latest online newsletter now available

2010-08-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hello friends and family,

The new Bazyn Communications Newsletter is now ready.
In this newsletter, I've written two articles that might interest you. They are: "Successful Client and Organizational Meetings/Seminars" and "Showcasing
Customer or Member Benefits"
To read it, please go to
http://www.bazyncommunications.com/newsletter.php
Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Ardis Bazyn
For positive inspiration, contact Bazyn Communications "True Vision with Insight"
For inspirational speaking, business coaching, or writing: www.bazyncommunications.com
Blog: abazyn.blogspot.com

Articles to read

2010-04-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
I am currently offering specials on my coaching and writing projects. Most of my coaching is on setting realistic priorities or goals, marketing your business or organization, and writing or speaking. I do writing for all types of media: websites, brochures, speeches, articles, bios, and newsletters. Read some of my tips in my past online newsletters. My latest newsletter is now on my website. Enjoy all the tips.
www.bazyncommunications.com
Ardis Bazyn

Christmas letter

2009-12-22T09:40:00.000-08:00

Hello friends,

This year, I decided to take the time to write a Christmas letter; since I find reading others’ Christmas letters interesting. It’s been a great year for Kevin and me, very busy both in our work and leisure time. As always, Kevin is an active sports addict. He loves to watch his L.A. Lakers team and all USC football games.

From the beginning of the year, I’ve been busy with the Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America conference committee working with other committee members to first finalize the 2009 Sagebrush conference. I had the responsibility of brailing all the printed materials and it was a challenge, since the final agenda was completed with just a few days to spare. Kevin went with me to the Sagebrush conference in early February. Besides moderating one of the sessions, I took care of distributing door prizes and selling raffle tickets. Kevin just enjoyed the time off from work. The only downside of the conference was the fact that Kevin’s mom was very ill and he left a day early to stay with her. Unfortunately, his mom passed away the 26th of February.

In March, Kevin and I were engaged. We’d been talking about getting married for some time, but since his mom lived with him, it wasn’t feasible- given the size of his condo and the fact that I have a home-based business. We planned a small wedding for May 23rd at a small hotel in Burbank. We were married on a beautiful day on the very nicely decorated patio with the reception inside. April was able to attend but not her husband or my granddaughter. I had originally wanted Rebecca as a flower girl. Gwen wasn’t able to come since she is working in The Netherlands. However, we had a nice group of relatives on Kevin’s side and some close friends. My pastor gave a great message and it was all captured on video and by two friends who took some great photos. I hope to have them placed on my website soon.

Kevin is still a member of St. Robert’s Catholic Church and enjoys attending many of my church’s activities. I’m still active with 1st Presbyterian Church of Burbank. This year I finished my first year in my second term as elder. I enjoy it most of the time (smile). I’ve been chairing the Outreach Committee this past year. Outreach is my passion- wanting to get more people coming to 1st Pres. However, the committee is sometimes frustrating because it doesn’t always seem that we accomplish as much as I’d like. I’m still involved in the Kirby Ministry. We try to visit the girls in Amber Cottage each month although we didn’t make it three times this year. Occasionally, the girls act out and the housemother has to decline our visit. With all prison facilities, we have to always be careful what we bring to the girls as gifts. Each Christmas, we will provide the girls with a nice gift package including gifts donated from various members of the congregation as well as a student Bible. It is one of my favorite visits. We continue to bring gifts to the girls on their birthdays and when they leave as well and hope that our visits truly make a difference in their lives. I also enjoy our pastor’s Wednesday night Bible study. The past two years, our church has been offering the Anchor Program- a list of courses for members to take. At the end of the program, all those that complete the courses will receive a certificate. It is hoped that when members complete the studies, they might be willing to teach them to others. It’s been a very interesting study regiment. They’ve been offered on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. I also lead a Handcrafters Bible study which meets twice a month and during the late fall makes items for our annual Bethlehem Village which the community really enjoys.

Gwen and Keith have been in The Netherlands for a year now. Gwen was offered a promotion a couple of months ago and is very busy with her IT job for an AEGON company in Den Haag. Keith has been writing for an online publication and looking for other work. They were investigating buying a place but her company may have another office in the UK soon and she is concerned that she may be asked to transfer. April and Matt are doing well in Lawton, OK. Matt is now an E7 and trains men in what is much like Ultimate Fighting. He loves his job but could be eligible for overseas transfer in February. April is working as a CPA there and will be taking additional courses to qualify for the OK CPA license. She had received her NC CPA license in the summer of 2008 but OK wouldn’t accept it. She needs to take 5 more courses. She may go ahead and get her Master’s in accounting so she wouldn’t have that issue again when they transfer in the future.

Kevin still enjoys his job with the Treasury Dept. in Criminal Investigation as a Tax Fraud Investigative Assistant. He applied for two open promotions in early June and was quite hopeful. He didn’t get it even though by that time, he had in almost thirty years. In October, he reached that milestone and he can retire whenever he wishes. He got his thirty year plaque-another to add to his other ones.

