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Civil Servant Michael Ray Discusses Community Volunteering

In Professionals on May 18, 2012 at 4:12 pm

It has long been a fact of life that religious organizations help the needy.  Michael Ray has studied history and reports that in the old times, before America existed as these United States, convents were commonly regarded as the place to go for maternity care and other basic medical treatments. Michael Ray states that the tenets of most religions are based on helping the needy and less fortunate souls in our society. Centuries later, comments Michael Ray, convents and monasteries take it upon themselves to raise abandoned children, feed the hungry, and help heal the sick if possible.

Michael Ray cites historical changes.  With the rise of professional medicine, Michael Ray explains, the medical role of religious organizations has taken a back seat. But Michael Ray notes that religious communities still participate actively in many forms of social work, from orphanages to schools and beyond.  In our modern times, there are more people in need and less people in a position to help them.  For this reason, various religious organizations rely on volunteer aid and donations to maintain their charitable services.  Michael Ray finds giving back to his community very rewarding.

Would you like to volunteer your time or donate your money to a charitable religious organization?  Many people who answer, “Yes,” to this question simply do not have enough information to move on to the next step.  Michael Ray is aware of many organizations, religious and otherwise, that pledge help to the needy.  How will you choose whom to volunteer with?  Where will your donation go?  Who will it help?

Your best bet, says Michael Ray, is to find a cause that is meaningful to you personally.  Find a cause, be it abandoned children or weight loss, and make a few phone calls to your local religious organizations and charitable foundations.  Michael Ray knows from experience that you will feel most comfortable volunteering for a cause to which you feel personally connected.

 

 

A More Direct Way to Give Aid

In Professionals, Relationships on May 15, 2012 at 11:48 pm

Do you consider yourself someone who wants to help unfortunate people in need? You are not alone. Furthermore, you are a very valuable commodity. Religious organizations all over the country, galvanized by recent developments worldwide and natural disasters like the earthquake in Haiti, are organizing as much aid as they possibly can. Even if you cannot volunteer your time, you may be able to provide valuable assistance with donations of food, money and clothing.

If you doubt that donating to a sprawling bureaucracy like the American Red Cross is your best option, take just a moment to consider how effective a local religious organization can be. Many local religious groups are tireless distributors of aid, support, and service to the needy and tragedy stricken citizens of your community and the world. And volunteering or donating to a local religious organization is simpler, easier, and may be more effective than writing a check to an agency that spends a lot of money on overhead and administrative costs.

Often, religious organizations are more directly linked with their communities and can deliver aid directly to those who need it, without mediators in between. Hurricane Katrina was a good example, as local southern churches were much faster and more effective in delivering aid than FEMA.

Your help, be it with personal volunteer work or a financial donation, can make a very real difference in the life of an individual or family who has fallen on hard times. Next time you feel like giving back to your community, why not look up your preferred local religious organization and take the next step by offering them your help.

Success Isn’t Easy | Douglas Battista Explains the Value of Hard Work

In Information, Personal, Professionals on May 15, 2012 at 4:06 pm
Douglas Battista

Douglas Battista

Growing up in southeastern Pennsylvania, Douglas Battista was taught the value of hard work by his father. Today, he is the President of North America Field Operations for Jenny Craig in Carlsbad, California. Douglas Battista says that his climb up the corporate ladder was not without bumps in the road, and believes that his father’s influence provided him the tools needed to focus on his goals.

Douglas Battista attended Niagara University in Niagara Falls, New York earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Travel Tourism/Hospitality Administration in 1994. Shortly after college he took a job as the Food Service Director for the ARAMARK Corporation in Hartford, Connecticut. During his time at ARAMARK, Douglas Battista enrolled at the University of Hartford to focus on a graduate degree. He earned a Masters of Science in Organizational Behavior in 1998, one year after being promoted to Regional Recruiter.

According to Douglas Battista, many people thought that working a full-time/high-stress job while living so far from home would make it difficult to complete his degree. What they didn’t understand, says Douglas Battista, was that he understood that to find his place in the world he had to make his own breaks. No one was going to do that for him. In 1999, with five years of experience, a college degree, and a passion for human resources, Douglas Battista relocated to Irving, Texas, where he continued to serve ARAMARK as the HR Manager. This position set into motion events that would eventually lead him to work for the Walt Disney Company, and finally to his current appointment.

It seems, reflects Douglas Battista, that the values instilled in him during his youth are becoming less important with each successive generation. Many people believe that if they want something bad enough, they’ll get it, but often aren’t willing to put much effort into achieving their goals, observes Douglas Battista. In fact, many of these dreamers are disappointed when they reach their 30s and are still waiting for their adult life to begin, laments Douglas Battista.

