ContentsGrapevine: News and Notes about WEC Members May Luncheon
Program Speaker: Dr. Gary BrownManager of Conferencing for Broward County Public Schools Conferencing Services provides the technical expertise and essential support services to maintain one of the nations’ largest distance learning networks used to enhance student learning in the K-12 environment. But the school district is not the only beneficiary of the Conferencing Services department’s expertise. For Floridians, the 2004 hurricane season proved to be one of the most destructive in its history. With Florida’s National Guard resources stretched thin due to the Iraq conflict, the Conferencing Services department proactively provided collaborative network tools for interagency communication throughout Broward County and the state. By using their telecommunication services and expertise, Brown’s team supported both the Florida National Guard and the Broward Emergency Response Team during each storm crisis. Responder efforts were greatly enhanced in directing needed resources to the field rather than having to physically report to a central office. The emergency agencies saved seven to 10 days of travel and reporting time by transmitting real-time intelligence information and damage assessments through audio bridges. Dr. Brown received his Doctor of Education in Instructional Technology and Distance Education from The Fischler School of Education and Human Services in 1999; master of arts degree in education, specializing in environmental science, from Archadia College, Glenside, PA; and bachelor of science in education from Temple University, Philadelphia. He has served as an adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University, and as an evaluator/consultant for South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow’s Digital Network Conclave; and was a recipient of the Florida Commendation Medal from the Florida National Guard for the 2004 hurricane season. He presents regularly at conferences on distance technology in education. Tower Club UpdatePlease remember that the parking garage will only be accessible via SE 2nd Street. From the President
At our April luncheon, we learned about the importance of drug court, how much money it saves taxpayers and how much it affects the futures of young lives in our community. Jan Mayer-Rodriguez and Deb McLaughlin hosted the April Cannon Circle at Jan’s house. The champagne punch was addictive (trust me!!). Deb – Martha Stewart to those of use who watched her create some of her goodies – needs to have her own television show. She transformed boxed cookies into creative dessert treats and turned a bundt cake into a daisy – right before our eyes. Jan showed us photos of the house she’s building in Tennessee and invited us all to visit her. (Not really, but if enough of us ask, maybe she’ll have a Cannon Circle there next year!) You probably don’t want to hear this, but hurricane season is less than a month away. Our May speaker will be Dr. Gary Brown, Manager of Conferencing for Broward County Public Schools. He will be discussing hurricane preparation in the school system. I hope you’ll all join us so we can learn how our children are staying safe. (He may even have some tips for the rest of us.) Don’t forget to save the date June 14th for our annual retreat. Vanessa Koutalidis has planned an exciting day at Duncan Center, including a tour of Morikami Japanese Gardens. This is a great way for new members to get to know everyone and learn more about all that WEC has to offer. I don’t have to convince seasoned members to attend – we all know how much fun retreats are. Melissa Rapkin
April Luncheon PhotosThanks to our photographer, Joni Rosenthal! More photos are posted on our WEC Web Album.
Members Doing Business with MembersDee 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. Dee also helped me with my latest magazine article submission, “Free Computer Tools for Travelers.” With her help, I know the article uses all the right words, and is clean and correct! Thanks Dee! From Chris Guld.
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Dr. Gary Brown is the Manager of Conferencing Services for the Broward County Public Schools in Fort Lauderdale Florida. Gary relocated to South Florida from the Philadelphia area in 1989. He is the single father of a daughter who is in her Junior year at Northwestern University.
We all know women who have overcome hardship in their lives. Some of us have experienced it. But it’s inspiring when we hear someone like Judge Gisele Pollack talk about how far she has come. It’s exhilarating when we hear how many young people she has helped stay out of jail and stay off of drugs. I don’t think even she understands how many lives she touches. 
The
Executive Grapevine: news and notes about WEC members. 
Pat McCarthy (WEW) graduates May 2nd from Florida Atlantic University with two degrees; one a BA in Art History and the other a BFA in Painting and Graphic Design. Congratulations Pat! How nice to get rewarded for your hard work, diligence, and passion!
Deb McLaughlin has been accepted into the first phase of the Episcopal Diaconate program with the title of “Aspirant to the Diaconate”. She preached her first sermon on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). It was entitled “One Foot Makes a Difference” based on the Last Supper, and included foot washing (when the Master becomes a servant), and the Greatest Commandment “To Love One Another”. Deb also met the first woman Presiding Bishop of the United States of the Episcopal Church - Katherine Jefferts Shori; and participated in Kairos, a women’s prison ministry weekend at BCI (Broward Correctional Institute). How lucky we are to have such an array of devotion and passion. 
Martha Lord is chairing the Women’s Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce's Scholarship Program. The group will give scholarships to deserving women who are pursuing a degree and can demonstrate financial need. If you know any candidates, please ask them to contact Martha at 954-527-6214 or 
Virginia Howard shares: I spent 2 glorious weeks in Spain this month; we began in Madrid and saw a great show of Modigliani at Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and of course, Goya and Velasquez at the Prado; then on to Toledo where we saw el Greco and I had violet ice cream. The fast train to Seville was very posh and Seville was my favorite city with the flamenco, bullfight, cathedral, alcazar; the Moorish and Spanish architecture was awesome; then on to Cordoba for lunch, and to Granada and the Alhambra; Barcelona was very exciting with the Picasso and Joan Miro Museums. But the highlight was the Gaudi church and architecture. On the last day I went to Montserrat and saw the Black Madonna...a perfect end to a great vacation and reunion with many of the folks I travel with. (the creativity and madness groups for people in psychiatry who love the arts). Wish you were there................Virginia
Chris will park her RV at the Bluewater Books & Charts store| President | Melissa Rapkin, Documents2Disc |  |
| Past President | Vivien Godfrey Ambassador Committee |
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| President Elect/ VP Corporate Records |
Vanessa Koutalidis Corporate Records |
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| VP Finance | Kim Serra-Rivera, Budget |
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| VP Community Involvement | Ronnie Karlin, ComCorp, Consultant/Talent Acquisition Mentorship (FX) Program |
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| VP Internal Involvement | Jenny Kelly, Programs Committee |
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| VP Membership | Jan Bullard, Membership Committee |
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| VP Events | Pam Dearden, Social Committee |
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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:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Membership Attendance:
The membership requirement is to attend a minimum of five (5) club events every year in order to maintain regular membership. This is calculated on a fiscal year basis (i.e. August-June, not calendar year).
The purpose of Women's Executive Club is to give executives the opportunity
of fellowship with their peers in diverse fields; to promote the image
of the woman executive; to further the interrelationships of such executives
and to promote the general welfare of their businesses and community.