A Start Given

The definition of a send-off is a friendly demonstration for another that is starting something new. 

AmFam FLE/LE Send-Off Lunch at Erin's Snug (L-R:  Eric Pearson, Josh Erickson, Carol Cichocki, Me, Laurie Strommen, Mary Vertacic, Dawn Spaanem, Ann Falk, Treater Prestine) 

A start given to Josh and me by Former Loaned Executives (FLE's) from American Family in the form of a send-off lunch yesterday. As I understand, Treater Prestine, started the tradition of holding a send-off lunch for the new AmFam Loaned Executives's (LE's) to show support and share FLE experiences.  Given the demands of everyday work schedules that most of the FLE's balance, we greatly appreciate everyone taking time to get us started on the right foot.  Formal training starts tomorrow!  8:00 a.m.

The FLE ranks dated back to the  90's and what a different experience that must have been. No cell phones, no laptops and most frightening...NO GPS. Dawn Spaanem said she made it a practice to print off maps, highlight the routes and keep them in client folders so she knew where she was going.  Honestly, I have trouble finding Stoughton from Cambridge without my GPS. 

We learned a little something about keeping our days organized, grouping client visits efficiently, customizing presentations, supplies to carry in the car with us, building relationships with other LE's and using the FLE's for support. 

Most importantly...."Be proud of your American Family connection. You will be amazed at the admiration our company has in the community and at United Way." 

Wish us good luck!

Carol Cichocki, Me, our little light, Mary Vertacic

That's How We Roll-Badger Bowl Social

FLE/LE Badger Bowl Social with Carol Cichocki (Class of 2012)

First, a Public Service
Announcement...Holiday Shopping Spoiler Alert:  Stopped at Hobby Lobby on the south-side on the way to the FLE/LE event and they have Christmas decorations out. Not just a few clearance items but isles dedicated to Christmas.  Really?  July's cool temperatures are one thing but buying tinsel is quite another.  I refused to even make eye contact with that section of the store.



Picked up the LE car this week.  The staff in the American Family Travel department could not have been nicer. Everything was organized and ready for Josh and I to come get our vehicles. 
Apparently, my vehicle had some weird "curclunk" sound and they had 2 people check it out for me before sending the car on the road.  I have a pool car (Chevy Impala) with Missouri plates. Believe me, when you drive a vehicle with out of State plates other drivers treat you differently. Try it once.  Almost run off the road on East Washington buy a WI driver with extreme out of state road rage. I may have even seen a 1 finger salute in the rear view mirror.

The Former Loaned Executive (FLE's)  held a social at the Badger Bowl for the new LE class last week. If you haven't been to the Badger Bowl recently, they have a great private party room that looks like a log cabin. A great opportunity to re-connect with some of the LE's we met at the Madison Club and network with the FLE's from previous years.  I ran into a former Marketing VP from AmFam, Don Mahoney.  Don is active in the Retiree United Way activities and has been an LE twice.  He also mentioned he ran into John Reed, a retired Life Company VP on an Honor Flight to our nations capital.

A few words of wisdom from the FLE's:

• Training is overwhelming. It's like being hit in the face with a fire hose of information

• The LE experience is "life changing". I've heard this before, many, many times.

• Its a lot of hard work but extremely rewarding.

• Enjoy every minute.  Be in the moment and just enjoy it!

Last, a shout out to my AmFam FLE's that attended the social and have given Josh and I such great support; Eric Pearson and Carol Cichocki, Class of 2012.  You're the best!

Welcome Breakfast at Madison Club

Welcome Breakfast at Madison Club

Josh and I are getting a lot of great invitations these days to welcome us into this years class of Loaned Executives (LE's).  This morning the United Way hosted a welcome breakfast at the Madison Club.  The event was a nice way to get acquainted with the United Way staff and meet fellow LE's.  Leslie Howard, United Way of Dane County President and CEO, gave us a warm welcome and spent time talking to the new LE's individually before the formal program started. Leslie also serves on the American Family Board of Directors so meeting her in person was like meeting a local celebrity!  She was awesome!

Renee Moe,VP Resource Development, followed Leslie on the agenda to thank us for our time and remind us of the great United Way support network.
Bill Monkemeyer, Senior Director of Campaign, who I think is technically our boss while we are on assignment, led the ice breaker activity (What famous person would you like to spend the day with...) and gave us a high-level overview of what's to come!  

In other 'news'...Josh made an appearance on Channel 15!  Little-Known team helps United Way Meet Goals. What a star!  He did a great job representing the LE Program.  Lori Snapp, American Family HR Director, also makes a guest appearance.  

Welcome Breakfast, Madison Club.  (L-R:  Laura Zibell, Bill Monkemeyer, Josh Erickson)

It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference.

You know how you have good intentions of keeping a journal?  People say it's healthy and a good way to gain perspective on life.  Heck, I attended the UW Whitewater with all the good intentions of being a journalist and since that didn't quite work out this might be the next-best thing. I should mention here that while I'm not a journalist, I did take courses in Fencing and Portuguese. So, I've got that going for me.  This is my attempt at documenting the wonderful volunteer opportunity that has been offered to me to make a difference in the community as a United Way Loaned Executive (LE).

Almost missed the opportunity entirely...
My good friend, Sarah Weber, stopped in my office one day and asked me if I had applied for one of the 2013 United Way LE positions.  I'd been looking for a volunteer opportunity and until Sarah's visit the LE position never occurred to me.  What are friends for-right?

Long story short, I did toss my name into the pool, updated my resume, interviewed and received a call from AmFam HR while vacationing in Florida that I had been selected.  I remember a lot of high-fives with my sisters and mom after that call in March 2013.  I was equally excited to hear that Josh Erickson from Sales Technology, was also selected.  We've worked together in the past and Josh is...well...awesome!

After that initial call Mary Vertacic (who is equally awesome) and I had coffee and she encouraged me to talk with Former LE (FLE) to get a better understanding of the experience.  Without prompting, every FLE I spoke to said the experience was, "life changing".  I figured my life could use a little changing so all this is good news and adds to the excitement of things to come!  Like Tom Brokaw said, "It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference."  Stay tuned...........

P.S. I should mention that Mary is also the one who provided the little light which will guide Josh and I through our journey.