Feng shui, an ancient Chinese wisdom, is based on how energy flows. It is both a science and an art.
Anyone can practice Feng shui, but to be a certified professional Feng shui practitioner, it requires certain education, knowledge and skills.
Caroline Lehman, a certified Feng shui practitioner in Woodbury, kindly agreed to the following interview.
What was your first experience with Feng shui?
My Feng Shui journey began ten years ago in an East Asian Religions class at Hamline University. I learned that Feng Shui is Chinese for “Wind and Water” and it is concerned with the beneficial flow of life-giving energy (Ch’i) through our environment. Feng Shui is not a religion, although it is based on the Buddhist tradition of a gentle and beautiful life.
Simply put, it is an understanding of how energy flows through the universe and how we can align ourselves to it for a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
A few years later I was able to explore this ancient art of placement in depth. I began with a class on Feng Shui and clutter clearing, taught by Feng Shui consultant Darcy McDowell.
After clearing the clutter in my home, I was absolutely amazed at how my house began to feel, and how my life began to change as a result. I realized quickly that Feng Shui offers practical, logical advice on how to create environments that encourage us.
I went on to study for two years with Carole Hyder and am now a certified Feng Shui Practitioner.
Where and how did you get your certificate?
We are very fortunate here in the Twin Cities to have an excellent school that offers a two year accreditation program that is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Higher Education.
Carole Hyder is the founder and teacher of the Wind and Water School of Feng Shui. You can find information about Carole, articles on Feng Shui, current classes being offered in the area, and enrollment information on her website: www.carolehyder.com.
I would encourage anyone interested in learning more to consider studying Feng Shui with Carole Hyder. I am not exaggerating when I say that it will open your eyes to a whole new way of seeing your world.
What is your approach to Feng shui?
There are several Schools of Feng Shui. While they may differ in approach or method, all of them address the flow of ch’i in and through our environments, and they seek to balance and harmonize that energy so that our spaces support our lives.
My personal training is in the Black Sect Tradition, established by Professor Thomas Lin-Yun. This tradition is very flexible, practical, and intuitive. It focuses on four primary principles: everything is energy, your intention is the most important thing, your home reflects your life, and nature provides the patterns you need.
How do you work with a client?
A Feng Shui appointment usually begins with an introductory phone call to discuss in general terms how they came to hear about Feng Shui and what they would like to accomplish with a consultation.
Before we meet, I ask for a basic blueprint of the floor plan of their home or office, along with a list of three issues or concerns that they would like to address with Feng Shui.
I prepare a packet for them that includes general Feng Shui information as well as specific information pertaining to their home or work area. I also prepare an energy map called a Bagua that is based on their blueprint; we will refer to this during the appointment.
The appointment lasts about two hours, and during that time I ask the client to tell me about their space and how it impacts their life. I then offer my insight on how the energy is flowing, what adjustments might be appropriate to bring balance to their environment, and how Feng Shui can help address their concerns.
What do you say to someone who has clutter issues, but is too embarrassed to ask for help?
Well, first of all, we all have clutter of some kind. It seems to be something that everyone can relate to on some level. Don’t forget that my own clutter issues are what drew me to Feng Shui in the beginning, so I do understand.
Secondly, I never forget that it is an honor and a privilege to be asked into someone’s home. When I walk through your front door, it is never with the intention of judging or criticizing your situation. I am there to share all that Feng Shui offers regarding what clutter is, what it does, and why it needs to go.
I can also provide some helpful information on how to move clutter along so that new, fresh energy and possibilities can flow into your life.
I would encourage anyone who wishes to rid their life of clutter to consider Feng Shui as an effective approach to the issue. You can be free of the stuff that inhibits your energy flow and drains your life.
Who would benefit most from a Feng shui appointment?
Anyone who wants to connect with their environment in a new and meaningful way, to live with deeper intention and clarity, to address an issue from a different perspective, to create a supportive, balanced, peaceful home environment, to bring focused energy to their office, or to simply see the world with new eyes will benefit from an appointment.
Feng Shui gives you a way to initiate change and move in the direction of your goals and dreams. As a result, you will gain a fresh sensitivity to how spaces affect you, how energy flows, and how you can orient your life to live in harmony with that flow.
Besides offering home or office consultations, Lehman has also written manuals on Elemental Moving and Elemental Clearing. She is developing a line of “Elemental Purses.”
For more information or to set up a Feng Shui consultation, email Caroline@ElementalFengShui.net, or call (651) 269-3315.
[This is part 4 of the series on Feng shui. Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/14/2007.]
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Living the Spirit of Life with Passion
Anyone who visits Spirit of Life Bible Church in Woodbury and hears Pastor Frank Sander’s messages is most likely impressed by what he/she sees and hears. Pastor Sanders is a man of stature, and more importantly, he is a man of passion.
At least that is how I feel as a former Chinese atheist, now a Christian and a new member of Spirit of Life.
I went to Spirit of Life in September 2004 because the Church was offering an 8 week study on “The 40 Days of Purpose.” I stayed with Spirit of Life because of Pastor Sanders. As a seek of many years, I had visited quite a few churches in my life before I came to Spirit of Life, but no other pastors have ever made a more powerful impression on me than Pastor Sanders.
