ContentsGrapevine: News and Notes about WEC Members January Luncheon
Program Speaker - Irvin M. Lippman, Executive Director of the Museum of Art/ Fort Lauderdale
Under Mr. Lippman’s leadership, the Museum of Art inaugurated an aggressive exhibition program which has included treasures from the Vatican (2003), fashions and objects from the Althorpe Estate celebrating the life of Princess Diana (2004-05), Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs (2005-06) and Cradle of Christianity: Jewish and Christian Treasures from the Holy Land (2007). In addition, special emphasis has been given, through the Artist in Residence Program, to provide a forum for contemporary artists who are invited to create installations and serve as guest curators. The Studio Arts Program was initiated in 2004 offering classes in drawing, design, and painting. The Museum of Art has also ventured into the performing arts arena, and is currently the Fort Lauderdale home for InsideOut Theater. With a dedicated staff of 30 employees and an annual budget of $6.7 million (FY05), the Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale has dramatically expanded its programs and its audiences. Over one million visitors have come to the Museum over the last three years. From the President
Thus, this year when I wish you Happy New Year, I intend it as an action verb. After all, I have come to realize that at least in my life, happiness isa choice. Not one outer circumstance can ultimately dictate how I react, or take away from me the last of the human freedoms- the ability to choose one’s attitude in the face of any challenge or suffering. The late Viktor Frankl explored it so poignantly in his 1946 novel, “Man’s Search for Meaning”. However well-intentioned, Thomas Jefferson could not have imagined the implications of his declaration calling for the inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. In modern times, happiness has become just that, a pursuit, a goal to achieve, usually attained through the world of objects and experiences. Well we certainly have a lot of both, yet we also consume over ¾ of the world’s antidepressants. We cannot pursue happiness, we can be happy, but we can pursue purpose. “Happiness is not a goal, but rather the natural, organic by-product of a life lived with purpose.” – Rabbi Schmuley. So this year, engage in what fulfills you and allow happiness to bubble up from within.
I also had a blast at Betsy Grant’s Cannon Circle at her home off Las Olas. Her house was beautifully adorned for the holidays, with lots of snowmen peeking out, and plenty of good food, cheer and champagne. And let’s not forget that amazing bread pudding! Thank you, Betsy! In December we also had a holiday social, a peaceful evening cruise up the New River aboard a catamaran. The weather was perfect and the lights festive. Thirty nine members and guests attended and it was a lot of fun, not to mention we only lost one member over the side (just joking). A huge thank you to Carol Metevier and her social committee for planning such a fabulous event! We hope to do it again someday. This month’s Cannon Circle will be on Thursday, January 22nd and will be at the home of Natalia Benda in Victoria Park and co-hosted by Drazia Rubenstein. By now, most of you are well aware of our partnership with PACE, and many of you have given of your time and money to help advance their cause. Recently, Kathleen told us about a student, Rachel Tinkey, who was entering Broward College in January to one day become a nurse, and needed our financial assistance. You may have met Rachel at one of the luncheons and I met her while volunteering at the school. Fortunately, WEC was able to donate $1000, which will cover her tuition and expenses, lifting the weight from her shoulders as she pursues her dream. Rachel and her older sister Simone were recently featured in an article that appeared in the local section of the Sun-Sentinel on Sunday, December 21st. I look forward to seeing you at the January luncheon on Wednesday the 21st, with special guest speaker Irv Lippman, executive director of the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art.
Vanessa Koutalidis
WEC MEMBER MILESTONESCongratulations to the following WEC members who have contributed to the growth and success of WEC over the years. These women have been with WEC for 30, 25, 15 and 10 years, respectively, and continue to make WEC the best kept secret in town! Thank you, ladies!!
Nancy Block: 30 years (recipient of WEC plaque)
Chris Guld (pictured with her Mom - Marilyn): 25 years (recipient of WEC dangle attaching to 20 year pin)
Betsy Grant: 15 years (recipient of WEC gold pin)
Donna Goldstein, Toby Manke, Barbara Marx and Vanessa Koutalidis: 10 years (recipients of WEC silver pins)
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IRVIN LIPPMAN provides the vision and direction for the distinguished Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale, which was founded in 1958. Designed by architect, Edward Larabee Barnes, in 1986, the Museum of Art stands in the center of the fifth largest metropolitan area in the United States and attracts a diverse local, national, and international audience. 
Happy New Year! Three simple words I wish for you and myself these days ahead. We all appreciate a re-start button; a chance at a new beginning, and the world chose January 1st. Yeah! Whether you make resolutions or not, a New Year offers a vast realm of possibilities and the hope and promise of a new reality. However, this new reality is directly influenced by the choices we make. Being why perhaps, those who are cynical about resolutions, or proclaim how they don’t ‘believe’ in making them, understand too well the human variable. How writing it on your list will not necessarily make it so. Darn! 
I was definitely exuberant at the December holiday luncheon. Thanks to everyone for making it a glorious event, better than I had even imagined! Everything from the setting, food and wine were sublime, and we were graced with the extraordinary talent of Terry Barber and Gail Smith. Of course the most special part is our members, and I was very proud to award Nancy Block a plaque commemorating 30 years of continuous membership. We also surprised Dr. Barbara Weinstein of Family Central with a $1000 donation, and Kathleen Ryan of PACE greatly appreciated your generous holiday gifts for the girls. I even received my 10 year silver pin!
Myriam Cohen will also highlight her company Eqilibrix, which affords businesses the exposure they need for the revenue they deserve. In the meantime, go and make this your best year yet! 
The
Executive Grapevine: news and notes about WEC members. 
My husband, Steve, and I spent the holidays with friends in the San Francisco Bay Area, where we had lived for 20 years.
Jan Bullard has had quite an amazing year winning 5 major awards all in the same year:
This is Beth Beauchamp! After trips to Holy Cross and Mayo, I am finally on the road to recovery from the inflammatory muscle problem which occurred after my last knee replacement. I am very hopeful that I can attend more meetings in 2009 since I must be nearing my 20th anniversary with WEC. 
We're fortunate in having more oportunities than just monthly luncheons to spend a little time with the remarkable women who belong to WEC. Every six weeks or so the 50+ members who choose to participate in GEM events are emailed an invitation to join a fellow member who is hosting a lunch, coffee, or something similar in an area restaurant. There is always a choice of date and/or location and the protocol is to mail back your vote, then the table host contacts you once more to tell the time and place chosen by most. 
The next Cannon Circle will be held this Thursday, January 22nd, in the home of Natalia Benda and co-hosted by Drazia Rubenstein. Maya White, noted astrologer and Hay House Author, will share how the planets help weave a story that unites us all. Join us at 5:30pm at Natalia’s home in Victoria Park: 634 NE 16TH Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33304. Contact Natalia at 
| 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 | Carol Moroco , 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.
2008-09 Luncheon Dates
Luncheons:
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
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.