ContentsNew Members: Carol McKeever, Jenette Mathai and Karen Rowe Grapevine: News and Notes about WEC Members June Luncheon
Guest Speaker- Gail Smith
Gail has written over fifty books for pianists with Mel Bay Publications, Inc. and has numerous books with other publishers as well. She has composed hundreds of piano solos, vocal solos, a piano trio, two cantatas and an 8 hand piano quartet. Gail has written numerous articles for Clavier magazine and other music periodicals. She was the first woman to perform in the Bolivar Concert Hall at the Embassy of Venezuela in Washington D.C. performing the works of Teresa Carreno. Tower Club UpdatePlease remember that the parking garage will only be accessible via SE 2nd Street. Annual RetreatDo you need a break from looming $4 gas prices, conversations about recession, massive natural disasters, wars, presidential elections and so on..? Would you like some space to just simply be? Schedule of Events 9-9:30 am: Enjoy a light continental breakfast, coffee, tea & juice. Cost is $35 per member. Dress comfortably. All activities are designed to accommodate all ability levels. Carpooling is available. RSVP to Vanessa Koutalidis by Monday June 2nd by calling (954) 566-1349 or replying to the email- or emailing vanessa@islandcitychiropractic.com. Location: The Duncan Center Directions: Take I-95 north to Linton Blvd. exit and head west to What to bring: Comfortable clothes that you can move in, shorts and sneakers are ok, and a light snack if needed between classes if you are susceptible to blood sugar fluctuations, but there will be food from breakfast. WEC BY-LAW CHANGEWEC President Vanessa Koutalidis shares the following: The VP of Internal Involvement will now be responsible for entering the meeting attendance on the website following the luncheonFrom the President
Once again, Vivien Godfrey and Chris Guld hosted a great Cannon Circle at Vivien’s business, Bluewater Books & Charts. It was both a business and home Cannon Circle, since Chris drove her home to Vivien’s business!
Don’t miss our annual retreat on June 14th at Duncan Center. Vanessa Koutalidis has planned a relaxing day away from it all. Among the fun: Tai Chi, labyrinth meditation, chair yoga and chair massages. I strongly recommend all new members attend. This is a great way to meet other members and learn more about WEC. Seasoned members know what a great event this will be. Many members, including me, have never missed a retreat. Our last luncheon of the year, on June 17th, will feature Gail Smith, a noted pianist. The “First Lady of Piano” has authored dozens of books and published hundreds of piano compositions. She will be speaking and, best of all, entertaining us. This is my last letter as your president. My goal in leading WEC was to leave it better than I found it, and I believe I have succeeded. We welcomed 15 new members this year. That’s 20 percent growth – remarkable in this economy. And our legacy continues, with 10 women who have been members over 20 years. Our finances remain strong – and in order. This month we will approve our largest budget ever. I initiated some new traditions, including showing photos at the beginning of each luncheon. We enjoyed many “extras” this year, including happy hours and movies. I couldn’t have achieved any of this without the help of my board. Throughout the year, many women asked me if my job as president was difficult. It was not. My board consisted of inspiring people who jumped in to volunteer, who helped when I needed it, who made great suggestions and most of all, people who listened. Thank you to:
There are many other women I would like to thank. Women like Dee Moustakas, who has the unique ability to see the big picture and put things into perspective. Women like Chris Guld, who said WEC has given her so much over the years. She has no idea how much she has given to WEC. Women like Edie Hoppe and Emily Rushin who have a wealth of information about our history. Women who came up to me and thanked me -- or just smiled -- because they enjoyed a luncheon. Melissa Rapkin
May Luncheon PhotosThanks to our photographer, Joni Rosenthal! More photos are posted on our WEC Web Album.
