Wild Turkey - the Kind with Feathers - Not in the Bottle!

I think today will go down as one of the weirdest and funniest days of my life. For a minute or two it was the scariest, but I'm getting ahead of myself. You might not believe this story, but trust me I have a witness and I'm glad I do. I wouldn't have believed it if someone told it to me. Or I'd believe the Wild Turkey in the bottle version, for sure.

This morning my Grandson Tristan and I went to the park across the street. He loves the slide and swings. We were laughing and jabbering along the park trail toward the playground when I noticed a large bird walking down the road. I had my brand new contacts in so I couldn't clearly make out what kind of bird it was. I figured it was either a goose or a crane, both of which I've seen around our neighborhood plenty of times.

As we got closer to the playground, the bird was also closer and I thought, man that looks like a wild turkey! We DON"T see many of those in our neighborhood and after all, it was walking down the middle of the road. I laughed at myself, blamed the contacts and kept going. Tristan was sliding and climbing, sliding and climbing and I was focused on him.

Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw THAT BIRD walking toward the playground. It wasn't a goose or a crane. I was pretty sure it was a turkey. I'd seen wild turkeys before at a distance, but never up close. So as the bird walked into the playground area I decided it was definitely a wild turkey - and it was heading straight for us! Are they aggressive? Mean? I really didn't want to find out.

I grabbed my IPhone and started filming the bird to show it to my family later. Then it got close - really close. I grabbed Tristan, shut off the camera and walked to the other end of the playground. It followed us! It was no more than inches away from us and everywhere I walked, it followed. So I was getting nervous. Tristan is 18 months old and not much bigger than that d***ed bird. I was holding on as tight as I could and walking as fast as I could. Then I had an idea.

We climbed to the top of the slide. Surely it would get bored and walk off somewhere. I wasn't sure how high turkeys could fly but I figured we were safer up there. I snapped some pictures from above, still kind of amused but also kind of freaked out. What did it want? Why wouldn't it go away when I yelled at it? Even Tristan was yelling at it! "Get, turkey, no no!"

I called my husband to 1) have a witness to this nuttiness; and 2) to find out if they were aggressive and mean. He assured me they weren't aggressive and that they were actually kind of shy. Just as my husband was saying the word "shy", the turkey flew up to the top of the slide where we were standing!

I screamed and grabbed Tristan and ran down the steps. The turkey looked at me like, Hey! Where are you going? My husband was screaming at me, asking me what happened. This was getting stranger and stranger. I decided to call the police, since I didn't have the Animal Control number handy. Thankfully, the dispatcher who answered was calm and didn't laugh when I said "Oh my God, my Grandson and I are being chased by a wild turkey!" She did say, "Well, I thought I'd heard everything, now I guess I have." I wasn't amused.

I asked her to give me Animal Control's number, which she did. Now the turkey is sitting on top of the playground equipment, at its highest point. Stay there, stupid turkey, I thought. I called Animal Control. When I explained my situation, the person who answered said, "Well, that's a new one. I don't think we can catch that thing." I have a feeling she didn't believe me. "WHAT?" was my response. "Will you at least send someone out here and try?" Calmly and rather apathetically she said, "Sure."

We were standing at what I thought was a safe distance from the playground equipment when all of a sudden the turkey swooped down to the ground and started chasing us again. I ran up the stairs again and this time, it stayed on the ground. I snapped some more pictures, thinking that maybe I was dreaming all of this nonsense.

I called my husband back and we talked while waiting for my rescuer. A white public utility truck pulled into the parking lot, and I said to myself "Thank God, this will be over soon!" The man got out of his truck, grabbed a pole and a bag, put on some gloves and started walking towards us. He got about six feet from his truck and started picking up trash! This wasn't the Animal Control guy - it was the trash guy! He began walking away from us, steadily picking up cups, bottles and other trash. The nuttiness continues..........

A few minutes later I saw the Animal Control truck approaching the park. Then I realized that he was driving PAST the park - he didn't slow down to turn into the parking lot! He drove around the block and as he approached from the other direction, I waved my arms like someone stranded on a deserted island waving at a passing plane. Help me! Help me! This turkey wants to eat my Grandson!

Now this was the weirdest part. Up walks a young man, like he's going for a casual stroll, slight in build, young, smiling. I started ranting like a lunatic showing him how the wild turkey was stalking my every move. It's a good thing he actually WAS from Animal Control and not somebody out for a morning walk! The young man calmly stood still and watched me do my wild turkey dance.

