2010 Testimonials -- General
District of
Columbia Retirement Board (DCRB)
[Three One-Day sessions on "Stress Management, Interpersonal Skills Training and
Team Building in Times of Reorganization"]
Dec 21, 2010
Mark,
I am very apologetic that I have not responded sooner. It has been a whirlwind
of activity and the time just went by faster each day. I am hoping for a slower
week this week and should be able to finalize some information as well as craft
a beautiful – honest – praise for the wonderful eye-opening training that you
have provided DCRB. You set a bar that many trainers will now need to live up
to…
Hopefully, I will be able to provide you with some more information over the
last week of December and we can discuss it early January.
Happy Holidays! Be safe.
Thank you,
Susan D. Washington, PHR
Human Resources Manager
District of Columbia Retirement Board
900 7th Street, 2nd floor
Washington, DC 20001
202-343-3227 (office direct)
202-343-3200 (office)
susan.washington@dc.gov
www.dcrb.dc.gov
---------------------
Leadership Prince William, VA
[Holiday Stress, Envisioning Change and Team Building Program for Alumni Group
affiliated with Chamber of Commerce]
Dec 15, 2010
Good Afternoon Mark,
One normally wouldn't associate stress with humor and entertainment...those
people don't know you! Thank you so much for conducting the recent
workshop, "Practicing Safe Stress", for Leadership Prince William.
Our participants enjoyed your upbeat delivery and offbeat sense of humor!
Thank you for guiding, enlightening and challenging our Leadership group.
Let’s stay in touch. Best wishes for a delightful holiday season~
Kathy
Kathy Ellington, Director
Leadership Prince William
t. 703.993.9607
f. 703.993.8631
www.leadershipprincewilliam.org
-----------------------
Dec 14, 2010
Hello Mark,
Thank you for coming to Manassas to present to Leadership Prince William. I
enjoyed your message and humor. What you shared about the 4 "R's" really
resonates in one aspect of life. I haven't determined how to approach it,
but you've definitely gotten me thinking. Put in your perspective, it
seems pretty well defined.
I wish you a wonderful holiday season. I truly hope to have the
opportunity to see you again. Regards,
Kendra Kielbasa, Public Relations Director
Lewis & Leigh, Inc. dba
Home Instead Senior Care, Manassas Office
9100 Church Street, Suite 107
Manassas, VA 20110
703.530.1360 - Office (24/7)
703.909.0086 - Cell
---------------
Ft. Belvoir, VA/Family Advocacy Program
and Army Community Services
["Stress and Conflict" for FAP and "Generational Communication, Leadership and
Team Building" for ACS staff]
November 22, 2010
Mr.Gorkin, I collected a few comments from the office staff. I figured you could
use these to show just how great your training is. I really must say I mostly
enjoyed your great sense of humor and the creative learning pieces are
priceless. Keep up the great work and come back anytime you wish. You are
welcomed here at ACS. Thank you for an awesome time.
Best wishes,
Sandra Mclean
Family Advocacy Specialist
Army Community Services
703-805-2693
"I enjoyed the process of developing a visual representation of the barriers to
creativity and risk taking. that our team experienced."...Laureen DuPree
"Wow what a great way to look at things such as team building and the
bureaucracies that we all face. Glad you came Mr.Gorkin".....Sandra
"I thought it was very affective and fun!"....Breva Spencer
"It was helpful, and Loved that it was interactive. Keep up the Good
work!!"...Nicole
"The morning session was very informative..and thought provoking. My FAP team
really enjoyed this training session and we love the visual affects...put the
drawing up on my wall.."...FAPM
---------------------------
Case Western Reserve University
Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
[Two hour "Safe Stress" Program for 50 alumni]
Nov 18, 2010
Hi Mark,
Here is the evaluation and it is excellent. For whatever quirk of human nature,
a "9" is almost never given. You have scored nearly all "8's", a very high
response. You will also notice, no doubt, that most of the negative comments
have to do with the facility. I cannot control that unless we build an
auditorium someday! Thank you again Mark for being so gracious in presenting for
us. I understand that our continuing education department is interested in
contacting you. They put on one-half and entire day programs which would offer
you a little more time to present. If anything, our attendees would have liked
to hear more from you. Take care. Sincerely, Pam
Pamela R. Carson
Director of Development
for Alumni Relations and External Affairs
Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
Case Western Reserve University
10900 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106-7164
Ph.(216) 368-2281
prc2@case.edu
------------------------
Between writing my recent Reorg Stress Series and receiving some understandably pointed comments from a government-related association, I got a bit fired up. Sometimes this can bring out my lyrical-satirical-cynical side. Maybe my words will help fire-up some folks. Please share with others. Enjoy!
