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 A Message from our President, Jim Carty CSP
Visionary Action Plans
Project managers will often quote "prior planning prevents poor performance" as a simple reminder about making the time to prepare for success.
As a military vehicle tech instructor, my brother splits his free time between fast motorcycles and fast cars. He also teaches a course in motorcycle driving. Around the school or the track, you would often hear, "look ahead at where you are going" and, "the faster you are driving, the farther ahead you need to look".
In 2005, CAPS developed a five year strategic plan designed to help guide the national association through to 2010. As a result of hard work and planning on behalf of the national leadership during the past few years, many of the goals and targets outlined in that plan have been accomplished ahead of schedule.
On the other hand, in some businesses the leadership is so busy "putting out fires" that the ideas of planning and making time for looking ahead are only dreams.
During a recent association breakfast, a colleague mentioned to me that there is an estimated 6.75 billion people on the planet. He felt that regardless of our current target markets, the products and services which we offer will be used by a vast number of people in the coming years. I wonder which organizations are prepared for the growth.
This coming September, the CAPS national leadership will continue work on a new strategic plan with which to guide the association forward through the next several years. I take great comfort in knowing that the national leadership are looking ahead and planning where we could and should be in the future.
Are you doing the same in your business? Especially during this time of economic uncertainty, visionary planning is vital. CAPS is working on it at the national level. The local chapters are working on it. You also need it. It is your "forward looking plans" which will provide you the guidance for your daily actions.
As the economy starts to recover, (hopefully in the not too distant future) your action plan and your future vision will have a great deal to do with why you are moving so much faster than some of those around you.
CAPS Ottawa Chapter
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Coming in May - Member Only Event
Joint Power Partners with CAPS Montreal in Montebello, QC
Extending the Power of Partnership - a unique retreat with our colleagues from CAPS Montreal
May 29 - 30, 2009
Power Partners is a new CAPS Montreal professional development initiative specifically designed to help professional members to grow their businesses. So mark your calendar now for this dynamic session where professionals get together to Learn, Share and Grow. For 2009, CAPS Montreal and CAPS Ottawa have decided to conduct a joint Power Partners Session.
*Important*
Due to the amount of interest in the Power Partners event with CAPS Montreal in Montebello, May 29 & 30 we are announcing the addition of a second registration option! This is for members who are not available on Friday, yet would like to participate in the Saturday sessions.
Saturday only - $75 including breakfast buffet (8:30 am breakfast)
Two Power Partners sessions during the morning and a third session during the early afternoon. (each discussion session lasts 90 minutes)
Prepare to participate!
Date: Friday, May 29 (evening) & Saturday, May 30, 2009
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Coming in June
Networking Extravanga & Annual Silent Auction
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Time: 6:30 - 9:00pm
Location: To be confirmed
More details to follow!
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Coming in July
It's time to head to the Islands! The 1000 Islands.
July 11, 2009
Join us for the July CAPS event in Gananoque to admire the Beautiful Women Project, a touring art exhibit composed of 120 clay sculptures of real women, aged nineteen to ninety-one, created by CAPS member Cheryl-Ann Webster at the Arthur Child Heritage Museum in Gananoque.
CAPS members, non-members and their families are invited to come for a guided tour of the exhibition.
The mission of the Project is to raise awareness about the link between self-worth, self-identity and physical appearance. The artwork is accompanied by motivational and educational presentations, workshops and resource materials suitable for a broad range of participants. This exhibit explores the adorning and altering of the body in the name of fashion, a concept present in many cultures and time periods of the world. However, a new and deeply concerning widespread dissatisfaction with our physical form exists today. A decrease in self-esteem can often result from internalizing commercial messages that say we need to alter ourselves physically. These messages leave men, women, boys and girls with the desire to conform to an unattainable, and socially-created image of beauty. A display of historic corsets at the Arthur Child Heritage Museum is juxtaposed with the exhibition of Cheryl-Ann Webster's Beautiful Women Project.
This is a very inspirational project, both in it's social aspect and as a professional speaking event.
Take this time to relax and to take a cruise around the Islands (a cruise departs at noon) or watch a play at the famous waterfront Playhouse.
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Time: 10am to 11:30am
Price:
Admission to the museum and exhibit is by donation. However, attendees must register in advance before July 3, 2009.
About Cheryl-Ann Webster: She is an artist and sought-after motivational speaker, passionate about making the world a better place through her artwork that explores social issues. Speaking from the heart with humour and insight, Cheryl-Ann draws on her own experiences and current social realities to connect with audiences large and small through her speech and her art. Her current touring exhibit, The Beautiful Women Project, has become a teaching and healing tool for women and girls, men and boys. Click here for more information: www.beautifulwomenproject.com.
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Coming in August
Second Annual Charity Golf Tournament
in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation
August 12, 2009
Register by June 30 for the Early Bird Discount! You are invited to THE Golf Event of the Summer!
Helping a great cause, networking AND having fun has never been easier as four of Ottawa's leading professional associations have joined forces to make this the Golf Event of the Summer! This is your day to make great new contacts and pick up some amazing gifts and prizes while helping make a child's wish come true. A *Wish* (worth $7,000) will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Eastern Ontario.