At 6 feet, 3 inches, Pastor Sanders is a tall man. He had a career as a professional hockey player and played hockey for over 20 years. His athletic talent, his passion, and hard work led him to the pinnacle of his dreams as an athlete on the 1972 USA hockey team when it captured the Olympic Silver Medal in Sapporo, Japan. He played one year professionally with the Minnesota Fighting Saints.
Yet the success in his professional life didn’t bring the fulfillment and happiness he was looking for. Even though he reached the mountaintop and experienced great success, he still felt emptiness in his life. What he had achieved was not satisfying. He walked away from the worldly pursuit of success and happiness, and turned his life in a new direction.
At the age of 25, he committed his life to serve the Lord. He went to seminary and became a youth pastor. He worked with young people for almost 20 years and was an associate minister for several years after that.
Then another change happened that brought his faith and passion for Christ to a new level.
In 2001, Sanders and 13 other people started Spirit of Life Bible Church in Woodbury. It was a big step of faith for him and all the members, but their strong faith in God helped them take the risk and face the challenge.
Sander’s teaching and messages are always based on the truth from the Bible. They are practical and challenging. One thing is for sure. People do not feel bored when listening to his messages. His passion and excitement for God will infect, inspire and impress everyone around him.
His passion for Christ shows especially during his Sunday sermons. Psalm 100 says to “Shout for joy to the Lord” and that’s the way Sanders preaches. He literally makes a lot of joyful noises when he preaches. He can be as excited and passionate about Jesus as a sport fan is excited about watching his favorite team winning the Olympics.
A major focus of the church’s activities is the Children's Program that includes the weekly Sunday School classes and fun activities throughout the year, monthly Children's Church services, Cub Scouts, Vacation Bible School, an annual picnic, Fall Harvest party and Christmas Program.
My two children love to go to Sunday school at Spirit of Life. They love the small class size and the dedicated Sunday school teachers.
In the four plus years since the Church started, God has blessed it tremendously and membership has grown exponentially. The current church facility at Wooddale Drive is getting too small. With the big population growth in Woodbury, the congregation saw the need for a bigger church facility to accommodate the growth.
“There is a hunger for God in this community. We see a big opportunity and a huge responsibility ahead of us,“ Sanders said. “Moving into a new facility is another big step of faith, but we know that God will supply our needs. We are doing this for God’s glory. He will bless us again as He did over the last few years.”
The new church facility at 690 Commerce Drive is near Sam’s Club. The first service will take place at 10 am, Sunday, September 3. Everyone is welcome. For more information and to request a DVD about the church, visit www.SpiritOfLifeBibleChurch.org, or call 651-731-1900.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 8/30/2006]
At least that is how I feel as a former Chinese atheist, now a Christian and a new member of Spirit of Life.
I went to Spirit of Life in September 2004 because the Church was offering an 8 week study on “The 40 Days of Purpose.” I stayed with Spirit of Life because of Pastor Sanders. As a seek of many years, I had visited quite a few churches in my life before I came to Spirit of Life, but no other pastors have ever made a more powerful impression on me than Pastor Sanders.
At 6 feet, 3 inches, Pastor Sanders is a tall man. He had a career as a professional hockey player and played hockey for over 20 years. His athletic talent, his passion, and hard work led him to the pinnacle of his dreams as an athlete on the 1972 USA hockey team when it captured the Olympic Silver Medal in Sapporo, Japan. He played one year professionally with the Minnesota Fighting Saints.
Yet the success in his professional life didn’t bring the fulfillment and happiness he was looking for. Even though he reached the mountaintop and experienced great success, he still felt emptiness in his life. What he had achieved was not satisfying. He walked away from the worldly pursuit of success and happiness, and turned his life in a new direction.
At the age of 25, he committed his life to serve the Lord. He went to seminary and became a youth pastor. He worked with young people for almost 20 years and was an associate minister for several years after that.
Then another change happened that brought his faith and passion for Christ to a new level.
In 2001, Sanders and 13 other people started Spirit of Life Bible Church in Woodbury. It was a big step of faith for him and all the members, but their strong faith in God helped them take the risk and face the challenge.
Sander’s teaching and messages are always based on the truth from the Bible. They are practical and challenging. One thing is for sure. People do not feel bored when listening to his messages. His passion and excitement for God will infect, inspire and impress everyone around him.
His passion for Christ shows especially during his Sunday sermons. Psalm 100 says to “Shout for joy to the Lord” and that’s the way Sanders preaches. He literally makes a lot of joyful noises when he preaches. He can be as excited and passionate about Jesus as a sport fan is excited about watching his favorite team winning the Olympics.
A major focus of the church’s activities is the Children's Program that includes the weekly Sunday School classes and fun activities throughout the year, monthly Children's Church services, Cub Scouts, Vacation Bible School, an annual picnic, Fall Harvest party and Christmas Program.
My two children love to go to Sunday school at Spirit of Life. They love the small class size and the dedicated Sunday school teachers.
In the four plus years since the Church started, God has blessed it tremendously and membership has grown exponentially. The current church facility at Wooddale Drive is getting too small. With the big population growth in Woodbury, the congregation saw the need for a bigger church facility to accommodate the growth.
“There is a hunger for God in this community. We see a big opportunity and a huge responsibility ahead of us,“ Sanders said. “Moving into a new facility is another big step of faith, but we know that God will supply our needs. We are doing this for God’s glory. He will bless us again as He did over the last few years.”