Nevada Women, Infants &
Children (WIC)
["Creatively Managing Stress and Conflict & Building Team Cooperation Through
Humor" Programs for Las Vegas (160 attendees) and Reno (80), NV Regions]
Sep 3, 2010
Hello Mr. Gorkin,
Once again, if I haven’t already said so, thank you kindly for coming to train
the Nevada WIC program. Your presentation was in fact as engaging, interactive
and insightful as you led me to believe upon our initial conversation. Staff
left your session ‘pumped’ and ready to take what they learned back to their
workplace. Working within the WIC program at the local level can be very taxing
for staff, and we were glad that you were able to give them the tools that they
needed to handle workplace stress effectively!
Sincerely,
Key James
Health Program Specialist I
Nevada State WIC
3811 W. Charleston Blvd. Ste. 205
Las Vegas, NV 89102
702-486-8103 (Ph)
kjames@health.nv.gov
---------------------
4th Sustainment Brigade
13th Expeditionary Support Command, Ft. Hood, TX
[Predeployment Offsite for 100 Officers, Senior Sergeants and Spouses]
Aug 21, 2010
Mark,
It was good to hear from you. Work has been chaotic given that I was only in the
office one of the last 10 days before we came to the offsite. Your presentation
was excellent. I was taking copious notes. We have a program within the brigade
geared at enhancing junior leadership comminication skills in caring for
soldiers and helping soldiers increase life skills in five areas of their lives:
personal, professional, relational, spiritual, and financial. Part of that
program is using thought provoking quotes to help leaders present some thought
worthy ideas and to encourage soldiers to consider their possibilities. As we
continue to write the material, I hope to be able to incorporate some of the
things you put out in your class.
As I transition and get settled in my new job sometine in the next week or maybe
month -- it is the army, you know -- I will keep in mind our conversation about
working with the chaplains.
take care,
Jerry Sieg
chapsieg@yahoo.com
Cell (907) 360-4317
Gov't. Cell (254) 630-3580
By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest;
Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the
bitterest. -- Confucius
---------------------
ASPIRE (Asian Pacific
Internal Revenue Employees) National Conference -- Chicago [1.25 hr "Inspiring Leadership-Partnership with
a Jolt of CPR -- Creativity, Passion & Risk-Taking" and "Practice Safe Stress"
Programs]
Aug 6, 2010
Hi Mark,
Sorry for responding to you this late. Your workshops were awesome, we enjoyed
them very much. To let you know that the conference committee is still working
hard in collecting the online feedback/evaluation from the attendees. Once it
is completed which might be in early September, I'll forward the result to you
as the inclusion of the testimony you had requested. I hope this would be ok
with you. Thanks and have a great weekend.
Best Regards,
Minah B. Goertler
Internal Revenue Agent - Badge # 04-80850
Team 1176 - LMSB HMT - Heavy Manufacturing
N14W24200 Tower Place #202 MS: 4213WKW
Waukesha, WI 53188
Ofc: 262-513-3473
-----------------------
Aug 5, 2010
Good Morning Stress Doc, thanks for your inspiring message! I really enjoyed
the conference and especially your workshop on Practicing Safe Stress. It was
very informative, practical and realistic! I also enjoyed the group team
building exercises, it helped us to better understand how "we" as a group think
during either difficult times or stress related situations. I have already
recommended you to my colleagues here at the IRS, and will keep you in mind for
future team building workshops or all employee meetings.
