Vounteering

Recently I was asked to be a volunteer for Best Buddies. Best Buddies is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

I've been asked to be speech coach for a special young man who wants to be a motivational speaker. We are definitely learning from each other and have quickly become friends.

There are amazing people participating in various Best Buddies programs. One of the amazing people I've met would have to be Greg. He has a voice I would love to have and a memory I am jealous of. Take some time to watch this video of him speaking to a high school in Arizona. Amazing stuff.



For more information on Best Buddies, their programs or how you can help, click on the link below.

www.Bestbuddies.org

Good Day

Some times we have good days and we just have to share it with people that we know. I work at the Phoenix Zoo. Some days I have not so good days and others are really good.

Today I was asked to be a Trail Guide. That means I get to ride a bike around the zoo give talks and presentations to zoo guests and visitors. Today was a huge field trip day. There were people all over the zoo. Plenty of opportunities for me to run my mouth.

Speaking is my passion, so anytime to run my mouth is a good day. It's even more fun when working with kids. The kids today had TONS of questions. Several of my talks involved me and the guests feeding animals. Several of my talks ended with applause and hand clapping. Talk about feeling good inside. Then there was the school group that asked to take a picture with me.

By the time the day was over, I had talk to groups about monkeys, elephants, giraffes, ostrich, vultures, snakes, otters, cheetahs, baboons, mandrills, warthogs, lions, orangutans, tortoises and where the closet bathroom is.

To top things off, a guest left a great comment about me and my customer service skills. The comment was sent out for all of the employees to see with all of the other comments left by guests. The comment is below:

The last thing we did on our day at your Zoo was stop at Stingray Bay. We paid our $2 each more to get in there then I saw the food for the stingrays was an additional charge. That one thing sent me over the edge. I’d paid ala carte all day and was still feeling sort of OK about it until the extra charge to feed the stingrays. Suddenly, I was mad. Then Frank in stingray bay spent a lot of time helping my child get up her courage to touch them. His fabulous attitude and customer orientation immediately turned me back into a happy camper. Frank is the reason I am leaving satisfied today.

This blog entry isn't me bragging. It's me typing about something I'm proud. Many of us don't take the time to share are good days with people. We just talk about what didn't go right in our days or lives. The next time you have a good day. Share it with the people close to you. Be proud of your accomplishments and you never know, you're good day my cheer someone else up.

Have a great week everyone!

Frank