COMPANY UPDATE

Our web site is about 85% complete. You may view it at www.globewhiz.com. Thank you again for your patience.

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Holiday Greetings To Everyone!

Has it ever occurred to you as to why we are reminded, as a society, to try and capture the "holiday spirit" at this time of the year? The "holiday spirit" captivates us with increased thoughts of giving and sharing and of compassion for others. And it doesn't matter where we live on this planet, because somehow and in someway we all feel it. It is a human feeling that breaks down all barriers. So then, why can't we live and enjoy the "holiday spirit" all year through? Well, we can. That is one of our human powers that we need to exercise and maintain with as many people as possible throughout all time. During the course of the year, most of us become so engrossed in our own lives and trying to survive these economic times that somehow we allow the "holiday spirit" to disappear to only be reminded again at the end of the year of how a positive reconnection with others on a spiritual level can improve our own health and the health of our families and communities. So, I challenge you to try and maintain the "holiday spirit" all year long! You'll see. Life will be much better for you next year in someway than it is this year. Remember that with every single human interaction we encounter it gives us the opportunity to do or say something positive. This is the key to your own personal success. So, if you have an extra 10 minutes in your day, call a friend or send out a postcard to someone. Or if you see someone fishing for change at the grocery store, you may want to give them some of your change. Or if you're traveling on the road and someone is trying to get into traffic - let them go in front of you. Little things like these mean so much to others and it will make you feel much better at the end of the day. These are the types of gifts you can give out all year through to keep that "holiday spirit" glowing.

This is also the time of the year, when I personally reflect more upon the connection between spirituality and materialism. Spirituality is about how we feel and think inside of ourselves which creates our soul. But how is materialism connected to the soul? Materialism is about everything that is physical in this world. And if we look around at our surroundings, everything that we can experience through our five senses was created by another human being or by nature. And that other human being has a soul. And that the soul of nature is more highly developed than humankind. So, I leave with the thought that everyone and everything on this planet is spiritually connected. That's a powerful and most beautiful feeling!

Enjoy every minute of everyday!

Peace Always,
Ilona Torraca, M.Ed.
Etiquette & Protocol International, Inc.

COMPANY UPDATE

We are still in the process of working on our web site, but it should be up and running within the next few weeks. The manufacturing process is also going well. Thank you for your patience with us. This is going to be such a great game!

HOLIDAYS

At EPI, we would just like to extend our holiday wishes to everyone around the world as we enter the holiday season. This time of year is always a good time to reflect upon the past year of our lives and make amends in our relationships from damage that has been done and settling differences with others. We must look deeper within ourselves and think about how we can improve situations that everyone feels good about. This is also a time to celebrate life and be thankful for our family and friends. This may be a difficult time for many as we all try to live out these economic times, but if we all try to support one another and help out when we can - we can get through anything together. That's the power of the human spirit.

CHILE RESCUE EFFORT

CONGRATULATIONS to the country of Chile for the rescue of the miners! Doesn't it make you feel so proud to be part of humankind? See what a concerted effort from many countries can do? Now, this is teamwork! We wish all the rescued miners godspeed, good health and happiness in their lives.

If we can build an International Space Station, we can do anything!

THE PENTA MODEL

At EPI, we believe the key to economic success of a country lies within that country's educational system. When students enter the educational system, we must look at them from a holistic perspective. So, we have created The Penta Model. The Penta Model generally views each student from five different perspectives or dimensions and there must be mechanisms and programs in place that ensure each perspective or dimension is serving every student to the best of its ability.

The Penta Model consists of:
Social Health
Physical Health
Emotional Health
Intellectual Health
Home Health

Globe Whiz (TM) and our mission addresses all five perspectives or dimensions. Conflict resolution in education programs address the first three dimensions with the assistance of the medical community. Globe Whiz (TM) addresses intellectual health in the way it teaches factual knowledge about our planet and it addresses home health by increasing understanding and communication between generations.

When a student graduates from high school, the educational system should have properly prepared that student enough to also make basic decisions about their own personal financial health. This is when the student enters the economy, if they haven't already started working.

