Contents

April Luncheon

Program Speaker

From the President

March Luncheon Photos

Members doing Business with Members

Grapevine: News and Notes about WEC Members

WEC Roars at Miami Metrozoo

Book Club

Cannon Circle

Enchanted April

Women Empowering Women

Community News

Bylaws Change

Proposed WEC Board 2008-2009

Closing Thought

WEC Board of Directors

Luncheons and Board Meetings

April Luncheon

Date: Time:	Wednesday, April 16, 2008 11:30 Networking 12:00 Luncheon
Place:	Tower Club, 28th floor One Financial Plaza in the Regions Bank Building Click here for directions
Program   Speaker:	Judge Gisele Pollack
Guest Cost:	cost $30. Members are responsible for Guests.
Menu:	Chicken Salad served with mixed greens, pasta salad and fresh fruit garnish or Cold Poached Salmon with mixed greens, pasta salad and fresh fruit garnish Key lime pie with a raspberry sauce
RSVP to:	Please RSVP (including your menu choice) by Thursday, April 10 to rsvp@wecftl.com We appreciate your RSVPs! To assist Susie administratively, please put “WEC Lunch” in the subject line.

Program Speaker                                     
Judge Gisele Pollack 

Gisele Pollack graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami in 1978 and with a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami Law School in 1981. As a practicing attorney for nearly twenty-five (25) years, Gisele specialized in criminal law, and was the senior Assistant Public Defender in the Adult Felony Drug Court of Fort Lauderdale, Florida for ten (10) years. Gisele Pollack was elected county-wide as Broward County Court Judge on August 31, 2004.

Judge Gisele Pollack serves the community as a member of the Board of Governors for the United Way of Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse (UWBCCSA), Fort Lauderdale’s anti-drug coalition; a board member of  the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Advisory Board (B.A.R.C); a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Carver Ranches, an advisory board member for the Junior  League of Greater Fort Lauderdale (JLGFL), women building better communities; member of the Broward Workshop Community Justice Committee; advisory board member of Susan B. Anthony residential treatment program for women and their children, the Urban League of Broward County Youth Empowerment Program; and maintains memberships with numerous community organizations.

Judge Pollack is a member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals; and Vice-Chair of the Executive Board of the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals.  She has been a faculty member for the Justice Management Institute (JMI) and the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI).  Judge Pollack instituted the first Misdemeanor Marijuana Drug Court in the Country September 9, 2005 which she continues to preside over. Judge Pollack received the Lifetime Achievement Award in October 2007 for National Recovery Month in Broward County, Florida.

Tower Club Update

Please remember that the parking garage will only be accessible via SE 2nd Street.

From the President

“Wow!”  “ Fabulous!” “What fun!”  These are just a few of the exclamations I heard after our March luncheon. We had a fantastic turnout – 98 – a WEC record. Thank you to:

• Jan Bullard, our VP of Membership, who went above and beyond organizing the day and welcoming our guests.
• Ronnie Karlin, our VP of Community Involvement, who secured Ron Magill from Metrozoo as our speaker.
• Jenny Kelly, our VP of Internal Involvement, and Susie King, our RSVP guru, who made sure check-in went smoothly.
• Edie Hoppe, Dee Moustakas and Patrice Maenza, who spoke from their hearts about what WEC means to them.
• Betsy Grant, our party girl, who supplied daisies for the guests.
• Everyone who invited guests.

It’s very easy to showcase such a great organization when so many dynamic women are involved. It was inspiring to hear how long some of our members have been in WEC. And it was a treat to see women in suits and dresses holding and petting a snake.

Vanessa Koutalidis introduced the women who have been nominated for next year’s board. There is also a mention later in the newsletter about it. If you have not been nominated and are interested in serving on the board, please contact Vanessa. If you are interested in getting more involved, but don’t want to serve on the board next year, please contact Vanessa about our many committees.

Vivien Godfrey hosted the March Cannon Circle at her home. Guests sampled cheeses, English delicacies, homemade cookies (did you know Vivien used to work for Pillsbury?) and Dove chocolates. There’s nothing more relaxing than looking out someone’s front windows and seeing 90’ yachts.

Don’t miss our next luncheon, Wednesday, April 16th, when our speaker will be The Honorable Gisele Pollack. Judge Pollack is an inspiration to all women and anyone who had to struggle to succeed. Mini Jewahar from Merrill Lynch will have a business showcase.