The new church facility at 690 Commerce Drive is near Sam’s Club. The first service will take place at 10 am, Sunday, September 3. Everyone is welcome. For more information and to request a DVD about the church, visit www.SpiritOfLifeBibleChurch.org, or call 651-731-1900.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 8/30/2006]
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Allow me to introduce myself
My name is Qin Tang. I have been a resident of Woodbury since 2001 - and that’s how long I have been reading Woodbury Bulletin.
I really enjoy reading the newspaper every week to find out what’s going on in the community. Even though I read other newspapers as well, there is no other paper I am more loyal to than this one. It’s close to home and is more important to me.
In the past, I have had several articles published in the Bulletin. But that can’t be compared to what I am starting now - as a personal columnist for this award-winning newspaper.
I am so excited to become a regular writer for the paper and to make my contribution to something that has enriched my own life in the past six years.
The Bulletin's managing editor, Bob Eighmy, asked that I tell you a little bit about myself in this first column so people can know where I come from. It’s my pleasure to do so. I hope I will also get to know more people in Woodbury as a result of writing this column.
I came from China. My hometown, Suzhou, is a well known ancient city in China with a history of 2500 years. The city is renowned for its beautiful classical gardens, pagodas, stone bridges and silk industry. It is, therefore, a great tourist attraction. The city has been called the "Paradise on Earth" since ancient times and is also known as the "Venice of the East."
Suzhou currently has a pupation of a little over 6 million people. That's about one half percent of the total population in China. The city ranks No. 1 in its contracted overseas investments and is one of the most prosperous cities in China. Geographically, Suzhou is about one to two hours away from Shanghai.
I studied German at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, the Capital of China, from 1981 to1985. After graduation I got a job at the China Central Television to help start a new German language program. A year later I left for Germany for additional education on a German government scholarship. I studied at the University of Heidelberg for five years and got my MA in German in 1991.
That same year I came to the United States.
After a lot of hard work learning English and passing my "English as a second language" test, I went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison for a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, which I finished in 1994. (Yes, you do need a master’s degree to be a professional librarian. Many people are surprised to hear that.) I lived and worked in Chicago for five years before moving to Twin Cities in 1999. Since 2000 I have been working at the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation.
While I enjoy living in the US, and both of my chilldren were born here, I still feel a deep connection to my native country where I spent my first 22 years of life. I also treasure the five years I lived in Germany. I would consider myself a resident of Woodbury and a citizen of the world.
I am so looking forward to sharing with you what’s on my mind. The great thing about being a personal columnist is I can write almost whatever I want. As Bob Eighmy said: “The sky's the limit.”
I know I will write articles related to children and school. You will hear a lot about my two children, Andy, 8 and Amy, 6, who both attend Liberty Ridge Elementary School.
I will write about things related to China. Even though I left China 20 years ago, China is still close to my heart.
I will write about books I read since I like to read every day. There is nothing I enjoy doing more than reading and writing.
I will write about issues related to this community.
Most of all, I will write whatever inspires me, whatever is dear to my heart, whatever is on my mind. I hope you will enjoy my column and my writing.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/8/2006]
I really enjoy reading the newspaper every week to find out what’s going on in the community. Even though I read other newspapers as well, there is no other paper I am more loyal to than this one. It’s close to home and is more important to me.
In the past, I have had several articles published in the Bulletin. But that can’t be compared to what I am starting now - as a personal columnist for this award-winning newspaper.
I am so excited to become a regular writer for the paper and to make my contribution to something that has enriched my own life in the past six years.
The Bulletin's managing editor, Bob Eighmy, asked that I tell you a little bit about myself in this first column so people can know where I come from. It’s my pleasure to do so. I hope I will also get to know more people in Woodbury as a result of writing this column.
I came from China. My hometown, Suzhou, is a well known ancient city in China with a history of 2500 years. The city is renowned for its beautiful classical gardens, pagodas, stone bridges and silk industry. It is, therefore, a great tourist attraction. The city has been called the "Paradise on Earth" since ancient times and is also known as the "Venice of the East."
Suzhou currently has a pupation of a little over 6 million people. That's about one half percent of the total population in China. The city ranks No. 1 in its contracted overseas investments and is one of the most prosperous cities in China. Geographically, Suzhou is about one to two hours away from Shanghai.
I studied German at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in Beijing, the Capital of China, from 1981 to1985. After graduation I got a job at the China Central Television to help start a new German language program. A year later I left for Germany for additional education on a German government scholarship. I studied at the University of Heidelberg for five years and got my MA in German in 1991.
That same year I came to the United States.
After a lot of hard work learning English and passing my "English as a second language" test, I went to the University of Wisconsin, Madison for a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, which I finished in 1994. (Yes, you do need a master’s degree to be a professional librarian. Many people are surprised to hear that.) I lived and worked in Chicago for five years before moving to Twin Cities in 1999. Since 2000 I have been working at the Minnesota Dept. of Transportation.
While I enjoy living in the US, and both of my chilldren were born here, I still feel a deep connection to my native country where I spent my first 22 years of life. I also treasure the five years I lived in Germany. I would consider myself a resident of Woodbury and a citizen of the world.
I am so looking forward to sharing with you what’s on my mind. The great thing about being a personal columnist is I can write almost whatever I want. As Bob Eighmy said: “The sky's the limit.”
I know I will write articles related to children and school. You will hear a lot about my two children, Andy, 8 and Amy, 6, who both attend Liberty Ridge Elementary School.
I will write about things related to China. Even though I left China 20 years ago, China is still close to my heart.
