked about? Me too!
My trip to Toronto
started with a hectic rush to make airline connections so I could
arrive in time to help my friend Wayne Lee with the CAPS Foundation
fundraising event we'd worked on for about 6 months.
It was an amazing success
with us raising $35,083.00 over the evening. This
was a great highlight for the year and for the work everyone put
into this evening.
The next day we had our
CAPS President's ball and awards banquet where I saw my friend
Dave Rodwell go on stage as President of CAPS
Edmonton when it was announced that we'd earned the top award for
adding new Chapter members. Bravo!
Then, minutes later
fellow CAPS executive members Dave Rodwell and Dune Nguyen were on
stage as a part of a Strategic Partnerships committee given a
Presidential award.
Following that, we had
the Hall of Fame and I saw Colleen Francis inducted.
Wow!
Then, at the end of the
meeting, 2011 CAPS President Ravi Tangri (pictured
above) came on stage to present the last award of the evening.
The Spirit of
CAPS is the highest award we present within the Canadian
Association of Professional Speakers. We do so to 'recognize
one member's contribution to excellence in the speaking profession
and their commitment to the ideals and values of the Canadian
Association of Professional Speakers.' We have given
it to only 10 speakers in our 15 year history.
I was listening as Ravi
started introducing this person... when he mentioned this person was
the 1st Canadian to attend CAMP NSA, I realized he
was talking about me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I was
shocked and deeply touched at the same time.
As I wiped the tears from
my eyes on the way to the stage to accept this amazing award, I
wondered what I would say. Evidently, what I said was pretty good as
I have gotten lots of positive comments on it. I have contacted the
company who was filming the evening to see if I can get a copy. I
will share it with you when I get to hear it myself.
From what people said, I
shared this award with the hundreds of people who said yes when I
asked for help: even though I was singled out for this honor, I did
not achieve it alone.
We don't work for the
honors and the recognition, but it sure is nice to find out someone
noticed and appreciated our efforts. I think that, in itself, spurs
us on to find other ways to serve. It does me!
Until next
year...
Bob 'Idea Man'
Hooey
2012 CAPS Edmonton
President
Archives of past issues are
available on our www.ideaman.net website. Santa
Claus 'n Grandma
 I remember my first Christmas
adventure with Grandma...I was just a kid. I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her. On the way, my big sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered."Even dummies know that!" My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her "world-famous" cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true. Grandma was home, and
the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She
was ready for me...
"No Santa Claus?" she snorted..."Ridiculous! Don't you believe it! That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad!! Now, put on your coat, and let's go." "Go? Go where Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my 2nd world famous cinnamon cinnamon bun... "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it. I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's. I was only eight years
old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I
shopped for anything all by myself.
The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for... I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock's grade-two class. Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out at recess during the cold weather. His mother always wrote a note telling the teacher that he had a bad cough but all us kids knew Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, he didn't have a good coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement. I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm and he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes ma'am," I replied shyly. "It's for Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn't get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" on it... Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa's helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going." I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his door and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby. Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous... Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team. I still have the Bible, with the coat tag tucked inside: $19.95. May you always have LOVE
to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care... and may you
always believe in the magic of Santa Claus. Anonymous
Irene shared this note
with me earlier this year with a suggestion it might be appropriate
for our Dec. issue. It is!
PS: This visit with my
long-time Christmas buddy was taken in Phoenix, AZ while I was
presenting and attending CAMP NSA. Obviously he begins his tour early and has the sense to
stay warm. Last Minute News
It has been a busy month
in November and December is starting to fill as well.
My trip to CAMP NSA last
month was a special one with 8 of my fellow Canadian leaders
attending alongside their American counterparts. CAMP NSA was
started in 1998 as an investment in preparing the incoming NSA
Chapter Presidents to better serve and be successful in their roles.
I snuck in as the 1st Canadian in 1999. The following year they
opened their doors and officially invited our Canadian leaders to
attend, and they have each year since.
 Did two sessions for The Business Link here in
Edmonton. They now have it set up so folks can log in from home and
view speakers. Great idea on leveraging technology to teach and
reach. Follow
this link to see one of them.Pictured here
in Eaton Center in the Old Spice Man's chair - hey, my wife Irene
loves their commercials.
We had what
might have been our best attended CAPS Edmonton meeting with Jane
Atkinson in November. What a great way to finish up our
series. Am looking forward to our Dec 10th Christmas
meeting. Looking forward to acknowledging my friend Dave
Rodwell's leadership contribution over close to two
years.
Working on
projects and client presentations for the New Year. Also moving into
my role as 2012 President of CAPS Edmonton. Have a great team and it
will be an amazing year together.
Thanks for
reading  Bob 'Idea Man' Hooey would be pleased
to be a part of your success team and to work with you to help
make your conference, meeting, or training event a larger
success. For more information about customized keynotes,
professional and personal leadership training and coaching, or
seminars/retreats, please visit http://www.ideaman.net or call our Creative Office
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Ask about a customized
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career, company, or organizational needs.
PS: This is a shot of the
Pond at which I ponder, in the winter time.
Ask about our innovative
leadership and/or sales leaders' motivational training programs.
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