Operation Christmas Community

Slide 1: 

Well, hel-LO-HO-HO!

Santa Ric Erwin here… : 

Santa Ric Erwin here… I have BIG news for members of the International Order of Santas! But first, I’d like to take a just a moment to explain (if not apologize for) our rather “leisurely” growth rate the past year or so Let’s begin by thanking our FOUNDER— he’s the man who literally started the global Real Bearded Santa phenomenom in 1994, our “Reluctant Hero”: Santa Tom Hartsfield

Born, APRIL 2008: Fraternal Twins : 

Born, APRIL 2008: Fraternal Twins As our story begins, the old Amalgamated Order lies a smoking ruin. Then, rising from the ashes—like a pair of glorious Phoenixes: (Phoenii? Phoenices?) FORBS & its fraternal TWIN, IOS.

Like many of you, I JOINED BOTH : 

In loyalty to my friend & mentor Tom Hartsfield, & out of frustration for having failed to help him rescue his 15-year labor of love from the clutches of 2 evil & greedy men—I joined IOS Like many of you, I JOINED BOTH And, in solidarity with my SoCal Santa Pals — among whom Diva & I had lived, loved, worked, played, laughed & cried for so many years— (and against whom I have all too frequently felt the frustration of AUDITIONING) there was never any question that we would ALSO join FORBS Also like many of you, I started helping as much as I could, by doing what I LOVE to do—for BOTH GROUPS!

First, for IOS: : 

First, for IOS: Basing the logo on Santa Milt Cottrell, who had passed away just as IOS was starting up, I helped Tom Hartsfield create a Membership Certificate, “Flag”, Chapter Banner(s) & stationary samples:

I also served on the global design team working on the IOS Website: : 

I also served on the global design team working on the IOS Website: Visit us online at: www.IOSantas.com

Still, guess who was doing most of the heavy lifting… : 

Considering his general lack of techno-savvy, I can only wonder at the amount of work it must have taken Santa Tom Hartsfield to compile the boxes of records which he turned over to me… Still, guess who was doing most of the heavy lifting… Tom eagerly accepted all the tutoring we could find time for— he went from struggling with emails to working with huge database spreadsheets! When, a year later, he made up his mind to permanently retire & move out to the countryside with his family, IOS had HUNDREDS of members around the world! WOW!!!

Incredibly, during these same years, there was even MORE going on at the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas : 

Incredibly, during these same years, there was even MORE going on at the Fraternal Order of Real Bearded Santas Before we return to the subject of IOS’ future, I’d like to thank my lovely & beloved wife Victoria for giving me support—both figuratively AND literally— while I spent long days, weeks & months working for FORBS. I’d also like to thank Elves Heather & Holly (BOTH Christmas plants, BTW—chosen LONG before I became Santa) for making parenting so STRESS-FREE for me! Finally— before moving on, I’d also like to tell those of you who are NOT members of FORBS How I Spent The Past 30 Months:

When FORBS was born in April 2008, Diva & I were there—and we’ve been there ever since!! : 

When FORBS was born in April 2008, Diva & I were there—and we’ve been there ever since!! I’m also Webmaster for the following chapters: I’ve served FORBS as: Director-At-Large National Secretary National Webmaster Orange County Ch. V.P. Archivist & Videographer In fact, for most of the past two years, I’ve actually been ALL of the above AT THE SAME TIME… Professional singers year-round, Diva & I LOVE to perform pro-bono for our fellow Jolly Jents—and for many of their causes! We’ve hosted fundraisers, led meetings, entertained parties, taught workshops– we even MC’d two FORBS Luncheons!

