Sometimes people just don't get the recognition we think they should.

Here's your chance to do something about that.

Hidden GEMs

Being in a volunteer-based organization has its benefits: they number as many as the members that contribute toward a worthy cause.  Paradoxically, it seems that those who contribute the most go unnoticed the most.  That is why the Hidden GEM award was created.  If you know someone that goes well above and beyond what is expected of them, or someone that saves the day...and saves the day again...then please write to me at greyttalk@yahooo.com.  A nominee will be chosen each issue for the Hidden GEM award. 

Sorry, although every person deserves one, only one award can be given each issue.

To nominate a Hidden GEM, please include this person's name and accomplishments.  (Since this person is, "hidden" I won't necessarily know what this person does to shine.)  Of course this means that the less "hidden" a Gem is (ie--Board Member) the less likely they will be awarded the coveted prize. 

By all means you could also write the article yourself and be credited for it when the award is printed: both in the newsletter and on the award mailed to each Hidden GEM.  Below is the Hidden GEM Hall of Fame.  If you haven't seen these, be sure to take a look!

HIDDEN GEM HALL OF FAME

Margaret Bytner and Ron Fisher

In the spirit of not singling anyone out, our first edition of Hidden Gems will talk about two volunteers whose public praise is well due!

Our first co-entry is Margaret Bytner.  She was nominated for her unyielding and open heart for every foster that comes her way.  Margaret has never declined an offer to foster—repeat—she has taken every dog she has been asked to, no matter the level of difficulty.  For example, there was Player/Playing House, whom she took to numerous vet appointments for a broken leg.  She’ll take care of every dog as if it were her own and never complains, even when she is doubled up or the dog loves to test her patience.

Ron Fisher is another fine example of a Hidden Gem.  He was nominated for his courageous faith in every dog.   For varying reasons, it was added that he should get a, “medal of bravery” for not backing down on any dog—despite personal concerns or emergency vet phone calls.  Ron truly follows our unwritten rule—that it’s all for the dogs--let’s find them homes!  He always looks out for their best interest, and would never give up on one.

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Kathy Darfler

  Kathy was nominated for several reasons, the main being her vigilance.  She is always ready to help for the sake of the dogs she loves.  Whenever someone’s dog is missing, she is out there looking.  She’s always ready to gas up the Big Blue Whale to go get more dogs—even if that means coordinating the GUR herself!

  She loves all furkids as deeply as she loves her own.  This shows in her enthusiasm for others in good times and her tenderheartedness in bad.  She will unabashedly help others in times of need.  She is also not afraid to take on special needs dogs, such as Tess.  Her care for this special grey took a lot of time, and any pain Tess felt was surely felt by Kathy, also.

  Kathy is surely someone that everyone in the group knows, either as a friend or as her superhero persona: The Raffle Queen!  This is a large duty she takes up unflinchingly and does whatever it takes to get these tickets sold!  In addition, she has raised money for other causes such as the Morris Animal Foundation!

  Thank you, Kathy Darfler for being such a Gem!

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Merrie West

 “I think it’s time to honor Merrie West.”  After reading the submissions, it was easy to see why.

  Let’s start with the GEM store.  This year, the store has brought in $10,688.  This is all thanks to Merrie.  She has kept the cost down to just over $2k by storing the products in her home, processing the orders herself and shipping them out.  She sends personal notes to each customer to keep them happy, and writes wonderful articles about the store for your newsletter.

  Above and beyond that, Merrie is known to drive anywhere for any dog, be it in need of a home or just lost.  She was called a passionate, wonderful and outstanding person whom never even let odd work hours deter her.  With three or four hours of sleep, she would help look for lost dogs, go back to work and do it all again until that dog was found.

 She is also the first person to step in and help set up a Meet and Greet, no matter if it is in Howell or Warren.  One person wrote: “A gem of a gem doesn’t even begin to describe her in my opinion.” 

  Thank you, Merrie West  for being such a Gem!

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Helen Davanzo

by Merrie West

Helen Davanzo adopted her first greyhound and started volunteering with another group. Like so many of the rest of the volunteers in GEM she has been through a variety of groups since then and has finally settled where she feels comfortable.