I will write about books I read since I like to read every day. There is nothing I enjoy doing more than reading and writing.
I will write about issues related to this community.
Most of all, I will write whatever inspires me, whatever is dear to my heart, whatever is on my mind. I hope you will enjoy my column and my writing.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 11/8/2006]
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A special adoption journey
International adoption is neither new nor rare. It seems like everyone knows someone who has adopted a child from another country. But how many people would consider adopting a special needs child even though they already have three children of their own? Probably not many. Yet the Countrymans did just that.
Tina and Steve Countryman are a couple blessed with three healthy children: Abby, 12, Luke, 10 and Zeke, 7. They are not only busy with their own children, they also have their hands full with over 50 Hmong teenagers in the St. Paul Urban Ministry that the couple leads. The family resides in St. Paul, but attend Woodbury Church of Christ.
The Countryman’s ties to Asia go back to the time from 1991 to 1996 when they were missionaries in Thailand. Abby and Luke Countryman were born there. They all have a big heart of love for the Asian people. They also feel a strong desire to help a child in need of a loving home and to share their love with those less fortunate. This led them to adopting a girl from China. Her name is Phoebe.
The idea became clear in the summer of 2004. They contacted a national adoption agency. But it didn’t work out, because they didn't meet the financial requirements.
Steve and Tina didn’t give up. They kept praying and seeking God’s help.
Then in the spring of 2005, they heard about a different adoption agency, All God's Children International. They approached this agency with their request to adopt a healthy girl from China. The agency was willing to give it a try. It asked Chinese officials if adoption was possible even though financial requirement was not met. When these officials agreed, they took that as God's clear direction for them.
They began their paperwork process by the end of the summer. In December 2005, the adoption took a new twist when the agency asked them if they would be willing to adopt a special needs girl who had been diagnosed with congenital small eyeballs.
After much talking and praying they agreed. Travel dates were March 3 to 17. It was a very emotional experience for them.
One of their most unforgettable moments came when they visited the orphanage where Phoebe lived. It was the Yanping District Children's Welfare Institute in Fujian Province, China.
To physically stand among the children at the orphanage, to reach out and stroke their faces, hold their hands and know how much they needed a home, was really hard to take in. They wished they could bring them all home, but all they could do was to try to just touch each child, talk to each one in their bed and say a silent prayer that someday each of the children would find a home and could leave the orphanage just like Phoebe did. God brought comfort in walking through the gates at the end with Phoebe in their arms, knowing that Phoebe didn't have to sleep there any more.
While the hard part of the trip was seeing all the kids at the orphanage, a different perspective presented itself a few days later at the American consulate in Guangzhou. A group of people with adopted children gathered to finish their paperwork for the children to go to the United States. They were all beaming.
Though there were many more still left behind, it was encouraging to see all these kids being placed in families who want and love them.
Back in the United States, Phoebe has been checked by two eye doctors. She was diagnosed with bilateral blepharophimosis syndrome, which has to do with the eyelids themselves. She had her first eye surgery on Aug. 30. Later in life, doctors will perform more involved surgery.
The family received two grants to cover the costs of the adoption, one from Shaohannah's Hope and one from LYDIA Fund. Likewise, the Countryman’s church family at Woodbury Church of Christ provided lots of prayer and support.
Their adoption journal can be viewed online at http://www.myladybugjournal.com/files/Countryman/countrymanHOME.html
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 9/13/2006]
Tina and Steve Countryman are a couple blessed with three healthy children: Abby, 12, Luke, 10 and Zeke, 7. They are not only busy with their own children, they also have their hands full with over 50 Hmong teenagers in the St. Paul Urban Ministry that the couple leads. The family resides in St. Paul, but attend Woodbury Church of Christ.
The Countryman’s ties to Asia go back to the time from 1991 to 1996 when they were missionaries in Thailand. Abby and Luke Countryman were born there. They all have a big heart of love for the Asian people. They also feel a strong desire to help a child in need of a loving home and to share their love with those less fortunate. This led them to adopting a girl from China. Her name is Phoebe.
The idea became clear in the summer of 2004. They contacted a national adoption agency. But it didn’t work out, because they didn't meet the financial requirements.
Steve and Tina didn’t give up. They kept praying and seeking God’s help.
Then in the spring of 2005, they heard about a different adoption agency, All God's Children International. They approached this agency with their request to adopt a healthy girl from China. The agency was willing to give it a try. It asked Chinese officials if adoption was possible even though financial requirement was not met. When these officials agreed, they took that as God's clear direction for them.
They began their paperwork process by the end of the summer. In December 2005, the adoption took a new twist when the agency asked them if they would be willing to adopt a special needs girl who had been diagnosed with congenital small eyeballs.
After much talking and praying they agreed. Travel dates were March 3 to 17. It was a very emotional experience for them.
One of their most unforgettable moments came when they visited the orphanage where Phoebe lived. It was the Yanping District Children's Welfare Institute in Fujian Province, China.
To physically stand among the children at the orphanage, to reach out and stroke their faces, hold their hands and know how much they needed a home, was really hard to take in. They wished they could bring them all home, but all they could do was to try to just touch each child, talk to each one in their bed and say a silent prayer that someday each of the children would find a home and could leave the orphanage just like Phoebe did. God brought comfort in walking through the gates at the end with Phoebe in their arms, knowing that Phoebe didn't have to sleep there any more.
