Thelen Financial, Inc.’s Post

A new article about the recent award for our hard working Friends group:

Last evening my wife and I had the privilege of attending the TONY FINAU FOUNDATION (TFF) Gala in Park City, Utah, with the wildly popular Jim "Bones" Mackay as a special guest. Amidst captivating stories and insightful perspectives on the current landscape of golf, what struck me the most was the profound impact athletes can make when they leverage their platform for good. Reflecting on the event, I found four key themes that resonated deeply with me: 1️⃣ Community: TFF celebrates community. They believe in lifting each other up, supporting each others dreams, and sharing their successes. 2️⃣ Family: The work of TFF is about giving kids what they need - and that means equipping whole families to grow stronger together. 3️⃣ Service: Above all else, give back. TFF serves communities, kids, and families - and finds meaning only through doing good work. 4️⃣ Empowerment: TFF gives kids and their families the tools they need to discover their passions and drive forward into their futures with confidence. Tony Finau exemplifies not only remarkable skill on the golf course but also outstanding qualities as a husband, father, and community leader. His dedication to making a difference serves as a beacon of inspiration. I'm curious to hear about other athletes who, like Tony, use their platform to effect positive change and embody admirable character traits. Let's celebrate those who inspire us beyond the field or court. Who comes to mind for you?

One of my favourite events of the year at Rakuten.ca. In today's fast-paced, technology-driven world, it's easy to get caught up in metrics, deadlines, and deliverables. But let's not forget the most crucial element of any successful organization: the people. Humanizing your team isn't just a nice-to-have; it's a must-have. Here's why: Boosts Morale and Engagement: When team members feel seen and valued as individuals, their motivation and engagement levels soar. They’re more likely to go the extra mile and contribute their best work. Fosters Innovation: A culture that celebrates diverse perspectives and encourages open communication leads to creative problem-solving and innovation. When people feel safe to express their ideas, magic happens. Builds Trust and Loyalty: Trust is the foundation of any strong team. By showing genuine care and empathy, leaders can build lasting relationships that withstand challenges and change. Enhances Collaboration: Humanized teams are more cohesive. When people understand and respect each other’s strengths and weaknesses, collaboration becomes seamless and more effective. Improves Well-being: A supportive and understanding work environment contributes to the overall well-being of team members. This not only reduces stress but also promotes a healthier work-life balance. Remember, at the heart of every successful project, every innovative idea, and every milestone achieved, are people. Let’s make sure we’re not just managing teams, but truly leading and humanizing them. #Leadership #TeamBuilding #HumanizeYourTeam #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #EmpathyInLeadership

Hey club organisers, association leaders, and grassroots champions! 👋 We want to hear from you - what kinds of badges, medals, or awards does your group currently use? Whether it's milestone pins for long-time members, trophies for top volunteers, or name tags for events - we know the world of club/association rewards can get pretty complex. So many things to think about, from the design to how you hand them out. That's why we're reaching out to you all. What challenges have you run into when setting up a member award programme? What features do you look for in high-quality club/association merchandise? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! Your feedback will really help us understand what organisations like yours need, so we can make our products and services even better. Can't wait to hear how your club or association celebrates and motivates its members. Let's chat! 💬 #ClubBadges #MemberAwards #AssociationRecognition

Coming into 2024, I set myself a few simple goals to try and improve myself and the lives of the people around me. One of my personal goals was to continue to do what I love and to finish each of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York). Not only have I been fortunate enough to secure my spot in each race, but I have also been given the opportunity to raise money for a few great organizations. The organizations I will be running for are Boston Scores, Save the Rhino International, and Children for a better World e.V.. The focus of these organizations are to positively mentor the children of Boston both academically and athletically through soccer, to reduce animal poaching, and to provide equal academic and social opportunity to children.   That being said… I have set myself the task of fundraising money for each of these organizations and I need your help!   This week, for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs, I will be running football squares. Don’t know how to play? Don’t worry, it’s really easy.   How to play: A 10x10 grid will be set up with a different team on each respective axis. On Friday, January 19, 2024, I will randomly generate numbers 0-9 and assign them specific rows and columns. At the end of each quarter, the person whose name occupies the cell with the matching score (ex. If the score is 17-10, the winning square will occur at the intersection of 7 and 0) will win a cash prize. There will be two grids:           - AFC board for the Ravens and Texans game ($5/square buy-in) - NFC board for the 49ers and Packers game ($10/square buy-in) All you must do to get involved is Venmo me @Noah-Barney-2 with your square requests and I will enter you into the game. If your square is taken prior to your payment, I will reach back out to you directly to request a square change.   The link to the grid (for reference) can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eU36fXpk   Payouts: AFC:           - Winner of quarters 1-3 - $60          - Winner of the 4th quarter - $70           - Charity donation $250  NFC:            - Winner of each quarter - $125            - Charity donation $500 If you would like to make an outright donation to support the cause, you can donate to the following link (cumulative fundraising page): https://gofund.me/4610a46d   Any form of support, whether it be via donation, repost, or other form of sharing, is helpful and will help each of these organizations make a positive impact on the world. I appreciate all the support and wish you all good luck this weekend in football squares! -Noah

