GreenCare for Troops

While there are 223 days until Christmas (you can track the number of days by going to http://www.realchristmastrees.org/), we are heavily involved in plans for the Trees for Troops program that we manage for the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation. We have some new plans and several new potential sponsors. The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation has donated some of the money we raise to an organization called Project Evergreen. One of its projects is called GreenCare for Troops. I spent some time on the phone today with my friend Den Gardner who manages Project Evergreen. He is in the middle of PE's GreenCare for Troops program ... which provides free lawn and landscape to families who have a military person away from home. Den tells me that Project Evergreen has enlised more than 1,300 volunteers who have provided lawn and landscape services to more than 5,400 military families. Wow! What a fantastic effort ... but so much more could be done. I urge you to take a look at their web site ... http://www.projectevergreen.com/gcft/ And, then, this fall, be looking for news on how you can be involved in the Trees for Troops program! Steve

Definition of Cause Marketing

Saw this story this morning … it helps demonstrates the “definition” of cause marketing. Click this link to watch for yourself: http://www.bioguard.com/mp/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=08b45b9160804110VgnVCM10000053d7010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=08b45b9160804110VgnVCM10000053d7010aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default Wow! This story demonstrates that “even a kid” can create a program that can become a huge national campaign. Since we at DrakeCo are involved (in some way) in our Trees for Troops program or the Alpha Zeta work trips, you are probably more familiar than most people with cause marketing. And, we are in the middle of some really major opportunities that could double or triple the impact of Trees for Troops in 2008. Don’t know if they will all come through but it is exciting to be able to even think about the possibilities. I hope you realize how special it is for us to be able to be involved in these type of campaigns … that are doing good whether for hurricane victims or families of soldiers. Stories such as Emily’s makes me more convinced that our company’s vision/mission should be to continue to get involved in and manage cause related marketing programs. And it is why four of us (Pam, Nicole, Alan and I) will be attending the 6th annual Cause Marketing Forum in Chicago on May 29. I attended last year for the first time and came away awed and inspired by the really good work being done by corporations and non-profits.

MidStates HPBA helps kick off Mich Wood Stove Change Out

The state-wide consumer incentive program to replace old, innefficient wood stoves with new hearth products kicked off last week with a press conference held in front of the state capital building in Lansing, Mich. MSHPBA President Robert Huta was one of the featured speakers and many members from the area brought appliances to burn and let legislators and media and the public see them in action. MUCC is a partner in the program and will process the cash rebates for consumers who change out an old wood stove. Their main information page is http://mucc.org/policy/woodstove.php

Bridging the Generations: from Minnie Peal & Pearl Harbor to Wiki & Wii

Last week, I presented a session to the Turf & Ornamental Communicators Association (TOCA) that we called "Bridging the Generations: From Mini Pearl & Pearl Harbor to Wiki & Wii."

What made the session sizzle was a pre-conference survey that asked several generational questions ... from birth year to use of Craig's List, Facebook and You Tube.

TOCA is a great group. And, the first group I've worked with that "matched" the profile of the U.S. workforce. Meaning TOCA's "mix" of Boomers, Gen Xers and Gen Yers was almost identical to the generations in today's work force. And, that made for a really great 90-minute session!

I've filed a couple of the Power Point "slides" that highlight the presentation and discussion.

If you or your group is interested in a session on Bridging the Generations, contact Rick Dungey or Steve at 636/449-5050.

Next week (May 21-23), I'm facilitating a leadership workshop for the Finishing Contractors of America (FCA)'s Leadership Council which is composed of volunteers and paid staff from FCA's affiliate organizations.

Make it a great week!