March Luncheon Photos

Thanks to our photographer, Joni Rosenthal! More photos are posted on our WEC Web Album.

Members Doing Business with Members

Dee Moustakas did a wonderful job yet again for Ritter’s Printing. She helped us with copywriting our new brochure as well as our updated website. Please visit rittersprinting.com. I highly recommend Dee’s services!  From Jenny Kelly.

The Executive Grapevine: news and notes about WEC members.

Joni Rosenthal wins more awards!                 

The first award received by Joni was in 2004 for "Outstanding Achievement in Amateur Photography”.  The second award was presented in 2007 as the “Editor's Choice Award” (mentioned in last month’s newsletter).  

These mean a lot to Joni and she provides the following:
 “The first award was a photo of my puppy Mignion and Cat Boule. They were hand in hand together as one devoted pair.  The other was a picture of one of my Sunday school students with her Grandmother. I had sent a copy with the handbag cut out and for some reason it now shows with the horrible handbag in the photo which to me is very disconcerting. I am very proud to have received these awards.  It just shows me that I CAN DO IT, if I set my mind to creating beautiful situations. This is why I adore taking pictures at our luncheons with a pure passion, my DANCE OF LIFE”.

Jan Bullard won 2nd in Show at the Fort Lauderdale Garden Club - Horticulture Division which was held at Birch State Park on March 8th and 9th.  Jan won four blue ribbons and one silver ribbon, and an engraved bowl that stays on display at the garden center with a smaller version for her home garden.  Congratulations Jan!

Lee E. Sheffield is happy to share that Sterling Bank has opened their new Banking facility at 1201 South Andrews Avenue, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316.  Lee shares that it is gorgeous and was certainly worth the wait.

Shana Munden says “Please note that my Fabulous Florida Follies has completed four sold out shows with the last show scheduled for March 30th in Boca Raton.  All funds go to children with aids and in need…a great cause...and of course I am dancing in the shows....see you at the next luncheon!”

Pam Dearden, our VP of Special Events will be receiving the 2008 ArtServe Encore Award in the category of Arts Administrator.  The award recognizes an administrator of the arts who has developed and facilitated progressive art and cultural programming that has made a significant impact in the community.  

This award and the awardees for Individual Leadership, Business Leadership, Government Leadership, Arts Collaboration, Artist of the Year and the Moretti Award for Cultural Excellence will be recognized at the 19th Annual ArtServe Encore Awards Luncheon on May 16th at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66.  If you are interested in receiving an invitation to the luncheon or would like to place a business ad in the luncheon program, please contact ArtServe at 954-462-8190.  Kudos Pam!

Dr. Cynthia Hardy is now seeing patients in Sunrise as well as in Ft. Lauderdale.  The office where she has practiced for over seven years with Dr. Robert Shepard merged with the practice of Dr. Jon Jacobs on March 1st.  Dr. Jacobs received recognition as Broward County Optometrist of the Year, Florida Optometrist of the Year, and Florida Optometrist of the Decade so Cynthia feels honored to have received an invitation to join a group of such respected doctors.  The office is known as Vision Source of East Broward which is a national network of over 1750 premier private optometric practices.    Good luck Cynthia!

Jan Herard received a prestigious Coldwell Banker’s award for being a top producer in 2007.  Jan qualified for The International Diamond Society Award that places her in the top 4.4% of all Coldwell Banker & NRT Sales Associates Nationwide and also received certification for handling Short Sales.  Way to go Jan!

WEC Roars at Miami Metrozoo

They ventured down the Turnpike practically to Homestead on a gloomy Saturday; only to be surprised with a beautiful sunny day in Miami…Over 50 family members and friends joined WEC members for a fantastic field trip to the Miami Metrozoo. 

Even though the weather seemed a little threatening, it was beautiful, cool and sunny for our band of adventurers.  Everyone met about 10:00am for entrance to the zoo, then convened later for lunch at the lovely Lakeside Grill.  Next, it was “onward ho” for a private tram tour of the zoo.  