Maximize your organization's presence by donating door prizes, silent auction items or be a sponsor. For more information or to donate a door/auction prize or become a sponsor, call (613) 749-5975 or email registrations@documentsetc.ca The Four Professional Associations of Ottawa who are part of this Event are: CAPS - Canadian Association of Professional Speakers - Ottawa Chapter SOP - Sales Professionals of Ottawa IAAP - International Association of Administrative Professionals - Ottawa Chapter ICF - International Coach Federation - Ottawa Chapter
Date: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 Schedule:
10:30am - Registration, Putting contest 12:00pm - Shot-gun start 5:00pm - Networking 6:00pm Dinner, prizes, Silent Auction Location: The Meadows Golf & Country Club, 4335 Hawthorne Road, Gloucester, Ontario K1G 3N4
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Kudos to Cheryl-Ann Webster who was treated like Royalty at the recent Girls Inc. 2009 Strong, Smart, & Bold Women of the Year Award ceremony. She was one of nine nominees for her work on Self-acceptance with women and girls. "Gracious, compassionate and sensitive to the needs of others, Cheryl-Ann has a clear vision of what she believes girls and women should be free to experience in their lives, and she has acted on those beliefs in a positive way that is changing lives for the better." (Quote by Sue Deschene of Real Life Magazine).
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Results from the Membership Survey
Here is the recap of results from the Membership Survey, March 25, 2009 sent to Members only. 13 of the 31 Members responded.
Overall, the Members who responded felt they are receiving relatively good value for their membership. When asked about changes or suggestions to improve our chapter, these points were brought up.
- To have more outside speakers to teach business skills
- Better promotion and visibility of our members
- Need for national strategy on education for long term members
- Advertise local chapter events well in advance
- Meet same day, same place every month
- Training on how to use CAPS tools and website
- Ways to grow referrals for each other
- Implement mentorship program for new members
- More networking time during events
- Ways to attract new members
- Succession planning strategies
- Lower rates for members for the special events
At our last board meeting, these points were discussed. As we move forward, we will make every effort to implement as many of these ideas as possible.
See you at the next CAPS event!!
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Annual Sponsors' Corner
Beneficium's Focus on Finances
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1-613-843-7377
Most people have health & dental insurance. The deductibility of such benefits and other medical & dental expenses is commonly forgotten. Current legislation allows individuals to deduct health & dental expense up to 3% of their net income to a maximum of $1,962 for the year 2009. This is a very low amount; therefore, people think that if they are earning more
then this amount, they can't do anything about it.
If you are self employed, part of a partnership or are the owner of a corporation, you can deduct the cost of these benefits. In addition to this, you can deduct expenses from your business income for services, medication (ex. fertility drugs, anti-smoking agents) or paramedical services (massages, physiotherapy, chiropractor or medical attention needed
outside of Canada) that are not covered by your insurance program. This does not mean you don't need travel insurance, this would be more on top of travel coverage.
In order to be able to deduct these from your business income, you need to set up a Health Spending Account. By doing so, all expenses can flow through the health spending account. Unlike your health & dental claims that are reviewed by an insurance company to determine their eligibility, these are reviewed by the supplier of the Health Spending account.
However the final say belongs to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA); therefore, it would be possible that CRA would disallows claims.
Please click here to view a document about our service regarding these deductions called Flexx. Please call us to complete the steps to have these benefits tax deductible. Creative Unity Ad-vantages
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The Power of Your Network
Any business can promote themselves in many ways. The smaller businesses usually have to get a little more creative to do it on a budget. Have you looked at what avenues are available to you?
Networking is a powerful tool that doesn't have to cost a lot. What can make networking work so well is when what you do proves someone right. Think about it...if you have a client or friend who refers you and the new person is impressed by your look or happy with your work, they will likely go back and tell the person that referred them. You now have a client who's happy as punch because you made them look good and you have a new contact that's going to continue the trend. Both of these people are now going to get you even more contacts.
And all you had to do was show up, care about what you do and put a little effort into making sure the image you present with yourself and your materials is professional. Review your look, style and how you deliver it. Do you see any places that need work? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
CAPS Library
CAPS Ottawa members are welcome to contact Evelyn Budd if you wish to check out available cds or books (maximum 4 per person) between meetings.
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| Upcoming Events from our Partner Organizations
Organization Development Network of Ottawa-Outaouais (ODNOO)
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News from CAPS National
Join us for the 2009 CAPS Convention that will take place in Calgary on December 6-8, 2009.
Need to call the national office? Now you can do it toll free!
CAPS National new toll-free number is 1-877-847-3350
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| Annual Chapter Sponsors
  
 
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About CAPS
CAPS Vision is: To be the association of choice for experts who speak professionally
CAPS Mission is: To raise the profile and professionalism of our members
CAPS Values: Connection, Continuous Improvement and Professionalism
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| CAPS Ottawa Secetariat
c/o Documents Etcetera
200 - 435 St. Laurent Blvd
OTTAWA ON K1K 2Z8
Tel. 613-749-5975
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