RAISING A RED FLAG ABOUT INCIVILITY AS A GLOBAL CRISIS IS THE MISSION OF FOUNDERS OF THE AICI CIVILITY COUNTS PROJECT
(Sacramento, CA) Founding father George Washington, our patriotic leader, wrote Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation containing 110 Rules of acceptable conduct. Regrettably, incivility reigns supreme in partisan politics, in daily uncivil acts due to incivility in the air, on the road and in classrooms. As we approach Presidents Day, the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) wants to raise a civility red flag. “We endeavor to spread the word that Civility Counts one city, state, region, business, professional organization or workplace at a time,’’ says Yasmin Anderson-Smith, AICI CIP, co-chair of the AICI Civility Counts Project.
The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) officially launched its Civility Counts Project in May, 2009 precisely to respond to this global outcry about incivility in our society and its impact on people’s lives, regardless of color, creed or station in life. Sadly, the recent tragic events that occurred in Tucson, AZ, and the subsequent plea made by President Obama during the Tucson Memorial Service, where he called for “civility in public discourse,’’ raises a compelling question: Everybody’s talking about civility, but do people really understand the meaning of civility and how it impacts their everyday lives at home, in the workplace, on school campuses and in the community?
Anderson-Smith was the driving force behind the movement that led to having the month of May declared “International Civility Awareness Month.’’ This event is now officially listed in Chase’s Calendar of Events, The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months. Her take on the topic of civility today? “Our world continues to be ‘civility challenged.’“
“Let’s get to its explicit meaning,’’ says the Maryland-based civility and etiquette image expert: “The word civility comes from the Latin word Civitas--or city--and the French word Civilite, which means politeness.’’ Anderson-Smith, whose inspiration was Professor P.M. Forni, cofounder of the Civility Project at Johns Hopkins University and author of Choosing Civility--The Twenty Five Rules of Considerate Conduct, explains that “civility is all about kindness, consideration, sensitivity, caring, giving and nurturing. It is a code of conduct based on the
Three R’s: Respect, Restraint and Responsibility.’’
The self-declared Republican and evangelist, Mark DeMoss, co-founder of the Civility Project.org and president of the public relations firm DeMoss Group, commented on the dismal results that happened when he mailed a Civility Pledge to every member of Congress and every governor in the U.S. Only three congressmen signed the pledge--and no governors. This led DeMoss to announce that he would terminate the Civility Project.
Appearing recently on CNN’s The Journal Report with Paul Gigot, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie had this to say about Civility: “We should always be examining how we speak to each other, and we should speak to each other civilly. But, if speaking to each other civilly means not telling the truth, or putting so much varnish on what we say, that you can’t tell where people stand, I’m not in favor of that.’’
Atlanta-based international president of AICI, Lynne Henderson Marks, AICI CIM, reports that prior to launching the Civility Counts Project in 2009, a civility research project survey was conducted by a select group of Blue Ribbon image experts from the association. “The results were profound. Seventy two percent of the survey participants believe people are more uncivil today that they were 20 years ago, and 63 percent affirmed that rudeness in the workplace is on the rise. A whopping 83.6 percent felt that lack of respect and consideration was the major cause for incivility. We felt that the business of image and the pursuit of civility were completely compatible with our long-range goals. Image means the disciplines of Appearance, Behavior and Communication and Civility is defined as Respect, Restraint and Responsibility.’’
“Leading up to our May, 2011 Annual Conference to be held in Orlando, FL,’’ says Anderson-Smith, “we continue to have our members collecting Civility proclamations in our 26 chapters around the world. We want to turn the civility challenged into civility ambassadors by emphasizing in actions that Civility Counts! You might say that we are raising the civility red flag.”
AICI, the Source for Image Professionals in Education, Experience and Excellence, is the leading and largest professional association of personal and corporate image consultants worldwide. A nonprofit organization, AICI is dedicated to advancing the level of professionalism and enhancing the recognition of image consultants. On the Web at www.aici.org.
