A WONDERFUL NEW EXPERIENCE
Last weekend I was asked by Guideposts, Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s organization, to be the Master of Ceremonies for a four day fundraising event at the Ritz Carlton in Naples, Florida. Although I have been speaking for years, I had never done this before, so I spent time preparing and talking with others who do this as a career; however, I also wanted to put my own special touch on the weekend.
They used a consultant who has developed a “formula” for these events, and my concern was that the focus might be too much on the business of the ministry and too little on the human level of creating an emotional connection with the attendees, since we give from our hearts as well as from our heads.
I convinced them that I needed a few minutes of inspiration at the beginning of each session, so I chose a theme for each of the six meetings – Gratitude (vertical), Appreciation (horizontal), Community (connection), Joy (sharing), Enthusiasm (“of or from God”) and finally, Letting your Light Shine (using all the other attributes to make a difference in the world). With each theme I either told a story, shared an idea, or read something that had touched me.
The other thing I did was to ask everyone I was introducing to share with me something funny, unusual, or that no one knew about them, so that the introductions were a delight and not nearly so formal as they usually are. These things, along with the touching stories and DVDs about the Guidepost’s ministries, created a human level sharing that brought everyone in the group together, so that a community was truly created in those few days.
I am deeply impressed by the ministry of Guideposts, and I encourage you to go to www.guideposts.com to see the breadth of what they are doing to make a difference in this world. They reach 80,000 people a day! Dr. Peale’s most well-known book, “The Power of Positive Thinking,” is still a best-seller, and it was first published in 1952.
My favorite ministry is called “Comfort Kits for Kids.” Any hospital or pastor can request these darling little treasure boxes to take to children who are ill or in the hospital. Since this is such a frightening and lonely time for children, these little kits bring them lots of love and joy. Guideposts hopes to give away over half a million of these kits in the next couple of years.
Most people know the little magazine titled “Guideposts;” however, they also have many other wonderful publications and pamphlets based on the concepts of positive thinking and God’s love that they distribute free to prisons, the military, hospitals, retirement homes, and any place where people need hope.
They also have a prayer ministry that allows people to call in 24 hours a day and reach a live person to pray with them, or they can write their request online and receive an almost immediate reply. This whole ministry functions with volunteers.
Even though I had some trepidation about this being my first time to emcee a group, it was one of the most affirming experiences I have ever had. I was deeply honored to be with the caring staff of Guideposts and to feel a small part of their life-changing ministry of love. The other blessing was to get to know the guests for the weekend whose lives, resources, and influence are making a difference in many ways in this hurting world.
If anyone needs a Master of Ceremonies now, I am ready and willing! 😉 You can learn more about my work and how to contact me at www.barbaraglanz.com.
