Oops!

We have discovered that it is necessary for us to extend the release date of One by One: The Homeschool Group Leader's Guide to Motivating Your Members. This is due to some technical difficulties we are experiencing that are making things not go as smoothly as we had hoped.

We know that so many of you are looking forward to the release of One by One. And we are working diligently to ensure you have a flawless experience when purchasing the book.

This extension does buy us valuable time to polish everything so that the whole process works seamlessly for you and you walk away very happy. And that makes us happy.

Thank you to those of you who have posted your comments on the blog already for the contest! You are amazing and your comments are inspiring. We will extend this contest until just before the release date. This gives you plenty of time to post something for your chance to win the FREE copy of One by One.

We will also continue to send you tidbits of information leading up to the new release date sometime in November, so be watching for those!

Be talking to you soon!
Kristen & Denise
http://www.homeschoolgroupleader.com/

Motivating Your Members Is As Easy As. . .

. . .1, 2, 3!

It's so hard to believe just one short week ago, Denise and I were having the time of our lives at the Leadership Training Conference, teaching homeschool group leaders just like yourself how to avoid being a statistic--that 80/20 statistic that says you are in the minority 20% that does all the work while the other 80% looks on.

As experts in teaching homeschool group leaders how to lead their groups successfully, we are asked a lot of questions. By far, the most common question is, "How do we motivate our members?"

Well, Denise and I say it is as easy as 1, 2, 3 to motivate your members if you know the secrets. From the comfort of your own home, you can discover these little known secrets that have been hiding in plain sight!

In just 3 days, on Sunday, November 1 at 4 pm CST, you can get your hands on the e-guide that may very well change the way you lead. This 80-page e-guide will reveal tons of tips and simple strategies to help you motivate every member and increase your volunteers and to find more time in your day to enjoy the things you love most.

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But don't take our word for it. . . Listen to what our friend, Texas Home School Coalition Leader Liasion Sheila Campbell, has to say about One by One: The Homeschool Group Leader's Guide to Motivating Your Members:

"I really cannot say enough about this book! Denise and Kristen have really captured the heart of leadership with One by One. All groups are made up of people--not mere members--and it is the process of connecting with those people that builds strong leadership and, more importantly, strong relationships."

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To celebrate the launch of our very first e-book, we are running a CONTEST through Saturday. One lucky winner will receive a copy of One by One as our special thank you for leaving a comment on our blog. Here's how the CONTEST works:

In 100 words or less, post a comment to our blog by midnight Saturday night telling us what this guide would mean to you as a homeschool group leader. Be sure to tell us what homeschool group you serve. Feel free to include a link to your group's website. Denise and I will be the final judges and we will announce the winner Sunday morning.

Happy posting and good luck!

Warmly,
Kristen & Denise
www.homeschoolgroupleader.com

Tuesday Tip

Motivate

Inspiring motivation within your members and volunteers is doable! We have packed our new ebook, One By One, with the ways and ideas to do it.

Release date is November 1st.

Friday's Answer on Saturday!

We are having so much fun this weekend at the THSC Leadership Conference! Tim Lambert loaned us his lap top so we could tell you all about it! Our hotel room looks out on a lovely countryside prayer chapel. And beyond that, we can see a lake with a gazebo on several acres of rolling campgrounds. We are having so much fun that last night, Amberlyn, Kristen's 14 year old daughter, kept hushing us so she could go to sleep. :-)

We are hearing homeschool group leaders talk about how they love to come here to receive great encouragement and tons of hope. This is the annual Leadership Conference THSC hosts for homeschool group leaders in Texas. It is exciting to meet so many leaders, relax and fellowship with them, and glean amazing wisdom from them.

Norm Wakefield, the main speaker, challenges us every time to humility and repentence and revival in our hearts. His humble words renew our purpose as leaders.

We just came out of an amazing workshop where Doug and Patsy Arnold of Texas' Special Kids shared from their own experiences how homeschool group leaders can help families of children with special needs. It was so good, we can't wait to talk to them more about that.

Sheila Campbell also shared her touching story with us about what it's like for single moms who are homeschooling. She gave us insight on how to come alongside these special women. We believe you will be hearing more from her!

We also had the opportunity to conduct a workshop on the secrets to motivating your group members to get involved. One of our favorite parts was how people jumped in and shared inspiring ideas of what's worked for them. We were all encouraged! It was so much fun!!

The whole experience is one we are so grateful to be a part of!
Kristen & Denise
P.S. Be watching our web site--our new ebook is coming Nov. 1!

Tuesday's Tip

50-10

To manage your time as a leader, think in blocks of time. Work 50 minutes, then take 10 minutes for yourself. Doing something special for yourself a few minutes every hour will help you feel like a million bucks at the end of the day instead of like a worn-out dollar bill!

Friday's Answer: Homeschool Leader, Do You Need Help?

We know that being a homeschool group leader is not an easy job. You have taken on extra responsibilities in addition to homeschooling your own children. But help is on the way! We are pleased to announce that HomeschoolCPA, Carol Topp, now has several ebooks and audios available on her website, HomeschoolCPA.com, to help homeschool leaders.

Carol graciously allowed us to use her ebook, Paying Workers in a Homeschool Organization, as a free giveaway earlier this year. If you missed getting your free copy, Carol has it available for immediate download for the low price of $7.00. You will receive much more than $7.00 of her CPA knowledge when you buy this ebook.

