In Fall 2006, Greg Forbes Siegman traveled to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada to take part in Lakehead University's Speaker Series at the invitation of LU's President, Dr. Fred Gilbert.
At 33, Greg was the youngest person ever asked to take part in the Series - and first American.
Previous speakers in the Series have included Gord Miller (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario) and Steve Paikin (TV Ontario Host)
For more on Greg's speeches, click Here
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LU's Speaker Series is sponsored by The Chronicle-Journal and Travelodge Hotel Airlane (represented by Publisher & GM Colin Bruce and General Manager Susan Cameron, respectively)
"...an awesome presentation tonight. When I saw the ad in the paper I knew Greg had messages that I needed to hear..." - Katie, teacher in attendance at LU event
To read other feedback from this event and others Greg has done, click Here.
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Greg stayed at the highly recommended Travelodge Hotel Airlane. They gave him a fantastic suite - and even had a milkshake waiting for him upon arrival.
For more on Greg's connection to milkshakes in particular and the F & B / Restaurant / Hotel industry in general, click Here
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This marked Greg's first trip ever in Canada, but it was not the first time that people there have supported his efforts. Over the years, Greg's nonprofit organization (The 11-10-02 Foundation ) has received wonderful, unsolicited contributions from The Strategic Coach, Inc. This civic-minded company, which offers a focusing program to successful entrepreneurs, started in Toronto (and continues to have a strong presence there).
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After his speech at the LU Speaker Series, Greg signed copies of The First Thirty
For more on The First Thirty, go to www.TheFirstThirty.com
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In conjunction with the event, part of Greg's art collection (My Sleepless Nights) was on exhibit at LU including portraits of Michael J. Fox, Rocky Balboa and Nelson Mandela seen here (with event organizer Marla).
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The frames were provided for the evening courtesy of Pert's Framing & Art Gallery.
For more on Greg's art, go to www.MySleeplessNights.com
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In advance of the event, there was a nice article about it in the Argus by reporter Alicia Baker.
In advance of the event, people in Thunder Bay such as Brian Berringer (Director of Fire Prevention, Thunder Bay Fire / Rescue) began taking part in Project Thank You - To see what they are part of (and take part in it yourself or as a class), check out www.ProjectThankYou.com
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After the event, the highly recommended Travelodge Hotel Airlane hosted a dinner for the event's sponsors, organizers, and invited guests. The outstanding chefs prepared everything from mini-grilled cheese sandwich appetizers to bocconcinni and basil terrine with balsamic and herb drizzle on a bed of field greens to grilled blue marlin with citrus barley pilaf and warm pineapple salsa.
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After dinner, the group had some delicious milkshakes - a tradition that frequently takes place when Greg comes to a new town.
To see pictures of another time people joined Greg for shakes after an event (University of Connecticut), click Here.
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The next day, Halloween, Greg served as Scholar-in-Residence at Confederation College. He spoke to several groups of the community college's students.
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The topics included: improving study skills, time management, making the most of your time outside of class, volunteering, diversity and what it means to cross the stage and get your degree.
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Greg also spoke at a session for the school's faculty and staff. For more on Greg's events with Educators & Future Educators, click Here
For more on Greg's connections with community colleges, click Here
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"...Of all the speakers we have had
who have tried to address racism and diversity issues, Greg has had the
most impact on me personally..." - Kaija, Confederation College
"...The casual nature with which Greg talked...that appeals to me – teaches me – helps me to understand. I absolutely loved the fact that Greg used [his meeting] with [school representative] 'Captain Respect' earlier in the day as...a point of discussion – something we could all relate to and easily fit into our college life and relationships." -- Sheryl, Teacher, Confederation College
To read other feedback from this event and others Greg has done, click here
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Greg then joined the school's President, Pat Lang, and two members of her staff, event organizers Brian and Susan, for 'ice caps' (kind of like milkshakes with caffeine).
"[After Greg's visit], I read The First Thirty. I was truly inspired... and it made me think about the privilege I have everyday to change someone’s life. I challenged myself to see if there is something more I could be or should be doing. Greg is...truly a gift to society...." - Pat Lang, President, Confederation College
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In advance of Greg's visit, Confederation College ordered nearly 100 copies of The First Thirty and companion workbook A Place To Sit for students, staff and donors.
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The next day, Wednesday, Greg spoke at an all-school assembly at Bishop Gallagher School - a Catholic school for 7th and 8th graders. The topic was community service.
In advance of the speech, Bishop Gallagher ordered copies of The First Thirty and companion workbook A Place To Sit.
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Jackie Fredrickson, Bishop Gallagher: "...Most of the classes were well into the book, The First Thirty, and they were thrilled to meet the 'character' [in the story]. Greg's message of making a difference in the world outside your window was extremely well-received and links into so many of our stewardship and volunteerism lessons and activities..."
