Today (Friday) was the Retreat.
(Please click Retreat to read all about this event)
The decorations went up.
The tables were dressed.
I had my speech rehearsed and hair combed.
Me, going over my notes, with butterflies in my stomach.
*********************
Before
After
Before
After*********************
I arrived early, just in time for the sun to come into the room.
Our main speaker.
Yes, that's me in front of all our members, gulp, speaking.
Things were going very well. Then I found out that our 2nd speaker
was running 45 minutes late.
Yikes!
Time for, me, Christine to improvise.
Our Union rep stretched her talk a little
longer than planned....
we handed out door prizes early....
and to cap off this segment,
I became one of those 'Last Comic Standing' comedians.
I brought out my bag of jokes.
(Had them ready just for this type of thing!)
Finally, our 2nd speaker arrived...Whew!... and we continued on.
There are only so many jokes you can tell without the tomatoes being tossed.
Each member received one of these.
A planting pot, dirt disc, and herb seeds.
Remember, our theme was,
"Learn, Grow and Be Excellent."
Just showing how many of these we made. A lot!After Thoughts:
I have been the Emcee for the school Secretarie's retreat
for three years. If you told me 5 years ago that I'd be in
front of the best secretaries, for the best school district in our
state, I would have laughed. That was not me.
But, I took the challenge
knowing that the experience would be one more thing
pushing me outside my comfort level.
Bring on my next challenge!
~~~~~~Y~~~~~~
~Tidbit~
Probably the biggest tip for emcees is to tell the client that as emcee, during the event, you will only answer to one person and you will only make changes in the program if that one person approves. This reduces confusion and makes life a lot easier for the emcee. Every single emcee program I have done has gone smoothly as a result. — Al McCree
Christine, you did a wonderful job with decorating and theme. I loved the vase arrangements! Wow, there's a lot you can do with branches and tissue paper. It looked lovely. Great job and great improvise:)
ReplyDeleteAren't you glad it's over!
I'm so glad everything went well for you! And it's a good thing you had a few jokes and other tricks up your sleeve when you needed them. I love the decorations, too. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteLove the room decor! I'm sure you were wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud of you. The room looked just beautiful! I'm glad it done and you can now relax knowing what a great time everyone had.
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Kimmy
So glad that is behind you and all went well. I have no doubt that you impressed everyone there! Hope you have a nice relaxing weekend. :-)
ReplyDeleteDD
You look adorable! I speak in front of groups of ladies occassionally. Hate those butterflies...and I always have to pee! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you did a wonderful job. The room, tables, and gifts look beautiful! I'm sure you had some great advise for the other secretaries, too! Your jobs are so important! :)
Christine,
ReplyDeleteI'm so very proud of you! God set before a challenge, something that was outside of your comfort box and your jumped in feet first! Way to go my dear Friend!
The room turned out so very pretty! I love all the huge bright colorful flowers, I'll have to steal this idea sometime!
What a sweet way to bless others!
Dee Dee
Your room went through a major transformation and it looks beautiful. Congrats on delivering your speech and for improvising while waiting for the 2nd speaker. That's not easy to do!!
ReplyDeleteYou should be very proud of yourself.
Jane
Christine, you are so inspiring. I deeply admire people who move out of their comfort zones and meet new challenges. My hat's off to you dear lady! You and the decorations were beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIn the "going over your notes" photo I did see the "butterflies in your stomach (face)".
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave, brave, woman!
Congratulations on a job well done. The best school district in the state is lucky to have you!
Wow!! So pretty...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the peek............. hats off to you for having the wild boldness to walk outside some comfort zones!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I have always wanted to be a school secretary!!! Lucky you!!! I mean that. I've done all kinds of jobs, but always thought that being a school secretary would be so versatile. Good for you, girl. You are my hero. I've never had the courage to speak in public, and it truly is a fear that I want to overcome. I, however, have no chance to do so (haha). Well done, Christine! By the way -- you look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteA retreat for secretaries throughout the district! What a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing! Everything looks fabulous, and it looks like everyone had a great time getting ready to kick off a new year. (I know yours will be fabulous!)
ReplyDeleteGrins!
Yo' sista, Pamm
Christine-
ReplyDeleteWow... all of the decor looked great! I love the bright colors. Your school district is very blessed to have you. Congrats on a job, very well done. :)
-Crickit
Enjoyed the photos! The deocrations would be the really hadr part for me and you did a superb job!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Concerning our resident fowl, we have 13 hens and 1 rooster. I find them amusing but their eggs are truly fabulous.
Great job, Chris!! I am very impressed!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove the decor!!
Looks like everything went off without a hitch. :)
Well, almost everything...would have loved to have been there for your stand-up comedy routine!! :)
You did an outstanding job in transforming this room. I just stared at each picture. I really like the one with the sun streaming in over the decorations. I think your district is blessed to have you and your creativity and leadership. Now I know where to come if I need ideas. Those little buckets were perfect.
ReplyDelete