From the Desk of Janet Barclay

April was a pretty busy month, between wrapping up the GHVA website and preparing for my teleseminars, not to mention my regular client work! However, I’ve still managed to post to my other blogs:

OnlineOrganizing.com - Technology as an Organizing Tool:

• Organize Your Email - Part 3
• Google Docs
• RSS Really Is Simple
• Your Very Own Personal Assistant
  

Introvert Retreat:

• Ponderings of an Introvert
• Tips from a Professional Networker
• Virtual Assistance and Introversion
• Let ‘em come to you!

I’ve also written a new article on Going Green in the Office, which you can read over at OrganizedArticles.com.

Enjoy!

Crocusses and snowdrops are lovely, but they really just hint at spring. To me, it’s not spring until the daffodils come up and you can comfortably go outside without a bulky winter coat – and I think we’re there!

It really felt like spring this morning, because I resumed my early morning walks with my friend and colleague Marie Mushing.

In addition, tomorrow is Earth Day, so there are all kinds of outdoor activities planned in the community, such as tree plantings and walks for charity. Speaking of Earth Day, the Earth Day edition of The Organized Assistant Resource will be going out tomorrow, so be sure to watch for it in your Inbox! Not a subscriber? Better click on over to my website and sign up today!

A friend of mine has joined The Compact, which is a group of individuals who have made a commitment to not buy any new products of any kind during 2007, but instead to barter, borrow, or buy used. There are, of course, some exceptions - they don’t expect people to buy used underwear, for example. Their goals are as follows:

• To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of disposable consumer culture and to support local businesses, farms, etc.
• To reduce clutter and waste in their homes (as in trash Compact-er).
• To simplify their lives (as in Calm-pact)

Their main Yahoo group currently has over 8400 members, and they have a number of regional groups as well, including the Compact Canada, which are listed on their blog.

I’m not ready to make that type of commitment, but I fully admire those who are, and I strongly support donating unwanted gifts to other people or organizations rather than throwing them in the garbage where they’ll end up in the landfill.

Registration is now open for Professional Organizers in Canada’s 7th Annual Conference in Vancouver this November - the first time it has been held outside Toronto. Although I don’t think a trip to Vancouver is in the plans for me this year (I’m going to Nova Scotia in September - my first real vacation since before I started my business) I thought I’d take a look at the registration package.

One of the seminars that caught my attention is How To Source Green Office Products, which will be facilitated by Gil Yaron, the Founder and CEO of Frogfile Office Essentials. Gil established Frogfile to provide business consumers with sustainable options to reduce their environmental footprint, and offers office products that are made with recycled and renewable materials and that can be recycled at the end of their life cycle. Although the company is based in Vancouver, they ship to clients in other parts of Canada and the US (shipping charges apply, of course).

I’ve recently stocked up on office supplies, but I will definitely be visiting their website again when it’s time to order more.

Is your home or office cluttered with old cell phones you don’t know what to do with? During Stroke Awareness Month, from June 1 to June 30, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, in partnership with the Chartered Insurance Professional Society - Hamilton/Niagara Chapter, will be collecting old cell phones for recycling. For every cell phone that you donate, $1 will be given to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. You can drop off your old cell phones any time during the month of June at 1439 Upper Ottawa Street in Hamilton - Heart and Stroke Foundation Hamilton Office (Unit # 7) or Chartered Insurance Professional Society - Hamilton/Niagara Chapter (Unit 4 and 5).

It’s that simple to reduce your clutter, keep cell phones out of landfill, and help the Heart and Stroke Foundation breakthrough medical advancements, effect social change, and educate individuals, families and health professionals to get results that change lives!

Do you have other items you no longer need or want, but don’t know what to do with? Visit Charity Village for a listing of other organizations accross Canada that accept items for recycling, including clothing, computers and other electronic equipment, furniture and household items, renovation and building materials, vehicles, and even industrial machinery!