Newsletter - Jan 2013 for Middlesex County
Area Captains Newsletter January 2013 for Middlesex County
Diane Trayah (H)978-657-6103 (C)978-551-1278 e-mail: topsmiddlesex@gmail.com
Hi
Leaders,
It’s
that time of year. To start afresh and get your chapter re-motivated…
How are you going to do that? Our chapter instead of having a Christmas
party which had to be postponed we are having a New Year’s party the
TOPS way with a meal, hat and party blowers.
Everyone will be getting a goodie bag of gifts including a toast at the
end of our party. This is our first time doing this so I will let you
know how it goes.
Here
are some other ideas.
REDEDICATION
Have
a rededication ceremony by using small votive candles and pass out to
everyone as gifts. Try using the
new theme from TOPS for the next two years.
Real People. Real Weight loss.
Check out for some ideas.
www.topsgoodies.org
http://www.topsgoodies.org/ceremonies/rededicate1.htm
http://www.topsgoodies.org/ceremonies/rededicate2.htm
Another good website is:
http://www.whywelovetops.com/
GUEST SPEAKERS
Have
guest speakers come and speak about different topics. Personal trainers
usually at Planet Fitness or other local gyms are available for nominal
fees encouraging exercise.
Nutritionists from local hospitals, Hannaford’s nutritionists can also
come and visit your chapter rather than going to their facility.
Ask
your members for names for referrals that they might be aware of that
would come and talk at your meeting. There are plenty of TOPS members
from other chapters that are also willing to come and speak about their
weight loss journey.
Have
fun at your meetings by having skits, songs, poems, closing thoughts,
and those ever fun and exciting contests. Keep contests moving from one
contest to the next. This will keep themselves challenged and wanting to
come to chapter for a reason. Besides being accountable on the scale,
just another tool to guide them along their weight loss journey.
Have
everyone fill out a Resolution commitment (see attached) and mail it to
them at the end of the year. Have them also fill out a 2013 weekly goal
calendar and have them set their short term goals. Both are attached.
You can also revised them if you would like.
BOARD MEETINGS
I
have board meetings every couple of months with my officers. We either
have it at an officer’s home by having a pot luck, go out to a local
restaurant or we stay after our regular weekly meeting. Enjoy each
other’s company and have a meeting at the table after dinner. You as a
leader need to plan good programs and contests with your officers if you
want your members to stay motivated. We talk about volunteers who could
do upcoming programs, upcoming special ceremonies or chapter
anniversary, holidays, weather, officer elections, officers being out
for a meeting, etc…..
If
you need help in doing a board meeting, I will be glad to help you or
even attend one.
OPEN HOUSE
Start thinking of hosting an open house. Even if you don’t do it in
January or February at least try to have one in the spring. There are
excellent ideas you can get from the TOPS website. You can get many
forms and flyers from there so start planning now. I can also come and
do a PowerPoint regarding TOPS.
NEWS ARTICLES
If you would like to see something in my newsletters, please submit to
me early in the month so I can share with everyone.
I have submitted a TOPS article to a lot of local newspapers entitled:
“Forget Resolutions and Mind your P’s & Q’s.” Let me know if you see it.
HEADQUARTERS
The new lifestyle book is going to the printer now. There was a
pre-order form in the Dec/Jan TOPS News that indicated that books
will be shipped in February – late February to be exact.
Each chapter will be getting a coupon to order ONE FREE book for chapter
use.
Chapters are welcome to use the pre-order form from page 10 of the
Dec/Jan TOPS News to order their books
now at a special
discount.
Twas the month after Christmas - Cute Poem for
all
T'was the month after Christmas, and all through the house,
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At holiday parties had gone to my waist.
When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I'd remembered the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,
The punch and the candy, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd not said, "No Thank You, Please."
As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---
I said to myself, as I only can "you can't spend a winter disguised as a
man"
So--- away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip
Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
"Till all the additional ounces has vanished.
I won't have a cookie--- not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.
I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't it that what January is for?
Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a Good Diet!
New contest
This year I am holding a contest for the chapter who gets the most
amount of NEW
members. New members are members who have never joined TOPS or whose
membership has lapsed for more than one year. A $50 gift card will be
presented at the end of December 2013 to the leader and their chapter.
I look forward in seeing
everyone again this year as I come and present the 2013 Area Captain
presentation. I think it’s one of the best so far with nice photos and a
really down to earth program.
If you need me for a special occasion such as Awards night, New KOPS
ceremony, Milestone anniversary of chapter or member, just send me an
email or call. I will be glad to attend.
See you lighter this year.
Diane Trayah
Middlesex AC
Phone: 978-657-6103