Most entertainers have a “day-job”, right? Well, my Computer Science degree is older than the internet, so I do web & graphics design—here are some I’ve done for FORBS: : 

Most entertainers have a “day-job”, right? Well, my Computer Science degree is older than the internet, so I do web & graphics design—here are some I’ve done for FORBS: Additional information, galleries & samples online at: www.LiteraryMercenary.NET

I even think my MOTION GRAPHICS are getting better… : 

I even think my MOTION GRAPHICS are getting better…

While National Secretary, I wrote or revised (wholly or in part) many of FORBS’ most important documents– for instance: : 

ByLaws (Rev. June ‘09) Conflict Policy Life Membership Policy Media Access Policy Trademark & Logo Policy Background Check Protocols & Procedures eCommerce Policy Luncheon Press Packet(s) Santa Jamboree/Crowne Plaza Settlement + Meeting Minutes/ Press Releases/ Committee Reports/ Forms, etc… While National Secretary, I wrote or revised (wholly or in part) many of FORBS’ most important documents– for instance: “A volunteer is someone who has conquered their personal inertia; but inertia almost ALWAYS counter-attacks & quite often succeeds…” From US To ME: Working With Volunteers, Santa Ric Erwin

As FORBS’ National Webmaster, I built our entire network: : 

As FORBS’ National Webmaster, I built our entire network: Including the “Santa SyberStore” (which produces about 85% of our income!)

Our production company has done a LOT for our bros, too! : 

Our production company has done a LOT for our bros, too!

WHEW!! : 

WHEW!! Ever stared at the time stamp on an email from me & wondered WHEN I SLEPT? Well, to me it’s not how MUCH I sleep— BUT HOW WELL!!! I KNOW that what I’ve lost in QUANTITY I’ve MORE than made up for in QUALITY! And THAT has been the source of my energy & stamina for years: after an exhausting life once spent chasing profits & prestige, I NOW SLEEP THE SLUMBER OF THE SAINTS!!!

What about all those holiday specialists who are NOT Real Bearded Santas? : 

What about all those holiday specialists who are NOT Real Bearded Santas? Don’t you know a few who’d LOVE to share what we have? Well…. WHO SAYS THEY CAN’T???

The International Order of Santas is launching: : 

That’s why today, after many months of planning, The International Order of Santas is launching: HERE’S WHY WE’RE SO EXCITED:

You know what’s the HOLY GRAIL of Web Design today? : 

You know what’s the HOLY GRAIL of Web Design today? UNIVERSAL TRANSLATION! The Bible says the people of Babel decided to show God their greatness— by building a tower to heaven; for this hubris, He scattered them to the winds, and then imposed “languages” to KEEP them apart. (Gen 11:1-9)

Soon, your personal associations will no longer be limited by your LOCATION OR your LANGUAGE—You Can Have Friends ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! : 

Soon, your personal associations will no longer be limited by your LOCATION OR your LANGUAGE—You Can Have Friends ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! Here’s what your “CONTACTS” list may look like in a few years: HOW CAN WE HELP OUR MEMBERS GET READY FOR IT…? We KNOW it’s coming— the only QUESTION is:

With your help, IOS will soon provide all interested Seasonal Professionals with: : 

“YellowPages” for IOS members Show the world what you do or sell Share photos & video, true or tall tales, etc Link your profile to a pre-existing website (if you have one) Or let us build a website FOR you With your help, IOS will soon provide all interested Seasonal Professionals with: IOSantaNet A simple, feature-rich Social Network for the NON-techno-geek… (like, say–your average SANTA?) FINALLY synch up w/ family/friends/fans on FaceBook/Twitter/etc A “private party line” that allows the entire Christmas Community to share friends SAFELY Peer support, tutorials, & professional training Don’t get frustrated— get INTEGRATED!!! IOSyber-Store Products / Services offered BY members FOR members Shop OR browse—by, Product, Vendor or Category Peer reviews & feedback Turbo-SSL Security Can you say, “CROWN JEWEL”? …and I KNOW we can do all of this– because we’re DOING IT NOW—for SANTAS!