According to Douglas Battista, creating your own successes isn’t just financially rewarding. He reports that people who set goals for themselves and take the steps to achieve them tend to be happier overall, even if they encounter obstacles along the way. And, points out Douglas Battista, the emotional benefit of looking back and seeing what you’ve accomplished is the most rewarding part life.

The Art of Cold Reading a Script

In Professionals on May 8, 2012 at 9:55 am

Cold reading a script is an essential skill for any hopeful actor, but there is much more to cold reading a script than quick, short-term memorization. As an auditioning actor, talent must also show that he or she is listening to fellow actors. Rather than being tempted to peek at the lines during an audition, it’s helpful to practice cold reading before the audition. With enough practice, you will be able to cold read without peeking.

During an audition, confine your memorizing to brief glances. Then return to eye contact with your reading partner. Never let yourself look at your lines for longer than a quick glance. With practice, you will be surprised by how much you can absorb in that glance. Make an effort not to utter a line while looking at the script. Reading a line directly off your script is a great way to blow the audition. During a cold read, the only time you should be looking at your script is during quick silences between lines.

Make eye contact with your partner while reading your lines. This shows the casting director that you have a professional demeanor and a commitment to the craft of acting. Stay in character while reciting your lines.

Begin scanning the script as soon as it is handed out. Do not waste any time socializing or switching seats or looking around. As soon as the cold script hits your hand, make every effort to read the entire scene before anyone begins his or her audition. Give attention to memorizing the first and last lines, so you can have a strong start and finish. Following these guidelines will make your first impression the best it can be!

Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunity

In Health and Beauty, Professionals on April 30, 2012 at 5:47 pm

Charitable volunteering has always been an element of human society. Long ago, monasteries and convents were places where people could go to find social services like counseling, basic medical care, and caring for abandoned children. As our society has grown and changed, religious organizations adapted to take on more charitable roles and social needs.

As medicine has evolved and improved, religious organizations like churches and nunneries have become less responsible for medical services in society and have been able to turn their energies toward other needy people. However, these religious organizations need volunteers and donations as much as ever – in some cases more than ever. For those of you that would like to volunteer, but don’t know where to begin, here is a brief description of some modern avenues for volunteering and donation.

Religiously based weight loss programs are becoming more popular. A spiritually based weight loss program uses community resources to help people improve their health and lose weight, including education in exercise, nutrition, and recipes. If you have knowledge or experience with these subjects, this may be a possible way to serve your community.

Another modern social service being administered through religious channels is debt relief. In these trying economic times debt relief can be as important as a food drive. Also available through various religious organizations are volunteer and donation opportunities in the areas of marriage counseling and youth programs. All of these forms of service, are great community building endeavors for someone inspired to give back to their community.

Presentation Solutions urges you to volunteer your time to an organization in need of helpers. You will find that volunteering and giving back to your community infinitely rewarding. Find a cause you believe in and see what you can do to help!

Steven P. Delarge Discusses Effective Time Management for CEOs and CFOs

In Finance, Information, Professionals on April 26, 2012 at 12:30 pm
Steven P. Delarge

Steven P. Delarge

As a long-time business executive, Steven P. Delarge has seen countless other executives trying to juggle too many things. Many CEOs and CFOs have hundreds of unread e-mails and a to-do list far longer than any one human being could ever complete, Steven P. Delarge reports. However, unless someone can magically grant these busy executives more hours in the day, says Steven P. Delarge, may feel they have no real options.

The answer for many people, Steven P. Delarge says, is creating to-do lists. There have been many books on effective time management, points out Steven P. Delarge, and nearly all suggest some variation of these to-do lists. While this is effective in the short-term, many people find their best intentions are short-lived and soon they’ve fallen back into the same rut, according to Steven P. Delarge. The key, says Steven P. Delarge, is to create “not-do” lists. These are items you simply won’t do each day. It’s a creative way to turn the to-do list concept on its ear, suggests Steven P. Delarge.

The key, Steven P. Delarge advises, is to think of those things that are colossal time-wasters, like checking and responding to e-mail for a full hour each morning when you first get into the office. Steven P. Delarge recommends making an initial list of three items—perhaps things you’ve identified as bad habits, like staying at the office each day until late rather than leaving on time to spend time at home with the family.

Steven P. Delarge has found that focusing on his “not do” list frees him up to do the things that would traditionally go on his to-do list–without all the pressure. According to Steven P. Delarge, this might include calling a client he’s needed to touch base with for a while, or giving an employee helpful encouragement and feedback. By completing these tasks, Delarge says that he experiences a sense of personal accomplishment and that this helps his business succeed.

