The MAD Money Contest was conceived by and is managed by INA member and former INA NOTY Donna Robinson. She shares below the MAD Money Contest background.
I can remember how I felt when I attended my first INA conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I can also remember how broke I was and the only reason I could come was that I could drive to the conference. I had just started my business and yet I had no idea how far reaching professionalism applied to nannies who were serious about their careers. I met some agency owners who would through the years give me employment and encouragement. The support business of Breedlove and Associates gave me some valuable advice.
I think it was four years ago when I had a very good year financially. Attending the conference was a given as I had been able to block out some time. I was thinking about the lean years where attending conference was a real struggle and I wasn’t able to even join others for dinner. INA had given so much to me and I wanted to give back.
Thus, the MAD Contest was born. Nanny contestants submitted a short essay on the subject of my choice, and at conference I would draw a name out and the winner received $50 MAD money that she could spend any way she wanted at the conference.
It is my contest so I can change the rules any time I wish! When I found conference was going to be in Cancun, an idea began to form in my head. I wanted essays from everyone – nannies, agencies, support businesses – because conference is where we come together as people. I decided on an “everyone wins platform”. I have 25 prizes. I accept essays till the contest end date or until 25 essays are received. These stories warm my heart. These are some excerpts from the essays.
Tiffany Martinson shared:
“ I am really looking forward to learning from all the speakers (it’s so important to stay up-to-date with current trends and laws) as well as the opportunity to meet my peers (nanny and agency owners/recruiters alike). We work in such a special field – it really is unlike any other profession in the world – and I love connecting with others that are just as passionate about caring for families and nannies as I am!” Read full essay.
Carol Snelson’s reasons for coming to Cancun and how she saved for it, were just inspiring:
“BUT how was I going to going to afford to go to conference? I had bills to pay! I put my shopping skills to the test. I found bargains at the grocery store … cut down on my eating out … cut back on my clothes spending … If it wasn’t on sale it didn’t get bought …” Read full essay.
Angela Riggs is an educator at Sullivan College in Louisville, KY:
“Sacrifices that I have made to attend conference are not so much monetary as much as time intensive. I am very fortunate to have a job that will reimburse me to attend the conference. However, my deadlines and job responsibilities are very real and unchanging. Therefore, I must make a sacrifice of spending my 1 week spring break – vacation working from home on administrative tasks.” Read full essay.
Cindy Wilkinson pointed out what it meant to her professionally:
But, most important for me, was that I had finally found mentors. …. I have benefitted from their friendship and their guidance for over two decades.” Read full essay.
MAD is about expressing yourself even if you can’t have your name posted or feel the essay is so personal you are not comfortable having it posted. I have always honored their feelings. Below are some great words about why nannies need conferences and privacy concerns have been honored so no name given:
“As those of us who are nannies know, it can be a solitary job in terms of co-workers, or the lack there of, so the idea of a community of people who do the same thing I do is more than enticing. I am excited to be exposed to new ideas. I am always hungry to know more and the wealth of information and ideas other professional nannies will bring to the table is making my mouth water :)” Read full essay.
Elika Kabui shares the long lasting effects of conferences:
What a blessing it has been to have a sisterhood of woman (and some men) just like me. INA has made a world of difference in my career. I will always be grateful for the awesome people I meet and will continue to meet at conference in the years to come.” Read full essay.
Louise Dunham of Placement Solutions in Australia gave me some bullet points of why she comes all the way from Australia to attend INA Conferences:
Some reasons:
- I am delighted we have truly gone global this year.
- I have never been to Mexico.
- Best of all I get to catch up with the great friends and colleagues.
- I am committed to INA and budget to attend.
- I am running away from home and hope the unpacking fairy will unpack my new home in my absence.
- And of course I have to present the apron prizes!
- Read more.
This will be Suzanne Henrick’s first INA conference and she explains:
“I am also looking forward to some of the social opportunities that the conference has to offer, such as social excursions, breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I look forward to actually getting to be there in person to see who the next INA Nanny of the Year is.” Read full essay.
It is important to note that Agencies/Support Business pay a higher fee to come to INA conferences. Not only is it more expensive but they have to sacrifice their time away from their business. I love Katheen Webb’s (Co-President of INA for 2014) essay on how difficult it was attending that first conference:
“In 1993 we started our business on February 11. I learned about INA sometime around the end of March. I learned that the INA conference was going to be held in Philadelphia. We had zero budget. Less than zero. We did it, I brought my kids to stay with my parents and I commuted in 45 miles each day because I could not afford the hotel room. I met many lovely people, including Wendy Sachs and Alan Friedman.” Read full essay.
Nannies will sacrifice to come to the conference in lean years as Angela Jackson shares:
“I have been able to pay for this trip mainly by working extra pet sitting and kid sitting jobs last fall. I also get a $300 stipend from the family for which I nanny plus paid professional days off.” Read full essay.
Cindy Augustine shares the financial hardship but also, how the reasons are more important:
For me, the one thing that brings me back each year, are the people. I have made some amazing friends. Some I see difference times threw out the year and some I only get to see once a year. … This year I had to do a little bit of extra babysitting and work some extra hours at work in order to be able to afford to go.” Read full essay.
Rachel Lubin gives solid ways anyone can save for the conference:
“I’m lucky that my parents taught me about good money habits from a young age. I’m a good saver, and try very hard to live below my means. I was also taught that it takes money to make money. And, I think that applies in this scenario. If I spend a little money each year on improving myself (and my resume) there is a higher likelihood that my time between jobs won’t be as long as if I didn’t keep up with the latest in childcare knowledge.” Read full essay.
Britanny Byrum points out how conferences can increase you skills:
“What is the reason I wanted to go the 30th annual INA conference? That is a question I’ve been asked a lot. I have been asked by employers, other nannies, family members and even mom’s in the neighborhood. My answer is always simple and to the point. I want to surround myself with a well-educated and devoted group of professionals all looking to better themselves.” Read full essay.
The hardest part of the MAD contest this year was trying to encourage the agency owners and support businesses to enter! They never want to take anything away from the nannies and while this is sweet, it is more important for nannies seeing them united with us in a simple essay contest!
So imagine how excited I was to receive our 15th essay just as I was going to send in this INA blog! Sandy Costantino is instrumental in site selection, and works hare to get INA the best prices and perks.
“Well Donna, it feels a little strange actually entering this contest that you have so wonderfully provided for so many years. Also, a little exciting to be able to submit an entry!
So, here goes: Why I am excited to attend the INA’s 30th…, well, for one thing, it would be my 30th too! Yep, I guess you can call me a regular, kind of like Norm on ‘Cheers.’ Where everyone knows your name. Well, in this case, not everyone, but many.”
Every year I am inspired and humbled by the MAD essays. The complete essays can be found on www.travelingnannyscholarships.blogspot.com. Next year? What will be the format? I am not sure … stay tuned!