Ok, Ric, sounds good...I DO think FORBS is GREAT, & I can think of lots of folks who’d LOVE to share what we have with each other here; so I won’t mind if you CUT TO THE CHASE... : 

Ok, Ric, sounds good...I DO think FORBS is GREAT, & I can think of lots of folks who’d LOVE to share what we have with each other here; so I won’t mind if you CUT TO THE CHASE... ONE FINAL QUESTION:

JUSTHOW MUCHIS ALLTHISGONNACOST???? : 

JUSTHOW MUCHIS ALLTHISGONNACOST????

Brace yourself–this might hurt a bit:for almost ALL of this, you will pay…NOTHING : 

At least, nothing most of us haven’t paid ALREADY: Brace yourself–this might hurt a bit:for almost ALL of this, you will pay…NOTHING For the first time since 2008, IOS will again collect annual dues... All new members, as well as existing members who’d like a 2011 Membership Certificate EXISTING MEMBERS may retain their current roster position for only $10 $5 IOSyberStore will open soon; meanwhile, dues can be paid using any major credit or debit card, via our website & PayPal: www.IOSantas.com

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HERE’S AN OVERVIEW OF THE 3 TIERS OF SERVICE As you can see, the more likely a member is to use any available service, the more UN-likely they’ll PAY for it! IOSantaNet (free access—to IOS Members ONLY) We are, after all, a SOCIAL organization FIRST, right? EVERY MEMBER will be encouraged to create a profile– and to use it to get to know fellow members from around the world… IOS’ Virtual Offices or ”WEBquarters”— where each Chapter has a public directory– each Member designs their own “Showcase”— & every Vendor has a prominent “Display Window” (free Member placement, optional premium support available) Our “Virtual Clubhouse”, IOSantaNet will even find ways to teach the member to do all this ON THE FLY—using the device in their pocket!!

IOSantaNet (IOSantaNet.ning.com) : 

IOSantaNet (IOSantaNet.ning.com) “Intended for the social interaction, professional integration & peer support of members of the International Order of Santas” -IOSantaNet Mission Statement If the entire, global Christmas Community is a big happy family (with WILDLY varying work schedules) -then THIS is our cyber-living room.

Likewise: if IOSantaNet is our living room, then WINTER-Net will be our home–office… you might even call it our “WEB-quarters” : 

WINTER-net will be our public face on the internet–a sort of Christmas Community Yellow Pages Members with products or services of interest to Seasonal Professionals / Specialty Performers / Bookers / Agents / Makeup Artists / Toy Makers / Custom Costumers / Writers / Media Relations / etc, etc, etc… Likewise: if IOSantaNet is our living room, then WINTER-Net will be our home–office… you might even call it our “WEB-quarters”

eCommercew/IOS & Our Members : 

eCommercew/IOS & Our Members This is REALLY where the RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD! By FAR the most complex of all the websites I made while serving the Fraternal Order, the FORBSantas SyberStore had FIVE departments listing over a HUNDRED products… But I designed it to be INFINITELY SCALABLE— which means once it opens, the IOSyber Store will let HUNDREDS of vendors offer THOUSANDS of products to our global membership!!!

Well—that’s our plan for the Christmas Community in 2011 : 

Well—that’s our plan for the Christmas Community in 2011 This year, our goal is to help EVERY MEMBER become more familiar with the INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY!!! Soooo… Whaddya say, E. Z. Wider Ready for a ROAD TRIP?

If you have any questions or problems, let me know:Director@IOSantas.com : 

We’ve already begun to roll out some of these services– others will come online as resources permit; when you’re ready to start, go to: www.IOSantas.com Feel free to browse the site all you like, and when you’re ready, just follow the “Join IOS” link you’ll find on most pages To help us keep our roster accurate, please complete the brief Membership Application (even if you’ve completed one before) We haven’t opened the IOSyberStore yet—so for now we’ll only be accepting the following: If you have any questions or problems, let me know:Director@IOSantas.com $5 -- Legacy renewals only (no certificate) $10 -- 2011 Member Dues (w/Certificate) $25 Annual Dues + Donation This last button is for those members who REALLY feel the Christmas Spirit during checkout— THEY WILL BE OUR North Pole Honor Roll