While the hard part of the trip was seeing all the kids at the orphanage, a different perspective presented itself a few days later at the American consulate in Guangzhou. A group of people with adopted children gathered to finish their paperwork for the children to go to the United States. They were all beaming.
Though there were many more still left behind, it was encouraging to see all these kids being placed in families who want and love them.
Back in the United States, Phoebe has been checked by two eye doctors. She was diagnosed with bilateral blepharophimosis syndrome, which has to do with the eyelids themselves. She had her first eye surgery on Aug. 30. Later in life, doctors will perform more involved surgery.
The family received two grants to cover the costs of the adoption, one from Shaohannah's Hope and one from LYDIA Fund. Likewise, the Countryman’s church family at Woodbury Church of Christ provided lots of prayer and support.
Their adoption journal can be viewed online at http://www.myladybugjournal.com/files/Countryman/countrymanHOME.html
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 9/13/2006]
Monday, February 22, 2010
Fundraising lessons learned
This is a follow-up to my last column about my first fundraising experience for the local Chinese school. In this column I would like to share a few lessons I have learned in the process. I hope my own experience will benefit other people, especially local school PTA volunteers who help with various school fundraising events every year.
• No fear
Most people don’t like to ask others for donations. We don’t feel comfortable doing that because we dread rejection. So the first step in the fundraising process is to move past our fears of rejection and learn how to ask.
“Ask and you shall receive.” If you don’t ask, you will never receive anything.
While we should have confidence in asking and hope for positive results, we should also be prepared for rejection. We can’t expect success every time. There will be businesses that don’t return calls or e-mails. That’s to be expected. If we are prepared, then we will not be disappointed.
• Plan early
Doing fundraising is no small feat. It takes a lot of planning, determination and hard work to make it successful.
It takes time to contact businesses, wait for responses, write letters, pick up donations, evaluate results and incorporate the results into the final events. So you should plan and start the process as early as possible.
Big store or chain stores have more rules and procedures in place. They receive a lot of donation requests so they have to follow certain procedures in their decision making process. Some have to go through the headquarters before making decisions.
Some have monthly or quarterly limits to give away. So once they reach the set limits in the month or quarter, you have to wait for the next month or quarter.
Expect two to four weeks of lag time for big businesses.
• Start small
It is easier to do fundraising with smaller or independent businesses or stores than big or chain stores. Because they are not overwhelmed with donation requests, they are more willing to say “yes” if they do get requests.
With smaller businesses, the owners can make decisions on the spot. They don’t have to follow any procedures from corporate office.
So when you start small, you are more likely to find success and gain confidence.
• Prepare a letter
Some businesses will ask you to put your request in writing and on your organization’s letterhead. Some also ask for your organization’s tax ID. In the letter you should state the purpose of the fundraising. Using the five W's — Who, What, Where, Why, When — is a good guideline to write a brief letter to the business that asks for it.
• Mutual benefit
Businesses exist to make money and be profitable. When you ask for donations, don’t just say what they can do for you, but also tell them what you can do for them. It’s nice for the businesses to know that you need and appreciate their support for your worthy cause, but it’s more attractive for them if they know that they will benefit from their donations as well.
When I approached Atlantic Buffet for our fundraising event, I asked for something most people probably thought was impossible. Yet I was confident. I went to the meeting with the owner well-prepared.
Without even being asked, I prepared a letter. In the letter I not only stated the benefits this fundraising event would have for the local Chinese School, but more importantly, I listed more benefits this event would have for his business.
After reading my letter, the owner said “fine” without any objections or questions regarding my proposal. It was that simple. Again, “Ask and you shall receive.”
I am not sure it would be that simple, had I not prepared the letter to convince him that the event would benefit his business as well.
In my brief phone conversations with other businesses, I didn’t have time to say much. I only mentioned that after the event I would write a thank you note and publicly acknowledge their support through Woodbury Bulletin.
• Find a partner
For better results, involve a local business as a partner. In partnership with a local restaurant to host the event, in partnership with a local nursery to sell plants, you attract more people with less work and better results.
• Public recognition
Everyone likes a pat on the back now and then. I think when a business supports the local community and donates to your non-profit organization in the worthy cause, you should at least send a thank you letter.
In addition, a public recognition in the local newspaper is appropriate and very much appreciated. It’s a great incentive for the businesses to support local community if they will be publicly acknowledged by the local community for their support.
• My big mistake
I thought I raised enough gift certificates for every family who would attend our event.
We ended up having a little more people come to the event than expected. That wasn’t a problem. My mistake was I was so confident in my thinking that every family would get something that I didn’t do any “quantity control.”
We ended up having some families winning a prize for every family member present while very few, maybe a handful of families didn’t win anything. When I found that out at the end, I felt really bad. I wish I had done something to let every family win a prize before they could win multiple prizes. Just to be “fair.”
Through my first fundraising experience, I have learned a few lessons. I think I could do better next time.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 2/27/2008]
• No fear
Most people don’t like to ask others for donations. We don’t feel comfortable doing that because we dread rejection. So the first step in the fundraising process is to move past our fears of rejection and learn how to ask.
“Ask and you shall receive.” If you don’t ask, you will never receive anything.
While we should have confidence in asking and hope for positive results, we should also be prepared for rejection. We can’t expect success every time. There will be businesses that don’t return calls or e-mails. That’s to be expected. If we are prepared, then we will not be disappointed.