PRE-RETAIL SALE

EPI is now offering a preorder pre-retail sale for the Globe Whiz (TM) family board game. The pre-retail sale price is $34.95 for each game. This price is in effect until midnight
December 31, 2010. Then on January 1, 2011 the price will resume at $39.95.

Be one of the first to purchase Globe Whiz (TM) at a great pre-retail price!

Globe Whiz (TM) will hopefully be in shops next year.

Anyone can order now through our e-mail at sales@globewhiz.com or order through our website in November 2010. Globe Whiz (TM) orders will not be taken by telephone until EPI is able to have a live person answering the phone 24 hours a day.

Thank you.

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)

To learn about what SEL is and what it can do among the younger generations, please visit
www.aboutourkids.org. Go to "for families". Then go to "keeping kids healthy". Then click on
"keeping kids healthy" on the left side. Then go to "learning and school". Then scroll down to the article that begins with "Social and Emotional Learning" by Dr. Robin Stern.

Anyone may also visit www.sfk.org to learn about this organization's mission and programs.

CONTEST WINNER

Congratulations to our winner from North America!

Answer: In the photos, the Statue of Liberty is holding her torch in the left hand. In reality, she is holding her torch in the right hand.

Anyone can do this contest with their family and friends.

CONTEST

The first person to spot the only difference in the landmarks shown in the photos of
Globe Whiz (TM) wins a free board game.

Please send us your name and address along with your answer to sales@globewhiz.com and we will send you a free board game when they are delivered.

Have fun!

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

Hi Folks! Welcome to the world of Globe Whiz(TM)!

While I was growing up, after dinner, my family would continue sitting around the dinner table to play board games. Lots of different board games! Still trying to strategize against my mother in Chinese Checkers. But, I never thought my professional life would bring me to create a family board game called Globe Whiz(TM).

While working on my Master's in Education in 2000, I went through this phase of creating board games in order to try to bring some fun and excitement to children while learning in the classroom. And this game was one of those games. Around this time, I also started my research in conflict resolution in education. Since then, it has been a fascinating journey creating a way to connect a board game with conflict resolution in education. So, I looked back upon my experience in education and took the skills most needed among children and realized that world geography, etiquette and foreign language skills contributed most to conflict resolution in the educational system. And learning about etiquette and protocol knowledge and skills from other countries can be fun for children too. With these skills learned, children could then better communicate among themselves, have increased tolerance and awareness for one another's differences and learn to respect one another at a higher level. And possessing positive conflict resolution skills has been shown to increase test scores as well.

But, all schools today do not have the complete funding to implement character education and conflict resolution programs into their systems. So, I've decided that a good percentage of the profits from Globe Whiz (TM) will be given to our Operation Apple program. From there, funding will be given to qualified schools in need of character education and conflict resolution programs. One of my personal and professional dreams is to see children learning similar conflict resolution strategies and methodologies in all countries that choose to participate. I am highly excited about this!

My professional philosophy is simple. It's all about relationships. Relationships are the key to everything. I'll never claim to be perfect in my etiquette and protocol skills as I am constantly learning the new ways, but I do my best. Working within the global environment, I find it highly refreshing that etiquette and protocol skills are different when doing business with other countries. I also believe my generation should try to do the best we can to prepare the younger generations for the future of the global environment and of our society. I was brought up with the principle of "always try to leave a place better than the way you found it", so this is what I'm doing. But, I need your help. I can't do this alone.

And as the famous late Walt Disney once said, "If you can dream it, you can do it."

Thank you for your interest in our mission.

Sincerely,

Ilona Torraca, M.Ed.

Chairman & CEO

Etiquette & Protocol International, Inc.

PO Box 2736

Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 USA

sales@globewhiz.com

http://www.globewhiz.com/

http://www.epitimes.blogspot.com/

ABOUT THE INVENTOR

Ilona Torraca is Founder, Chair and CEO of Etiquette & Protocol International, Inc. and the inventor of Globe Whiz(TM). She is better known as Lady Ilona. She noticed a growing need for children to be competent in world geography, etiquette and foreign language skills while teaching K-12 in the United States, tutoring English in Switzerland and teaching English in South Korea. She found that board games became one way to increase these skills in the younger generations. She also realized that these skills are pertinent to achieve conflict resolution among children within the education system.


