DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!!!

Drum Roll Please! First let me say that this was SO MUCH FUN!!! I had the opportunity to receive emails from over 270 Kindermusik educators and responded to each and every one! I cannot wait to meet each one of you in person in November! Today’s the day that we have the pleasure of announcing the winners of our convention lodging drawings (the deadline for entry was noon today)!!!

1) FIRST CHANCE DRAWING (available to the first 200 educators who responded): Two night’s lodging at the Marriott Raleigh City Center during our November convention
2) SECOND CHANCE DRAWING (available to all of those educators who responded, but who didn’t make the first 200): One night’s lodging at the Marriott Raleigh City Center during our November convention

And the winners are:

1) FIRST CHANCE DRAWING: Elizabeth Hickey
2) SECOND CHANCE DRAWING: Carol Mosman

CONGRATULATIONS to Elizabeth and Carol! I’ll be in touch with both of you soon (or feel free to contact me by email at cschor@kindermusik.com)! Keep checking the blog for additional EXCITING postings -- and be sure to take part in the two “Planning for Convention” calls being held in April and hosted by Careyanne Deyo and "Convention Connie" where we'll share ideas on convention travel and "getting the biggest bang for your buck!" Dates and times will be posted very soon, so keep checking the blog and the April calendar on the teachers lounge!

In the meantime, have a terrific weekend, and thanks for all YOU do to touch children's lives with the gift of music: KINDERMUSIK!

"Convention Connie"
....the employee owners of Kindermusik International
....and the Partnership of Kindermusik Educators board

Meet Kindermusik Educator Debbie Long!

I'm Debbie Long, from Kalamazoo , Michigan (Yes, There Really is a Kalamazoo!) and the 2008 Convention Committee Chair. You've been hearing a lot lately about Partnerships and working together. Our Committee is an example of one of the ways that Kindermusik Educators and the Employee Owners of Kindermusik International are working together to make sure you have a worthwhile Convention experience. Who is on the Convention Committee? Kindermusik Educators just like you and me:

Patty Karle - Volunteer Coordinator
Katie Henderson - Speaker Content
Jeannie Castillo - International Rep
Andrea Ringer - Logistics
Diane Colin & Julia Cobley - Local Representatives (Raleigh)

Are you excited yet? Not just One chance to save money on accommodations at Convention, but TWO chances?! A big THANK YOU to the folks at KI who extended such a generous offer to their Educators. This is just one of the many ways Educators and Employee Owners at KI work together to promote Kindermusik programs all over the world (have you noticed the new Beta features in the Teacher's Lounge, Success Path and monthly webinars?).

So, what are you doing to get ready for Convention? Me, I'm doing a couple of things. I've already been scoping out the cost of airfare and am monitoring the sites for the cheapest flight to Raleigh (RDU in airplane talk). Do I leave from my town or do I drive a little while to another airport and save some money - whichever is cheaper! Do you have frequent flyer miles? Use them. When I find that bargain I'm booking it!

Another thing I'm doing is setting my Fall class schedule now. I've already mapped out the dates and am not planning on having classes the week of Convention. What?! Cancel classes??? When you think about it - who are you doing this continuing education for? Sure, it's fun to go see old friends, meet new ones, sing and play with adults for once But, really - isn't it for your Kindermusik families that you take time away from your own families and classes? The information you bring back - tools and techniques - are ultimately for them. I think they will be quite happy that you think enough of them to go the extra mile to make sure they have the ultimate Kindermusik experience. Just think of all the hugs you'll receive when you come back.

I am really excited about this year's Kindermusik International Convention and can't wait to see you there. Any questions or suggestions? You may email me at musik4kids_kzo@sbcglobal.net. Keep checking this blog and reading your emails for more Convention information!

Join the Celebration!

Careyanne celebrating some 30 years ago.

Here at Kindermusik International's office in Greensboro, which we call "KI", we are all counting down the months and days until the kickoff of Convention this year in Raleigh!

This week is so important - for inspiration, rejuvenation, education, motivation and CELEBRATION!

We are working together with an Educator team (Hi Debbie and Katie!) who are representing you to bring you the best speakers, musicians, and clinicians. Combine our planning with what you'll experience while networking and connecting with hundreds of Kindermusik Educators - your peers - from across the world!

It will be a celebration indeed! Mark your calendars and I'll see you soon!

SECOND CHANCE DRAWING!!!

All,

We received OVER 200 responses from you all in LESS THAN 24 hours to the drawing for a two night stay at the Marriott Raleigh Convention Center during our November convention! WOW! It sounds like this is going to be a TERRIFIC convention! Due to the TREMENDOUS response to the drawing for two nights lodging during convention, those educators who respond from #201 on up to, say, all FIVE THOUSAND OF YOU will be entered into ANOTHER drawing for ONE free night of lodging at the Marriott Raleigh Convention Center during convention.

You may ONLY enter ONCE…..so if you’ve already emailed me, there’s no need to email again! I’ve heard that some of you are also having difficulty due to our spam filter, so I’ve created a non-KI email address that you can also use for THIS promotion only: connieschor@yahoo.com, so if your first email bounces back, feel free to try this one: connieschor@yahoo.com.

Oh…and to make it a bit easier on Convention Connie when drawing time arrives, please DO include your educator number and your name in your email!

Good luck to you, and we can’t wait to see you in November!

“Convention Connie”

Our Convention Website will be a forum for All Things Convention! We are looking forward to posting contributions from several Educators as well as Employee-Owners as we inch closer to November!

I'd like to introduce our first Contributor, Connie Schor!

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Hi ya’ll,

I’m “Convention Connie” (aka Connie Schor, Executive Assistant to Michael Dougherty), and I have an exciting announcement! My job has a new focus and it’s to make Convention easy and affordable for you!

First things first: SAVE THE DATE!
November 5-8, 2008 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Opening session will begin in early afternoon on Wednesday, November 5 – just after lunch.

This year’s Convention will be held at the BRAND NEW Raleigh Convention Center where we have secured a fabulous room rate available to you at the also new Marriott Hotel which is conveniently attached to the Convention Center (did I mention BRAND NEW?). Room rates are $109 for single and double occupancy rooms; $115 for triple and quad occupancy rooms! It’s not quite time to make your room reservations….the site will be open and running very soon, though!!!

I know you’re already thinking about your Fall schedules and this is why I wanted to give you information now! We want attending Convention to be of your PRIORITIES. And, I’m here and available to find CREATIVE and INEXPENSIVE ways to ensure you’re here in Raleigh this November. Put Convention on your calendar NOW and schedule your classes around the dates of November 5-8, 2008!

We’re all JAZZED about this year’s convention! Keep checking your email box and the Teachers Lounge where our Convention Speaker “lineup” and schedule will be posted soon. This is a NOT TO BE MISSED opportunity for you to meet and mingle with fellow Educators, Home Office Employee-Owners, and the opportunity to SOAK UP all sorts of musical knowledge!

Want another reason to attend? Send an email through to me with your Educator Number to cschor@kindermusik.com by 12pm EST, Friday, March 28. The first 200 e-mails (only ONE email per educator, please!) received will be entered into a drawing for TWO FREE NIGHTS lodging at the Marriott during Convention! MAKE YOUR PLANS TODAY!!!

See you in November!

“Convention Connie”
…..and your Kindermusik home office team of employee owners
…and your Partnership of Kindermusik Educators board

Save the Date!