• Plan early
Doing fundraising is no small feat. It takes a lot of planning, determination and hard work to make it successful.
It takes time to contact businesses, wait for responses, write letters, pick up donations, evaluate results and incorporate the results into the final events. So you should plan and start the process as early as possible.
Big store or chain stores have more rules and procedures in place. They receive a lot of donation requests so they have to follow certain procedures in their decision making process. Some have to go through the headquarters before making decisions.
Some have monthly or quarterly limits to give away. So once they reach the set limits in the month or quarter, you have to wait for the next month or quarter.
Expect two to four weeks of lag time for big businesses.
• Start small
It is easier to do fundraising with smaller or independent businesses or stores than big or chain stores. Because they are not overwhelmed with donation requests, they are more willing to say “yes” if they do get requests.
With smaller businesses, the owners can make decisions on the spot. They don’t have to follow any procedures from corporate office.
So when you start small, you are more likely to find success and gain confidence.
• Prepare a letter
Some businesses will ask you to put your request in writing and on your organization’s letterhead. Some also ask for your organization’s tax ID. In the letter you should state the purpose of the fundraising. Using the five W's — Who, What, Where, Why, When — is a good guideline to write a brief letter to the business that asks for it.
• Mutual benefit
Businesses exist to make money and be profitable. When you ask for donations, don’t just say what they can do for you, but also tell them what you can do for them. It’s nice for the businesses to know that you need and appreciate their support for your worthy cause, but it’s more attractive for them if they know that they will benefit from their donations as well.
When I approached Atlantic Buffet for our fundraising event, I asked for something most people probably thought was impossible. Yet I was confident. I went to the meeting with the owner well-prepared.
Without even being asked, I prepared a letter. In the letter I not only stated the benefits this fundraising event would have for the local Chinese School, but more importantly, I listed more benefits this event would have for his business.
After reading my letter, the owner said “fine” without any objections or questions regarding my proposal. It was that simple. Again, “Ask and you shall receive.”
I am not sure it would be that simple, had I not prepared the letter to convince him that the event would benefit his business as well.
In my brief phone conversations with other businesses, I didn’t have time to say much. I only mentioned that after the event I would write a thank you note and publicly acknowledge their support through Woodbury Bulletin.
• Find a partner
For better results, involve a local business as a partner. In partnership with a local restaurant to host the event, in partnership with a local nursery to sell plants, you attract more people with less work and better results.
• Public recognition
Everyone likes a pat on the back now and then. I think when a business supports the local community and donates to your non-profit organization in the worthy cause, you should at least send a thank you letter.
In addition, a public recognition in the local newspaper is appropriate and very much appreciated. It’s a great incentive for the businesses to support local community if they will be publicly acknowledged by the local community for their support.
• My big mistake
I thought I raised enough gift certificates for every family who would attend our event.
We ended up having a little more people come to the event than expected. That wasn’t a problem. My mistake was I was so confident in my thinking that every family would get something that I didn’t do any “quantity control.”
We ended up having some families winning a prize for every family member present while very few, maybe a handful of families didn’t win anything. When I found that out at the end, I felt really bad. I wish I had done something to let every family win a prize before they could win multiple prizes. Just to be “fair.”
Through my first fundraising experience, I have learned a few lessons. I think I could do better next time.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 2/27/2008]
Thanks to those who helped
Several weeks ago I wrote about the new Chinese School in Woodbury, which started in September 2007.
To celebrate the beginning of the new semester (Feb. 2) and the Chinese New Year (Feb. 9), to provide an opportunity for teachers, students and their families to get together and to raise some money for student activities, the school decided to have a celebration and fundraising event on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Atlantic Buffet owner David was very kind and generous in offering us a convenient place and a great price to hold the party in his restaurant.
To encourage students and their families’ participation in this event, I, as a member of the Chinese school’s board, took it upon myself to contact local businesses and ask for their support in forms of gift certificates or gift baskets.
I have never done fundraising before. So this was a learning experience. Thanks to the generosity of businesses I contacted, it was a great experience, too.
The first business I called was Shanghai Market in St. Paul, because it is a Chinese grocery store I have shopped in the past and is well known in the Chinese community. After my brief explanation, the manager quickly promised to give us gift certificates to support our event.
As my first fundraising effort resulted in success with only one phone call and in only a few minutes, my confidence and ambition were greatly increased. Maybe I could do more than just gift certificates from one store. I started contacting businesses in the Woodbury area.
I thought Asian businesses in Woodbury might be more willing to support our Chinese New Year celebration. My first call went to Pei Wei Asian Diner. The manager promised some gift certificates on the spot. I got more encouragement after this second successful try.
I made more phone calls.
I quickly found out it’s easier to do fundraising with smaller or independent businesses or stores than big or chain stores. It’s understandable. With smaller stores, the owners can make decisions on the spot.
On the other hand, big store or chain stores managers often have to follow certain procedures or go through the headquarters before making decisions.
They receive donation requests a lot more so they have to have some rules and procedures in their decision making process. Mostly I was asked to submit a written request for their review. Big stores need two to six weeks of lag time.
Among the 18 businesses I called, almost half of them responded with positive results. Some businesses didn’t return my calls or e-mails. But that’s fine. I didn’t expect a positive response every time.
I had a pleasant experience contacting the businesses, even in cases where I didn’t get any support.
The only frustrating thing that happened to me was I was transferred twice and put on hold twice which ended up in disconnection. I was not interested in calling back again. And, personally, I am not interested in visiting that business again either.