Very shortly after joining GreytHounds of Eastern Michigan, Helen volunteered for, and got, the position of Foster Home Coordinator. She got it by default actually, as it was a job that no one else wanted. (Insert large smile here!)  Helen is perfect for this job because she has the ability to remember dogs from years back, and if they are male or female, what color they are, approximate age, who fostered them, who adopted them, what their personalities are like, whether they were returned, who fostered them the second time, where they originally raced, whether they raced, where they were vetted and a lot of times if they currently need a dental!  Superhuman? You bet!

 Along with her official job of Foster Home Coordinator, Helen also profiles the dogs from the information that she collects. She is on the phone a good portion of the day gaining knowledge and storing it in the nutlike spaces in her cheeks; where she chews them around for a while before sending them to her internal computer processor. She stores these little morsels of information until the time comes that she has to bring them forth to provide the best possible application to correspond with a dog that will thrive in it's new environment.  

She follows up on every one of these dogs to make sure things are going well and that if any assistance is needed then the proper GEM volunteer is notified. It might be the folks that did the Home Visit, or the original foster home. Sometimes she will even go back to whoever did the GUR run to ask for help. Helen has many strengths but one of the most valuable to the group is her ability to do every task that is thrown at her without complaining. Although her efforts to delegate could use some polishing, if you ask her for something to do, she will certainly come up with enough to keep you busy!   

Helen has also on occasion coordinated GUR runs and you will see her at every dog drop. She wants to make sure she doesn't miss some little detail that the dogs might give upon arrival. Among her other duties, she manages to do Home Visits, foster dogs in her home, arrange kennel space, and call people to beg, plead and cajole them to take a foster into their homes.  She also Coordinates big meet & greets and attends most of the others.  She has added the challenging task this year of coordinating our GEM's Spring Picnic. (Although I think she took that on so she wouldn't actually have to do any work!)  

Helen is a confidant in the wee hours of the morning. You can find her on her computer late into the night and well before the crack of dawn ever arrives. She is a generous donor of her time, energy and resources and GreytHounds of Eastern Michigan and all of the dogs that come through this group are indeed fortunate to have her overseeing some of the most important activities that go along with finding homes for these wonderful dogs.

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Hidden GEM report: Steven Tezak

by Lorna Baker

When Steve Tezak started volunteering for GEM, he probably had no idea just how involved he would become.  In addition to playing DJ at a GEM social, spending time at Meet & Greets, the Bowl-A-Thon and countless other volunteer activities, Steve became the editor of GEM's newsletter, GreytTalk, when Beth Geisler could no longer do it.  The transition was flawless.

And what an editor Steve is!  He has expanded editing to include sales, in the form of inviting, persuading, cajoling and resorting to some of the most hilarious -- and often strangely apropos -- poetry imaginable to entice people to send articles.  He doesn't stop at editing and sales, either.  He's a reporter, in his own words, "[combing] through e-mails, the website and the stories themselves" to gather more material for GreytTalk.  And still he doesn't stop there.  He adds his artistic talents to the production of the newsletter.  Each edition has a little different look while still providing the essentials on the masthead.  Just as the winter 2004 publication was decked out in red and green for the holidays, the spring edition was shot through with spring green and liberally scattered with ladybugs, grasshoppers and butterflies.  Each edition of GreytTalk is a visual treat, and it keeps getting better.

Everything Steve writes, from editorials to articles, is a delight to read.  His talent for words is deserving of applause; his prose flows, so to speak; and his research is thorough.  Best of all, Steve is always upbeat, offering readers his own very special brand of humor and optimism.  Every issue of GreytTalk is a much anticipated gift to be treasured.

And this edition, Steve will introduce a new and exciting concept -- switching positions with the editor and greyhound-in-chief of "Scribbles and Bits."  While Mom loves GreytTalk when Steve edits it, I'm really looking forward to more articles, trivia and jokes that I will love.  I just wish the paper were liver-flavored!  Steve...?