Then he dropped something that looked like seeds from inside his mouth onto the ground. The turkey sashayed over to the seeds and began eating them. He dropped a few more (they were sunflower seeds)and the turkey ate those too. I'm standing there, holding Tristan, jaw dropped. I had to get this on film, right?

I walked around them, giving them plenty of room and thought I was filming them. As I looked down to check that I pushed the right button (give me a break, I was kind of in shock), the young man snatched that bird by the neck and started wrestling him to the ground! The bird put up a heck of a fight for a few minutes. I wasn't sure who was going to win. Feathers and bark mulch were flying everywhere. Tristan and I stood there, not believing what we were seeing.

Then the young man deftly flipped the bird over and as he hung upside down, the bird became motionless. The man said "This puts them in kind of a trance." And then he smiled a knowing, confident smile. Not evil, just as though he was sure he had conquered the beast. He turned around and started walking toward his truck without saying a word.

I got the IPhone to start filming just as he was walking away. "Goodbye!" was all I could get out of my mouth. And then, "Thank you!" I called as he got further away. He turned and gave a friendly wave and continued on his way. I sat down and thought to myself, Did that REALLY just happen? But I have pictures and video to prove it!

Employee Learning Week in Memphis - A HUGE Success!

On Friday, December 10, 2010, ASTD Memphis held its first event to celebrate Employee Learning Week. The event was held at Bethel College - Memphis campus. The theme of the event was "Celebrate Learning 2010: What's New? What's Next?". The idea behind the theme was to not only celebrate the fact that we're all learners, growing and evolving constantly, but also to take a look at what we need to be better in 2011 and beyond.

There were four sessions designed around this theme; two on social media and two on personal enrichment. Participants had their choice of two sessions in the morning. They could learn more about relaxation, stress reduction, personal wellness and meditation or they could learn about the basics of social media - especially Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. We were all treated to an assortment of goodies throughout the day along with a fabulous lunch. No one went away hungry! In the afternoon participants chose to learn more about interviewing, resume' writing, and power networking or how to use social media to teach, educate and train.

The presenters for the four sessions were top in their fields. Participants came from across the Mid-South and represented many different industries and careers. We were also fortunate to have many different exhibitors with us throughout the day, teaching us about their excellent products and services.

One of the more unique aspects of this event was that it was tied to a service learning project for a class in the Hospitality program at Southwest Tennessee Community College where I'm an instructor. The students in my Convention and Meeting Planning class helped the planning committee for ASTD Memphis plan and implement the event. The students opted early in the semester to either participate in this event as part of their grade for the class or to write a research paper on one of the elements of helping clients plan and hold events in hotels. By participating in the planning of the event, the students were providing a community service and gaining knowledge in a real world setting.

Of the 17 students enrolled in the class, 15 opted to work on the event. Students were asked to choose a focus area to work on; either Event Marketing, Logistics, Exhibitor Sales and Service, or Program Content. Students were then assigned to one or more members of the ASTD Memphis planning committee to shadow and take on assigned tasks. Tasks ranged from using social media to market the event, making phone calls, visiting vendors, brainstorming logistics, setting up break out rooms, preparing and serving meals, greeting guests as they arrived, assisting and introducing presenters. All along the way they've been journaling about their experiences. They share their journals with me as part of their course grade as well.

Students participated in committee meetings either during class or at other assigned times in preparation of the event. They were aware of the event's budget and learned about pricing and procuring goods and services according to the budget. They learned teamwork, leadership, time management and customer service.

As an educator and trainer, I've never been prouder than I was when I watched the students take on the responsibilities and carry out the tasks they were assigned both during the planning and implementation phase of the event. They showed pride in their work and confidence in themselves. Many of the students opted to sit in on the sessions when they weren't busy with tasks and assignments.

I was fortunate also to work with committee members who are top in their fields. I don't think any of us really knew how much work was going to be involved with making the event a success. I was amazed at how hard everyone worked and how well we worked together. We formed, stormed, normed and boy did we perform! I'm very proud to have worked shoulder to shoulder with such wonderful professionals and wonderful individuals.

Next Wednesday we'll come together for the last phase of our team development - when we'll officially adjourn. We plan to hold a debrief session to analyze our "roses and thorns" for the event. I want to document the entire journey in the hopes that future events will be even better and run more smoothly. I can't WAIT to hear what the students have to say!

Take a look at the pictures from the day - Go to Facebook and search for e3 Consulting. You'll get a real sense of what it was like to bring this amazing group together for a fun day of learning, connecting and celebrating!

