February 2015

Welcome
 

Dear Fellow BWA Colleagues and Friends;

               When I got up this morning, I heard that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow (which doesn’t surprise me considering the size of his top hat), which suggests six more weeks of winter. But, not to worry, we have a plan to bring a little sunshine into BWA!

               This month’s program is dedicated to you, our wonderful members! Based on feedback from the last two years, we know that you are very interested in spending more time talking to each other. Our wonderful at-large members, Janet Erlick, has crafted and drafted some thought provoking questions to help you share some of your thoughts about your professional life. After all, this is a business women’s networking organization, and other than the few (15-20) minutes we spend in the buffet line with each other most of us just don’t have the opportunity to learn more about each other’s professional practice. But, you will when you join us this month!

               Thanks to the hard work of our membership committee, we have experienced a steady stream of new members joining our ranks. As a result, the Board will be holding a new member orientation prior to the meeting. Members who joined late last year or any time over the summer or fall have been contacted and invited to come to the Tower Club a little early to learn more about BWA, it’s committees and its accomplishments.

               And speaking of accomplishments, in the past, we have been really successful at awarding scholarships to women who want to return to school. It’s not too late to add your support to this effort. In addition to the scholarship box, which is passed each meeting, you can also make a credit card donation via our website.  We are also going to start another “fund raising” opportunity that we think you’ll like. We will be piloting a “50-50” at the February meeting to see if this is something you would like to use to raise scholarship funds.

               The scholarship committee, led by at-large member, Tracy Carroll, is meeting to put the finishing touches on the 2015 scholarship application. Once the document gets the final polish, it will be sent to you, our members, and area colleges and universities. Typically our scholarship is about $1,000 to each recipient, and we only give out what we have raised. Scholarship recipients will be selected in May and recognized at the June meeting.

               March, April and May are shaping up to be interesting discussions on social services, culture and empowering women. If you are interested in assisting in developing the Women’s Empowerment program (which will be most likely in May), please let me know. Together we can do so much!

Fondly,

Merrie


Meeting Information/Speaker

Happy February, where love is in the air…  Come join your BWA community for in-depth conversations and roundtable sharing about your love of what you do, as we network personally and professionally to support one another and strengthen relationships.  Questions and table topics will give you the chance to reflect on and recommit to the best parts of your work life, past, present and future. February 9.


Important Registration Details
 

On line registration closes Wednesday February 4.

Your on-line registration is very important to provide an accurate count.   If you attend without registering OR you register and do not attend, you will be charged a fee.

If you must cancel after Wednesday or  if you have questions about registration you must contact Debbi Hartman at Browardwomensalliance@gmail.com or954-483-3060.

Member News
 

Ellen Schulman Named Cancer Treatment Centers of America Director of Public Affairs

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global® (CTCA), a national network of five hospitals that treat patients fighting complex or advanced-stage cancer, today announced the appointment of Ellen Crane Schulman, APR, as director of public affairs.   The company, which employs more than 5,500 people nationwide, recently relocated its headquarters to Boca Raton. Schulman served most recently as president of a public relations firm she founded in 2000.   The firm is being merged into Fort Lauderdale-based Pierson Grant Public Relations, a full service public relations agency that handles clients nationwide. Congratulations, Ellen.

Dorothy Klein wants to thank Dina Bellows Levine and Merrie Meyers for offering to host a Night of Literary Feasts dinner with a best-selling author on Saturday, March 29, for the benefit of the Broward Public Library Foundation. The Literary Feast “season” begins Friday, Feb. 20 with LitLUNCH! featuring Food & Wine magazine editor Dana Cowin. $75 tickets are still available for the lunch, to be held at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Pier Top. Thank you to the BWA members who are already supporting this event. https://www.bplfoundation.org/luncheon-course-literary-feast.php

A note from Ruth Spiegel

“ A thriving organization’s life extends beyond that of any one of its members.  BWA exists because of the invaluable contribution of past members and continues to thrive as a result of the contribution of current members. Carrying that thought forward, BWA will thrive, grow and contribute to the professional and personal well-being of our members through recruitment.   I encourage each of our members to act as an emissary for BWA and share our message of growth and support with like-minded women leaders in your circle of influence. Your guests will be welcomed at our meetings and enjoy a wonderful lunch and lively conversation. I’m available to assist in any way in your effort to reach out to someone you feel would contribute to BWA” 

Also from Ruth

“Happy Valentine’s Day! There’s no sweeter message than Chocolate Dipped Strawberries and Truffles from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. For information and to order, please call Cold Stone Creamery/Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Coconut Creek at 954 977-9555

Dr. Donna Goldstein was thrilled to have won a 2 hr. consultation with   the world renowned  interior designer Barbara Van Voast at our Dec. meeting auction- JUST IN TIME  for the new home my hubby and I purchased that week! She did a  fabulous job  (amidst all the boxes and renovation debris) and gave us many  excellent suggestions.  We were most grateful and would highly recommend her services!