For more information, please contact:
Carole Ann Lyons, AICI Publicist
530-644-4919, caroleann@millermania.com
Yasmin Anderson-Smith, VP Marketing
301.792.2276, yasmin@kymsimage.com
To download this press release as a Word document, click here .
AICI MEMBERS TAKE THE CIVILITY AWARENESS CHALLENGE BACK HOME TO THEIR GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) Global Conference held recently in Vancouver, British Columbia, was a celebration of civility. The Civility Counts Project was first launched during the 2009 conference held in Irvine, CA, and on display was a single official proclamation from the city of Los Angeles declaring one day in May Civility Awareness Day. One year later, AICI members unveiled 40 official proclamations, declaring the entire month of May as International Civility Awareness Month, as a recognized event published in the Annual Events Bible, Chase’s Calendar of Events (McGraw Hill).
United States proclamations were secured from the states of Maryland and Oklahoma, and from cities in the states of Texas, Washington, Ohio, California, Virginia and Maryland. Prominent organizations also weighed in with their support, including the Girl Scouts of America, Rotary Club, Emily Post Institute, several members of Congress, a chamber of commerce, a high school and a university, to name a few. Internationally, proclamations came from Canada, the Philippines, Jamaica and Japan.
“This was AICI’s first annual grass-roots effort to spread the word about civility,’’ states Yasmin Anderson-Smith, AICI CIP, who chairs the Civility Counts Project. It has been a year-long effort to educate our global members, who are located in more than 40 countries, to embrace civility as a way to boost their image business. Based in the greater Washington, D.C. area and founder of the nonprofit, Girls for a Change, Anderson-Smith is both an etiquette and civility expert. “The Civility Counts Project was inspired by Dr. P.M. Forni, author of Choosing Civility - The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2002) and cofounder of the Civility Project at Johns Hopkins University.
Just what is civility and what does it mean? Forni defines it as a code of conduct based on the 3 Rs: Respect, Restraint and Responsibility. Deborah King, AICI CIP, who is behind the proclamation-gathering process, says: “Incivility is rampant in our global society, and has reached epidemic proportions. We see it in government, in sports, in the air and on the road. What we are trying to do is raise awareness that civility is good business and enhances the quality of our lives no matter where in the world we live or work.’’ Founder of the Final Touch Finishing School, headquartered in both Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA, King was pleasantly surprised to see how eagerly the city officials she approached wanted to climb on the civility awareness bandwagon. “They recognize that civility has been absent in our schools, communities and in families everywhere. Each and every year going forward, AICI members will spread the word about civility in every corner of the world where we have a presence one proclamation at a time.’’
Another civility component has been added to the Civility Counts Project: the Civility Star Award. “During this conference, we awarded our first Canadian Civility Star to Manitoba-based Lewena Bayer, the founder and executive director of The Center of Cultural Competence and The Civility Experts,‘’ adds Anderson-Smith. “Lewena‘s expertise in civility in the workplace has made a difference. She epitomizes outstanding leadership leading to the betterment of society.”
AICI, the Source for Image Professionals in Education, Experience and Excellence, is the leading and largest professional association of personal and corporate image consultants worldwide. A nonprofit organization, AICI is dedicated to advancing the level of professionalism and enhancing the recognition of image consultants. On the Web at www.aici.org.
For more information, please contact:
Carole Ann Lyons, AICI Publicist
530-644-4919
caroleann@millermania.com
To download this press release as a Word document, click here.
For the list of the 2010 International Civility Awareness Month Proclamations from around the world, click here.
Lewena Bayer (left) is presented with the AICI 2010 Civility Star Award by Karen Brunger (right) as part of International Civility Awareness Month.
AICI CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN THE IMAGE BUSINESS WITH A COMMITMENT TO CIVILITY--AND AWARDS ITS FIRST CANADIAN CIVILITY STAR TO LEWENA BAYER
The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) will hold its Global Annual Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Thursday, May 20 through Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the Renaissance Harbour Hotel, and celebrates its 20th Anniversary.
