Bravo to MPI’s British Columbia chapter, which has added a dynamic newsreader to its Web site. It looks like it plugs directly into Google’s News Alerts function to bring you the latest headlines on meetings-related topics. While anyone who really wants the news can just go sign up for a news alert of their own, with more personalized key words, it still gives that chapter’s members more of a reason to check in often if they don’t want the hassle of yet more e-mail in their in box.

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According to this article, the current GWSAE/ASAE merger is already making some waves with the staff, some of whom have expressed a desire to split themselves–to new jobs.

While the leadership of both organizations say it’s premature to say what the new org chart will look like and who, if anyone, will be tempted to put on their boogie shoes, I don’t think anyone would be surprised to see some staff fallout by the time the dust settles. While breaking up is hard to do, so is joining together. I wish a smooth transition to all involved.

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A couple of useful articles on who, when, and how much to tip:

Service NOT Included

Tipping Guidelines

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Thanks to a poster with a good sense of humor on the MIMlist listserve for this one.

You might be in the hotel industry if…
1. You sat at the same desk for 4 years and worked for 8 different
managers.
2. “Going for cocktails and dinner” is NOT your idea of a nice evening.
3. When someone asks you your exact job profile you lie.
4. You get excited about a 2% pay increase.
5. You sit in a cubicle smaller than your bedroom closet.
6. It’s dark on your drive to and from work.
7. Communication is something your “group” is having problems with.
8. You see a good looking person and know it is a visitor / guest.
9. Food left over from a banquet / meeting is your main staple.
10. You forgot what you look like in anything but a suit.
11. All the work you were hired to do gets done before 9 and after 5.
12. You’re already late on the assignment you just received.
13. Your boss’s favorite lines are…
a. “When you get a few minutes…”
b. “In your spare time…”
c. “I have an opportunity for you…”
14. 50% of the people in your company do not know what you do.
15. The other 50% of the people in your company do not care what you do.
16. Vacation is something you rollover to next year or get a check for each January.
17. Change is the norm.
18. Nepotism is encouraged.
19. You dial “9″ before the number no matter where you are calling from.
20. When you are walking in public you have to fight the urge to pick up little scraps of paper and trash on the floor / ground.
21. Your toilet paper at home is folded in a triangle on the first sheet.
22. You answer the phone at home, “Hello this is _________, how may I help you?”
23. You read this entire list and understand it.

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