Link: http://homeschoolcpa.com/bookstore/paying-workers-ebook/

She also has audios of what she has presented at homeschool conventions. Get your leadership team together and listen to "How to Manage a Homeschool Organization." Carol will even send you the handout of the slides, so it feels like you are in her workshop at a homeschool convention!

Click on this link for Carol's other products, all written specifically for homeschool leaders! http://homeschoolcpa.com/homeschool-leader-do-you-need-help/

Helping one another be successful,
Denise & Kristen
HGLeader Facebook fan page
I Am a Homeschool Group Leader

Tuesday's Tip

It's All in the Family

Let members and visitors to your group know beyond the shadow of a doubt that your support group is family-friendly. A simple introductory letter each year can reinforce that "this is not just your mama's group!" Let people know that men are invited and ENCOURAGED to attend all meetings and events. Family appeal will keep your group strong for long.

Friday's Answer: Progress on Our Book

"When is your first ebook going to be released?"

Exciting news! We are polishing our first ebook and sending it to the reviewers this weekend. We are so happy to see all our work and hours and ideas come together in an ebook we are proud of.

We have listened to your questions and found a majority of your needs were about how to motivate your members. The answers were too involved for a Friday's Answer causing this beneficial ebook to gradually develop:

One By One: The Homeschool Group Leader's Guide to Motivating Your Members

We are happy to announce that the release date of this invaluable ebook will be by the end of this month--just a few short weeks away! Stay posted for the final release date.

We can't wait!

Denise & Kristen

P.S. Thanks for your top tips on what has worked for you in motivating your members! We are incorporating them into the ebook and including your name. We love them!

Rich Opportunities

Homeschool group leaders need times of refreshing, of understanding, of training, and of vision. There are two rich opportunities for leaders everywhere to find that time here in Texas this month.

One is a day of training for homeschool group leaders in Houston, Texas, on Saturday, October 17. SETHSA has put together a great schedule of topics taught by encouraging veteran leader Hank Tate. You still have time to register by October 10.

The other is a retreat at the THSC Leadership Training Conference in Waxahachie, Texas, on the weekend of October 23-25. Several wonderful speakers will be encouraging leaders' hearts, such as Norm Wakefield, Tim & Lindsay Lambert, and yours truly (We will be doing a one-hour workshop on motivating members!). You still have time to register by October 9.

Don't miss out on these times of refreshing. If you are too far away to make either of these events, look for a leadership training in your state to attend. It is important to take the time to refresh your vision, be encouraged, and learn from veteran leaders. You won't regret it!

Hope to see you there!
Denise & Kristen

www.homeschoolgroupleader.com
Leader Treasures

Tuesday's Tip

Stay State Connected Series

Introducing your group to your state or province's homeschool organization provides a way for other homeschoolers to find you easily. It is important to keep your group's contact information up to date with your state group. The effort is worth it!

Tip #1--laws & finding a group
Tip #2--conferences & tools
Tip #3--staying informed

Friday's Answer: Effective Example

How can I be an effective leader?

This past summer I had the opportunity to visit the Nimitz Museum of the Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas. I was intrigued as I learned about Admiral Nimitz for the first time. (My history-buff brother, Dan, knew all about him from studying World War II and couldn't believe I didn't know who Nimitz was. In my defense, we hadn't yet reached that era in our homeschooling. . . .)

As I studied the exhibits, quotes and tidbits of Admiral Nimitz' life it became obvious to me that he was an effective leader. I was so impressed by the character of this man. Those who worked with him and under him respected him and spoke well of him. Even President Roosevelt depended on Nimitz. Our victory in the Pacific theater is credited to his great leadership.

What made him such an effective leader? We can find the answers by studying his life and his example. As we glean from his wisdom, we can pattern after his success and be a more effective leader in our own community leadership roles. Here are some reasons for his effectiveness that really stood out as I wandered through the memories of his life:

• He Credited Others -- When his hometown asked to build a museum for him, Admiral Nimitz asked that they build it for all those who served under him. They were the heros in his eyes. He wrote, "Among the Americans serving on Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue."
• He Credited God -- Nimitz asked "the Almighty to protect the nation's ships at sea." In his most famous prayer, he said, "God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless."
  
• He Personified Courage -- Nimitz displayed courage numerous times and took risks when he felt it was needed. He never wavered or backed down in conflict whether he was facing a dangerous battle with the enemy or an intense meeting with doubters. His courage empowered him to send everything he had to Midway and win in the face of probable failure.
  
• He Respected All -- Nimitz said, "Some of the best advice I've had comes from the junior officers and the enlisted men." Loyalty and unity were strong in his meetings because he listened to and acted on much of his subordinates' recommendations.
  
• He Balanced Life -- At all times Nimitz remained calm, pleasant, easy-going and rarely lost his temper. "The advice of my grandfather returned to me: don't worry about things over which you have no control."
  
• He Supported Staff -- Many times Nimitz went against popular opinion to promote or keep certain officers in important positions. Then he would trust their judgement, encourage them and not intervene. His discernment was well rewarded as these men rose to lead well. He said, "Leadership consists of picking good men and helping them do their best."

It would be easy to go on and on about Admiral Nimitz' character, life, and quality of leadership, but since this is a blog and not a book, it would be better to let you discover more about him on your own. His life is an example of excellence and effective leadership. I hope that you are as intrigued and as happy as I was to have been introduced to his story.

To your success,
Denise

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