Having trouble getting volunteers to put together those meeting packets? Wonder how you can keep your best volunteers from burning out and quitting on you? Here are some good resources:

casanet.org

serviceleader.org

lbcc.cc.or.us

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Unite Here, a 440,000-member labor union that includes hotel employees, has released the first edition of itsHotel Labor Advisor Newsletter for Meeting Planners. When I talked with Jason Ortiz, the union’s spokesperson, last week, he said that with citywide contracts between hotel employees and employers already expired in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and an impending expiration in Washington, D.C., planners need to stay in the know with what’s going on with labor at their meeting properties.

In a pretty slick move, Unite Here also managed to get the newsletter distributed to all MPI meeting planners in the US and Canada. According to the press release:

“We find that when planners are given accurate, timely and useful information during contract expirations it helps them make informed decisions to protect their interests,” said Jason Ortiz, Research Analyst with UNITE HERE. “In the event of a labor dispute, we want to ensure planners know exactly what’s going on, and know exactly what their rights and options are.”

Regardless of whether their unspoken intention is to have planners turn up the heat on hotels that aren’t playing ball with the union (what can I say, I’m a little cynical–Jason says it’s purely to inform people of what’s going on), the first issue of the newsletter I saw was pretty darn handy, including city-by-city updates, a bit on force majeure language, and model language, drafted by the union’s general counsel, that it says “would fully protect planners from a potential labor dispute.”

And if you have something coming up in San Francisco, this article on the labor situation there is a must-read.

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If you or someone you know works for a non-profit organization, check out the Google Grants program:

The Google Grants program supports organizations sharing our philosophy of community service to help the world in areas such as science and technology, education, global public health, the environment, youth advocacy, and the arts.

Designed for 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, Google Grants is a unique in-kind advertising program. It harnesses the power of our flagship advertising product, Google AdWords, to non-profits seeking to inform and engage their constituents online. Google Grants has awarded AdWords advertising to hundreds of non-profit groups whose missions range from animal welfare to literacy, from supporting homeless children to promoting HIV education.

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Between the upcoming elections and the national day of mourning and remembrance on September 11, U.S.-based meetings this fall are sure to be flying the flag. But before you raise Old Glory, make sure that you know your stuff when it comes to flag ettiquette.

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Or, more appropriately, how not to tick people off with your e-mail messages–another must-read manifesto from changethis.com. I think I’m going to send this link to my distant cousin who likes to send chain letters and fake virus alerts to his entire extended family.

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Does your organization give out awards? One way to create some extra “buzz” about them might be to do what Interaction, the 63rd World Science Fiction Convention, and the Glasgow School of Art are doing: “holding a public design competition for the base of the 2005 Hugo Award” open to any sci-fi fan and the school’s students. The winner gets free registration, a cash prize, and a place in the spotlight at the convention.

According to the article, the award, a silver rocket whose base varies from year to year “is usually inspired by the history and location of the city hosting the convention.”

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I just stumbled across this great compilation of hospitality law-related checklists on hospitalitylawyer.com. Definitely a must-bookmark site for those times when you need anything from a release form for references to a doggie bag disclaimer.

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I learned this neat tip from a fellow diner at yesterday’s luncheon here at the HCEA conference in Austin. We were all staring in confusion at the profusion of glasses and plates, trying to figure out which was whose. The trick, she said, was to circle your thumbs and forefingers on both hands, putting the rest of your fingers straight up (this can be done discretely in your lap so you don’t look like you’re clueless).

Your left hand will look like the letter “b” for bread, your right “d” for drink, so the bread plate is on the left, beverage on the right. I know I should have learned these things at my mother’s knee or some other joint (sorry, one of my Dad’s favorite puns), but somehow I missed it. Phew, one more awkward social gaffe-avoidance technique–anyone have any other favorites they want to share?

Ever feel that way after a long day in meetings? I know I have. That’s why CMI magazine treated ergonomics as its Last Word one issue last year. For example, did you know…

…that ergonomics’ Golden Rule is, “one size does not fit all. Adjustability is the key to transforming a typical chair into an ergonomic chair. And the chair is just one component of the office system. The person in the chair is another — as well as the stapler, telephone, computer, mouse, keyboard, desk, and other work tools.”

For pretty much anything ergonomically related, check out
Ergonomics: Comprehensive Internet Resources by Usernomics, which was brought to my attention by an alert reader.

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On what seems like the first really hot day of the summer here in New England, this seems appropriate: If you ever need inspiration for a beach- or tropical-themed event’s tunes, check out this site, which despite its slightly insulting name (cooldudesandhotbabes.com), has links to just about everything surf-music oriented.

Cowabunga! (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

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