My business has been steadily increasing. Besides getting more speaking opportunities, I’ve been giving more coaching sessions and finishing more writing projects. I’ve been trying to add more speaking opportunities in churches. I enjoy all speaking options but find sharing my faith more meaningful. I still use www.speakermatch.com and the International Speakers Bureau to get leads but get most clients from referrals. I am currently working on a chapter for a new book to be published in June. I’ll be in a book with a number of other speakers including some very well known ones. Perhaps, it will reach best seller status that way- my others didn’t (smile). I’m also continually working on my own fifth book- a memoir. It’s been my most difficult one since it’s not easy confronting your past feelings about life experiences.

Both of us attended many American Council of the Blind related conferences and activities. I attended the ACB legislative seminar in Washington, D.C. Both of us attended both CA conventions (one in Sacramento and one in Fresno), the Missouri Council of the Blind (I did three presentations), the Washington Council convention (I exhibited with Kevin’s assistance), as well as the national convention in Orlando, FL. Kevin volunteered on tours as usual and I was responsible for activities with Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America and the Independent Visually Impaired Enterprisers, as well as ACB Membership Committee events. We both enjoyed visiting restaurants in the area near each conference.

Kevin has been vice president of our condo board. It’s been frustrating for him since meetings run longer than he’d like and decisions aren’t always what he’d prefer. We do have two new neighbors- the condos on both sides of us have been purchased. One was bought by a single woman close to our age and the other by a young couple. We have met both and they seem nice. I really like having a laundry room in the condo. My apartment had the laundry facility in the basement. We don’t have sidewalks on our side of the street but that is the only real downside to his condo versus my old apartment. Both had lots of places nearby to pick up dinner or grocery items.

I’ve been active with the Secretary of State Voters Accessibility Advisory Board and the L.A. County Voters with Specific Needs Committee making sure access to materials, websites, and voting are maintained and expanded. I’ve also continued as President of the Glendale-Burbank Chapter of the California Council. Kevin assists me each month with setting up microphones and other logistics, which I appreciate. I’ve done several board trainings for organizations again this year. Most were handled via conference call but one in person. As ACB and CCB Membership Chair, I’ve been busy doing quarterly focus calls, keeping committees on track, and writing articles for the ACB and CCB publications. Kevin thinks I do way too much volunteering for ACB related activities.

Kevin and I try to get together with our families as much as possible too. We get together with Kevin’s family every couple of months or so, especially during holidays. We see his sister Bea the most since she’s in Burbank, but Barbara comes down from San Miguel quite often as well. I got to IA three times this year and Kevin joined me twice- when the siblings got together in MN and for Christmas. My sisters and my mom were out the week before my wedding to help me move to Kevin’s condo. I really appreciated it. It’s too bad we set our date for Memorial Day weekend or they could have come to that at the same time.

I visited April, Matt, and Rebecca in April and late August to celebrate Rebecca’s birthday. Of course, April did come to the wedding. I missed seeing both girls for Christmas this year, Gwen because of the distance and April didn’t have any time off to come to IA to be with family. Kevin and I are looking into a trip to Europe so we can visit Gwen and Keith and other parts of Europe while we’re there.

Kevin and I had a nice Christmas celebration with my family on December 12 and are planning to have another with his family on the 26th. We want to wish you all a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you find God’s love through this special season of the year. I hope all of you have had a wonderful year and have another one in 2010. Please keep in touch and let us know what is happening with you.

With much love,
Ardis and Kevin

Inspiration for moving forward

2009-09-14T16:37:00.000-07:00

Whether you are trying to start a new business (on the side or changing careers) or trying to help a church or organization move forward, it is important to research your options thoroughly and then set priorities. Sometimes, we tend to make goals for ourselves without really thinking about them in advance. Then, we decide later that our plans will fall apart. I encourage you to take the following steps to help you set the best priorities/goals for yourself.
1. Look at your resources
2. Decide on what your values and commitments are
3. Have a vision for what you truly want
4. Talk about your thoughts with reliable friends and associates
5. Consult with a business/life coach you trust

Check my newsletter archives for more information at www.bazyncommunications.com

2009-04-27T15:26:00.000-07:00

Using your strengths

I've recently been giving presentations on the topic of "Entrepreneurship: Is it right for You?"
Many people want to earn extra money on the side or transition from jobs they no longer enjoy. When you are considering your possibilities, you might think about the following:

Do you have some skills that you could use in your own business? Computer technology, consulting in an area where you have worked or currently work, or sales experience?
Consider your resources. Do you have enough funding to get started?
What are the relevant tax and business laws in your geographic area?
Do you know how to write a business plan or marketing plan?

I hope these will assist you in thinking about your possibilities in the future. Don't hesitate to call if you need assistance. I always consult with interested persons for a half hour for free. Ardis

Ardis' Thoughts

latest online newsletter now available

Articles to read

Christmas letter

Inspiration for moving forward