I am thankful to all who did respond to my requests. I was especially impressed with Olive Garden’s manager Tom. He was a quick decision-maker. And he also won my most generous award.
I spent a lot of time in making phone calls, writing and dropping off requests, and picking up gift certificates. But it’s worth the effort. I got better than expected results out of my efforts for the school.
I would like to say thank you to all the businesses that supported our celebration event. They are Shanghai Market, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Acupuncture Woodbury, Olive Garden, Trader Joe's, Applebee's (Valley Creek location), Kowalski’s Market and Noodles & Company.
My biggest thank you goes to Atlantic Buffet for allowing us to host this event. Without their generous support in the first place, I wouldn’t have thought about and done any fundraising for the event.
Thank you all for making our first celebration and fundraising event a fun and successful one. The prize drawing was definitely the most fun part. Kids and adults alike all enjoyed it.
I really appreciate your willingness to help and give back to the community. I am sure your support to the local community will be rewarded with more and loyal customers.
My first fundraising experience will certainly affect where I personally shop and do business in the future.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 2/20/2007]
To celebrate the beginning of the new semester (Feb. 2) and the Chinese New Year (Feb. 9), to provide an opportunity for teachers, students and their families to get together and to raise some money for student activities, the school decided to have a celebration and fundraising event on Saturday, Feb. 2.
Atlantic Buffet owner David was very kind and generous in offering us a convenient place and a great price to hold the party in his restaurant.
To encourage students and their families’ participation in this event, I, as a member of the Chinese school’s board, took it upon myself to contact local businesses and ask for their support in forms of gift certificates or gift baskets.
I have never done fundraising before. So this was a learning experience. Thanks to the generosity of businesses I contacted, it was a great experience, too.
The first business I called was Shanghai Market in St. Paul, because it is a Chinese grocery store I have shopped in the past and is well known in the Chinese community. After my brief explanation, the manager quickly promised to give us gift certificates to support our event.
As my first fundraising effort resulted in success with only one phone call and in only a few minutes, my confidence and ambition were greatly increased. Maybe I could do more than just gift certificates from one store. I started contacting businesses in the Woodbury area.
I thought Asian businesses in Woodbury might be more willing to support our Chinese New Year celebration. My first call went to Pei Wei Asian Diner. The manager promised some gift certificates on the spot. I got more encouragement after this second successful try.
I made more phone calls.
I quickly found out it’s easier to do fundraising with smaller or independent businesses or stores than big or chain stores. It’s understandable. With smaller stores, the owners can make decisions on the spot.
On the other hand, big store or chain stores managers often have to follow certain procedures or go through the headquarters before making decisions.
They receive donation requests a lot more so they have to have some rules and procedures in their decision making process. Mostly I was asked to submit a written request for their review. Big stores need two to six weeks of lag time.
Among the 18 businesses I called, almost half of them responded with positive results. Some businesses didn’t return my calls or e-mails. But that’s fine. I didn’t expect a positive response every time.
I had a pleasant experience contacting the businesses, even in cases where I didn’t get any support.
The only frustrating thing that happened to me was I was transferred twice and put on hold twice which ended up in disconnection. I was not interested in calling back again. And, personally, I am not interested in visiting that business again either.
I am thankful to all who did respond to my requests. I was especially impressed with Olive Garden’s manager Tom. He was a quick decision-maker. And he also won my most generous award.
I spent a lot of time in making phone calls, writing and dropping off requests, and picking up gift certificates. But it’s worth the effort. I got better than expected results out of my efforts for the school.
I would like to say thank you to all the businesses that supported our celebration event. They are Shanghai Market, Pei Wei Asian Diner, Acupuncture Woodbury, Olive Garden, Trader Joe's, Applebee's (Valley Creek location), Kowalski’s Market and Noodles & Company.
My biggest thank you goes to Atlantic Buffet for allowing us to host this event. Without their generous support in the first place, I wouldn’t have thought about and done any fundraising for the event.
Thank you all for making our first celebration and fundraising event a fun and successful one. The prize drawing was definitely the most fun part. Kids and adults alike all enjoyed it.
I really appreciate your willingness to help and give back to the community. I am sure your support to the local community will be rewarded with more and loyal customers.
My first fundraising experience will certainly affect where I personally shop and do business in the future.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 2/20/2007]
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
There is no place like the library
My favorite place in Woodbury, as well as in any other communities I have lived in the US, is the local public library. There is just no other place that means so much to me as the library. There is just no other place that can be as magic as the library.
My love affair with library and books didn't start until I was in my twenties. I was definitely a late bloomer.
Growing up in China in the sixties and seventies during the Cultural Revolution, reading and libraries were not an important part of my life. My parents were just doing their best to survive every day. They didn't have extra money to buy books. I didn't have children's books at home. They didn't read stories to me as a child.
As far as I can remember, I never even used a public library in China. I think at that time the municipal library in my hometown Suzhou was open to only a limited number of adults who had special permissions to use it. I didn't read as a child and had not experienced the joy of reading and visiting a library.
I was a hard working student in school and had the good fortune to go to college in China.
When I came to the United States in 1991 after 9 years of studying German, I couldn't understand and speak English. I felt totally lost in this new world. I didn't know what to do with my life at that time.