Steve Tezak is truly a Hidden GEM, although hidden in plain sight.

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Kathy Lazenby

by Sandie Axe

When you ask her “How are you?” her answer is “Blessed!”  My belief is that GEM and the greyhounds are the ones who are actually blessed by having Kathy Lazenby (Laze) as a part of GEM and the world of Greyhounds.  She isn’t necessarily hidden, but what you may be seeing is just the tip of the iceberg.  When you realize more about her, you’ll see why Kathy Lazenby is a Hidden GEM!

 Laze has come a long way from the days of, “walking a picture”.  Many of you might not know this, but before she committed to adopting a dog, she walked a plastic bag and a picture of a dog every night-and all the times in between when nature might call for a dog.  She eventually adopted Peggy – TA’s Peggy at nine years of age.  Her thinking was that if she had made the wrong decision, she would not be committed for long.  The love for Peggy deepened and then Gina – N’s Sugartime was added to the pack.  Gina was much younger…thus a longer commitment.  Gus- N’s Bold Gust finished her three-pack.

 Laze is always there.  You can find her at home visits, at dog drops, going on GUR’s in the middle of the night, and staying however long for processing the dogs with camera in hand.  She is always doing work for the dogs, and for the members of the group: as a Board Member, taxi service or any other way she sets a greyt example of what it is to be a volunteer.  She never asks anything in return except that everyone is happy.  She never complains, but is quick to come back with, “it’s all good!” 

 Laze has made the world of greyhounds a better place by giving so much of herself to it.  You know by the tattoo on her arm that she is committed to this breed.

 Thank you Laze for all you do in your tireless efforts to promote greyhound adoption.  It is evident on any trip with you that you are a big part of everyone’s life.  When at Dewey, I don’t think you knew a stranger or had an enemy…and in this world that is a rare and wonderful thing.

COMMENTS FROM GEM MEMBERS ON KATHY LAZENBY

I believe we need a new category in GEM. We'll call it something like, "Volunteer of the Year" and right here and now I'd like to nominate Kathy Lazenby. No one in this group is more deserving! (JMHO) ;-) Thanks to Laze for all she has done and all she continues to do.—Merrie West

 Laze is always one of the first to volunteer to help out. She is always there and she is always happy! And as
a board member she has always been available to all volunteers to answer their questions or to listen to their concerns. She has done so much for GEM and the dogs!—Missie Harhold

 Laze is the first there and the last there... with the camera and everything—Jenny Heater

 I have to cast a big "Yay" vote for Laze too. Even though I'm on the wrong side of the State, her kindness, caring and tireless energy for the dogs and the folks who love them reaches all the way over here. AND when I say, "She'll give you the shirt off her back", I'm not kidding. I have an assortment of wonderful Laze
hand-me-downs. We should be spoiling her rotten.—Connie Cassidy

 I consider her a wonderful friend of mine and know that she would help me in any way that she could. Always a smile, always that damn camera (LOL!!) and always a willingness to do whatever needs to be done. A lover of animals and friends, she is a wonderful person. My hats off to you Laze and I
consider myself very lucky to have you in my life.—Paula Brown

 I almost think I know her personally since I run in to her at just about every event! Thanks for the shuttle services Laze. The hounds really enjoyed the screaming monkeys I almost forgot in your van!!!

 Laze has been a great friend to a lot of greys and to all the GEM's. Always the first to get
there and the last to leave after the clean up. Had a great time with her at a lot of M&G's. Way to go Laze.—Chuck and Linda Falcon

Mostly with her heart, and that's what separates her from the rest.—Kathy Darfler (J Heater)

 There's nothing I wouldn't do for all of you and your hounds. I love em all.—Kathy Lazenby

 I would hereby like to announce to all of GEM that the day Kathy Lazenby decided to adopt a greyhound from GEM, GEM absolutely got the better deal! Laze works so hard and so tirelessly on so many different aspects of greyhound adoption, and does so with such good humor, she deserves a nice surprise, and whoever decided on the U of M leash and that fantastic pillow picked just the right things!—Lorna Baker

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Elizabeth Augustyn

Most people have heard of Elizabeth Augustyn.  Those who know her are more fortunate, and those who work with her know why she has been chosen as our latest Hidden GEM!