From Gladys Sznajderman WATCHING SCHOOL DUEL on BECON TV

The fifth season of School Duel airs every Thursday at 7pm on BECON-TV, Comcast Channel 19 and DIRECTV, AT&T U-Verse and DISH Channel 63, beginning Thursday, January 29, 2015. Repeat airings take place on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. and Sundays at 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The Championship match first airs on Thursday, June 4th, 2015. The entire season will be rebroadcast, in chronological order, during the summer and the following fall in preparation for next season’s show.

SCHOOL DUEL  is a locally produced, academic based television quiz show that rewards and showcases intellectual talent in South Florida High Schools and serves as a positive educational tool for students. For more information on School Duel, visit (www.schoolduel.tv) or (www.becon.tv).

WOMEN IN DISTRESS TAKES A STEP TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

16TH ANNUAL SAFEWALK-RUN 5K PRESENTED BY POLLO TROPICAL MOVES TO NSU, EXPECTS 1,200+ SUPPORTERS

Women In Distress of Broward County, Inc. is hosting its 16th Annual SAFEWALK-RUN 5K Presented by Pollo Tropical on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) in Davie.  This is the first time the event is being held at NSU, as it was previously held at Tradewinds Park in Deerfield Beach. 

More than 1,200 community members (and their four-legged friends) will take to the pavement to raise awareness about domestic violence and help Women In Distress reach its goal of raising $140,000, which can provide nearly 1,500 nights of safe shelter for adults and children affected by domestic violence.  Registration begins at 7:30 am. Celebrity guests, the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, will kick off the event with a warm up, followed by timed race for runners and a more leisurely stroll for walkers, strollers and dogs at 9:00am.

SAFEWALK participants will enjoy a complimentary breakfast, t-shirt and goodie bag. Kids can enjoy a variety of fun activities and everyone can visit local vendors within our vendor village.  Thank you to our sponsors, including Pollo Tropical, Sun Sentinel, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., SE Toyota, Macy’s, Miami Dolphins,  Kelsey Group, ADT, Hays Companies, Norwegian Cruise Line, FPL, Memorial Healthcare System, Thomas Family Foundation, Comcast, Hits 97.3, and Easy 93.1 for helping keep families safe.

“This year, Women In Distress is excited to celebrate our 40th anniversary by hosting our annual SAFEWALK-RUN at Nova Southeastern University.  We appreciate the longstanding support that we have received from the community as approximately 1,200 individuals will participate in the event. One step at a time, we can work to alleviate domestic violence and assist families transition into a safe, non-violent life,” said President and CEO Mary Riedel. Register now at http://safewalk2015.kintera.org and your registration fee can make a difference such as providing the cost of answering two calls for help on our 24-Hour Crisis Hotline.  

May 13, 2015 is the date for Women In Distress’ 9th Annual Starfish Luncheon

Join us for our 9th Annual Starfish Luncheon. Enjoy a delicious lunch, a fabulous silent auction, and wonderful raffle prizes. All proceeds will benefit Women In Distress and help us continue to provide critical services to families affected by domestic violence. 11:00 AM – Signature Grand in Davie, FL Click here to purchase your ticket or sponsorship. Click here to view the sponsorship packet.

For more information on the Starfish Luncheon, contact Mary Helen Olejnik at (954) 760-9800 ext. 1244 or via e-mail at mholejnik@womenindistress.org.

Elisa Stone tell us that Covenant House Florida, a shelter for youth under the age of 21 including young moms and their babies, has some exciting upcoming events in the next few months.  We have a monthly luncheon the first Wednesday of every month called “Mission Possible”.  The luncheon is free and is only an hour, 12:30-1:30. The guests will learn the history of Covenant House Florida, hear from one of our residents and receive a tour of the agency.

Covenant House Florida will have the 5th Annual “Night of Broadway Stars” on Saturday, February 21st, 2015 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts where we will celebrate 30 years serving the youth in our community. The night includes lavish dinner stations, cocktails and an elegant silent auction, followed by a spectacular Broadway performance that you’ll never forget followed by a dessert reception. For more information visit www.CovenantHouseFL.org or email Elisa Stone at estone@covenanthousefl.org

SAVE THE DATE:  Third Annual Cliff Floyd Charity Bowling Tournament is April 19, 2015 at SpareZ in Davie.  The event benefits Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities and scholarships for Sport Management students at NSU.  Nancy Olson’s Facilities and Event class plans and produces the event as a class project. 

The Salvation Army’s MOST Amazing Race will take place on Saturday March 21. Teams of 2 will race around downtown Ft. Lauderdale and the beach, deciphering clues and completing challenges. The race will begin and end at Laura Ward Plaza on the Riverwalk and will raise money for Salvation Army shelters. To register: http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/MostAmazingRace-FortLauderdale/  For information call Sally Gress at 954-712-2431.