7:00-8:00 AM		Optional Laugh & Learn Sessions
7:30-8:45 AM		Breakfast Together with Food-for-Thought Fun Table Topics
8:45-10:15 AM		Wonderful Warm-Up, Wake-Up, Welcome to the Day Joel, Margie, and David
8:45-10:15 AM		Presentation of the LOL (Legacy of Laughter) Award to Norman Cousins Joel, Margie, and David This is our opportunity to pay tribute to one of the pioneers in what Bill Dana called "The Humor Potential Movement." Norman Cousins' 1979 best-selling book, Anatomy of an Illness As Perceived By the Patient, provided a major jump-start to the humor field. Norman was an early supporter of the work and shenanigans of The HUMOR Project... and we think he was one of the great humanitarians (and humoritarians) of the 20th Century! Norman's oldest daughter, Dr. Andrea Cousins (a clinical psychologist in private practice who first trained as an anthropologist and as a psychoanalyst), will accept the LOL Award for her father.
8:45-10:15 AM	Keynote	What Bernie Madoff Couldn't Steal from Me Matt Weinstein This award-winning, inspirational speaker was on vacation when he learned that he had lost his entire life savings in the Bernie Madoff scandal. In this highly personal, interactive, and entertaining program, Matt reveals life-saving survival secrets in facing life's inevitable downturns so that you can land on your feet, no matter what. You don't need to have been invested with Bernie Madoff to be feeling the pain of the financial rollercoaster we have all ridden in the past year. This has been a challenging economic time for everyone, but the good news is that it is possible to find humor, joy, celebration, and a sense of meaning- right here, right now. At the end of his presentation, we will celebrate Matt by presenting him with the Pied Piper of Play Prize. Dr. Matt Weinstein is the solar system's foremost authority on the use of fun and humor in team building. Called "The Master of Playfulness" by PEOPLE Magazine, Matt is the founder and Emperor of the Playfair international consulting firm. Matt was elected by the National Speakers Association to the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame and was honored by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the "21 Top Speakers for the 21st Century." His television special, FUN WORKS!: The Power of Humor in the Workplace, was broadcast nationally on PBS. Matt is the author of five books- Managing to Have Fun; Gently Down the Stream: Four Unforgettable Keys to Success in Life and Work; Dogs Don't Bite When a Growl Will Do: What Your Dog Can Teach You About Living a Happy Life; Work Like Your Dog: How to Work Less, Play More, and Earn More; and PLAYFAIR: Everybody's Guide to Non-Competitive Play co-authored with Joel Goodman. Matt is a dear friend-- we welcome him back (he was a keynote speaker at our very first conference)!
10:15 AM		You Deserve a Coffee, Juice and Tea-Hee Break Today
10:45-Noon AM		Concurrent Sessions: Round One Please indicate on the registration form your first choice to attend from the following 6 sessions:
10:45-Noon AM	1	The Laughter Prescription: How to Achieve Health and Happiness Through Humor Dr. Joel Goodman with Dr. Andrea Cousins Using a delightful blend of examples and energizers, this fast-paced, fun-filled session by the founder of The HUMOR Project is the best overview of the humor field for conference first-timers, health care and helping professionals, educators, speakers, businesspeople, and folks from other walks, hops, skips, and jumps of life. Joel will start by sharing some of his favorite anecdotes to illustrate the brilliant Steve Allen/Bill Dana Principle for seeking smiles in otherwise serious situations. You'll next have a chance to understand why we should be serious about humor- the personal, professional, and planetary payoffs. We'll also focus on the laughing legacy of Norman Cousins. Engaging in an informal question-and-answer segment, Andrea will share experiences and insights about her father in this very unique "up close and personal" opportunity to pay tribute to Norman Cousins. Dr. Joel Goodman, founder and Director of The HUMOR Project, is a popular speaker whose programs have tickled and touched the lives of millions of people throughout the U.S. and abroad (Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Panama, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, Norway, Sweden, England, Germany, South Africa, North Dakota, and funny places in between). He is jest the second speaker in the world to have presented on all seven continents. Dr. Goodman has authored eight jest-selling books (including Laffirmations: 1,001 Ways to Add Humor to Your Life and Work). He also has edited the LAUGHING MATTERS magazine, generating rave reviews from thousands of people throughout the U.S. and 20 other countries. Joel has been a pioneer focusing on the positive power of humor and creativity. His work has been featured in over 5000 TV and radio shows, newspapers, and magazines in 150+ countries, including: The TODAY Show, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, PBS, BBC, Latenight America, All Things Considered, the front page of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Readers' Digest, Successful Meetings, Journal of the American Medical Association, and many A.P. national features. Joel's unique calling was also featured on an ABC NEWS prime-time special on The Mystery of Happiness that aired nationally three times. Described as "the first full-time humor educator in the world," Joel founded The HUMOR Project in 1977 (two years before Norman Cousins' best-selling book was published). Joel was delighted to join Willard Scott and Meadowlark Lemon in receiving the prestigious International Lifetime of Laughter Award. He also has been honored by the Business Review as the Business Person of theYear and was the first recipient of the International Punster of the Year Award (but don't hold that against him). Joel founded AHA!, the American Humor Association, which includes over 165,000 humor conspirators. He believes that it is important for business to "do well and do good" at the same time:The HUMOR Project has provided grants to 450+ schools, hospitals, and human service agencies to help them develop services and resources that tap the positive power of humor. Joel takes his work very seriously, and he takes himself very lightly as he helps people to get more smileage out of their lives and jobs. His own most important mentors when it comes to humor are his 28-year-old son, Adam, his 24-year-old daughter, Alyssa, and his young-at-heart wife, Margie.