Having been born and raised in New York, through life experience, Ms. Torraca has achieved a world-class education. She attended charm school, traveled around the world, and served 10 years in the U.S. Air Force. She has written her first self-published book, A New Day.

Ms. Torraca has over 25 years experience working within the fields of senior care, finance and education and currently holds key positions in other companies. Her formal education includes a Management Certificate from the University of Maryland, an A.A. in Liberal Studies from Harold Washington College, an A.S. in Financial Management from the Community College of the Air Force, a B.S. in Business Administration/International Business from Columbia College, M.B.A. coursework from Hofstra University and a M.S. in Education from Dowling College. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, which is an international honor society in education.



The Globe Whiz(TM) family board game is dedicated to her parents. To her mother for her endearing love and support and to her late father for being the best history teacher she ever had.


Ms. Torraca would like to personally thank her great family, old and current friends, past teachers and professors, past military supervisors and commanders, Betty, Jim, Rich, Sonia, Kevin, Bruce, Howard, Prof. Morton Deutsch of Columbia University for his work in conflict resolution, Louise L. Hay for writing her book, You Can Heal Your Life, Dorothea Johnson for her leadership and example, Dr. Wayne Dyer for writing his book, The Power of Intention, Marian Wright Edelman for all her work for children, Bill Gates for his work, Sir Richard Branson for his example as a visionary, Ted Turner for writing his memoir, and most importantly for the power and love of God.

FUN FAMILY ACTIVITY

We have created this fun family activity that can be done for any meal. It is called the basic five-course formal dinner at home. It is also a good time for the family to get together and make some fun memories. The object is for everyone to learn how to properly set a table for a formal lunch or dinner. It may be a good idea to explain to children that this is an important skill to know. When dining out in restaurants it is good to know how to navigate a place setting. Some employers also look at this skill when conducting restaurant interviews. And please keep in mind that this family activity can be highly inexpensive to do. Most families already have all that is required to do this. When beginning to plan for such a formal meal at home, first know how many members of the family will be present for the meal.

1) Most children enjoy being a part of the meal planning decisions and cooking. Thus, a five-course meal may also be part of the fun when choosing specifically which foods will be used during each of the five-courses.

First course - soup (explain that the large spoon is used for this) And learning the proper way to eat soup can be an art in itself.
Second course - salad (explain that the small fork is used for this)
Third course - main meal (explain that the large fork and knife are used for this)
Fourth course - dessert (explain that the small spoon is used for this) Better idea to serve ice cream or pudding. More simple.
Fifth course - sample plate in the middle of the table providing different fruits and cheeses.

During the meal planning time, it is also a good idea to settle the Division of Labor issue. This may avoid any conflicts after a fun dinner.
Who will shop for the ingredients?
Who will cook the meal?
Who will set the table?
Who will clean off the table after every course?
And who will wash the dishes?

2) Children can learn that at formal meals that everyone who will be present for the meal has a placeholder with their name written to show where family members will sit at the table. Placeholders can be fun to make as an afternoon activity. Leaves from trees can be used or little rocks from the garden. Children can write names on these items taken from nature. Or write names on colored hard-boiled eggs. Or cut out different shapes from construction paper to write names on. Use your imagination. The placeholder is placed above the plate.

3) And then ensure there is enough napkins(cloth or paper), small forks, large forks, main meal plates (ceramic or paper), soup bowls, salad plates, dessert bowls, knives, small spoons, large spoons and glasses for drinking (fine crystal to paper cups). Utensils used can range from using your best silverware to plastic. Once all of this has been collected and the placeholders have been made the table is ready to be set.

4) To properly set a table for your meal, please follow the sequence below at each place:

napkin small fork large fork meal plate knife small spoon large spoon

Square napkins should be folded in half with the folded side facing inward towards the small fork. And place the glass or paper cup above the knife. Soup bowls can be placed on top of the salad plate, which is then placed on top of the meal plate.