Shelby County, Tennessee Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. proclaims December 6-10, 2010 Employee Learning Week

Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. proclaimed December 6-10, 2010 Employee Learning Week in Shelby County, Tennessee.

The sponsoring organization of Employee Learning Week is ASTD, the American Society for Training & Development, the world’s largest association dedicated to the training and development field. The Memphis chapter represents learning and performance professionals in the Greater Memphis area. Our members represent virtually every industry and type of business, including health, higher education, manufacturing, technology, retailing, transportation, social services, independent consultants, etc.

To recognize and celebrate Employee Learning Week in Memphis, ASTD Memphis is presenting "Celebrate Learning 2010: What's New? What's Next?" on Friday, December 10, 2010 at Bethel University. The event is a day long celebration featuring mini-sessions on Stress Reduction/Healthy Lifestyle, Social Networking Basics, Career Search Preparedness and Teaching/Training/Educating using Social Media. Early bird registration for the event ends Friday, December 3, 2010. For more information and registration, go to: http://www.astdmemphis.org/events.cfm

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton Proclaims December 6-10, 2010 Employee Learning Week in Memphis

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton proclaimed December 6-10, 2010 Employee Learning Week in Memphis, Tennessee.

The sponsoring organization of Employee Learning Week is ASTD, the American Society for Training & Development, the world’s largest association dedicated to the training and development field. The Memphis chapter represents learning and performance professionals in the Greater Memphis area. Our members represent virtually every industry and type of business, including health, higher education, manufacturing, technology, retailing, transportation, social services, independent consultants, etc.

To recognize and celebrate Employee Learning Week in Memphis, ASTD Memphis is presenting "Celebrate Learning 2010: What's New? What's Next?" on Friday, December 10, 2010 at Bethel University. The event is a day long celebration featuring mini-sessions on Stress Reduction/Healthy Lifestyle, Social Networking Basics, Career Search Preparedness and Teaching/Training/Educating using Social Media. Early bird registration for the event ends Friday, December 3, 2010. For more information and registration, go to: http://www.astdmemphis.org/events.cfm

Governor Bredesen proclaims 12/6-10/10 Employee Learning Week in Tennessee

Governor Bredesen proclaimed December 6-10, 2010 Employee Learning Week in Tennessee. Pictured with the Governor are Margie Coltharp, ASTD Memphis National Issues Chair (second from left) and members of the Middle Tennessee chapter of ASTD.

The sponsoring organization of Employee Learning Week is ASTD, the American Society for Training & Development, the world’s largest association dedicated to the training and development field. The Memphis chapter represents learning and performance professionals in the Greater Memphis area. Our members represent virtually every industry and type of business, including health, higher education, manufacturing, technology, retailing, transportation, social services, independent consultants, etc.

ASTD Memphis is holding Celebrate Learning 2010: What's New? What's Next? on Friday, December 10, 2010 at Bethel University.

To Get Certified or Not to Get Certified?

If this is a question you've been pondering, I may have some useful suggestions for you.

Several years ago I was considering getting a Master Trainer certification. I wanted to add to my base of knowledge and get some much needed credibility at my company. I struggled with the cost vs. benefits of taking on a certification program.

I researched, read, reflected, prayed, discussed my options and finally jumped in with both feet. It was scary but very rewarding. I ended up receivng a certification as a Master Trainer as well as a certification for Instructional Designer/Developer and Performance Consultant. Maybe that's overkill, but at the time I was on a roll and loving every minute of it.

At the February 2010 meeting of the Memphis chapter of ASTD, there will be a panel of experts presenting on the topic of certfications. If you're considering certification in training, design, coaching or human resources and able to attend this luncheon meeting, I highly encourage you to do so. You can pre-register through Friday, February 5, 2010 by going here: http://astdmemphis.org.

Whether or not you plan to attend the ASTD Memphis Chapter meeting, I also recommend an article printed in the January 2005 edition of TD magazine. The article is titled "10 Myths of Certification" and it does a good job of setting the record straight on certifications. I especially like the article's format. It's easy to read and gets right to the point. You can read the article here: http://www.astd.org/NR/rdonlyres/7EA68B02-ED44-4DAE-B5B4-041A4056C349/12337/certificate_dis.pdf

Good luck!

Copyright 1/05 from T+D by Mulkey, J. and Naughton, J. Reprinted with permission of American Societiy for Training & Development.