10:45-Noon AM	2	Playfair: Ultimate Icebreakers for Teachers, Trainers, Speakers, and Leaders Dr. Matt Weinstein You will be traveling at 500 smiles per hour as you engage in a mirth-filled, magical medley of playful, laughter-generating activities that will help you to connect with fellow travelers at our conference. This is a funtastic opportunity for you to add to your repertoire of energizers that you can use to break the ice and establish supportive, cooperative environments in classrooms, meetings, families, and groups. Matt will "play it forward" by helping you identify ways that you can use, apply or adapt these icebreakers in your own back-home settings to invite more playfulness, team-building, energy, laughter, and learning. Dr. Matt Weinstein is the solar system's foremost authority on the use of fun and humor in team building. Called "The Master of Playfulness" by PEOPLE Magazine, Matt is the founder and Emperor of the Playfair international consulting firm. Matt was elected by the National Speakers Association to the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame and was honored by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the "21 Top Speakers for the 21st Century." His television special, FUN WORKS!: The Power of Humor in the Workplace, was broadcast nationally on PBS. Matt is the author of five books- Managing to Have Fun; Gently Down the Stream: Four Unforgettable Keys to Success in Life and Work; Dogs Don't Bite When a Growl Will Do: What Your Dog Can Teach You About Living a Happy Life; Work Like Your Dog: How to Work Less, Play More, and Earn More; and PLAYFAIR: Everybody's Guide to Non-Competitive Play co-authored with Joel Goodman. Matt is a dear friend-- we welcome him back (he was a keynote speaker at our very first conference)!
10:45-Noon AM	3	Trick or Tweet: Taking the Scare Out of the World Wild Web and Social Networking Rick Segel Are you confused about what a "blog" is? Are you disappointed with your Web site's performance? Do Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Twitter leave you all atwitter? If so, this is the program for you! Learn ways to demystify, simplify, and justify your online time and to make your online presence pay you dividends. Learn the essential steps to take, where to go to get help, why it costs much less than you think, and why it takes a lot less time than you might imagine. Not just for Geeks, Techies, and Nerds, this session is presented with a light touch and in plain English by a "Dummies author" for real people. Rick Segel holds the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation from the National Speakers Association, an elite rank held by only 7% of professional speakers. He has been a featured speaker over 1900 times in 49 states and 4 continents. A seasoned retailer of 25 years, Rick currently serves on the Board of Directors for five corporations and associations. He is the author of nine books, two training videos, and an audio program- including Laugh & Grow Rich: How to Profit from Humor in Any Business, Retail Business Kit for Dummies, and The Essential Online Solution: The Five Step Formula for Small Business Success. Rick's down-to-earth, street-smart approach to business makes him a crowd-pleaser wherever he goes.
