If you had a well-defined job, or if your job didn't shift thte minute you thought you'd gotten your work done, life would be fairly easy. But when you're cataloging books, handling reference requests, managing acquisitions, etc. plus dealing with the challanges of the pandemic, including customers/patrons who are especially needy, you find yourself mutitasking and it's exhasuting. In this fun and interactive sessions, learn how to : *Single task, *Minimize disruptions, *Give yourself breaks, *Bundle non-essential tasks, *Ask for help. Designed for library staff, this workshop can be adapted to any industry; these critical steops will help you wear many hats without losing your head.

1. Thank you again for speaking at our conference. We had received amazing reviews and so many people loved your presentation and continued to talk about their many responsibilities. Even throughout that day we saw so many of our colleagues proudly wearing their hats. I personally loved your presentation and think often of what I learned. I actively try to step away from my desk more often to eat lunch or just get outside for a break. My next step is to focus more on prioritizing my work by urgency but that may take some time. : - )
   Shannon Angelone, CLA Conference Committee Co-Chair, 2022

Burnout is real and affects all industries and employees at every level from CEO's to administrative assistants. In some professions, like medicine, it's rampant and has serious consequences. Learn what burnout is and isn't as we consider strategies and tools for addressing it. In this interactive Zoom workshop, you'll explore seven tasks that will not only help you safeguard yourself from burnout, but also energize you for your best year ever. Many issues are covered including what to do if you're being micromanaged, and strategies for coping when the demands of your job exceed your capabilities. For example, if you're a children's librarian, it takes months to prepare for summer programs, and if you're new, it's easy to be overwhelmed. With experience you learn to break a huge task like this into small, manageable pieces and avoid burnout. This could be the most important class you take all year. Join us and create your own seven-step plan to stop burnout.

You already know a great deal about customer service. You’ve experienced a wide range of behavior as you do your best to satisfy your patrons. But sometimes it can feel a bit lonely as you struggle to balance your library’s policies with the endless requests that make up your job. In this two-hour Zoom or in-person workshop the goal is for you to make small, sustainable changes that will keep you focused and energized. You’ll share best practices, experiment with a range of strategies for resolving conflict, learn why investing in yourself is critical, and to top it off you’ll have fun as you help each other. At the end of the session you’ll have a personalized plan to help you maintain the essential balance of providing excellent customer service while caring for yourself.

What happens when you have to make a presentation--whether to yur staff, the board or a room full of strangers? You get nervous and your message gets lost. In this keynote address or two-and-a half-hour, interactive workshop, learn the fundamentals of effective presentation skills. Find out how solid eye contact is an anchor, learn about posture and gestures, how to use your voice effectively, and tips on crowd control. You'll also see why the speaker needs to be center stage and how to use visuals without them upstaging you. While the basic skills can be covered in a Zoom format, most participants get more out of a live workshop where Jean can coach them as they learn new skills. And a bonus--you'll leave with a video of yourself in action. Don't miss the chance to stand out every time you talk!

Jean has worked as a therapy dog handler for fifteen years--first with Bella, and now with Rudy. She is amazed by the ways these well-trained dogs know exactly what each person needs. Her book about Bella: "Joy Unleashed: The Story of Bella, the Unlikely Therapy Dog," reveals these everyday miracles that took place as Bella and Jean visited nursing and hospital patients, and special needs students in the schools. Bella died in early January, 2018, just shy of her 11th birthday. Rudy, who was certified by Pet Partners as a therapy dog in March of 2018, is also really good at his job. Jean initiated a new program at the local courthouse and Rudy now comforts victims before before they testify in court.

Jean's talk incorporates personal experience as well as the results of scientific studies that prove how therapy dogs make a difference. But the best is Rudy himself. He gives audiences a first-hand experience of his grace, humor and power to make us feel connected and comforted. He also does some really neat tricks. Invite Jean and Rudy to your next event if you want an uplifting presentation that illustrates the many gifts of therapy dogs.

"Thank you so very much for hosting such a powerful breakout session at last week’s Future Prevention Leaders Conference!  “The Magic of Therapy Dogs: What Makes Then So Special”, was one of the stand-out favorite sessions of the day!  Participants absolutely fell in love with Rudy and found your presentation to be interactive, thought provoking, informative and insightful. One participant even remarked, 'This is the happiest I have ever been'"! Wendy Mill and Jessica White. The Governor’s Prevention Partnership builds statewide capacity to prevent underage drinking and substance use and builds strategic alliances to promote the overall well-being of Connecticut’s future workforce.

Jean with her therapy dog. Rudy. at the Govenor's Prevention Partnersip conference, East Hartford, CT, June 23, 2022. Photo courtesy of J. Fiereck.