We all have our mental “to-do” lists. Steven P. Delarge recommends removing the non-value added tasks from that list, freeing up more time to conduct more important day-to-day business affairs. According to Steven P. Delarge, this will give you more personal time to spend with your family, doing things you personally enjoy.

Volunteering Opportunities in Community Services

In Professionals on April 16, 2012 at 4:43 pm

Religious organizations have long spearheaded various community service programs. In fact, community-based religious organizations are a major provider of valuable services for the needy, and have been for centuries. These days, religious services are organized differently than they were centuries ago, but the basic philosophy remains the same. That basic philosophy requires dedicated citizens who are willing to give their time, knowledge and resources to the goal of bettering the community. Some common modern day volunteer supported social services include marriage counseling. The perspective of religiously based counseling tends to bring a very patient and forgiving attitude to resolving marital problems.

Another prevalent religious community service is youth groups. In this age of educational cutbacks, youth groups are on the rise as an alternative form of social and educational support for children who would otherwise fall through the cracks. Many youth groups are formed locally, sometimes as a reaction to cutbacks in after school programs. The programs create a haven for youth to get together for support and fun activities. Volunteers run many of these youth activities. Activities include tutoring, sports, arts, and crafts.

Many of these organizations need volunteer workers. Not everyone has extra time to volunteer, but people still want to help as they are able. Some organizations need assistance to the needy in ways that don’t require volunteer hours per se; for instance donations of food, clothing, guidance, and shelter. Many programs actually rely heavily on donations to provide their services. So, if you find that you do not have the time to give to your local charitable organization, you might just be able to donate cash so that these organizations can provide give critical help to those in need.

One Act for God can Equal an Eternity of Prosperity, says Dr. Pierre Bennett

In Information, Personal, Professionals on April 3, 2012 at 11:34 am
Dr. Pierre Bennett

Dr. Pierre Bennett

Presentation Solutions recently spoke with Dr. Pierre Bennett, the Pastor of God’s Luv International Ministries Church, who says that even the lowest citizen of a town can rise up and find himself worthy in God’s eyes.

Presentation Solutions: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Pierre Bennett.

Dr. Pierre Bennett: Thank you for having me.

Presentation Solutions: Dr. Bennett, you  speak of the story of Joshua quite often. Why is that?

Dr. Pierre Bennett: It’s because I feel that the story of Joshua has many good messages.

Presentation Solutions: Can you give us an example?

Dr. Pierre Bennett: Joshua was told to take the city of Jericho, which was considered a sinful city. Ironically, the only person he is told to spare within the confines of the town is the city’s prostitute.

Presentation Solutions: Why is that?

Dr. Pierre Bennett: Rahab the harlot – the prostitute – had enough faith in the Lord to hide His spies in her home. She was in danger herself. She had enough faith to make room for one of God’s people. She asked that she be spared.

Presentation Solutions: And she was?

Dr. Pierre Bennett: Yes in  one move, one touch, one act delivered her from her lifestyle prior to that event and was a blessing to her and to her entire family. Amen?

Presentation Solutions: Isn’t it amazing?

Dr. Pierre Bennett: God can use whomever He wants to. The least likely person will be the one that can be used for the mightiest task

Presentation Solutions: The passage in Joshua 6 verses 17:18 is: “Because she hid the messengers that we sent; and you, by all means abstain from the accursed things lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things.” Is that right?

Dr. Pierre Bennett: Yes, that’s right.

Presentation Solutions: So, all because she was able to get past her fear and act  in faith, God was able to spare her from the destruction of the city…

Dr. Pierre Bennett: The moral of the this story  is that when you get right with God you will reap His prosperity.

Presentation Solutions: Yes, and in the story Joshua spares the prostitute and her entire family and then he curses any man who rises up and builds the city

Dr. Pierre Bennett: So not only did he take the city, and burn the city for everything that was not like God, but only kept the gold and silver, which went into God’s treasury.

Presentation Solutions: And the prostitute was spared to live and go on and live a better life than she had in the city of Jericho?

Dr. Pierre Bennett: Amen.

Presentation Solutions: Dr. Bennett this is all very interesting but I’m afraid that we’re out of time. Thank you for sharing your insight with us. We are sure our readers will find this inspirational.

Dr. Pierre Bennett: I certainly hope so. If it touches just one person then I have done God’s work.

Dr. Pierre Bennett may be reached at God’s Luv International Ministries Church at (703)395-1430.

