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Photo courtesy of Alan Wolf

One aspect of visual practice that is accessible to anyone is visual note-taking, or incorporating imagery and design into your own personal notes. This can be done with pen and paper, but it can also be done digitally. The iPad is a perfect tool for digital visual note-taking because of its portability and ease of use.

I pioneered the practice of digital visual note-taking with the iPad at Northern Voice 2010, a Canadian blogging conference, just after the first iPad was released. I posted the visual notes on Flickr and Twitter right after each session, and they were an instant hit among conference attendees. At the March 3 chapter meeting, Gizmology, I will be teaching two sessions about visual note-taking. The first will introduce you to some useful apps and teach you how to use their features, and the second will help you begin to build your own library of icons and imagery to use in your note-taking.

No prior experience with drawing is required. If you have an iPad, bring it along; if you don’t, you can still practice with pen and paper. I’ll be demonstrating two apps in particular: Autodesk Sketchbook Pro and Taptrix Brushes. While you don’t need either of these, it’ll be easier to follow along if you have at least one of them loaded on your iPad before you start.

If you’d like to see more of my work or learn more about digital visual practice, please visit my blog (digitalfacilitation.net). See you in March!

To Register for Gizmology, please visit http://www.nsanc.org/gizmology

Learn more at http://nsanc.org/gizmology
Ian Griffin, Freelance speechwriter, Executive Communications

When the holiday’s wind down, it’s time to get back to work, and start making more profits. How will you do that you ask? We have two fantastic speakers that will answer that question. Laura Stack, our current NSA President will explain how all of us can easily incorporate video to get booked, and stay booked. Now this is a program after my own heart! Additionally, as a little New’s Year’s present to you, we’re bringing in a second speaker,

Bruce Serbin, speaker at the 2011 NSA Convention Million Dollar Club (I missed that meeting for some reason). Bruce is going to help us implement Million Dollar Marketing using media.
Vidoe of Money Dropping – me standing on left looking forward. What better way to multiply the effects of your marketing than using the Media to do it for you. Oh, the gifts don’t stop coming, because if you’re a NSA/NC chapter past president, we’d like to invite you to the meeting and lunch at no cost. Every year we celebrate our Presidents, because it’s through your leadership that keeps this chapter, and our members, moving forward.

Singup for the Jan 7 Chapter meeting on our website – it will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City.

This past week, Joanne submitted her resignation and the board accepted it. With deep consideration, she decided that this was the right time for her to move on. Joanne has offered to continue to help the chapter as we need it, for which the Board is greatly appreciative. Joanne has been great to work with, always patient with a revolving cast of characters, and kept some of us in line when we needed it.

Joanne will be finishing out her employment through the month of December. If you aren’t able to wish her warm regards at our Holiday Party, send her your warm thoughts through email or by phone. We’ll be setting up a going away luncheon, watch your email for more information. If you have any questions, please contact me, or talk to any member of the Board. Joanne has been a wonderful addition to our NSA family, and will continue to be for years to come.

NSA has had some great events recently that I hope you were able to attend. In November, Chris Clark Epstein demonstrated how to be the speaker of choice, and differentiate yourself. Jane Duber, our newest chapter member, also hosted our first mini-meeting of the year and demonstrated how to eliminate the hassles and headaches typically involved in “taking our content virtual.”

So with the weather as cold as it is this winter, what should a Professional Speaker do with their time?

Ahh, the warmth of a fire, and Holiday cheer, now that’s how I like to enjoy this time of year. Bring your holiday rhymes and fun conversation to this year’s NSA/NC Member Holiday Party Sunday December 11 from 3-6 pm. Members are invited along with a guest for only $10 per person. Our Pro-Track members are also invited with a guest for only $15 per person. Pre-register on our website by Dec 7th to get these great rates, and help us plan the food accordingly.

Don’t fear not having anything to talk about at this social event. Kurt Shaver has solved that problem with a new LinkedIn group dedicated to our NSA chapter. The group is reserved for our chapter members, and members of the Pro-Track program. Go online to see some of the discussions our chapter is having. It’s also a great way to let others see what you’re working on. Hey look, four of our recent Pro-Track grads are presenting a series of workshops. Get your scoop on what’s happening professionally through our new linked in group. You should receive an invitation from Kurt to connect with this group – if you don’t, give him a call, his number’s on our website.

When the holiday’s wind down, it’s time to get back to work, and start making more profits. How will you do that you ask? We have two fantastic speakers that will answer that question. Laura Stack, our current NSA President will explain how all of us can easily incorporate video to get booked, and stay booked. Now this is a program after my own heart! Additionally, as a little New’s Year’s present to you, we’re bringing in a second speaker,

Bruce Serbin, speaker at the 2011 NSA Convention Million Dollar Club (I missed that meeting for some reason). Bruce is going to help us implement Million Dollar Marketing using media.
Vidoe of Money Dropping – me standing on left looking forward. What better way to multiply the effects of your marketing than using the Media to do it for you. Oh, the gifts don’t stop coming, because if you’re a NSA/NC chapter past president, we’d like to invite you to the meeting and lunch at no cost. Every year we celebrate our Presidents, because it’s through your leadership that keeps this chapter, and our members, moving forward.

Singup for the Jan 7 Chapter meeting on our website – it will be held at the Crowne Plaza in Foster City. Again, Happy Holidays, I look forward to seeing you at our Dec 11 Holiday Party, and the Jan 7th Chapter meeting.