Elizabeth is our resident behaviorist.  You may have seen her numerous posts on GEM-Mail.  She writes about various seminars on behavioral issues, clicker training or gives advice in a generous tone.  She goes much farther than that, as she works around the clock to help GEM members—canine or human, to adjust to their new lives.

Elizabeth’s strength derives from the fact that she’s good, gentle and patient with our dogs.  She is always available to fosters and owners alike.  She’ll work one on one with issues as varied as food aggression and dog bite situations to jumping on people or simply not wanting to walk. 

Elizabeth is the person GEM goes to see when they need to know about a dog.

Her feedback about fosters is as valuable as her resources.  She has videos from different training instructors on varying subjects, and she has a large amount of books for sale or loan.  You may know that if you have taken one of the classes she runs out of her home every Saturday.

Most importantly, if someone calls she will be there and she won’t quit on anyone.  She has worked with too many dogs to name, but her recent work with Asia shows how much she gives of herself.  She will nurse Asia for the next three or four months until she is completely recuperated, and will do anything to help her along.  Consider what it’s like controlling a 20-month old greyhound in a cast.

Thank you, Elizabeth for giving so much of yourself to our dogs!

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Karen Frazho

by Barbara Mace

How many times have you done the following?

*Pointed to our 800 number on a piece of literature and invited someone to call  

*While at a M&G, walking your dogs, or standing in the grocery store line, said,

  “we have an 800 number, call any time…”  

*Said, “yes, our 800 number actually has a knowledgeable human being who will

 answer the phone or return your call within 24 hours…”

 That knowledgeable, responsive human being is Karen Frazho and she is my pick for this issue’s Hidden GEM.  Karen is the epitome of the spirit of this recognition.  Tucked away in her cozy home office she fields many calls every week.  She directs callers to the GEM person with whom they need to speak, helps people with the application process, answers general greyhound questions, and even occasionally patiently explains that she does not know the schedule or ticket price to various locations around the United States!

 In addition to promptly responding to calls, she keeps a log of calls and, more importantly, when she has a concern about something that came to light during a conversation, she immediately emails Helen Davanzo to alert her.  Karen’s interest continues through the adoption process as I know she loves to see Gem-Mail adoption announcements come through for “her” families.   

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Barbara Mace  

by Lorna Baker

                 I would like to nominate Barbara Mace as the latest Hidden GEM.  Barbara has given of herself well beyond the normal scope of volunteerism.  Long before becoming a member of the GEM Board of Directors as Treasurer, Barbara gave freely of both time and money to support GEM, providing a foster home, attending many meet & greets, conducting countless home visits and donating either money or raffle items.

                 Since becoming Treasurer, Barbara (with the invaluable help of her husband, Dan) has turned GEM's bookkeeping from a small-time operation into a state-of-the-art accounting system that will withstand scrutiny from fellow volunteers, the public and the IRS.  Barbara and Dan have created a professional system that can easily be transitioned to the next treasurer with very little training -- a tremendously valuable asset.

Never one to rest on her laurels, Barbara did not stop at the rigorous requirements of being simultaneously a board member, Treasurer, meet & greet goer and home visitor.  In addition, Barbara introduced GEM to the benefits of the Great Lakes Scrip Program, in which GEM volunteers can purchase scrip for goods and services at their regular price and GEM can receive a percentage of each dollar spent.  Talk about an effortless way to make money!  But not for Barbara.  Every month, Barbara sends out reminders to GEM-Mail that the due date for scrip orders is approaching as well as letting everyone know when changes occur in the scrip program AND making sure all scrip is safely delivered to purchasers.

Barbara, a champion of all dogs, additionally took on the role of Vet Coordinator, ensuring all GEM dogs receive their medical intake exams, neutering and heartworm medication in a timely manner and with the convenience of foster parents in mind.  In fact, many times Barbara has picked up foster dogs herself and taken them for routine exams or treatment.  She has performed the same services and more for special needs dogs who have medical problems.  Sadly, Barbara has also stood with foster moms and dads when their foster dogs needed to be euthanized.