Pastor Pierre Bennett: Loving God through a Holy Life

In Health and Beauty, Information, Personal, Professionals on March 26, 2012 at 6:58 pm

 

Pastor Pierre Bennett

Pastor Pierre Bennett

Pastor Pierre Bennett has been working to help others all his adult life. Beginning as a serviceman in the military and continuing with his own resort travel club business, Pastor Pierre Bennett has experienced the joy of helping others. It is in his pastoral ministry, however, that Pastor Pierre Bennett found his true calling as the founder and leader of God’s Luv International Ministries Church.

Pastor Pierre Bennett acknowledges that we’re all sinners. But he believes that the biggest sin of all isn’t physical sin. Sometimes we sin the most when we think we’re walking so perfectly that we could never make a mistake, Pastor Pierre Bennett explains.

We all have weaknesses, Pastor Pierre Bennett points out. And if the Lord sees we need to be strengthened in a particular area, He works to strengthen us. Before Pastor Pierre Bennett was called to the ministry, he confesses, he lived a sinful life. In fact, Pastor Pierre Bennett often compares himself to Paul, chief of all sinners. While Pastor Bennett doesn’t believe in glorifying that part of his past, he does believe that sometimes the most remarkable change comes in going from the far left to the far right and learning what really matters to God.

According to Pastor Pierre Bennett, once a person has been through the firey consequences of sin and repents he or she wants to take in everything–every part of serving God. He or she doesn’t want to miss any of it. Pastor Bennett recommends making a habit of praying earnestly, so that God will do His work to make your heart clean and repentant.

Pastor Pierre Bennett recalls the story of King David, who was punished by God with a three-day plague upon his people. After three days, David asked for mercy not for himself, but for the people, Pastor Pierre Bennett relates. Punish me, David said, but don’t punish my people. What have they done?

Because David was able to place his kingdom ahead of himself, he freed himself, Pastor Pierre Bennett describes. While he had fallen into disfavor with God, the people had done nothing wrong. It was through this selflessness that David finally was able to find the personal forgiveness he sought, Pastor Pierre Bennett adds.

As Pastor Pierre Bennett explains it, God loves us first, and then He teaches us how to love Him in return. The next step is to teach us to love each other. Pastor Pierre Bennett concludes that one of the reasons God teaches us to love one another so that we may together be able to build churches in the future.

Ian Woodman’s Bucket List: Australia, Asia, and Africa

In Lifestyle, Professionals, Travel on March 26, 2012 at 4:12 am
Ian Woodman

Ian Woodman

Ian Woodman has Australia, Asia, and Africa at the bottom of his bucket list. It’s not that he has less desire to visit these places than others on his bucket list, but until retirement, Ian Woodman says it will be hard to find the time to make such long treks.

From the States, Australia is a fourteen-hour trip, involving crossing the International Date Line. That means if Ian Woodman leaves on Friday night, he’ll arrive on Sunday morning. Not only will this mess with his internal clock, it will also require significant time off of work. Not so easy for a man like Ian Woodman who is running his own successful business.

The trip to Asia can be even more grueling, explains Ian Woodman, taking as long as twenty hours. Africa requires a ten-hour flight, which is only slightly longer than the flight to England, notes Ian Woodman. While Australia, Asia, and Africa may not be at the top of Ian Woodman’s list, he hopes to find time once he retires to take the long trips.

An avid traveler like Ian Woodman will find an endless supply of things to do in Australia, where the beauty of the outback and history of the forests will keep him busy. In 4-wheel drive vehicles, Ian Woodman and his wife can take a guided tour around the outback, via the Savannah Way or the Explorers Highway. To indulge Ian Woodman’s love for water, Australia has surfing and diving, allowing his party to experience the beautiful waters of Australia.

Whether it’s viewing the Grand Palace in Bangkok or enjoying the beaches of Sentosa Island in Singapore, Asia has a little bit of everything for Ian Woodman and his wife. As it is the globe’s largest continent, travelers like Ian Woodman generally prefer to tour all of Asia in one long trip, similar to the tour of Europe that is also on Ian Woodman’s bucket list.

Africa’s safari experience will be ideal for Ian Woodman and his wife, who love to learn about new things. But Africa isn’t only for safaris. The beaches in North Africa appeal to travelers’ desire for relaxation and mountain lovers will enjoy Mount Kilimanjaro.

Like many of us, Ian Woodman has so many places he’d like to visit, but so little time. After retirement, Ian Woodman hopes to be able to cross these interesting places off of his bucket list, in addition to his many other travel experiences.