Hey club organisers, association leaders, and grassroots champions! 👋 We want to hear from you - what kinds of badges, medals, or awards does your group currently use? Whether it's milestone pins for long-time members, trophies for top volunteers, or name tags for events - we know the world of club/association rewards can get pretty complex. So many things to think about, from the design to how you hand them out. That's why we're reaching out to you all. What challenges have you run into when setting up a member award programme? What features do you look for in high-quality club/association merchandise? Share your thoughts with us in the comments! Your feedback will really help us understand what organisations like yours need, so we can make our products and services even better. Can't wait to hear how your club or association celebrates and motivates its members. Let's chat! 💬 #ClubBadges #MemberAwards #AssociationRecognition

Running a grassroots football club comes with its own set of unique challenges that only those involved truly understand. The work is often unpaid, the hours are long, and the recognition can be scarce. It takes a special kind of dedication to commit yourself to a club and its community, as those on a committee board do every day. The beauty of grassroots football is that, while these challenges are unique, they are also shared by thousands of us who are deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of successful clubs. At TeamFeePay, we bring years of experience from every level of football. Whether it's playing, coaching, or serving in roles like treasurer or chair, we’ve been there. When I connect with clubs, I always enjoy discussing questions that we rarely get the chance to reflect on, such as: ⚽ What’s your vision for your club in the coming years? ⚽ How do you plan to expand your impact in the community? ⚽ Securing funding is crucial for grassroots clubs. How are you approaching sponsorships or partnerships to support your initiatives? Our service goes beyond just registration and payment collection; it's a needs-led approach tailored to your club's goals and aspirations. Once we understand your ambitions, we’re committed to guiding and supporting you every step of the way. If you're based in the South West or South Wales Region and are interested in how we can bring this unique service to your club, feel free to reach out. I'd love to explore how we can help your club achieve its vision. ben.gascoigne@teamfeepay.com

Superb cause and a superb post from my good friend Jason Costello If you or someone you know has been affected by #MND or you want to passively or actively back a positive mission of hope, then read the post below.

Here’s one way to maximize the value of $$$ conference registration. Attendees consistently tell us the biggest benefit of going to a conference is sharing best practices and starting relationships with peers. But how many attendees actually find the time and energy to follow up with their new connections? As an event planner, it seems like facilitating that follow up would be wise, no? SO, at the CASE DII Board meeting we came up with a smart idea to facilitate engagement after our annual District Conference (Save the Date - 2/9-2/11, NYC) and move some relationships that started at the event to the next level. It’s super simple! We’re going to recruit volunteers to host gatherings in their cities for attendees and friends to bask in the afterglow, share what they learned, and continue building their networks. (Save the Date - 3/6, coming to a city near you) https://lnkd.in/eytpR_ph

Nominate early for the Hampshire FA Partnership of the Year Award sponsored by Paris Smith LLP! Hampshire FA affiliated clubs and/or leagues are now invited to submit entries for the 2024-25 season. **Award Details** Two awards are available this season: a winner and a runners-up award. The club and/or league must be able to demonstrate how the partnership has made a significant impact with evidence to support this submission. This could be a partnership that has yielded results in the form of: ⚽Setting up additional teams based on the funds of the partnership and/or sponsorship. ⚽Putting on a local community event jointly with the sponsor that may have made the local press and drawn interest back to their club or league with new players or volunteers. ⚽Contributed to the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility goals through joined-up collaboration on environmental activities. ⚽Upskilled the workforce of volunteers. Sponsorship and/or partnership monies have funded or subsidised coaching qualifications for existing volunteers, creating new development opportunities for the club. It's great to see we have already received our first nomination but we know, there are plenty more out there! Nominate here: https://lnkd.in/e27eJdsm In it, to win it, right?