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Jim Carrillo

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Dan Moirao

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Jenny de St Georges

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Gary Karp

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Paul Kingsman

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Craig Harrison

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Karen Walker-Tunoa

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Scott “Q” Marcus

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Michael Soon Lee

Achieve 2011

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Click the play button to listen to the recording of our Seeds of Success CSP Interviews. To download the full set of recordings in zip format, CLICK HERE

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Janelle Barlow

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Joyce Turley

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Linda Vanderwold

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Marilyn Manning

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Mike Robbins

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Rebecca Morgan

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Michael Soon Lee

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Allen Klein

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Patricia Fripp

We are recreating the success of last year’s dynamic program,

Achieve! The Professional Edge

A program designed to share the hottest topics in the paid speaking business.

Saturday, Sep 10 9am – Noon (with optional afternoon program)
Location: Main Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Hotel
1221 Chess Drive, Foster City, CA 94010

Interested in hearing more? Watch this short video.

Or click this link:  http://nsanc.org/calendar/achieve-sept-10/achieve-the-professional-edge/

Free Public Presentation (with pre registration) – Pros on the Runway 9am to Noon

http://nsanc.org/calendar/achieve-sept-10/

The best NSA/Northern California has to offer present the latest ideas and cutting-edge approaches to shake up YOUR business and career.

Master of Ceremonies: Jolene Jang

Consider attending the full day.  For a small investment, join us for a deep dive discussion  with our presenters, and engage in our annual Speak Off competition.

Optional Second Session:  Meet the Pros

We are featuring one of our members’ favorite sessions—Meet the Pros.  Each attendee will have the opportunity to sit at a table for 30 minutes, choosing from one of the Pros on the Runway presenting in the First Session.  Listen to and ask questions of an experienced Pro, and then do it twice more for a total of three Pros, for a total of three 30 minute session with the pos

Optional Third Session:  60 Seconds to Success

Picture a parade of ideas! All preregistered participants will have an opportunity to share fresh ideas geared towards business and career advancement in a rapid-fire fashion — delivered in 60 seconds or less! Then, the audience votes via text message for their favorite ideas with the results shown “live.” The participants with the top three votes will be given an additional ten minutes on the Main Stage to expand on their original idea.

Who should attend this event?  People who want to significantly improve their business and career, including corporate leaders, business owners, solopreneurs, managers, speakers, coaches, consultants, sales representatives, and decision makers looking for the Professional Edge. Attend the biggest professional speaking business event in Northern California for 2011!

The next two months are jam packed with more events, so get your pens ready to mark your calendars.

Click Here to Watch the Video

To see a full transcript of this message, you can find it on our chapter’s blog. Simply click here to read the message http://nsanc.org/message-from-the-president-2/ .

Save The Dates!

July 30:
The 2011 NSA Convention is being held in Anaheim CA. Many of us from the chapter will be attending. We’re organizing a chapter social at the convention on Monday night at 6pm, so keep your ears open for the location. Allison Massari, a chapterr member, was selected as one of six speakers from all the NSA chapters to compete on stage at National in the “So You Think You Can Speak” contest. Be sure to attend the Sunday evening event and extend your support.

August 13:
Barry Wishner will be hosting his annual Post-convention Breakfast. This event is reserved for NSA/NC Chapter members and Pro-Track participants that attended the convention. If you’re interested in attending, send an email to Joanne, info@nsanc.org.

August 20:
Rebecca Morgan is bringing back the Summertime Night at the Movies with NSA. Rebecca will have the video of a general session from the convention, and project it on the big screen under the stars. In other words, bring a lawn chair and a jacket. This is one of our Member and Pro-Track Benefits, and you can come even if you didn’t attend the convention. Dinner will be catered by Aquis and served between 6:30 and 7, with the movie starting around 9. Registration is on our website. There is a $20 fee to cover the cost of food, sodas, and water.

August 28:
The MAD Party (or Membership Appreciation Day) is being held at the home of Barbara and Barry Wishner. Look forward to having fun in the sun and being cool by the pool. Register on our website to let us know if you can make it. This is a member-only event.

Sept 10:
We’re bringing the Achieve Event back. Think of a Ted-style event for our morning session, combined with Meet the Pros in the afternoon. The morning session is free to all. Come hear nine of our professional members share their skills with 10-minute speeches. There are additional fees for the networking lunch and afternoon session. Each of the Pros that present in the morning will host roundtable discussions for deep dives into their area of expertise. Finally, the day will be capped with the Sixty Seconds to Success speaking competition, with live voting via text messaging. Watch for promotions over the coming weeks.

Sept 17:
We’ve accelerated the start of Pro-Track this year to coincide with the collegiate calendar. Registration for the new class has already opened. Spread the word, class size is limited.

Wow, the next few months are busy, but in a good way. Come network with the professional speakers of Northern California, and join us at one of these events. As usual, check on our chapter’s blog, nsanc.org, for more details and links to registrations. I hope to see you soon.

I look forward to engaging with you at our NSA/NC events. Our meetings this year are: Sep 10, Nov 5, Jan 7, Mar 3, and May 5.

If you have any questions, or just want to reach out and say “Hi”, give me a call at 408-782-4018.

Sincerely,

Jim Carrillo
President
National Speakers Association Northern California