this writer’s take on gratitude

Thanks to reader, “Lindy Lou” for reminding me that I was late with this week’s blog post. I’m grateful that she (and hopefully others) actually miss the posts when they don’t arrive for a weekly visit.

Actually, I’m grateful for a lot of things, and so gratitude will be the subject of this week’s blog.

Doreen Pendgracs speaking at the book launch of “Before You Say Yes …”

The big launch for “Before You Say Yes …” — my new book for directors of non-profit and volunteer boards — was held last night at McNally Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg. What a terrific turnout! I was told by the event coordinator that it was one of the largest launches for a single author that they’ve hosted in Prairie Ink, the fantastic full-service restaurant at McNally Robinson Grant Park. The venue is perfect for book launches. Thanks to author friend, Irene Gordon, for encouraging me to have my launch at this venue. Irene will be launching two of her books in Prairie Ink on May 3rd.

I am so grateful to the 70 or so friends, family members and colleagues (most of whom are also good friends) who turned up for the event. And especially grateful to those who bought books. It was really gratifying to see everyone line up and shell out their hard-earned money for the fruits of my labour. Almost every copy of the book in the store was sold! Hopefully, McNally’s will order a new batch of books to meet demand for the book as the word continues to spread.

If you are on a non-profit board, are considering serving on one, or know someone who is volunteering on a board, please help spread the word about the book. And if you couldn’t attend the launch, but are interested in the book for yourself or someone else, you can order a personally autographed copy here on this site.

If you like what you read, please consider posting an online review on Amazon or Chapters/Indigo to let others know. You’ll find my Amazon page.

I am filled with gratitude for my Toastmasters training, as it helped me deliver a fairly decent presentation last night. And as my presentation was primarily one expressing gratitude, I am also grateful that one of my Toastmaster friends offered to evaluate my speech, as it nicely fulfilled the requirements for a project in my advanced manual. I’m always grateful for the ability to turn a speech or presentation from another facet of life into a successful Toastmasters assignment. If you are a writer or author (or anyone who has occasion to speak in front of a group of people), do consider joining Toastmasters as it will help you considerably with making presentations, giving workshops, and launching any literary efforts. To find a TM club near you, visit http://www.toastmasters.org/.

I am also grateful to the Parliamentarian Toastmasters Club (PTM) of Winnipeg for rescheduling their regular meeting so that they could attend my launch. Thanks to PTM member, Roger Woloshyn, for being a contributor to the book, and to PTM president, Dorian Guerard, for presenting me with a copy of “Robert’s Rules of Order In Brief — Newly Revised” as it is the book that Roger recommends in Chapter 3 of “Before You Say Yes …”

I am also grateful to Dundurn Press and McNally Robinson for jointly hosting the launch. Dundurn Press should be commended for the stellar job they did on the design and production of this book.

And finally, I am grateful to everyone who has signed on as Facebook fans of BYSY. We’d love to have you join us — and join in on the conversation. We’re waiting for you at: http://www.facebook.com/beforeyousayyes.

I wait in grateful anticipation today for the Interlake launch of BYSY, to be held at 7:30 tonight (March 23, 2010) at the A-Spire Theatre in Gimli. Thanks to Tergesen’s for arranging an exciting multi-author event. It should be a wonderful evening.

Here’s hoping my own expressions of gratitude will inspire some of your own. What are you grateful for this week?