5) After the table has been set it can also be decorated with small flowers and candles. When this is complete and the food is ready everyone can sit down in front of their placeholder.

6) When everyone is seated and soup has been served, please explain to the children that napkins are placed on the lap while eating the meal and as a suggestion, elbows are kept off the table. It is also more appropriate to not speak while chewing, but to wait until after chewing to say something. It is good to talk about everyone's day and what has been learned in school. Maintaining a sense of humor and trying to keep the meal time conflict-free makes this family activity even more memorable.

7) First course - when everyone has finished eating their soup, the soup or large spoon should be left inside the empty bowl and be cleared from the table.

8) Second course - when everyone has finished eating their salad, the salad fork or small fork should be left on the empty plate and be cleared from the table.

9) Third course - when everyone has finished eating their main meal, the large fork and knife should be left on the empty plate and be cleared from the table.

10) Fourth course - when everyone has finished eating their dessert, the small spoon should be left in the dessert bowl and be cleared from the table.

11) Fifth course - at this point, the only things left should be drinking glasses or cups. Time to bring out the sample plate of fruit and cheeses. This can be eaten with fingers, so children love this part. When this course is complete, napkins are placed back on the table and ready for final clean-up.

Well, we hope you have tried our fun family activity and learned more about one another. If you have tried this activity, please share your experience with us.



Until next time.....

CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAMS

This message is for anyone, especially educators, who are interested in implementing conflict resolution programs into schools. The best place we have found is with Educators for Social Responsibility. Their web site is www.esrnational.org.


Until next time....

ANTI-BULLYING LAW

We hope our followers have begun to understand why we exist and what our goals as a company are. Because on September 8, 2010, Governor Paterson of New York signed into law the Dignity for All Students Act. And the requirements that school districts must adhere to will need to be worked into their budgets. The Dignity for All Students Act is a great part of conflict resolution within the education system. New York has become the 44th state to enact such a law. Only 6 more states to go.

To find out more about anti-bullying laws in your state go to www.bullypolice.org.




Until next time......

RESPECT

At EPI, we would like to take this time to remember how our world changed so much on this weekend almost a decade ago. And we are grateful of the amount of respect that is starting to grow among us.


Until next time.....

GIVING BACK

At EPI, we believe in giving back to society in the same way that society has given to us. This is called corporate social responsibility.

When our company reaches a highly profitable level, we are planning to utilize a great percentage of the profits to be given to qualified schools that need character education and conflict resolution programs. This will be done through our Operation Apple program.

Let's make this happen together!



Until next time......

SHOP INFORMATION

We are currently taking pre-orders for our initial manufacturing run with our first delivery date to be on or about May 1, 2011.

Our retail price for each Globe Whiz(TM) family board game is $39.95. Flat rate shipping/handling within the continental U.S. states is $4.00 per order. International flat rate shipping/handling, including Alaska and Hawaii is $9.00 per order. New York state residents must also add sales tax.

In order to reserve your very own Globe Whiz(TM) family board game, the full payment of your order is required. If you are interested, please contact us at sales@globewhiz.com. We accept money orders, checks, Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. All payments must clear before order is shipped.

We will send you a personalized monthly report to follow the manufacturing and delivery process through e-mail.

PRIVACY POLICY
All information is kept strictly confidential unless legally compelled to give out. We do not sell information to any other party.



Until next time......

GLOBE WHIZ(TM) Game Photos

Thank you for your interest. The Globe Whiz(TM) Team is really everyone on the planet! The buyers, sellers, manufacturers, graphic designers, design engineers, printers, transporters and shippers, and the postal system. One of our company goals is to ensure you receive a high quality product from creation to the family game table.

Until next time......

COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT

Etiquette & Protocol International, Inc.

introduces

GLOBE WHIZTM

GLOBE WHIZTM is a brand new highly unique, highly educational and revolutionary family board game. It offers lots of fun and international flavor which appeals to young children around the world by broadening their knowledge of the global environment.

Globe WhizTM encompasses the dimensions of world geography, etiquette, travel adventures and foreign languages all-in-one. It also appeals to educators as Globe WhizTM can be utilized in the classroom as a supplemental activity within the education curriculum.