Barbara has spent all but her last breath supporting and contributing to GEM, and it is an honor to know and work with her.

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Dan Mace  

by Merrie West

                 They say behind every good man is a good woman. In this case, it’s more like a good woman in front of a good man.

                 Barbara Mace has been our Treasurer for the past three years. While doing her job, above and beyond the call of duty seems the norm for her.  It is because of her husband, Dan, that her job has been so meticulously formatted and documented.

                 He has produced a manual for Barbara’s successor that details all of the current workings and he gathers the information to produce monthly reports or personalized reports at the drop of a hat that will give GEM board members and volunteers pertinent information that is factual, reliable and up to date. Taxes are figured and paid and our status as a not-for-profit organization is kept in good standing. The volunteer reimbursements are handled with efficiency and precision and Dan is available for questions or follow-up on GEM’s finances at almost any hour.

He has worked through the PayPal portion of the GEM Online Store to have the store up and running online with postage and handling charges appropriate for each order.

The Visa & Mastercard charge capabilities are due to Dan’s diligence and expertise as he found a company that would deal with us at the most economical advantage for our group.

Dan has also run the sales portion of the GEM Store at events so he knows how things work and he produces Packing Slips for PayPal orders on a daily basis. (No, there is no “vacation” or time off with the Online Store.)

Dan single-handedly built the shelving units for the GEM Store merchandise.  Armed with wood, screw nails and tools he descended upon the room that has come to be known as “The GEM Store” where you can go to look at merchandise and pick up anything available at a moment’s notice.  His set-up allows other designated volunteers to go into the “store” and easily locate whatever merchandise is needed.

Although never on the front line, Dan is always in the background keeping the paperwork straight for GEM’s Financials.  From stories told, some days he is even chained to the computer in his basement.  Yes, Dan Mace can truly be classified as a “Hidden GEM!”

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Bob West  

by Kathy Lazenby

        It’s often said that behind every greyt woman is a greyt man.  I hate to say Bob West is behind Merrie because he stands right by her.  I’m writing this because Bob West may very well do more for GEM than anyone “behind” the scenes.

Have you got a big event?  Bob is probably one of the first people there helping with set-up and one of the last people to leave when it’s all over and done with.  Even after all the loading, driving, unloading, packing, gate watching, cat protecting, and unending questions Bob is still there to help anyone else any way he can.

 Bob is involved with any fosters and other greyhounds who often vacation at the West house.  He’s a no-nonsense guy when it comes to muzzling and following the foster guidelines.

 He is a real gentleman, a rare GEM in today’s day and age.  He still opens doors and gives up a seat.  He also is always keeping an eye out for all GEMs when ever they are around him, both the two- and four-legged kind.  He sees all the little things and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. 

 Bob enables Merrie to be all she can be, allowing the GEM store to take over an entire room in the house—not to mention what else you might find being stored in their garage.  He will even field phone calls at all hours for people who need Merrie; often helping those of us who live close by with some of our little life crises.

 I think everyone should have a “Bob”.  I am sure Merrie will not give him up completely, though, so in the mean time it is GEM’s good fortune that he is part of the West package.

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Julie Stulberg  

by Allison Carey

A few weeks ago, I stopped for a cup of coffee on my way home from work and was surprised to see a few GEM brochures on the bulletin board at the Caribou Coffee on Male Road east of Telegraph. 

I put up GEM brochures on public bulletin boards every chance I get, but I had never been inside this particular coffee shop before.  But I know who it was who put the brochures there: my favorite pet sitter, Julie Stulberg. 

I actually found Julie through one of her flyers on a similar bulletin board somewhere in Oakland County and when I called her for the first time I found out that she lives right in my own neighborhood.  And Julie has been taking good care of my dogs ever since.  But, in addition to being a great pet sitter, Julie is also a great friend to our greys. 

