October 2014

Welcome
 

“To make democracy work, we must be a nation of participants, not simply observers. One who does not vote has no right to complain.”      Louis L'Amour

Dear Members,

               As women in leadership positions across the region, we are often influence, or at least broaden, the thinking of others.  This month’s meeting is dedicated to helping you become informed and engaged in discussing the state and local initiatives appearing on the November ballot (or earlier if you take advantage of the opportunity to vote early or absentee). As a courtesy to our speakers, and to insure that we can cover the topic in the time allotted, we will have a plated lunch and hold self-introductions until after the program. With time drawing down to the election, I am thrilled that the League of Women Voters and the Children’s Services Council have added us to their very busy speaking schedule.

               In addition to celebrating the position of our members as community leaders, BWA’s mission includes support for “Women in Transition.” This we do by raising money to award as scholarships to deserving women seeking to achieve through education.  We need your help in two respects. First, we are looking for more scholarship committee members. Second, we want to encourage you to donate to the scholarship fund.

               Establishing the committee early in the year will help focus fund raising efforts and set targets for the number of scholarships to fund. And speaking of the committee, we need your thoughts on fund raising. Our roving scholarship box is always available at meetings for your donation, and you can donate to our scholarship fund online via credit card. But, we need to do more to meet our traditional goal of funding 3-5 scholarships.  So many BWA members are engaged in fund raising, I just know that if we put our collective experience together, we can surely figure out some new ways to generate funds. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact me.

               Thanks to Hillary Gurman, our VP-Programs, for the 25th anniversary decor at our September meeting.  Special thanks to Diane Hatcher for working so diligently with Sun-Sentinel business writer Cindy Kent to get our Board listed in the Sunday “On The Move” page of the section. And, because October is our actual anniversary month, I’ll have a special gift for everyone who attends the meeting. See you October 6!!

Merrie Meyers            

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Meeting Information/Speaker

Please note this is a change in meeting date to October 6

The 2014 general election ballot will include county-wide and state wide ballot initiatives that, if passed, will impact programs and policies at the state and local level. This month’s meeting will include several featured speakers, including; Cindy Arenberg Seltzer, CEO of the Children’s Services Council and Cynthia Busch, First Vice Chair of the Broward Democratic Party, who will discuss the local Broward County issues, and representatives from the Broward Chapter of the League of Women Voters, who will provide us with an overview of the three items that items that will be voted on statewide. Come hear the pros and cons on these ballot questions.

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Important Registration Details

**Please note this is a change in meeting date.**

On line registration closes Wednesday October 1st.

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, October 1st or, if you have questions about registration you must contact Debbi Hartman at Browardwomensalliance@gmail.com or954-483-3060.

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Member News
 

From Janet Erlick - Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd!  Featuring one of the most masterful and chilling scores for the theatre, this Tony-winning production is next up for the talented teens of Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre.  October 24-November 8, 2014    Call 954-763-6882.

Nancy Olson is inviting members of BWA to attend Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Nova Southeastern University.  The women’s volleyball team takes on the University of Tampa.  Admission is “free.”  You just have to show up for the 7:00 PM match and sign a guest list for “Friends of Nancy Olson.”  The match takes place in the Don Taft University Center on the main campus in Davie.  The first 150 attendees get a free pink t-shirt.  If you want to join Nancy and other friends for a pre-game meal, head to Crispers at 5:00 PM.  Crispers is located at 5810 South University Drive on the northeast corner of University Drive and Stirling Road.  We will caravan up to NSU from there and have a fun evening.  If you have any questions, please call Nancy at (954) 383-1132 or email her at onancy@nova.edu.

The Salvation Army's Red Shield ReDesign Bash will take place on November 6 at The Venue in Wilton Manors. Guest host will be Taniya Nayak of HGTV and Food Network fame. Twenty five amateur and professional “ReDesigners” will repurpose and donate a piece of furniture to be auctioned at the event. Join us for an evening of great design, food, cocktails and fun to support the Salvation Army’s new Open Door Project for people who are sleeping on the streets of Fort Lauderdale. For information contact Sally Gress at 954-712-2431 or visit www.SalvationArmyBroward.org.

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. On November 20th, 2014 we will have our 3rd Annual Executive Sleep Out.  In a statement of solidarity and open-hearted generosity, local executives will take to the streets with a cardboard box and a sleeping bag to emulate homelessness. The night includes dinner with the residents at the shelter, a round table discussion with the youth and a tour of the agency followed by sleeping in our back parking lot.  This fundraising event speaks the most to our mission and raises awareness of youth homelessness.

Also, save the date for our extravagant “Night of Broadway Stars” on Saturday, February 21st, 2015 at Broward Center for the Performing Arts. 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 on these events and Covenant House Florida visit www.CovenantHouseFL.org or email Elisa Stone at estone@covenanthousefl.org.

Dina Bellows shares with you the following:  My firm, Bellows Associates has received certification of a CBE (Community Business Enterprise) and an approved Broward County Vendor.  We are excited that this will allow us to provide auditing and accounting services to an expanded base in Broward County.

From Dorothy Klein: Thank you, Diane Hatcher, for dropping off teddy bears to be given to disadvantaged preschoolers during this December’s Books ‘n’ Bears at the Holidays program at Broward County libraries. If you’d like to help this project by donating medium-sized bears, I’ll be happy to take them at the October and November BWA meetings. Otherwise, you can drop them off anytime this fall at libraries throughout the county.

The Broward Public Library Foundation invites you to “An Evening With Carl Hiaasen” from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale. Hiaasen, a 2014 National Book Award Nominee, is the author of a new book for teenagers, Skink – No Surrender. Tickets are $75, and include cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Proceeds benefit teen programs at Broward County Library, including free SAT/ACT prep classes for high school students. Call 954-357-7382 or visit www.bplfoundation.org to purchase tickets.

Maria Soldani shares this: Girl Rising South Florida invites you to learn how we can change the world! “Educating girls can break the cycle of poverty in just one generation. Learn more on October 25, 2:30 PM at the Hollywood Central Performing Arts Center, Hollywood.

Advanced ticket sales will be $85 and at door day of $100  Contact Marta Prado at mprado9887@aol.com OR Elizabeth Sanjuan at esgallery2014@gmail.com For sponsorship opportunities or for more details!