EPI is currently taking pre-orders of Globe WhizTM to be delivered on or about May 1, 2011.

For more information, please view our new web site at www.globewhiz.com.

Thank You.

Until next time......

ABOUT US

EPI is an international etiquette and protocol education center which focuses on conflict resolution within the education system. We originally started in 2005 as The Ascot Learning Center and later became The Etiquette & Protocol Centre. We incorporated in 2008 with our current name of Etiquette & Protocol International.

EPI strives to provide knowledge and skills that are essential to progress in life and aid in success. College recruiters and employers today are looking not only at academic preparation and extracurricular activities, but also at the personal presentation of our mannerisms and how we have learned to resolve conflicts successfully.

Etiquette and protocol is not all about knowing which fork to use at a five-course formal dinner or how to bow or curtsy to the Queen of England. True, etiquette and protocol includes these traditional skills, but it also encompasses a whole lot more. It is having poise, self-confidence and showing respect for others. It is socially accepted mannerisms and behavior that display refinement in any type of social situation. Society places great value on how we present ourselves, how we consider one another's feelings and how we manage conflict. And etiquette and protocol are the foundation of these. Etiquette and protocol, like human behavior, are constantly evolving. So with time, there is always new knowledge and skills to learn.

If anyone would like to share new international etiquette and protocol suggestions, please post.

"Good manners, etiquette and protocol are the basis for resolving any conflict."


Until next time......

COMPANY NOTE

Please understand that we are new to corporate blogging and we apologize if there has been any confusion about anything. We greatly appreciate your interest. One of our goals is to be a successful part of the blogosphere, so please be patient with us.


Until next time......

VISIT TO USA

EPI would like to welcome Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to the United States of America.


Until next time....

WE ARE BACK!

Followers wanted us to return - so we have returned!

We believe what we are doing is good for the human spirit to help raise consciousness levels towards the future of humanity.

At this time and on this day, we would like to extend to all Americans around the world, a safe and blessed Happy Fourth of July! Our independence could not be possible without the sacrifices of our servicemembers and their families. So we greatly appreciate them.


Until next time.....

COMPANY MAKEOVER

Due to company changes, this blog will be canceled effective July 1, 2010.

We thank all of our followers.


Until next time......

CONGRATULATIONS

EPI would like to extend congratulations to Monaco's Prince Albert on his engagement to Charlene Wittstock. Love is so grand!


Until next time......

INDIAN GESTURE ETIQUETTE

When traveling to the country of India, it is highly important that the following gesture etiquette be abided by:

1) Never touch anyone else's head.
2) When standing, it is always best to just keep arms always at your side without bending them.
3) Always try to stand at least 3 feet away from another person when speaking in conversation.
4) Never point fingers at anyone or anything. Indians point with their chin.
5) Never whistle. This is considered impolite.
6) Never point feet at another person. If your feet or shoes touch another, please apologize.

Source: Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway

Just trying to follow this basic gesture etiquette will create a positive feeling between you and our Indian friends.


Until next time......

ECUADORIAN PROTOCOL

For all of you out there who are planning to travel to Ecuador on a business trip, please take note of the following protocol for gift giving:

"1) If you are given a gift, you should be effusive in your thanks.
2) When invited into a home for a meal, bring flowers, pastries, or chocolates. Avoid lilies and marigolds, which are used at funerals.
3) Fine wines and liquors are also good gifts.
4) Be sure to select name-brand gifts.
5) If you know you will meet a business associate's family, it is a good idea to bring gifts for the children."

*Source taken from Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway.

In order to monitor travel advisories for a specific country, please explore the U.S. Department of State web site at http://www.state.gov/.



Until next time.....

PHILLIPINE ETIQUETTE

For men, a business suit may be worn for formal occasions, such as a formal dinner party or to the theater. For women, a cocktail dress is expected to be worn on formal occasions. Long evening gowns are required for diplomatic functions.


Until next time......

COMMUNICATION AWARENESS

Please be respectful in your communications to us. Be aware of your choice of words and questions you are seeking answers for. Children may be reading this blog as well. Thank you.


Until next time......