Union League Club of Chicago’s Post

Basically, this post is saying I'm very old. With great age however, comes great experience! 🤓 #futureofretail #experientialretail #visitorattractions #visitorexperience #customerexperience #productivityimprovement #ambience

Was that you I saw on BBC Breakfast News the other day? Ummmmm, Errrrrrr, Yeah, It may have been… I’ve had a few such messages in my various Inboxes since Saturday morning. SO, WHY WAS I ON TV? I was interviewed about Everton Football Club, the team I’ve supported all my life.  The club recently made the news for the wrong reasons having been docked a record number of points by the Premier League for a single breach of their financial sustainability rules.  I don’t need to go into the details but many across the football community believe the process and punishment was unfair.  A fan protest was organised last week outside of Premier League HQ in London, and the organiser asked if I would come along.  During the protest, he persistently asked me if I’d do an interview with the Associated Press, until I gave in and said ok. THE IMPORTANCE OF FOOTBALL TO A COMMUNITY The success or failure of a Football Club, particularly one rooted in a working-class city, has far reaching implications for those communities.   Football Clubs play a crucial role in the communities of working-class cities because they give residents a shared passion and identity, a sense of belonging, and shared values.  Clubs have significant economic impact on their local areas, generating employment opportunities, boosting local business, and they can and do attract tourists.  EVERTON IN THE COMMUNITY (EitC) The role my club plays in the local Liverpool community is significant.  They were awarded the Premier League’s Best Community Scheme at the Football Business Awards 2023, and Community Club of the Year - Premier League at the North West Football Awards 2023. 🔵 EitC has won more awards than any other football club charity in the UK. 🔵 EitC is one of the largest and most successful football club charities in the country. 🔵 Everton is the only Premier League club to have received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service. 🔵 EitC is a leading partner in a number of city-wide initiatives, such as the Liverpool City Region Poverty Commission and the Liverpool Health and Wellbeing Board. I couldn’t express all of the above when speaking to the media about why I’d chosen to attend but it was a case of values aligning with a passion and choosing to represent the interests of a wider community.  My message was about fairness, proportionality and doing the right thing. Community interests are something I see people working hard for within my network and whether it’s sport, business, or another community, it’s important to stand up for what you believe in and protect the group. What’s a cause you recently stood up for?   #community #sport #values #news

In dubious battle. As some of you will remember. After Chelsea won the 2012 Champions League defender John Terry was front and centre in the celebrations. Nothing wrong with that surely? But Terry had played no part in that final and having watched from the stands he had rushed to change into full kit for this photo op. The rest as they say is history. ‘Contribution’ is moot point and a sliding scale. And who is to say if without Terry’s contribution in earlier rounds or influence in general, this achievement still would have been made. Besides conspicuous success is still success; conspicuous good is still good!? Celebration is raising awareness and tempered with self-awareness all like pieces of the many moving parts to Social Value. If we think of Children in Need or Comic Relief for example. The celebs and networks rightly get the plaudits for giving of their time and resources. But the floor staff? And the Security staff who let in the floor staff? And the maintenance people who built the offices for the security staff? And the people in the brickworks who made the bricks for the maintenance people to bulid the offices… Social value has many faces and not all those faces are front facing. It is a thing of society. An ineluctable web of people, places, activities and contributions. For every person holding aloft a trophy there’s a whole community holding that person aloft. #WeAreSociety #SRAG #socialrecruitmentcovenant

To all my #charitysector contacts and #sme followers, contained in this month's magazine (which is well worth a read for other reasons!) there is an article from me on the benefits of #csr for both parties which I hope you find of interest.