Just 20-years ago, image consulting was considered a pricey perk exclusively geared to the rich and famous. Not any more! Now, professional image consultants’ clients can include teens preparing for their first dance, recent college grads hunting for their first job, out-placed executive men and women trying to polish up their image to land a new job, or men and women seeking to climb the corporate ladder. Image has grown to include all segments of the population.
“It has been an exciting ride for our profession. What started as a primarily U.S.-based membership, AICI now has members in over 40 countries,” says Lynne Marks, AICI CIM, the president of the international association, and founder/president of the London Image Institute, headquartered in Atlanta, GA. “We are a group of men and women who are certified image professionals, dedicated to helping individuals from all walks of life to learn, project and appreciate their own image uniqueness.”
This conference does hold special significance. In 2009, members were first introduced to the Civility Counts Project. As part of the 20th anniversary celebration, Chase’s Calendar of Events, The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months, has recognized AICI as the official sponsor of the month of May as “International Civility Awareness Month.” States Marks: “We are very proud to support Civility.”
Lewena Bayer, the Canadian-based founder and executive director of The Center for Cultural Competence and The Civility Experts, is the author of seven books and an acknowledged Canadian expert on civility in the workplace. In conjunction with the Civility Counts Project, AICI will award Bayer its first Canadian Civility Star Award, during the conference’s Awards Ceremony on Saturday, May 22.
The Civility Counts Project was inspired by Dr. P.M. Forni, author of Choosing Civility--The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct and cofounder of the Civility Project at Johns Hopkins University. This long-term, multi-faceted program is based on the 3 Rs: Respect, Restraint and Responsibility, as defined by Dr. Forni.
President-elect Kimberly Law, AICI CIP, who runs Personal Impact Image Management in Burnaby, BC, states that an image consulting career is one of the most rewarding, especially in a tough economy. “Each year, our members and guests get exposed to the best--and the newest--opportunities in the image industry. They are encouraged to explore and to add additional image-related revenue streams. This year, we will be talking a lot about Civility, as a new business of image opportunity.”
AICI, the Source for Image Professionals in Education, Experience and Excellence, is the leading and largest professional association of personal and corporate image consultants worldwide. A nonprofit organization, AICI is dedicated to advancing the level of professionalism and enhancing the recognition of image consultants. Online at www.aici.org.
For more information, contact:
Carole Ann Lyons, AICI Publicist
530-644-4919
caroleann@millermania.com
To download this press release as a Word document, click here.
IMAGE CONSULTANTS CELEBRATE MAY AS INTERNATIONAL CIVILITY AWARENESS MONTH
The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) has declared May International Civility Awareness Month in an effort to raise awareness of the decline of civility around the world. This listing is now officially on the Chase’s Calendar of Events Web site, and will be permanently included in the 2011 Edition of Chase’s Calendar of Events, The Ultimate Go-to Guide for Special Days, Weeks and Months.
Lynne Marks, AICI CIM, president of the international association, and founder of the London Image Institute, headquartered in Atlanta, GA, believes “There is a logical and compelling connection between civility and the ABC’s of Image (Appearance, Behavior and Communication).” In fact, AICI says, “Civility is the new image. Incivility not only impedes our daily interactions with other people but also is costly for business. A 2009 study by Porath and Pearson concluded that incivility in the American workplace costs businesses hundreds of billions of dollars every year.”
“The Civility Counts Project was inspired by Dr. P.M. Forni, cofounder of the Civility Project at Johns Hopkins University and author of Choosing Civility --The Twenty Five Rules of Considerate Conduct (St. Martin’s Griffin N.Y. 2002). Yasmin Anderson-Smith, AICI CIP, who chairs the Civility Counts Project Committee and authored an AICI white paper Civility Counts: An Image Perspective says “Dr. Forni defines civility as being all about kindness, consideration, sensitivity, caring, giving and nurturing.” Anderson-Smith founded Every Girl Can, a nonprofit based in Bowie, Maryland, and is a civility and etiquette expert. “It is a code of conduct based on the principles of ‘Respect, Restraint and Responsibility’,” she said.
