Author, Speaker Cossolotto Begins Global Campaign to Recognize May 4th as “Make a Promise Day"

March 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Author and guest speaker Matthew Cossolotto, creator of “Make A Promise Day” (May 4th — May The Fourth Be With You!), today announced the launch of a global campaign to urge jurisdictions around the world to recognize May 4th as “Make A Promise Day.”  

Cossolotto, a former aide to House Speaker Jim Wright and Congressman Leon Panetta, launched the first annual “Make A Promise Day” last May 4th as part of his ongoing mission to share the power of making a promise with millions of people around the world.  The Town Board in Yorktown, New York, unanimously adopted a resolution on February 15, 2011, proclaiming May 4th to be “Make A Promise Day.”  Cossolotto is also writing a book about the power of making a promise with a foreword by Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.  The book includes stories about real people who have made and kept important promises in their lives.  

Here is a brief excerpt from Jack Canfield’s foreword to Cossolotto’s forthcoming book:  "When Matthew first told me about the heartfelt promise he made to his mother and that he was launching a special day called “Make A Promise Day” on May 4th, I was hooked. You could say he had me at 'I promise.' … Contributing the foreword to this book and being associated with Matthew’s inspiring “Make-A-Promise” project is totally aligned with my life’s purpose." http://www.JackCanfield.com

John Assaraf, best-selling author of Having It All, wrote this about Cossolotto’s “Make A Promise” project:  “I have spoken with Matthew about his project related to The Power of Making a Promise.  He told me about ‘Make A Promise Day‘ and his mission to highlight what he calls those two magic words:  ‘I Promise.’  I agree completely with him that there is something uniquely powerful about making a promise that goes beyond traditional goal-setting… Put simply, Matthew’s project is very promising indeed!”  http://www.JohnAssaraf.com

Todd Newton, popular TV host, author and life coach, wrote:  “I look forward to supporting your “Make A Promise Day” in May and being part of this great campaign as it grows, and grows, and grows.”  http://www.ToddNewtonLive.com

Author and publisher Rick Frishman wrote this about “Make A Promise Day” last year:  "Happy ‘Make A Promise Day’ everybody! I really like Matthew's idea.  The power of making a promise to someone you care about really can change your life.  Great work Matthew ... May The Fourth Be With You!"  http://www.RickFrishman.com

Cossolotto is asking supporters to spread the word about “Make A Promise Day” to jurisdictions across the U.S. and around the world.  He asks people to urge appropriate authorities in their town, city, county, state (or province) and country to adopt a “Make A Promise Day” Proclamation similar to the one passed by the Yorktown, New York, Town Board on February 15, 2011.  

Here is the proposed text of a resolution that could be adapted and adopted by appropriate authorities in jurisdictions around the world:

   DRAFT “MAKE A PROMISE DAY” PROCLAMATION
Whereas, the Town Board of Yorktown, New York, unanimously adopted a resolution on February 15, 2011, proclaiming May 4th of 2011 and each year thereafter to be Make A Promise Day;

Whereas, Make a Promise Day is the only unofficial “holiday” dedicated to personal empowerment, goal achievement and integrity enhancement;

Whereas, Make A Promise Day encourages individuals to turn important goals into heartfelt promises thereby increasing the probability of reaching those goals;

Whereas, celebrating Make A Promise Day will have the effect of enhancing accountability, personal responsibility and integrity;

Whereas, the (INSERT JURISDICTION/OFFICE) recognizes the value of highlighting the power of making and keeping promises on the part of local students, teachers, community organizations, businesses and political leaders;

Now therefore be it resolved, that the (INSERT JURISDICTION/OFFICE) hereby designates and proclaims May 4th of 2011 and each year thereafter to be “Make A Promise Day” and encourages organizations and individual members of the community to celebrate “Make A Promise Day” in a manner they deem to be suitable and appropriate.

Cossolotto knows about the power of making a promise from personal experience.  He made a promise to his mother on her deathbed that he would finish writing a book he had been discussing with her, get it published, and dedicate it to her memory. The resulting book, complete with Cossolotto’s dedication to his mother, is HabitForce! How to Kick the Habits of FAILURE and Adopt the Habits of SUCCESS.

To underscore the power of making a promise, Cossolotto cites several high-profile examples:
•   Oprah Winfrey made a promise to Nelson Mandela that she would build a school for girls in South Africa.
•   Nancy Brinker, author of Promise Me and founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, promised her sister and breast cancer victim Suzy that she would help find a cure.
•   Before his daughter’s wedding, former president Bill Clinton made a promise to Chelsea that he would watch his diet and take care of his health.
•   NBC’s Al Roker made a promise to his dying father that he would deal with his weight issues.
•   Kody Bateman, CEO of Send Out Cards, made a promise to his departed brother (and himself) that he would act on his promptings and find a way to help others do the same.  He founded Send Out Cards as a result of this heartfelt promise.
•   Kirk Smalley made a promise do everything he could to stop bullying after his 11-year-old stepson, Ty Field, committed suicide because he was being bullied at school.

Cossolotto also invites people around the world to submit short summaries of their moving true stories of promises made and promises kept for possible inclusion in forthcoming books, presentations, and interviews.  Send a few sentences describing your promise to:  Matthew.Promises@Gmail.com.

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About Matthew Cossolotto (aka "The Podium Pro"): A former aide to House Speaker Jim Wright and Congressman (now CIA Director) Leon Panetta, Matthew Cossolotto served as a CEO-level speechwriter and communications executive at MCI, Pepsi-Cola International, and GTE. The author of several books including The Almanac of European Politics, All The World’s A Podium, and HabitForce! Matthew offers a range of executive communication services and guest speaking programs. Please visit http://www.ThePodiumPro.com; http://www.MakeAPromiseDay.wordpress.com; http://www.MakeAPromiseDay.com; Follow Matthew and “Make A Promise Day” on Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/MakeAPromiseDay.