🌟 🏏 Calling all changemakers 🌟 🏑 Together, we have the power to pay it forward. 🌟 🎾 If you know me, you'll know I have that fatal combination; I have 'ideas' and a hard time saying 'No'. So, when the opportunity arose to do a bit of local fundraising by running a half-marathon, I couldn't resist. What was I thinking, right? Now, I'm not much of a runner, aside from the occasional Saturday 5k #Parkrun. But this isn't just about pounding the pavement. It's about investing in the future of sports participation for young people in our local area. This endeavor marks my biggest physical and mental challenge to date. #GreatBirminghamRun. Your donation will be the fuel that keeps me going during those grueling training sessions. You know the ones—when you'd rather do anything but run (what feels like endlessly) around the local park. But your donation isn't just a financial contribution. It's an investment in the dreams and aspirations of our young people. It's about nurturing a lifelong love for sports and physical activity. And in today's world, where the well-being of our young people is more crucial than ever, your support will make a tangible impact. Think about the teenagers and young adults in your life. You understand firsthand how essential it is for them to have access to opportunities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Together, we have the power to pay it forward. Your generosity will provide the facilities, opportunities, and inspiration the next generation need to thrive and excel. So, I'm lacing up my trainers and hitting the pavement alongside a dedicated group of staff, parents, alumni, pupils and former staff. Together, we're showing our unwavering support for our sports community. Let's cross the finish line stronger, united, and proud of the difference we've made. Donate today 👇 and join me in becoming an ambitious FutureSports champion for young people. Together, we can make a lasting tangible impact. 💪 https://lnkd.in/eXG6ji8q https://lnkd.in/eEGf7da4 https://lnkd.in/etrQwVzR https://lnkd.in/e7fCQA83 #QMGS #Champions #Hockey #Fundraising #cricket #mentalhealth #Passion #Resilience #Leadership #TeamWork #Dedication  #Running #MassParticipation #GreatBirminghamRun #RunningEvent #Birmingham #parkrun https://lnkd.in/e7KBC7Am

Throughout Australia, many community groups and sporting clubs operate as incorporated associations. In Queensland, for an association to incorporate, it must have at least seven members, be not-for-profit and be located in Queensland. This article explores the benefits of incorporating as an association in Queensland and provides a guide as to how an association goes about incorporating. https://bit.ly/3Nq6o0i #incorporatedassociations #organisationallaw #industriallawyers

A couple of weeks ago I had the honour of being invested as an Officer of the Order of St John. I was recognised for this honour for my volunteer work at Hato Hone St John locally with the Nelson-Tasman Bays Area Committee, and regionally with the South Island Region Trust Board. The Order of St John is an Order of Chivalry and is an independent part of the New Zealand Royal Honours system.  Honours are conferred by the Order with the sanction of King Charles III as Sovereign Head of the Order.  To be admitted or promoted within the Order members must show a remarkable dedication to St John and the work of the Order. It has been quite overwhelming, and I’ve had a range of emotions to process as I’ve taken it all in.  I have moved through embarrassment, an ‘imposter’ feeling and eventually pride.  Through all this stuff swimming around in my head, I keep coming back to focussing on the ‘why’ I volunteer and contribute to such an amazing organisation – here are some of the reasons: PEOPLE - I get to interact with like-minded, passionate and community focused individuals. Genuine people, many of whom have become lifelong friends. Amazing people from a variety of backgrounds, who ordinarily I wouldn’t cross paths with. WELLBEING – Sharing my skills, knowledge and time is a real boost for my confidence, resilience and sometimes pushes me outside my comfort zone. I feel connected and have a strong sense of purpose in the work we do. UNDERSTANDING – I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by our communities and a far more empathetic view of the world around me.  My perceptions are challenged, and I’ve realised some unconscious bias, I never knew I had sitting there! So, why am I sharing this? To encourage you to volunteer your time, knowledge, and experience to the vast number of organisations and community groups out there – plenty are looking for help and support, from ordinary everyday people like you.  I know time is precious, but maybe consider sharing it with an organisation like Hato Hone St John – you never know where it might take you.  My experience volunteering has genuinely been one of getting equally, if not more back than I put in. Get out there and do it! #stjohn #volunteer #community

Check out this short recap from our Annual Meeting held today led by Board President Chris Morehead. Exciting things are happening at AAMV!

Episode 832: Membership Committees Are Critical (Classic) by Dr. Ivan Misner Ivan & Priscilla explain the responsibilities of membership committees and what it’s like to serve on the membership committee. #boomers #babyboomers