10:45-Noon AM	4	The Most Fun You Can Have with Your Mind: Creative Thinking (and Laughing) Outside the Box with Improv Jacquie Lowell Many improvisational comedy techniques, helpful hints, and attitudes can be applied to the larger stage of life. In a supportive environment, through a series of lively, interactive exercises, you'll have a chance to explore divergent thinking (moving from the obvious to the far reaches of your imagination), practice mental flexibility, and discover the power of the improv attitude of "Yes, and...." A willingness to play is all you need to have a good time exploring your innate comic and creative talents while learning powerful skills to help you have fun with anything. Jacquie Lowell has been teaching improvisational comedy and leading creativity-stimulating workshops worldwide for 30+ years for corporations, non-profit organizations, and schools. She has taught creativity, theatre, and arts classes in a number of public and private schools from elementary through university. Jacquie has also founded, directed, and performed with several Improvisational Comedy troupes-The Creative Urges, Out On A Whim, Planet Mirth, Mission Improvible, and Jest in Time. Her magnetic personality is probably responsible for many of your computer malfunctions. In her adventurous past, Jacquie spent two years traveling the country, supporting her journey by guessing age and weight in carnivals and belly dancing in restaurants.
10:45-Noon AM	5	Surviving Life with Laughter: Practicing Safe Stress Steve Kissell When it comes to life, sometimes you have to look before you leap. When it comes to this session, you may laugh until you leak! Combining a variety of humorous anecdotes and potent tips with delightful audience participation, Steve will be your tour guide showing the effects of humor, the uses of humor in communication, two dangers of stress (and how to avoid them), and techniques for using humor in the workplace. Along the way, you'll learn methods to develop and improve your sense of humor and experience laughter as a therapeutic tool in tackling stress. Steve Kissell has presented more than 1500 keynotes and workshops throughout North and Central America. He was awarded the CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation from the National Speakers Association in 1998 for his professionalism, program content, and ability to present important information in a fun and memorable manner. Prior to becoming a professional speaker, Steve served his country in the Navy and as a Navy Reservist for 21 years. As an elementary school educator, Steve was honored with the School Bell Award for Teaching and Excellence (Steve wore a tuxedo to his first formal evaluation- he definitely practices what he teaches about bringing humor to the workplace). Steve's many books include Surviving Life with Laughter, Just Plane Funny, Humor By the Dozen, and Never Take Comedy from a Stranger.
10:45-Noon AM	6	The Elevator to Success Is Broken... Take the Stairs: Skills and Strategies to Take Charge of Change Johnny Campbell Your mission, should you accept it, is to embrace personal and professional change in a positive and productive way. Johnny's highly motivational style will stimulate you to learn, laugh, grow, and prosper in the face of the uncertainty, challenge, and conflict that accompany a world filled with accelerating change. This lively session will offer the latest insights and strategies on how to: understand the barriers to creating change, ride the true drivers of change, and create the right conditions (for yourself and others) for change to be accepted. You'll come away with a 3-point blueprint model for creating a culture of change. Johnny Campbell (a.k.a. "The Transition Man") holds the honor of being an Accredited Speaker, a designation given by Toastmasters International for excellence in public speaking (only 58 professional speakers in the world have this). He is the youngest person in the world to ever achieve this mark of respect and the only American in the past three years to earn it. Johnny also received the DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) Award, was inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, and also accepted the Entrepreneurial Excellence Award for outstanding service in business. In addition to his widespread speaking, Johnny is the author of five books- including his recently-released Becoming the Agent of Change: Strategies for Getting People to Embrace Change Without Losing Your Mind or Bank Account.
12:00 Noon		Laughing, Learning Lunch Together, Bookstore Open, Optional Laugh & Learn Sessions
1:30-2:45 PM		Concurrent Sessions: Round Two Please indicate on the registration form your first choice to attend from the following 6 sessions:
1:30-2:45 PM	7	At Least I've Still Got My Health: Humor-Heart-Hope-Health-Happiness Brett Leake Joining humor icons like Steve Allen, Sid Caesar, Victor Borge, and the Smothers Brothers, Brett received the National Humor Treasure Award at our 2008 conference. When Brett set out to become a comedian, a reporter wanted to know how long a man with muscular dystrophy could stand the rigors of a traveling stand-up comic. Brett supposed he had about 7 years. That was 27 years ago! Brett attributes his laughing longevity to the healing power of humor. We encourage you to put on your seatbelts for this session... as this sit-down stand-up comic weaves his hilarious humor with heartfelt message. This laughter-stimulating, thought-provoking, life-affirming presentation is jest what the doctor ordered for all of us! Brett Leake and his clean, inspiring comedy have been featured everywhere from the American Comedy Awards, the Kennedy Center, IBM corporate programs, and at an Australian humour conference. Brett made television history when he became the first comedian with disabilities to appear on The Tonight Show (five times). Others have added their applause: on Entertainment Tonight, Jerry Seinfeld observed: "He's funny. There's a great common denominator in the comedy industry: funny is funny." Last year, Brett was honored to receive the statewide Governor's Caregiver Recognition Award, which is a magnificent reflection of the wonderful human being he is.
1:30-2:45 PM	8	Didn't My Skin Used to Fit?: Living, Laughing, Loving Life Later Martha Bolton What's so funny about growing older? Everything! Martha shows you how to keep your sense of humor through your second half of life... and feel a lot better for it! This author of over 50 books of humor (including a series especially for baby boomers) will have you laughing at the irritants, stresses, surprises, and challenges of growing older. Find out how to move into the next chapter of your life with a positive attitude, a lot of hope, and plenty of laughter. This session is designed to help you feel better about adding candles to your birthday cake! Martha Bolton is an Emmy- and Dove-nominated writer who was a staff writer for Bob Hope for more than fifteen years. The recipient of four Angel awards for excellence in media, she writes several magazine and internet columns and has written for other entertainers such as Phyllis Diller, Ann Jillian, Wayne Newton, Jim Stafford, and John Davidson. Her 50+ published humor books (with several co-authored New York Times best-sellers), include such titles as: Didn't My Skin Used to Fit?, Cooking with Hot Flashes, Living It Down By Laughing It Up, It's Always Darkest Before the Fridge Door Opens, Race You to the Fountain of Youth, and Maybe Life's Just Not That Into You. Martha is currently writing a screenplay and is co-authoring a book with The HUMOR Project's own Joel Goodman and Margie Ingram.
1:30-2:45 PM	9	Managing to Have Fun: The Power of Humor at Work Dr. Matt Weinstein If you're looking for an idea-rich, high-energy experience, this is the place for you! Matt will highlight real-life, tried-and-true, innovative strategies that successful organizations have used to inspire their employees. You will discover: research connecting productivity and having fun on the job; ways to restructure the corporate culture so that it supports laughter, play, and human values... while increasing productivity, teamwork, and job satisfaction; approaches to giving employees something to smile about... so they can provide customer service with a smile; and tips on developing a management style that puts into practice the 3 R's (reward, recognition, retention). Dr. Matt Weinstein is the solar system's foremost authority on the use of fun and humor in team building. Called "The Master of Playfulness" by PEOPLE Magazine, Matt is the founder and Emperor of the Playfair international consulting firm. Matt was elected by the National Speakers Association to the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame and was honored by Successful Meetings Magazine as one of the "21 Top Speakers for the 21st Century." His television special, FUN WORKS!: The Power of Humor in the Workplace, was broadcast nationally on PBS. Matt is the author of five books- Managing to Have Fun; Gently Down the Stream: Four Unforgettable Keys to Success in Life and Work; Dogs Don't Bite When a Growl Will Do: What Your Dog Can Teach You About Living a Happy Life; Work Like Your Dog: How to Work Less, Play More, and Earn More; and PLAYFAIR: Everybody's Guide to Non-Competitive Play co-authored with Joel Goodman. Matt is a dear friend-- we welcome him back (he was a keynote speaker at our very first conference)!
1:30-2:45 PM	10	No Wrong Notes: Singing for Everyone David Roth Feel like you can't carry a tune in a bag? Take a deep breath as you enter the Laboratory of No Wrong Notes where even the chronically timid can embrace the natural singing ability and creativity we all possess. This workshop is for anyone who'd like to sing, and especially for those who may have been discouraged over the years by inner critics and others' judgments. Join a safe, playful, and powerful environment where a sense of humor is helpful and you will be lifted up in sound! Wait 'til you hear us! David Roth: Blend a whoosh of Will Rogers and a dash of James Taylor-meets-Jerry Seinfeld, and what do you get? Highly original and always uplifting award-winning singer, songwriter, speaker, and recording artist David Roth. David's music is literally and figuratively out-of-this-world (his "Rocket Science" went up on the Space Shuttle last May!) and he performs and teaches about creativity, self-expression, and the celebration of uniqueness at a wide variety of conferences, conference halls, and workshop centers across the U.S. and Canada. With ten CD's, two songbooks, and one big sense of humor to his credit, David has gained international attention for his matchless messages, songs, and guitar artistry.
1:30-2:45 PM	11	Mental Weight Training for Teachers, Trainers, and Speakers: Lessons and Laughter from Improv Comedy Jacquie Lowell As a teacher, trainer, speaker (or human being), it is important to be able to think on your feet effectively, communicate your ideas compellingly, and respond in a flash to whatever the audience throws your way. Jacquie will invite you to enjoy an assortment of lively, interactive improv exercises (the "weights") that are designed to help you develop your communication "muscles" in these areas. Practice shifting your self-consciousness to group-consciousness, stretching your creative brain, and defusing potentially embarrassing moments with humor. No prior experience is necessary, just a willingness to play. These exercises will differ from those in the morning session. Jacquie Lowell has been teaching improvisational comedy and leading creativity-stimulating workshops worldwide for 30+ years for corporations, non-profit organizations, and schools. She has taught creativity, theatre, and arts classes in a number of public and private schools from elementary through university. Jacquie has also founded, directed, and performed with several Improvisational Comedy troupes-The Creative Urges, Out On A Whim, Planet Mirth, Mission Improvible, and Jest in Time. Her magnetic personality is probably responsible for many of your computer malfunctions. In her adventurous past, Jacquie spent two years traveling the country, supporting her journey by guessing age and weight in carnivals and belly dancing in restaurants.
1:30-2:45 PM	12	Good and Plenty: Enrich Your Life of Abundance with a Rich Sense of Humor Sr. Anne Bryan Smollin No matter what the economy is doing, we can have rich lives! Drawing on her wealth of humorous and amazingly amusing anecdotes, Sr. Anne's down-to-earth, up-to-mirth revelations include the importance of: developing an attitude of gratitude, demoting the demon of busy-ness, reaching out to kindred spirits and nurturing humor buddies, giving yourself permission to be imperfekt, finding humor in everyday moments, taking care of the person you see in the mirror, and creating more 70-mile-per-hour explosions (laughter). You will also realize the connection between altruism and abundance... and will leave with the alphabet of abundance (26 ways to see the glass as ¾ full rather than ¼ empty). Sister Anne Bryan Smollin, Ph.D., is a popular international speaker who receives enthusiastic reviews for her enormous energy, keen insights, and sense of humor. Anne is presently Executive Director of Counseling for Laity and serves as a therapist, consultant to hospitals, and adjunct professor at several colleges. She has also served as President of the Board of Clowns on Rounds and has authored six books including Tickle Your Soul: Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often; God Knows You're Stressed: Simple Ways to Restore Your Balance; and Live, Laugh, and Be Blessed: Finding Humor and Holiness in Everyday Moments.
2:45-3:15 PM		You Deserve a (Lemons into Lemonade) Break Today
3:00-6:00 PM		HUMORetreat Play Time and Optional Laugh & Learn Sessions In addition to the Optional Laugh & Learn Sessions, here's a great chance to savor scenic Silver Bay and lots of laughter-liberating activities.
5:30-7:30 PM		The Laugh Supper... Together with More Opportunities to Build Our Comedic, Creative, Caring Community.
7:00-7:45 PM		Saturday Nite Alive and Optional Laugh & Learn Sessions
8:00-9:30 PM	Key Notes	Amusing Grace: Music and Mirth Make a Difference David Roth Join our conference troubadour on a scintillating ride of song, story, and spontaneity with his unique music, offbeat observations, and powerful singing and subject matter. David's work ranges widely from holistic to hilarious, poignant to improbable and celebrates ordinary people doing extraordinary things, life challenges, inclusiveness, compassion, humor, diversity, transforming obstacle into ally, and inspiration. His songs have found their way to Carnegie Hall, the United Nations, the Kennedy Center, Peter, Paul & Mary concerts, several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, NASA's Goddard Space Center and we're delighted that they're finding their way to the incredible 101-year-old Auditorium at Silver Bay. David Roth: Blend a whoosh of Will Rogers and a dash of James Taylor-meets-Jerry Seinfeld, and what do you get? Highly original and always uplifting award-winning singer, songwriter, speaker, and recording artist David Roth. David's music is literally and figuratively out-of-this-world (his "Rocket Science" went up on the Space Shuttle last May!) and he performs and teaches about creativity, self-expression, and the celebration of uniqueness at a wide variety of conferences, conference halls, and workshop centers across the U.S. and Canada. With ten CD's, two songbooks, and one big sense of humor to his credit, David has gained international attention for his matchless messages, songs, and guitar artistry.
9:30-11:00 PM		HUMORetreat Play Time and Optional Laugh & Learn Sessions In addition to the Optional Laugh & Learn Sessions, join in a back-by-popular demand Square Dance called by Stan Burdick for anyone (especially beginners) who would like to be "Dancing Under the Stars" and a campfire with music, mirth, magic, and s'mores.