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Editor: Michele Altman
June 2010
2009
–
2010 Officers
President: Wendy AdamsVice President: Maryanne FechterSecretary: Kari WalckTreasurer: Deborah Seufert
Committees
Membership ChairLinda Augustino - RaffertyNewsletter Chair & Historian
Michele AltmanWebsite ChairpersonKari WalckPublicityKariWalckPrograms and ProfessionalDevelopment Chairperson:Nancy AskinsCorporate Sponsor/Recruitment:Karen MockStrategic Planning Chair:Amy ChristiesonHospitality Chairperson:Ruth GallingerCo-Chair: Marilyn MorrealeCo-Chair:Cathie NeiswongerChinese Auction Chair:KathyKline June Celebration Co-Chairs:Kari Walck andDanielle Bevacqua
June is here!
I
’
m sure everyone is looking forward to their summer, I know I am!That being said, I
’
m putting the newsletter to rest for the summer.I will continue to post news and events on our Facebook page so please become a fan and stay informed. We currently have 99 members! Suggestour page to your friends and family so that they too can keep up to date; it
’s
also a great marketing tool to draw new members in!
I have worked hard to keep our monthly newsletters fresh with photos and content and hope it has been an effective communication tool for you. If you have any ideas or suggestions for next year
’
snewsletter please let me know at: mitchie764@roadrunner.com
Since I have been flying solo here all year, I am very grateful to my friend and fellow ABWAmember,
Kari Walck
for volunteering to help me with the newsletter for our 2010-2011 year.With Kari assisting, I
’
m confident it will be even bigger and better!Looking forward to another successful ABWA year! Happy Summer!!!
Thank you,Michele AltmanNewsletter Chair and Historian
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
President’s Message
2 Member Spotlight 17-18Local ABWA News 3-7 Educational Opportunities 19News and Happenings 8-16 Work-Related Opportunities 20-22
Mission: To bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide
opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally
through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition
.
June 2010 EditionPage 2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear Members,When I started as president two years ago, I had a vision to take us at least into the next 5years. I was hoping my leadership and mentoring would train existing members intocommittee positions, recruit new members that had the skill sets and experience to teachand push the bar upward as well as make our group a thriving, recognizable and duplicatableentity in WNY. I truly believe we have the women in place this year to meet the demandsof our chapter members, as we continue to grow and recruit new members, follow bestpractices and strive to implement our strategic plan through every committee in ourchapter. I feel very privileged to have been your president for such a great organization andhave had the opportunity to make my mark on the history of this organization.We together have made a different in the lives of local women by all the work we have doneover the last two years. At our June party we are going to recap some of our highlights andmilestones with our slideshow. You'll be surprised all we have accomplished in two years! You can clearly see our efforts inrecruitment, marketing, publicity, our Program/Professional Development series with Niagara University, quality of ourscholarship winners and financially- we are in a terrific position to do just about anything next year.I can't take all the credit, but what I can say is that without the support of these phenomenal women, we certainly could not havecome this far. As the transition into July occurs with our new board, I can promise you that I will be a mentor to all board andcommittee heads to make sure we persevere and continue to thrive and grow in our community. We can do so much more as anorganization when we support the needs of current members and find that perfect fit and reason for other local women to join. Youwill see strong social networking through our website, new video recruitment emails and newsletters, consistent publicity in all ourlocal papers and radio. We will have a yearly focus for our volunteer efforts and make our networking opportunities a priority forthose women in businesses. You all will enjoy the ride!I hope you as members, and those of you out there that are not members but following ABWA monthly take advantage of all wehave to offer whether it be to sit on a committee and see its success and results, be a part of our volunteer focus for the year,participate in the NU program series, attend our networking opportunities-including our affiliation/networking with other localgroups/associations (Niagara Rises, Niagara USA Chapter, Pine Ave Business Assoc., Town of Niagara Business Assoc; LaSalleBusiness Assoc. etc) I also hope you make some friends along the way!As I leave you this year to focus on a new journey, becoming a first time mom, I want you all to know that I enjoyed every second of my time as your leader of ABWA. I learned valuable skills that will help me not only personally but professionally and I encourageall our members and those considering membership to step up, have faith in yourself and try something new! Step out of yourcircles to be a part of something exiting and growing-- meeting new women all over WNY and our nation. This organization hastouched my heart and I want you all to know I enjoyed every minute of it. Its challenges are the rewards, as I see some of you risethrough the ranks and do things I never thought you could or would. I'm so proud of you all and consider you all friends.Finally, women: you need to focus on yourself, for yourself, outside of your family and don't feel guilty about it! You deserve it andyour family will thank you if you take part in a group like ABWA. Congratulations to our new board, may your journey be full of twists and turns to challenge you individually as you guide our chapter to be one to strive for in our community and nation! Enjoyyour summer everyone and onto our next ABWA challenge!Sincerely,Wendy Adams
June 2010 EditionPage 3
LOCAL ABWA NEWS
Executive Board
meetings are open to the membership and are held the first Wednesday of every month. Location of meetings for the 2010-2011 will be announced soon.
Regular chapter meetings
are held the third Wednesday of every month. Meetings include networking, a full dinner, aspeaker on topics of interest to businesswomen, and a brief business meeting. Non-members are always welcome!
Business skills
is accepting applications for any member that has taken or would like to take a professionaldevelopment course. We will credit back any active member that would like to take an accredited course up to $250 forthe year (first come, first served) or 1/2 the cost of their class. One rule of thumb is you must pay for this personally;the course cannot be paid by your employer. We need a copy of payment, application filled out on the SBEMEF website
,class/course details and description, and a page on the college accreditation to be sent into national. If your company will pay, have them reimburse after you've made payment along with ABWA's reimbursement. It's a winwin situation! Any questions please email Wendy Adams at
We currently we have $100 left foranyone that wants to take a course over $100; this is good until the end of June.
Our speakers have been selected for Fall!
Nancy Askins
, Program/Professional Development Chair, is putting our bid together to submit to NiagaraUniversity. Look for us in the Fall Continuing Education flyer. A survey will be sent out to members to help select next winter
’
s programming.
Center of Renewal at Stella Niagara
Retreat & Conference Center on the Lower Niagara River
Nancy P. Askins, M.Ed., CMQ.OEASQ Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational ExcellenceExecutive Director (Master Trainer & Facilitator)4421 Lower River Road, Stella Niagara, New York 14144Phone716- 754-7376, Ext. 3, Fax 716-754-1223naskins@center-of-renewal.org Enjoy our Interfaith Hospitality: Call today to schedule your nextretreat or meeting with us. Ask about onsite professionaldevelopment available for your group focusing on workplacerelationships, attitudes-behaviors-communication, supervisory &management training. Baldrige-based performance improvementand more. Customize your group retreat to achieve your intendedgoals.www.center-of-renewal.org
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