The Civility Counts Project was first introduced at the 2009 Conference in Irvine, CA, with the City of Los Angeles proclaiming “Los Angeles Civility Awareness Day.” “It was then that we committed to a grass roots effort to launch a “civility epidemic” and to spread the word around the world by encouraging our global membership to gather proclamations from city and state agencies, including business and professional organizations,’’ states Deborah King, AICI CIP, who heads up the proclamation effort. “We have accumulated proclamations from around the world to display during the 2010 conference, and this is just the beginning. This process will be ongoing every year, as part of our commitment to Civility.“
This year, AICI celebrates its 20th Anniversary in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from Thursday, May 20 through Sunday, May 23, 2010. Anderson-Smith and King, founder of the Final Touch Finishing School in Decatur, TX, will be presenting a conference workshop entitled Civility Counts: Boost Your Business and Your Life.
For more information, please contact:
Carole Ann Lyons, AICI Publicist
Tel.: 530-644-4919
E-mail: caroleann@millermania.com
Katherine Wurzburg, VP Marketing
Tel.: 650-949-3170
E-mail: vpmarketing@aici.org
To download this press release as a Word document, click here .
THE ROTARY DISTRICT 7610 JOINS WITH AICI IN DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY 2010 INTERNATIONAL CIVILITY AWARENESS MONTH BY ISSUING AN OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION
(Washington, DC) The District Governor Horace McCormack of Rotary District 7610, Virginia teams up with The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) by issuing an Official Proclamation to support AICI’s global initiative, Civility Counts. The signing ceremony took place on Thursday, March 25, at 2:30 PM.
“This proclamation supports the continued expectation of habitual exemplary civil behavior among Rotarians that is the core of our service objectives.’’ states McCormack. The proclamation will be displayed on May 1, 2010, at Kingsmill Resort, Williamsburg, VA where he will designate a Rotarian to receive the AICI Civility Star Award at the Annual Conference for Rotary District 7610.
The worldwide chapters of AICI will come together at the 2010 Annual Conference to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from May 20 through May 23, 2010. Each proclamation received will be recognized and prominently displayed at the Conference in celebration of May 2010 as International Civility Awareness Month.
“AICI is proud to include Rotary District 7610 in this impressive lineup of proclamations,’’ says Pat Locke, a member of AICI’s Civility Counts Project committee, and owner of LifePlan Services, Springfield, VA.
The effort began at the AICI 2009 Annual Conference in Irvine, California where the Civility Counts Project was launched. The Los Angeles City Council awarded AICI with its first civility awareness proclamation. Since then, AICI chapters around the world are approaching city councils, mayors’ offices, clubs, chambers of commerce, and more, to obtain official proclamations to help spread the word that beginning May 2010 that May is International Civility Awareness Month.
The inspiration for this global civility initiative is Dr. P.M. Forni, the author of Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct and The Civility Solution: What to Do When People Are Rude. He is also co-founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project and was the recipient of AICI’s highest recognition, the IMMIE Bravo Award, presented at the 2009 Conference. Former recipients include New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Target Stores and Oprah Winfrey.
Forni now serves as AICI’s advisor and mentor on Civility. Civility is defined as a code of behavior based on the 3Rs: Respect, Restraint and Responsibility.
For more information, please contact:
Pat Locke, AICI Civility Counts Project
Tel.: 703-455-2572
E-mail: PatLocke@aol.com
Yasmin Anderson-Smith
Chair, AICI Civility Counts Project
Tel.: 301-792-2276
E-mail: Yasmin@kymsimage.com
To download this press release as a Word document, click here .