Thanks again for your enthusiasm and energy!
Julie
Julie.G.DeVaughn@irs.gov
--------------------
1st CAV Division/Ft. Hood,
TX "Command Team" Offsite -- San Antonio
["Bridging the Generational-Cultural Divide and Building Team Coordination" --
100 Brigade & Battalion Commanders and Command Sergeant Majors -- 2 hours]
July 20, 2010
Mark,
Likewise, I very much enjoyed meeting you. I can speak for everyone at the
seminar -- we enjoyed your presentation and the enthusiasm and passion that you
have in this important work. Thanks again for your participation.
Respectfully,
Phil Battaglia
COL Phil Battaglia
Chief of Staff, 1st Cavalry Division
PHILIP.BATTAGLIA@us.army.mil
------------
Mark, thanks for everything. Will keep you in mind for future engagements!
Cheers, Simon
Simon Gardner
Lieutenant-Colonel, Civil Affairs
Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations
First Cavalry Division, Fort Hood Texas
Office: (254)
287-7670
SIMON.GARDNER@us.army.mil
---------------------------
Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.
[Relocation/Transition Stress Workshop for employees relocating with and
separating from the company. Hanger HQ is moving from Bethesda, MD to Austin,
TX]]
July 15, 2010
Dear Mark,
On behalf of Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc., I would like to thank you for
presenting “Practicing Safe Stress” to our corporate employees. The insights
you provided were apt and they were very well embraced by our employees who were
going through a lot of stress due to relocation of our Company’s headquarters.
I would like to commend you on your ability to engage with the audience and was
amazed to see how employees willingly opened up and shared what they are going
through during this difficult time.
We thoroughly enjoyed your session and glad we were able to provide this to our
employees. Thank you!
Divya Paramesh, PHR
Senior Human Resources Specialist
Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc.
Ph : 301-280-4588
DParamesh@Hanger.com
---------------------------
Anne Arundel Society for
Human Resources Management
[1.5 hour program -- "Does Your Team, Department or Organization Need a Jolt of
CPR?
Transforming Stress, Change and Conflict into Creativity, Passion and
Risk-Taking"]
July 1, 2010
Mr. Mark Gorkin, MSW, LICSW
The Stress Doc ™
301-875-2567
www.stressdoc.com
stressdoc@aol.com
Dear Mark,
This letter is written to thank you for your outstanding presentation at our
June membership meeting. Your use of your professional knowledge as well as
your upbeat and enjoyable presentation style combined to make our meeting a
memorable event.
Members were particularly impressed by your use of participant interaction, art,
and very appropriate humor to help them focus on and minimize stressful or
conflicting situations at work. Our members were engaged from the beginning
until the end of your presentation. That fact speaks to your mastery of public
speaking, teaching, and team building.
I highly recommend you to any public or private organization or professional
group as an accomplished speaker, teacher and coach.
Best regards,
Bill Osborne
Membership Director
President, The People Business
443-454-3005
bill@peoplebusiness bill@peoplebusiness.us
-----------------------------
Ft. Meade, MD/Army Community
Service
Stress Management /Keynote
Presenter for Child Abuse Awareness Month
04/08/10
On behalf of Army Community Service at Fort Meade, I would like to extend my
sincere appreciation for your valuable presentation on stress management. You
reached out to our staff with your comedy message in a way that will be
everlasting for the Fort Meade community.
Your humor and sincerity certainly touched us in ways that I could not have
achieved in my briefings. I was told by many of the folks who attended this
presentation that it exceeded their expectations and they absolutely enjoyed the
rap performance that closed out the show.
Once again, thank you for your appearance and the encouragement that you gave
while here at Fort Meade. I highly recommend you for other military
installations and look forward to working with you again in the future.