New Members SpotlightWelcome Carol McKeever, Jenette Mathai and Karen Rowe! Carol McKeever tells us:I’m originally from Ohio and moved to Fort Lauderdale in 2004. I am the Director of Development for the Lighthouse of Broward whose mission is to teach blindness skills to blind and severely visually impaired babies, children and adults. In my career I have worked in the areas of marketing, sales, event planning and politics. My true passion is promoting ideas that benefit individuals and groups to reach positive results. I am fortunate to have the opportunity and responsibility to do this for the blind community in Broward Community. I have been married to my husband Mike for 28 years and we have two sons, Wesley and David. Wesley is a graphic artist and lives in Jacksonville Florida and David and his bride Kilian live in Boston where David is attending Berklee College of Music to receive a degree in film scoring for movies. Now the only children we have at home are Daisy, the golden doodle and kitty cats Collin and Tess. I’m very excited to join WEC and have the change to get to know such a diverse group of dynamic women. Jenette Mathai tells us:
I worked for a large law firm in Miami for years as a corporate and securities attorney prior to starting my own firm. While I enjoyed the sophistication of working for large institutional clients, I love having my own practice because I can counsel clients in a much more meaningful, personal and holistic way. My passion is taking small and medium-sized businesses to the next level, by acting as their in-house counsel and guiding them through all of the legal issues that affect their day-to-day operations. On a personal note, my husband and I just had a baby girl 6 months ago. Juggling work and family life is certainly hectic, but I am having the time of my life and wouldn’t change a thing! Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this awesome organization of terrific women. I hope to learn from all of you and contribute all I can to make this organization a success. Karen L. Rowe, AP, DOM tells us:
I graduated from the East West College of Natural Health in December of 2000 with a Masters Degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine. I have been in practice first for 2 years in Sarasota and the last 6 years in Fort Lauderdale. Over the years I’ve treated 1,000’s of patients for a variety of different pain and health issues. I have had many patients achieve excellent results in reversing their allergies, strengthening their immune system and healing through traumas and injuries. In terms of women’s health, I have used Acupuncture and Chinese herbs to treat PMS, menopause and fertility problems. One area that I particularly enjoy helping patients in is smoking cessation. In my mind, smoking is one of the major causes of many long term health problems and to help a smoker release their addiction can literally add years to their life.
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Gail Smith received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida Atlantic University and has taught private piano lessons to individuals ranging in age from three to 99. She taught Ivan, a blind boy, and they appeared on national television. Gail conducts workshops and master classes on Improvisation throughout the United States and has given concerts in Germany, Sweden and Japan. Researching women composers has led her everywhere to find rare music, even to a cemetery in Berlin, Germany to copy a song inscribed on a tombstone of Fanny Mendelssohn.
We welcomed seven new members this month, five of whom spoke at the May luncheon: Lenore Alpert, Karen Rowe, Jenette Mathai, Carol McKeever and Diana Fairbanks. Our speaker Janice Fulmore-Tigner from Hospice By The Sea talked about how hospice can help our loved ones.
I founded SolAmbit Law Group (
One question that I get asked frequently is what made you go into Acupuncture? Like many professional women, my present career was not my first career path. My original career path for 12 years was graphic design. In my early 30’s, I moved into retail management and managed several stores during that period. What really interested me however was health, healing and nutrition. Living in Sarasota at the time, I had several friends who were involved in the healing arts and I was very drawn to the idea of helping people return to health and vitality without the use of pharmaceutical medication or surgery. My best friend encouraged me to look into the local acupuncture college and the rest is pretty much history.
The
Executive Grapevine: news and notes about WEC members. 
The evening was balmy and the wine was at the perfect temperature for the members, spouses and friends of WEC who enjoyed a little fling for spring at the WEC Spring Happy Hour. The Catalina Restaurant, located on 1611 N. Federal Highway in Ft. Lauderdale, was the site for our quarterly Happy Hour event. We had a record attendance of over 28 who enjoyed great cocktails and luscious Mediterranean goodies. If you missed it, we missed YOU!| 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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WEC Board of Directors
2008-2009
| President | Vanessa Koutalidis Island City Chiropractic |
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| Past President | Melissa Rapkin, Documents2Disc Ambassador Committee Canon Circles Business Showcases |
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| President Elect/ VP Internal Involvement |
Jenny Kelly, Programs Committee |
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| VP Corporate Records | Michelle Case Corporate Records, Historian |
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| VP Finance | Mini Jewahar , Budget |
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| VP Community Involvement | Rose Gershon Mentorship (FX) Program |
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| VP Membership | Jan Bullard, Membership Committee |
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| VP Events | Carol Metevier |
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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, 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.