She know how much I love GEM and finding homes for greyhounds, so every time she comes to my house to pet sit, I leave her a stack of GEM brochures and she puts them up all over Oakland County in grocery stores and coffee shops when she is out putting up her own flyers.  She volunteered to do this out of the goodness of her heart and her love for all animals. 

When I saw the GEM brochure that day I thought to myself what a true Hidden GEM Julie is.  For all you do for the hounds, Julie, thank you!

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Robin Willoughby  

by Kathy Helm

Robin has been with GEM since its beginning.  She’s been a Board member the entire time and just this year decided to step down from that role.  She’s helped GEM grow from an “infant” to an “adult” in the retired racing greyhound adoption world.  For seven years, Robin has been on the Board in the front lines through the good times and the bad, sometimes making decisions that were unpopular, but always doing what she felt was best for GEM.  Her knowledge of the reasons behind those decisions has been invaluable in educating the rest of the Board so that we have had all the information necessary when questions came up and decisions needed to be reaffirmed.  I especially want to thank her for letting me coerce her into staying on the Board with me these last two years.  Although she had intended to step down, she let me bully her into sticking around for one more term.  Robin has helped the GEM Store with signs and ideas for displays.  Her exuberant and winning personality has helped GEM come to be known as one of the really greyt fun groups. When the GEM Store travels with Collar of the Month Club/Bird’s Pottery to different greyhound events around the country, it’s often said just follow the laughter and you’ll find GEM. She is GEM’s liaison to the vendor world.  And Robin has always donated a percentage of all her own sales to GEM year-round, not just from events.  She is the GUR coordinator in charge of getting dogs from there to here once it’s been determined which retired racers will be joining GEM and has had many dog drops at her home.  She is the list owner for GEM’s two egroups, GEM Mail and GEM Events, and also is in charge of GEM’s CafePress store.  For all GEM’s foster homes, she’s been responsible for getting foster t-shirts each year in time to recognize the foster home contribution at GEM’s Event.  Robin has opened her home to be the hostess for GEM’s Holiday Party for the last 5 years and is doing it again this year.  She’s also opened her home and heart to lots of hounds – she’s Mom/ adopted Mom, with Kathy Lazenby, to Hefty, Duke, Prince, Gina, Gus, Karroo, Design, and the Bridge kids, Marcie, Peggy, and Robbie.  Here’s to Robin, GEM’s not so hidden Hidden GEM.

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Christine Victor 

by Wendy Derryberry

On behalf of the entire board of directors, I'd like to nominate Christine Victor for the hidden GEM award. 

Christine is deserving of this award for SO many reasons!  In addition to being a great mom to Fuggles (formerly Freckles), and regularly attending M&G's in Ann Arbor, she has donated her time to GEM on many occasions doing all sorts of graphic design work.

She designed the programs and T-Shirts for our annual Event in May for the last 2 years - which was no easy feat.  She was just great with last minute changes to both the programs and T-Shirt designs - always coming up with wonderful looking products.

She also donated her time to design program ads for those who purchased ads, but needed help designing their space in the program.

Most recently, she spent many hours working on our beautiful new color brochure.  This included countless revisions and a lot of tweaking every time we decided we wanted to change this little thing or that! 

She is always willing to help out with any graphic design needs that we have, and she never grows tired of our endless requests!

We are truly appreciative of Christine and all that she does for GEM, and we don't know what we would do without her!

Thank you,

Wendy Derryberry & the entire Board of Directors

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Allison Carey

by Lorna Baker

I'd like to nominate Allison Carey to be our next Hidden Gem.  She's the first of us that I know of who has taken her therapy dog to a hospice patient's home and spent a long time letting Clue work his magic for this old, ill woman, a stranger to both of them.  Many of us would shy away from visiting a hospice patient with or without a dog, and many of us who did go wouldn't want to stay long, the presence of death hovering so closely.  That Allison had the courage and the fortitude -- indeed, the enthusiasm -- to do so is humbling.

Not only does Allison visit "Rita" and her caretaker son regularly, she shares her experiences with the rest of us in beautifully written prose.  I always anticipate the next installment.

It is an honor for me to nominate Allison Carey as a Hidden GEM, along with her trusty sidekick Clue.

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