September 2014

Welcome
 

Dear BWA Members;

It is my pleasure to welcome you to what promises to be another outstanding year in the history of the Broward Women’s Alliance. And speaking of history, in case you didn’t know, we are starting our 25th year of support for women in leadership. Over the summer, our Board met to discuss programming ideas for the year. We also focused on how to continue improving BWA as an organization and our ability to realize our mission of supporting women for today and tomorrow.

Our September meeting is dedicated to you, our member. Table discussion will focus on sharing your ideas for the future, and memories from the past!

One of the things we want to do this year to reinforce our mission is to bring our scholarship program front and center. In the past, we have formed our scholarship committee in the spring to review applications and award scholarships. A change for this year is to ask for volunteers to serve on the scholarship committee NOW. I will be asking the committee to report how much we have raised for scholarships- either through the donation box- or your online donations- so that everyone has an understanding of how many scholarships we will be able to award at year end.

And, speaking of the donation box, in the past, the box has served as kind of a “pay to play” portal, where members could put money in the box to be able to announce upcoming community or charitable events during “Introductions.” This portion of the program has become very lengthy. So, based on member feedback, we will be limiting everyone’s introductions to brief (15 seconds or so) comments, and encourage you to refer people to information left at the check in table.

Hopefully, you will continue to support deserving scholarship recipients by placing your donations in the box as it goes around.  As you’ve likely read in an email I sent directly to members, our reserve funds for scholarships and other operational elements have been exhausted, and this year’s fund raising efforts will dictate the number of scholarships awarded in the spring.

Another challenge to BWA is keeping our policies and procedures current. Last year, we expanded opportunities for membership, allowing multiple members from an organization- depending on size. I have asked Lorna Brown-Burton to serve as liaison to a Bylaws committee that will review our documents, incorporate last year’s change and develop recommendations for streamlining or updating any out of date language.

I will be asking for committee volunteers at the September meeting. I you are unable to attend the meeting, but are interested in serving, please contact Debbie Hartman, our association administrator, (browardwomensalliance@gmail.com) or me.

Happy 25th to one and all,

Merrie

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Meeting Information/Speaker
 

It’s a Silver Jubilee!

This fall, BWA will enter its 25th year of supporting and celebrating women leaders.  Our September meeting will be dedicated to celebrating our Silver Anniversary by taking a look at strides made by women in leadership since our founding mothers had their first lunch meeting at the Left Bank Restaurant in October, 1990.

Although there have been many advances since Tim Berners-Lee crafted the world wide web protocol (HTTP) and www language (HTML) in 1990, the need to support and celebrate women continues. Please plan on attending and contributing to the history of our organization. Happy 25th, BWA!!


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Important Registration Details

Your registration is very important to provide an accurate count for the meeting.

If you attend without registering OR you register and do not attend, you will be charged a fee.

If you must cancel after Friday,  September 5  or, if you have questions about registration you must contact Debbi Hartman at Browardwomensalliance@gmail.com or 954-483-3060.

Members, please remember that registration requires an RSVP. No shows (You or your guests) will be charged. Late registrations will be charged. If you are bringing a guest it is your responsibility to insure that their luncheon is paid for (either by you or by the guest).

The value of membership in BWA extends beyond lunch and a speaker. As a returning member, you recognize the value of the relationships you renew and those you create with other like-minded women who are the leaders in Broward County. You also recognize the importance of contributing to the academic development of other aspiring women through our Scholarship Program.

We value your membership and the time you take from your busy schedule to join us at our monthly meetings. We’re committed to making those meetings meaningful to you.

Remember, if you have an event to promote, please bring materials and place them on the registration table to share. Self-introductions have been trimmed down to better accommodate speakers.

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Member News
 

JANET ERLICK announces that after an amazing summer of three different camp programs, Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre’s 2014-2015 classes for students 4-18 years old are going strong with rolling enrollments accepted.  They excitedly announce a new western satellite location in the brand new black box theatre at The Sagemont School in Weston. This season’s offerings:  Sweeney Todd, A Christmas Carol, Cats, The Wiz and Beauty and the Beast. www.FLCT.org

MELISSA MILROY tells us that the Galleria will be hosting “Eat your Heart Out” a wine and food extravaganza benefiting The Heart Gallery of Broward County on October 9 from 6:30 – 9:30. Call Yvette DuBose at 954-918-3008 or email her at Yvette@heartgalleryofbroward.org for information.

The Broward County Centennial celebration is about to begin and the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society is hosting a centennial lecture series.  According to PATRICIA ZEILER, this is an educational series that is free and open to the public. September’s speaker is a Smithsonian fellow and significant local author Martha Steincamp.

9/8/2014 – Broward 100 Lecture Series Free/open to the public 6:00pm, Martha Gutiérrez-Steinkamp, Smithsonian Fellow Author: Spain, The Forgotten Alliance, Independence of the United States. Fort Lauderdale Historical Society Campus/New River Inn Museum, 231 SW 2nd Ave. 33301 (Lucy Bryan Room), (954) 463-4431, EXT. 12   www.fortlauderdalehistoricalsociety.org

BARBARA VAN VOAST has two items to share:

Guardian ad Litem is seeking volunteers to help advocate for abused, abandoned or neglected children. Contact Barbara Van Voast for more information. Bavanvoast@bellsouth.net

Barbara is also looking for donations of used furnishings for one of  "MyKids" empty bedroom. She is 12 years old and only has a bed in her room. Please let Barbara know if you can help.

ELLEN SCHULMAN tells us that the Broward Education Foundation will present the 2014 Hall of Fame Distinguished Alumni Awards Breakfast on Wednesday October 22 at The Global Dish at 301 E. Broward Boulevard. For more information call 754-321-2033 or visit www.browardedfoundation.org.

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.

RUTH SPIEGEL has been selected to be honored as one of the South Florida Business Journal’s 2014 Influential Business Women Awards. Join us as we recognize women in South Florida that have made unique contributions to our community and the business world. Congratulations Ruth!

When: Friday, September 5, 2014, 11:30am-1:30pm Add to my calendar, Where: The Signature Grand 6900 State Road 84 Davie FL 33317

CHRIS MADSEN shares this news from Mad 4 Marketing:

Mad 4 Marketing moved its offices to a new location and the address is: 5255 NW 33 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309. Ma 4 Marketing was recently awarded Agency of Record for palm Beach State College; the company has also provided a new brand awareness campaign and tagline for the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.

Fun Day on the Runway – South Runway Opening Events comes to us via MARIA SOLDANI:

Saturday September 6, from 10 am to 2 pm

• Tours of the elevated runway
• Aviation exhibits
• Food trucks
• Entertainment
• Children’s Activities
• Free admission and parking

For more information call 954-359-6100 ext. 0 or email FLLAdministration@broward.org

NANCY OLSON who is certified as a Water Fitness Instructor, earned a second certification this summer as an Aquatic Fitness Personal Trainer.  She can now work with individuals in addition to groups.  She teaches at Pine Island Pool in Davie and subs at Central Park in Plantation.  Nancy continues to teach part-time at the Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University.