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Bishop Gallagher also ordered copies of all three available posters for their classroom walls. To order copies of one of the posters for yourself, your child/relative, class wall, office wall or to donate to a local library or school, click Here (and then scroll down)
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"We cannot wait to hear who won the writing contest that Greg initiated here at Bishop-Gallagher School with Scotiabank!.. Greg was so motivating when we were honoured with his presenatation in November. The staff and students were so inspired...he inspired our students to write and to make a difference in our community. The posters are in every classroom and the book "The First Thirty" is being read. Isn't literacy and sharing our stories just wonderful. What an impact!...Greg mentioned [during his speech] that our students were [being] so respectful [in the audience], and that made us so proud. We are proud of them too..." -- Alexa McKinnon, Principal- Bishop Gallagher Senior Elementary School,
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In conjunction with the visit, Scotiabank ordered additional copies of The First Thirty and donated them to Bishop Gallagher.
Scotiabank also sponsored a community service essay contest revolving around the book and Greg's speech for the B-G Students.
Andrew Sheare, Sr. Personal Banking Officer, Scotiabank: "I would like to congratulate Greg on doing such a fantastic job with his speech...On behalf of Scotiabank, thank you for letting us be part of this experience."
Thunder Bay's Rotary Club ordered copies of The First Thirty as well. Looking for ways to volunteer in Thunder Bay (or in other communities, for that matter)? Talk to your Rotary Club.
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As always, the trip - from Chicago to Minnesota to Canada and back -- provided all kinds of unexpected detours, chances to see old friends and make new ones, including those seen here and below...
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Locally, in Thunder Bay, The First Thirty is available at the Thunder Bay Public Library.
Signed copies of The First Thirty are available for purchase at Lakehead University Alumni Bookstore.
In Minnesota, The First Thirty is available at Borders - St. Paul, Borders - Coon Rapids and the College of St. Catherine Bookstore.
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In the Chicago area, The First Thirty is available at Borders - Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Lincoln Park (Clark/Diversey), Gold Coast and Matteson.
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To get personalized copies of the book and/or its companion workbook and/or posters based on them, order online by clicking Here
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For bulk orders of the books/workbooks and/or posters for your students, staff, members, donors and/or to donate to a local school or organization in your community, email Books@IdeaListEnterprises.com
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Personal note from Greg: Special thanks to all the school representatives, event organizers, staff members & sponsors and everyone else who helped make the trip so memorable. Particular thanks to everyone at Travelodge Hotel Airlane who hosted me during my stay in Thunder Bay and, especially, Dr. Fred Gilbert of Lakehead University [seen here with Greg, eating mini grilled cheese sandwich appetizers at Travelodge Airlane reception following LU Speaker Series] who first saw value in 'connecting these dots'.
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RIPPLE EFFECTS
Following the trip, a number of 'ripple effects' began occurring. Here is a sample of what's been occurring since then (December 06, January 07):
== Travelodge Hotel Airlane ordered copies of The First Thirty and companion workbook for staff members for the holidays -- citing the story's emphasis on hospitality, teamwork, work ethic and treating people of other cultures and backgrounds with respect. The hotel also got a poster featuring the cover of The First Thirty to display. They chose to have it framed at Pert's (the same shop that provided the frames for the art exhibit at LU) -- being good to the community is good for business!
== A Judging Panel was assembled to review the essays in the contest sponsored by Scotiabank. To further 'connect the dots' on the trip, a number of students and staff from LU and Confederation College were among those serving as judges. A variety of other people around other parts of Canada served as judges. To connect the dots between Canada and Greg's home country, judges were also lined up all over the USA. They included students, staff and professionals in places as diverse as Louisiana, Chicago, California and Oregon; from entities ranging from synagogues to Catholic schools to public schools to corporations.
== The two winners for the essay contest were selected. One, Beth, wrote about keeping the environment clean. The other, Alyssa, wrote about helping people who are fighting cancer. To read their winning essays, click Here
== There was a nice article in a publication in Canada called Thunder Bay's Source entitled City Students Win Essay Contest
== In a true case of 'connecting the dots'...Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner of Ontario (who was also a previous Guest in the LU Speaker Series that Greg was part of) sent a wonderful letter of congratulations to Beth for her winning, environment-minded essay in The First Thirty Essay Contest. For more on Commissioner Miller, click on Environmental Commision of Ontario
== Two winners in the contest turns into three! The Green Tourism Association -- a unique non-profit organization that is committed to establishing an urban green tourism industry in Toronto (and beyond) -- was so delighted by Beth's environmentally-conscious essay -- as well as another environment-conscious essay written by a student named Katelyn who came in 3rd place, that the GTA named the two girls "Honorary Student Ambassadors" for the Green Tourism Association! To read Katelyn's essay, along with the other two winners, click Here
== The Green Tourism Association also decided to order copies of The First Thirty -- citing the book's emphasis on nonprofit work and making a difference in the community. For much more on this great organization, click Here
== Three winners becomes four! A student, Katie, wrote an inspiring essay about making a difference in the spirit of Greg's story (a small difference in the world outside your window) by making hot chocolate for the people who are working outside in the cold and building a skating rink in town. As it turns out, a woman named Hilary White is a former figure skater and her company (Canadian Favourites) has access to some great cocoa products (Canadian Favourites sends all kinds of top Canadian products to people around the world who are craving them) . For more on Canadian Favourites, go to www.CanadianFavourites.com Ms. White said she was touched by Greg's story in general and touched by Katie's essay in particular -- and, as a result, her company is sending Katie a box with hot cocoa so she can 'get started' making her idea come to life! To read Katie's essay, along with the other three winners, click Here
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