NWC News Desk

March 5 and 6 seminars deal with customer service and meetings

Posted February 26, 2008
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P O W E L L, W y o. - Cody area residents can learn how to build better meetings and better customer service in two short seminars offered Wednesday and Thursday, March 5 and 6, at the Northwest College Cody Center for Training and Development.

Rhonda Shipp leads the first, Building Better Meetings, from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, March 5. She'll talk about the lesser known "standing" or "special rules" that can be used instead of the formal and more familiar Robert's Rules of Order, which was first published in 1876 for large assemblies.

"The formality of Robert's Rules may not work well for smaller organizations or boards," Shipp said. "Robert recognized this and offered an alternative called standing or special rules. Smaller groups tend to be informal, relaxed and flexible, preferring democratic processes that lean towards win-win rather than win/lose voting." Shipp said she'll talk about how to use the simpler, more flexible tools to enhance meeting productivity that honor the tenets of democracy while maintaining a sense of order. Shipp is the area community development educator for the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service.

Cost is $10 per person.

The Thursday, March 6, Taking Care of Business program is presented by Heather Kobbe, human resources director at Northwest College. Kobbe's topic is "Make Their Day" Customer Service. She'll talk about ways to liven up the workplace and make customer service fun by showcasing the employee attitude boost and resulting customer service made famous at the Pike Place Fish Market. Her program also includes examples of how the fish customer service philosophy can create a change in attitude for employers and employees resulting in improved, energized relationships and better service to customers.

This one-hour Taking Care of Business presentation begins at 8 a.m., and as usual is offered free of charge.

Both seminars are sponsored by the NWC Cody Center for Training and Development. To register or for more information, e-mail Carolyn Thomalla or call (307) 587-3506.