Sincerely,
Celena Flowers, LCSW, ACSW
Family Advocacy Program Manager
office: 301-677-4357
cell: 240-688-6691
celena.flowers@us.army.mil
------------------
Busy Women's Retreat
at Blue Mountain Retreat
Center/Harper's Ferry, WV
March 14, 2010
Testimonial for Mark Gorkin
Mark,
Thank you so much for giving such a meaningful presentation at the Busy Women's
Retreat here at Blue Mountain on March 5th and 6th. The subject matter,
"Transforming Stress, Conflict and Change into Passion Power" was itself a very
powerful theme, and you were able to so skillfully present and guide the group!
This subject brought a lot of heavy emotions from the women to the surface.
Your ability to help the women work through their issues, and even more
importantly, your ability to give them tools with which to transform their
stress was truly amazing.
The participants in the retreat told me personally that they were very impressed
with the way that you managed the group and that they took away many things that
they can use in their everyday life. Your presentation helped them to evaluate
their stressors differently, to see the positive in every stress, conflict
and/or change. Moreover, you helped them to realize they are not alone, and you
were so skilled at allowing and encouraging others to give feedback within the
group!
I am just so impressed with your organization, your presentation and your
professionalism. I will certainly hire you again, and the women in this first
group all said they look forward to working with you again at a future
gathering!
Thank you for your time, effort, intelligence and caring. You are truly a
gifted workshop leader!!
Beth Ehrhardt, Owner
Blue Mountain Retreat Center
Knoxville, MD 21758
------------------------
Fairfax County, VA/Org.
Development and Training Division
Job Seekers Network, 1.5
hour Practice Safe Stress Program
Mark,
Thanks for a quality workshop. As you noted, emotions are a bit
more present this year. Thanks for your skillful work.
Judy
Judy Lynch
Senior Manager
DHR, County of Fairfax
Organizational Development and Training Division
Judith.Lynch@fairfaxcounty.gov
-------------------
Fairfax County, VA/Org.
Development and Training Division
["Life Meets Work -- Overcoming Stress, Fear & Anxiety"; 40 minutes]
Feb 26, 2010
Mark,
Thank you again for a wonderful presentation on Wednesday. We did not do
evaluation forms (we don’t normally at the Lunch and Learns because there isn’t
time) – but it would not have been necessary! The positive verbal feedback was
remarkable; we had many people ask us when you would be speaking/doing another
workshop and wanted us to let them know. You were definitely a hit! I also
want to thank you for working with us on tweaking some of your material to fit
our strict timeline; you were most gracious and understanding about it!
Take care and hopefully we will see you again soon,
Lynne
Lynne A. Sawyer
Training Specialist
DHR, County of Fairfax
Organizational Development and Training Division
703-324-3452
Lynne.Sawyer@fairfaxcounty.gov
ESP Corp--Engineering Solutions and Products, Inc.
[Half-day team building offsite -- "Transforming Stress, Conflict and Change
into Creative Teaming" -- for 50+ Managers (mostly ex-military, former
high-level NCOs); Dallas, TX; major government contractor to DOD/armed services]
Feb 17, 2010
Mark,
On behalf of Engineering Solutions & Products Incorporated, and all of the
participants from our Dallas Offsite in January 2010, we would like to extend
our heartfelt “Thank You.” Although our workshop was only a half day, you
ensured it was packed full of energy and attention-grabbing topics and
information. We believe that better communications is the key to success and
your presentation really drove home that point. The best thing of all was that
your presentation was totally in synch with the company’s values and how the
President/CEO expects his Senior and Junior Level Managers to interface with
employees. The exercises were outstanding and I could see our participants
wanting to have their data shared with the group. Participants were so
motivated by the presentation that you received a well-deserved standing ovation
by all. Thank you for spending time with us the previous day in order to get a
better understanding of ESP and our corporate values – it meant a lot to the
team that you went above and beyond to make the presentations meaningful to
all. We gained a lot from this team building/better communications workshop and
look forward to working with you at future events.
Again, thank you!
Gary Livero
ESP, Inc
VP of Operations
Eatontown, NJ
Gary.Livero@espcorp.org
---------------------
02/01/10
Mark, I like the ideas – I think they're great! You are very welcome! Gary [ESP
Vice President] really enjoyed it and made the comment about how he personally
enjoyed it. He asked and everyone acknowledged how they enjoyed the
seminar...they really enjoyed the event; I have received many laudable comments!