Fortunately I lived within the walking distance to the public library in Madison, Wisconsin. I went to the library several times a week and checked out one or two bags full of books every time. I started with books at the preschool level. I would read a few dozens of children's books a day.
The more I read, the more I hungered for books and knowledge. The more I read, the better I became in the language.
Gradually I could read more difficult books. I remember reading all the books in the "From Sea to Shining Sea" and "America the Beautiful" series and learning everything about all the 50 states in the country. I still have my reading notes today. My reading served two purposes, to learn the English language and to learn about this new country.
After reading and learning for over a year, my English was improved and I could communicate in an understandable way.
I found a library page position at the Madison Public Library to check in books. I looked forward to my work. As books passed through my hands, I felt a sense of excitement again and again. "Wow, here is another interesting book I want to read!"
I found more and more interesting books to read that I wouldn't find on my own. In fact I didn't know what I wanted to read. My way of finding books to read was just to browse the book shelves. Now I had a better way to get to the interesting books.
Other library users served as my reader advisors. Every workday I took a bag of finished books to work and at the end of the day my empty bag was again filled with books to take home.
As a library user and a part-time library worker, I grew to love library and reading. I dreamed of becoming a professional librarian and working full-time in the library.
I went to the library school and got my master's in library science at the university of Wisconsin-Madison. My dream became a reality.
Library was my heaven during the difficult times in my life when I didn't know what to do and who I was. Library provided me books and knowledge, and nurtured my hungry and lonely soul.
Now library is where I work for a living, and library is where I visit frequently with my two children for adventures and enjoyment. Both of my kids got their own library card before they could read.
I am glad my kids visit library more often than McDonald's and they read more books than eat French fries. I am so grateful they can grow up with lots of books and view library as an essential part of their life.
As an immigrant, I have come to love my adopted country. For me, one of the best things of living in the US is the easy and free access to the public library and the wonderful services it provides to everyone regardless of age, background and social status. In the library, we are all equal and knowledge is freely available to everyone who desires it.
Having been a library user and librarian for over 10 years, now my life doesn't feel complete and fulfilled without reading and library. I believe passionately in the library and what it can do for people. I love my profession as a librarian.
Library can change life. It has definitely changed my life. It still helps me to learn, to grow and to live every day.
I can't imagine what my life would be and what I would be doing today if there wasn't a public library.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 4/18/2007]
My love affair with library and books didn't start until I was in my twenties. I was definitely a late bloomer.
Growing up in China in the sixties and seventies during the Cultural Revolution, reading and libraries were not an important part of my life. My parents were just doing their best to survive every day. They didn't have extra money to buy books. I didn't have children's books at home. They didn't read stories to me as a child.
As far as I can remember, I never even used a public library in China. I think at that time the municipal library in my hometown Suzhou was open to only a limited number of adults who had special permissions to use it. I didn't read as a child and had not experienced the joy of reading and visiting a library.
I was a hard working student in school and had the good fortune to go to college in China.
When I came to the United States in 1991 after 9 years of studying German, I couldn't understand and speak English. I felt totally lost in this new world. I didn't know what to do with my life at that time.
Fortunately I lived within the walking distance to the public library in Madison, Wisconsin. I went to the library several times a week and checked out one or two bags full of books every time. I started with books at the preschool level. I would read a few dozens of children's books a day.
The more I read, the more I hungered for books and knowledge. The more I read, the better I became in the language.
Gradually I could read more difficult books. I remember reading all the books in the "From Sea to Shining Sea" and "America the Beautiful" series and learning everything about all the 50 states in the country. I still have my reading notes today. My reading served two purposes, to learn the English language and to learn about this new country.
After reading and learning for over a year, my English was improved and I could communicate in an understandable way.
I found a library page position at the Madison Public Library to check in books. I looked forward to my work. As books passed through my hands, I felt a sense of excitement again and again. "Wow, here is another interesting book I want to read!"
I found more and more interesting books to read that I wouldn't find on my own. In fact I didn't know what I wanted to read. My way of finding books to read was just to browse the book shelves. Now I had a better way to get to the interesting books.
Other library users served as my reader advisors. Every workday I took a bag of finished books to work and at the end of the day my empty bag was again filled with books to take home.
As a library user and a part-time library worker, I grew to love library and reading. I dreamed of becoming a professional librarian and working full-time in the library.
I went to the library school and got my master's in library science at the university of Wisconsin-Madison. My dream became a reality.
Library was my heaven during the difficult times in my life when I didn't know what to do and who I was. Library provided me books and knowledge, and nurtured my hungry and lonely soul.
Now library is where I work for a living, and library is where I visit frequently with my two children for adventures and enjoyment. Both of my kids got their own library card before they could read.
I am glad my kids visit library more often than McDonald's and they read more books than eat French fries. I am so grateful they can grow up with lots of books and view library as an essential part of their life.
As an immigrant, I have come to love my adopted country. For me, one of the best things of living in the US is the easy and free access to the public library and the wonderful services it provides to everyone regardless of age, background and social status. In the library, we are all equal and knowledge is freely available to everyone who desires it.
Having been a library user and librarian for over 10 years, now my life doesn't feel complete and fulfilled without reading and library. I believe passionately in the library and what it can do for people. I love my profession as a librarian.
Library can change life. It has definitely changed my life. It still helps me to learn, to grow and to live every day.
I can't imagine what my life would be and what I would be doing today if there wasn't a public library.
[Originally published in Woodbury Bulletin on 4/18/2007]
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