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October 14, 2008

Let the Games Begin–Peggy Sharp is coming!

I thought I’d share with all of you how NSLS staff pulls off this terrific program year after year.  Believe me we love having Peggy, but it takes a coordinated staff effort behind the scenes.

NSLS tries to book Peggy a year out.  She is still touring nationally so we work around her schedule, that’s why we usually schedule her programs in the winter months and perform the “no snow” dance a week before her arrival.

Donna Tieberg and Ruth Downing work very hard in coordinating Peggy’s visit from her travel arrangements to her handouts.  And speaking of handouts…  this is quite the production.  Peggy is wonderful about sending her originals ahead of time.  Once we receive a copy, NSLS staff (usually Ruth and Donna Veldt) spend hours copying, punching, and spiral-binding the booklets.  (Ah-h-h, I’m reminded of my teaching days and my struggles with the spiral-binding machines. That was one machine I never conquered.)

We’ve learned over the years to reserve all space at NSLS for set-up the day before Peggy arrives.  Extra tables and chairs are set up to accommodate our attendees during lunch, making sure to have extra garbage cans in every room.

On the day of the programs, NSLS staff arrive early.  Judy Scarnato and her wonderful A-Team members scurry around setting up the coffee and breakfast treats.  By 8:00 a.m. the registration desks are ready and we’re prepared to welcome 300 guests over the next three days.

In spite of all the hard work, NSLS enjoys hosting these programs for our members.

Trivia Fact:  Peggy has been our guest for the past 13 years at NSLS
Trivia Fact:  We’ve only had to cancel her program three times over the years
Worst Experience:  One year the bathrooms were not working at NSLS so attendees had use rented port-a-potties for the day.  (I am so glad that was before my time here at NSLS!) 

We are now preparing for Peggy’s 2009 visit. We hope to see you there!

posted by sharon at 12:08 pm | Comments (0)

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