A MODERN-DAY CINDERELLA STORY COMES ALIVE AT AICI’S 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA
(New York) The Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) celebrates its 20th Anniversary at the Renaissance Vancouver Hotel Harbourside from Thursday, May 20 - Sunday, May 23, 2010. This global gathering of image professionals launches a first-time effort entitled: “AICI Gives Back to the Cinderella Project.” The Cinderella Project is a volunteer-based Vancouver charity that benefits deserving, underprivileged high school students by providing them with formal attire in order that they may attend their graduation festivities.
Pamela Judd, AICI CIP, AICI‘s international secretary and philanthropic chair, is enthusiastic about this special event, which takes place on Sunday, May 23, from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. “We are thrilled to be hosting this seminar, featuring some of our association’s skilled image experts, as a benefit for these students to learn positive ways to build their confidence and self-esteem.” A special highlight of the afternoon’s session is the Blue Ribbon Ceremony, developed by the nonprofit group Difference Makers International, an idea conceived by team member Kasey Smith. Blue ribbons are being generously donated by the AICI South Central Chapter and attendees at the conference will have the opportunity to donate gift bags to the high schoolers and make a cash contribution to The Cinderella Project.
Sessions include: Wardrobe Magic, presented by Mexico-based Agueda Irizar, AICI CIP; Self-Esteem and Social Skills, delivered by San Francisco Bay Area’s Rosa Maria Livesay, AICI FLC; Your Best Colors, by Makati City, Philippines-based associate member, Julia Robillos. Body Type Charts, sent to the attendees in advance by South Asia Singapore-based Delby Bragais, AICI FLC, will be interpreted and analyzed as part of the overall program.
“We are proud to launch AICI Gives Back in this special way,’’ states Magoe Johnson, AICI CIP, the project chair spearheading this “philanthropy in action’’ initiative. “Many of these teens have grown up in poverty, and struggle to maintain grades, while holding part-time jobs. What teenage girl doesn’t love beautiful things?’’
For more information, please contact:
Pamela Judd, AICI Philanthropy Chair
Tel: 718-530-3500
E-mail: Pam@PamelaJudd.com
To download this press release as a Word document, click here .
AICI Members in the News
Abbygale Arenas-de Leon, AICI FLC, was profiled in the November 15th, 2011 article for the Manila Bulletin. The title: A Beauty with a Purpose." Article is about Abby's advocacy on Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment.
Sangeeta Bahl, "Perfume Personality," Gurgaon Magazine, January 15, 2009; radio interview: "Career as an Image Consultant," on Tu Tu meow Meow 104.8 FM Delhi, January 27, 2009; radio interview: "What not to wear," on Tu Tu meow Meow 104.8 FM Delhi, February 7, 2009.
Scarlett De Bease, "Beauty Savers Minimalist Makeup," Westchester Magazine, January 2009.
Diana Jennings, AICI CIP, CPBS, "50 Personal Branding Consultants Worth Working With," smartlifeblog.com, January 11, 2009.
Olen Juarez-Lim, AICI FLC, "Big accessories, pastel colors chic in 2009 - stylists," GMANews.tv (Phillipines), January 6, 2009.
Peggy M. Parks, AICI CIP, "Style: Eye candy - Glasses make it easy for others to see your creative streak," Atlanta Journal Constitution, January 25, 2009; radio interview: "Bright Spot with Dot Blum," on 1620 AM, February 6, 2009; "Working Women on the Rise," Atlanta INtown, February 15, 2009.
Jeanine D. Rozier, MBA, AICI FLC, "Are You Waging War With Your Hair?" Average Girl Magazine, Jan/Feb 2009.
Adrienne D. Simmons, "The Real Deal: Frugal Fashion," Fox 29 News Philadelphia (WTXF), January 21, 2009; "The Real Deal: Magazine Madness," Fox 29 News "Good Day Philadelphia" (WTXF), March 25, 2009.
Elaine Stoltz, AICI CIM, "United Way of Tarrant County Women's Leadership Society," Fort Worth Star-Telegram, February 8, 2009.