It was a lot of fun; I personally love the drawing event. We have them here at
the corporate office and are going to have them framed! When you come back in
March will have you out at our corporate office. Let me know when you get in, we
can have dinner together. Glad to see that you made it safe to Cleveland. Stay
in touch!
v/r, Henry
Henry R. Vance III
DPM & Project Leader for FBCB2/BFT & ISYSCON
Engineering Solutions and Products, Inc.
Office: 254-634-4999 Ext: 120
Kileen/Ft. Hood, TX
henry.vance@espcorp.org
henry.vance@us.army.mil
------------------
Association of Legal Administrators/Minnesota State Chapter
[1.5 hour workshop on "Practicing Safe Stress in Challenging Times" for 50+
attendees]
Feb 12, 2010
Hi Mark,
Thank you very much for your fun and informative presentation. I heard many
positive comments such as "great and relevant topic," "great presentation with
real life examples," and "nice to have some tips to deal with stress." Many of
the participants commented on how much fun they had with the exercise. Overall,
it was a great time and we really appreciate it!
Colette
Colette M. Canniff
Legal Administrative Assistant Manager
Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P.
800 LaSalle Avenue, Suite 2800
Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-349-8223
------------------
Association of Legal Administrators -- Orlando Chapter
[Luncheon Keynote -- "Jumpstarting the New Year -- Practice Safe Stress through
Resilience, Focused Flexibility and Laughter"]
Subject Re: Post-Orlando ALA Meeting Greetings from the Stress Doc
Date: 2/1/2010
From: jcmccurry@growerketcham.com
To: StressDoc@aol.com
Yes you can enter me on your free newsletter list.
I really enjoyed your program last week and will strive to use what I learned
daily.
I really enjoyed your rap song at the end of the program too.
I have "dropped the rope" 2 times already and boy what a difference that makes.
Thank you! :o)
JoAnna C. McCurry
Accounting Supervisor
Grower, Ketcham, Rutherford,
Bronson, Eide & Telan, P.A.
Phone 407-423-9545
The Reorg Rag
(with apologies
to no one)
By Mark Gorkin, LICSW, "The Stress Doc" ™
stressdoc@aol.com;
www.stressdoc.com
It can't happen here, I have too much to do…
Who took my desk and chair, my computer, too?
They can't replace me -- the Branch Techno-file.
What do you mean I'm still in denial?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Why does it feel I've been fragged?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Maybe I'm just on a jag
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
I'm still on the Reorg Rag!
Rejoice, you're employed…so they've frozen your pay
And put on your backs the recovery.
Two free weeks furlough to re-"leave" your stress
What a friend you have in the 112th Congress!
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
Why do I just want to gag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Whatever happened to my swag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
I'm still on the Reorg Rag!
You'll "Do more with less," when "There's no 'I' in team"
So "Dress for Success," then become "lean-and-Mean."
Keep reading those posters, your glass is half full
Though, beware "going postal" in the face of this bull.
Ignore the slacker; just take up his load
Put in for a transfer; oops, no off ramp for this road.
The boss is a bully; the "Old Boys" turn an eye
You're getting an ulcer -- such a "nice gal or guy."
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
Why has life become a drag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
Should I raise that white flag?
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag
I'm still on the Reorg Rag!
Now you've had enough, playing Raggedy Ann
Start calling their bluff; draw a line in the sand.
You are a survivor; just never forget
To bring out your "Inner Rambo or Rambette!"
So "Do know your limits; don't limit your 'No's"
There's life beyond widgets; you've taken their blows.
Separate from the mob, you've surpassed your quota
And have kept your job…but now in North Dakota!
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Once again in a trick bag.
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Back into the old gulag
Reorg Rag, Reorg Rag,
Forever on the Reorg Rag!
©
Mark Gorkin 2010
Shrink Rap ™ Productions