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2007 Government Testimonials

 

Northern Virginia Community College
College Parking Services
["Stress and Team Building" workshop for 45 staff across six campuses]

June 13, 2007

Mark Gorkin
"The Stress Doc"

Mark,
Just want to drop you a note to let you know just how well received your presentation was at our annual Auxiliary Enterprises event last Thursday.  You came to me highly recommended by others from within the College, however you far exceeded my expectations.

Our diverse group of forty-five attendees was completely enthralled with you for the entire two hours and I was totally surprised at their willingness without the slightest of hesitations to participate in the fun but educational "learning" exercises that you presented.  Every one of them was totally "into it."

Thanks for making what most people think is going to be just one of those dry presentations when one is told to do this and that and the world will turn rosy to a realistic portrayal of what one can do for themselves on a day to day basis to make their own existence more positive and productive.

I look forward to the possibility of our meeting again at another of your presentations.

Sincerely,

Barbara Evans
Director

College Parking Services
Northern Virginia Community College
7630 Little River Turnpike, suite 306
Annandale, VA 22003-3796

703-323-3016
Fax 703-813-1339
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NOAA/NESDIS Administrative Professionals Day
[Half day program for 25 attendees]

May 25, 2007

Comments below (made via email) by our Administrative Professionals Day training attendees.  Thanks for the great work you did with our employees.

Rosemary Pettis
Director EEO Diversity
NOAA/NESDIS

301-713-9210  x-118
rosemary.pettis@noaa.gov

"I thought the Administrative Professionals Day was very interesting.  I learned that there is definitely a better way to say something without causing an argumentative response from the person to whom you are speaking.  This definitely reduces stress in the work place."

"It was very informative and enjoyable.  I learned new ways to diffuse difficult situations at work"

"The training I received was fun and informative.  The group exercises helped me learn more about the people I work with every day."
--------------------

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Division of Supervision and Consumer Protection

April 9, 2007

Dear Mr. Gorkin:

Thank you for speaking at the FDIC's Supervision and Application Branch Training on March 28, 2007.  Your program on "Practice Safe Stress" was extremely valuable and pertinent to the issues within our branch.  As evidenced by the level of audience participation, our staff enjoyed the enthusiastic manner in which you communicated the poignant stress management strategies.  It was also enlightening for each employee to discuss the sources of stress in the workplace and the commonalities among us in that regard.  We will strive to revisit the primary issues that were identified by the group, as well as the list of potential solutions, in an effort to alleviate some of the stressors.  We believe that your session was beneficial and are hopeful that we as individuals, as well as a work unit, can achieve a healthy, fun-filled, productive environment.

Thank you again for your participation in this important event, particularly for your willingness to work with us on short notice.  We look forward to the opportunity to work with you on future training sessions.

Sincerely,

Gale A Simons-Poole
Acting Associate Director
--------------------

Spring 2007 Montana Public Health Conference
[Closing keynote for 200 attendees]

May 26, 2007

Stress is everywhere, even in Montana.  We recently had Mr. Mark Gorkin come to Montana (and speak to) about 200 state and local public health professionals.  Mark was engaging, uplifting, and positive.  He helped our meeting participants to leave the meeting feeling empowered, positive, and encouraged about not only the work they do, but their ability to do it.  Thanks, Mark!
 
Jo Ann Dotson, R.N., M.S.N.
Chief, Family and Community Health Bureau
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
1216 E. 6th Ave.
Helena, MT  59620

406-444-4743
jdotson@mt.gov
------------------------
Department of Health and Human Services Nurse Advisory Council
(Half-day "Safe Stress, Team Building and Humor" program for 120 nurses)

May 16, 2007

Dear Mark,

On behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services Nurse Advisory Council, I want to thank you for being the keynote speaker at the annual Nurse Day celebration held on May 9, 2007. The presentation "Practicing Safe Stress" was enjoyable, dynamic, and germane to the fast-pace, demanding balancing act we all live with each day.

Your humorous, non-threatening approach and expertise in the health and human service field enabled the participants to identify areas of stress and conflict in their personal and professional lives.  Although the participants work in different areas and were both managers and direct service providers, it was apparent that wearing many hats, multi-tasking, and stressing about lack of time and resources on the job, were commonalities that everyone shared.

Your presentation provided positive and constructive strategies for managing along with creative and fun ways to express oneself.  At the same time, it encouraged team building and networking.

Generally, a serious, no nonsense group, the nurses were actively engaged in the interactive presentation and they were rewarded with a morning of respite from the demands and pressure of the workplace. The group seemed to be energized, buzzing, smiling, and best of all, left the celebration feeling better about themselves. (I know this because I have been receiving "thank you" calls and emails all week.) 

Thanks again for a wonderful morning. It's not often that one can be laughing and learning at the same time.

Sincerely,

Isabel Cassen
Senior Administrator
Public Health Services
Department of Health and Human Services
Montgomery County, Maryland

Cc: Judy Covich
--------------------

Federally Employed Women/NOAA
 [120 particpants]

Feb 8, 2007

Mark,

If you recall we spoke at the FEW Workshop a few weeks back that took place here at our Silver Spring headquarters. We were very inspired by your presentation and would
like to invite you to be a workshop presenter at our annual NOAA Women's History Month Conference, on Tuesday April 10th. If you are available we can go into more details about topics for the workshops, times of the workshops and your fee.

Looking forward to your response. My contact information is below.

Best regards,
Marian
--
Marian Katz
Program Assistant
NOAA/NESDIS
1335 East West Highway (Room 8229)
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301 713-9210 x145 (ph.)
301 713-9219 (fax)
marian.katz@noaa.gov
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Department of State/Family Liaison Office (FLO)

Jan 25, 2007

Dear Mark:

I have been meaning to thank you so much for the wonderful and energizing presentation you gave at the State Department.  As we discussed afterward, this can be a highly stressful environment, and we do tend to take ourselves just a bit too seriously!  It was extremely helpful to have you here to take us through some ways to creatively reduce our stress, and work together as a team.  Definitely fun AND worthwhile -- what an unusual combination!

Thanks again,

Leslie

Leslie Brant Teixeira
Deputy Director
Family Liaison Office (FLO)
Tel:  202-647-4626  Fax:  202-647-1670
Intranet:  http://hrweb.hr.state.gov/flo/index.html
Internet: http://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo