WDAS-FM & Real Men Cook--a winning combination!

In a word, our kickoff reception on Thursday, April 9 was simply INCREDIBLE. Other than our very first recruitment reception back in 2000, I don't ever remember having in excess of 40 people at one of these. Beyond simply getting people to attend, we jump started cook & volunteer registration with six cook registrations (including five first time cooks) and six new volunteers. More than anything, these results demonstrated the influence of black radio when the station you are working with (in this case WDAS-FM) is truly committed to the cause and project.

Those cooks who registered at the reception are as follows:

--Eric Copeland (returning cook from 2008)
--Chef Jemal Gaines (first time participant)
--Chef Ron Johnson (first timer)
--D. Jones (first timer)
--Chef Curtis McClinton (first timer)
--Titus Welcome (first timer)

The new volunteers are as follows:
--Danielle Brown
--Jill Cartwright-McGraw
--Sharon Epps
--Judith Forth-White
--Dawn Miller
--Michele Stanback

As good as that news is, it was not the only good news last week. Philly Coke renewed their sponsorship commitment. Also, WE NOW HAVE PALM CARDS IN STOCK.

As a follow up to the previous update sent on 3/27/09, we are now actively soliciting cook & volunteer registrations. On the occasion of our milestone 20th anniversary, we invite you to commit TODAY to participate in Real Men Cook on Father's Day 2009. Click on the applicable link below to register as a cook or volunteer online. Online cook registration payments will be processed through the PayPal account of Real Men Charities, Inc.

Online cook registration:
http://www.realmencook.com/phi_join.html

Online volunteer registration:
http://realmencook.com/PhiladelphiaVolForm.html

To entice you to register yourself and/or others as a 2009 event chef in Philly sooner rather than later, we have put the following incentives in place:

Mother's Day Weekend Concert Tix:
You can win a pair of tickets to the big Mother's Day Weekend concert on Saturday, May 9 in Atlantic City featuring Frankie Beverly & Maze, Teena Marie and The Whispers if you register the most cooks by April 30. Outlined below are the terms and conditions for this cook registration promotion:

1) You must be responsible for recruiting at least five cooks to register by the deadline date of 4/30/09. There is a line on the online registration form to indicate you are the recruiter. You will need to make a notation on the local cook registration form to indicate you are the recruiter as applicable.

2) For the purpose of this promotion, registration is defined as submitting the registration form (either online or offline) and paying the $35 cook registration fee.

3) You can earn an additional point for each cook you register if their recipe is also submitted by April 30.

Art Museum Tix:
--All cooks registered by April 30 will be entered into a drawing for a family 4-pack of tickets to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, where the Cezanne exhibit will be on display until May 17, 2009.

--Again, registration consists of submitting a registration form and paying the applicable $35 cook registration fee.

Phillies Tix:
--The first 15 cooks who register by 5/22/09 will receive two tickets to attend the Phillies vs. Florida Marlins game on Tuesday, May 26 as part of Real Men Cook Night w/The World Champion Phillies!

--The first five volunteers to register at least two new cooks by 5/22/09 will receive two tickets to attend the Phillies vs. Florida Marlins game on Tuesday, May 26 as part of Real Men Cook Night w/The World Champion Phillies.

"Real Men Cook..." Cookbook:
--The first three first-time event chefs who register at the CCP reception on Wednesday, April 22 or the reception at Canaan Baptist Church on Thursday, April 30 will receive a complimentary copy of "Real Men Cook: 100 Recipes for Family Celebrations," written by event co-founder K. Kofi Moyo and the foreword by President Barack Obama.

--Registration for the purpose of qualifying for this incentive gift requires submission of a cook registration form and the $35 registration fee.

So there you have it. IT'S ON!!!

SPONSORSHIP UPDATE:
As mentioned above, Philly Coke is on board again. Keep in mind that any sponsorship lead you provide us with is commissionable if it leads to a deal.

DATES OF INTEREST:
--April 22: RMC Recruitment Reception @ CCP (8:30-10 AM)
--April 23: CISP "My Compliments to the Chef" @ Water Works Restaurant
--April 30: RMC Recruitment Reception @ Canaan Baptist Church (6:30-8:30 PM)
--May 26: Real Men Cook Night at the Phillies game

MANAGEMENT TEAM:
While much of our core management team is the same as in 2008, there are some key chairmanship vacancies that need to be filled for 2009. If you are so inclined, this is also your opportunity to be part of Michele Parker's core team for 2009 and beyond.

Certification & Compliance/Christopher Baskins
Cook Recruitment/Vacant
Cookbook & Recipes/Mike Barney
Cook Coordinators/Brian Butcher
Entertainment/Ashley Scott
Finance/Doug Harrell
Health & Wellness Pavilion/Steve Sumners
Hospitality/Michele Parker
Logistics/Dawnmarie Hackett Clemmons
Production/Larry Kendricks
Promotions/Tiffany Murphy
Publicity & PR/Gwen Carter
Sanitation & Hygiene/Vacant
Security/Judy Walston
Sponsor & VIP Relations/Courtney Muhammad
Tech Support & Graphics/Vacant
Ticket Distribution/Shahid Wilds & Monique Turner
Volunteer Recruitment/Lee Garnett (formerly known as Lisa Woodard)

If you are interested in serving as a chairperson for one of the subcommittees listed as vacant, let me know that ASAP. Even if you are not able to participate as an event chef or event day volunteer in
2009, there is certainly still something you can do to help move our agenda forward. If you have not already done so, let me know what you are willing and able to do so I can pass that info along to the appropriate chairperson listed above.

For more Philly info:
http://realmencook.com/Philadelphia.html

Mark your calendar now for the 20th anniversary celebration of Real Men Cook (Sunday, June 21, 2009), and find out why they call it the "greatest Father's Day show on earth!" Every year, this "party with a purpose" is a fun filled food-tasting celebration of families, fathers and REAL MEN not to be missed! Between the food, entertainment, children's activities, health screenings, cooking demonstrations and door prizes, this event has something to offer everyone.

In addition, pick up your copy of the paperback edition of "Real Men Cook: 100 Recipes for Family Celebrations" by Real Men Cook co-founder K. Kofi Moyo at bookstores and online sites. The foreword was written by President Barack Obama. This book makes an excellent gift anytime.

REAL MEN WORK...REAL MEN PROVIDE...REAL MEN CARE...AND REAL MEN COOK!

R U Down? SPREAD THE WORD!!!