Everyone had a roarin’ good time so see more pictures of what you missed if you couldn’t join us!
Pam Dearden, Social VP

Quote of the Month

“To me success means effectiveness in the world, that I am able to carry my ideas and values into the world -- that I am able to change it in positive ways”
 Maxine Hong Kingston

Book Club

Join the “bookies” April 7th at Jan Herard’s home starting at 6:30pm. 
Featured book:  The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck
Please RSVP to Jan if you can make, bring a dish, and share in some lively discussions!

Cannon Circle

Hold the date:  April 24th.  Deb McLaughlin and Jan Mayer-Rodriguez will host a “Spring Fling” at Jan’s home, 3401 NW 122 Ave, Sunrise (by the Sawgrass Mall) from 6pm – 9pm.  Please RSVP to Jan@peopletekcoaching.com.

Enchanted April

Dear Fabulous Women!!!

You are Invited to
"ENCHANTED APRIL"
One of the best chick flicks of all time!
(4 women fall under the spell of a medieval villa on the Italian coast, sheer bliss from
fade in to fade out, with Joan Plowright and Jim Broadbent)

Tuesday, April 29th
7:00 P.M. - hors d' oeuvres wine (cash bar)
(please bring your favorite hors d' oeurves to share)
8 p.m. FREE Movie

You will also receive a complimentary movie pass for a future film

CINEMA PARADISO
503 SE 6th Street
Ft. lauderdale, FL

(Go south through tunnel, Right at 1st light, 1st Right to 6th)
(free parking in garage west of theater)
RSVP ASAP to Jan Bullard
954-448-4822 or insdollie@aol.com

Community News: Cooperative Feeding Program Update

Marti Forman, CEO of the Cooperative Feeding Program was the guest speaker at our February luncheon.  Poverty, hunger and suffering are all harsh realities of the hard economic times we are all going through.  Marti is soliciting WEC volunteers to get involved with the program, welcomes ideas for fund raisers, and requests silent auction items valued at $50+. 

Please contact Jan Bullard at 954-448-4822 if you can help, have any questions or want to share ideas.  

Proposed Bylaws Change

"The nominations for the following year's board will be announced to the membership in March and voted upon at the April luncheon. "

Proposed WEC Board 2008-2009

Here is the proposed board we will be voting on at the April meeting.

President	Vanessa Koutalidis Island City Chiropractic
Past President	Melissa Rapkin, Documents2Disc Ambassador Committee Canon Circles Business Showcases
President Elect/ VP Internal Involvement	Jenny Kelly, Ritter’s Printing Programs Committee Greetings Committee Newsletter, Book Club
VP Corporate Records	Michelle Case Citigroup Smith Barney Corporate Records Historian By-Laws Committee
VP Finance	Kim Serra-Rivera, Regent Bank Budget Dues collection
VP Community Involvement	Rose Gershon Pre Paid Legal Services Mentorship (FX) Program Women Empowering Women (WEW) Community Outreach Public Relations
VP Membership	Jan Bullard, JP Financial Services Membership Committee Membership Luncheon Directory Webmaster
VP Events	Virginia Howard MS/LMHC Social Committee Fun raiser or Fund raiser GEM Events

Closing Thought

“The young do not know enough to be prudent, and therefore they attempt the impossible -- and achieve it, generation after generation”.
  – Pearl S. Buck   

WEC Board of Directors
2007-2008

President	Melissa Rapkin, Documents2Disc
Past President	Vivien Godfrey Blue Water Books and Charts Ambassador Committee Canon Circles Business Showcases
President Elect/ VP Corporate Records	Vanessa Koutalidis Island City Chiropractic Corporate Records Historian By-Laws Committee
VP Finance	Kim Serra-Rivera, Regent Bank Budget Dues collection
VP Community Involvement	Ronnie Karlin, ComCorp, Consultant/Talent Acquisition Mentorship (FX) Program Women Empowering Women (WEW) Community Outreach Public Relations
VP Internal Involvement	Jenny Kelly, Ritter’s Printing Programs Committee Greetings Committee Newsletter Book Club
VP Membership	Jan Bullard, JP Financial Services Membership Committee Membership Luncheon Directory Webmaster
VP Events	Pam Dearden, Gold Coast Jazz Society Social Committee Fun raiser or Fund raiser GEM Events

All contact information is available for WEC members on our Members Only website. If you are a member and you don't have a name and password, you can contact Chris Guld for more information.

2007-08 Luncheon Dates

Luncheons:

Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Membership Attendance: