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ContentsFebruary Luncheon February Luncheon
Program Speaker- Barbara Silkstone, The Love Investigator
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The Adventures of a Love Investigator 
We kicked off the New Year with an eloquent and engaging speaker, Mr. Irvin Lippman, from the Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art. He has only been in our community for a short time but has brought incredible energy and vision to the art and cultural world. Perhaps he even inspired some to enroll in their new Studio Arts Program that offers classes in drawing, design and painting. In fact, our very own happily retired and accomplished artist, Emily Rushin, had to dash out early to attend her Landscape class in oil paints. 
We will also have a Business Showcase featuring Michelle Case with Smith Barney. Perhaps she can give us some sound advice during these volatile times. In January, Myriam Cohen demonstrated how we could enhance our business by employing a strategic and measurable email marketing plan, and her company Equilibrix is just the one to do it. Just ask Kathleen Ryan at PACE, who received instant inquiries after their e-newsletter went out. Please speak to me if you are interested in reserving a spot for next year.
The sun, moon and the stars must have been aligned during January’s Cannon Circle at the charming home of Natalia Benda in Victoria Park and co-hosted by Drazia Rubenstein. We had an amazing turnout with 29 members present, and were graced by the cosmic talents of noted astrologer Maya White. It was interesting to observe who looks to the planets for insight and who amongst us thinks it is all a bunch of hogwash. Regardless of your opinion, we all learned, laughed and had a lot of fun. We also discovered an interesting fact about the inauguration ceremony that was predicted in the stars. 
This month on Thursday, February 19th, we have a very special Sweetheart Cannon Circle in honor of the great women who have led our club over the past 32 years with unconditional service and dedication. It will be president’s week, we have a new president and so it is only fitting that WEC recognizes and celebrates its past presidents. It will be held at the home of Patrice Maenza in Imperial Point and co-hosted by Carol Metevier and Carol Moroco.
In addition, Carol Metevier, our VP of Events, has arranged what she calls ‘one of the funniest nights of 2009’, with a WEC outing to the Parker Playhouse on Wednesday, March 4th for the hilarious musical Menopause. The show begins at 8:00 pm and the evening commences in style with cocktails and nibbles at Carol’s home on the Galt from 5-7 pm. Tickets are $40.25 a person and you may RSVP to Carol at metcarol@bellsouth.net. 
With Valentine’s Day approaching it is fitting that love is in the air. I believe that love is the most powerful force in the Universe and as my girlfriend’s T-shirt said the other day, to quote The Beatles, “All you need is love.” I read that and thought, yeah right, and how about some money to pay my bills! But in truth, love dispels fear and even if I became destitute, if I have enough love in my heart for myself and those around me, I would find peace and meaning in life.
When love is present, there is also joy, compassion, understanding, kindness and forgiveness. When you experience love, you see the beauty around you and feel positive and grateful toward life. Love may not be ‘all there is’ as The Beatles would suggest, but if you have a loving heart, you have a full and happy heart. It sounds cliché but I have found that the best kind of love is the love we give to ourselves, for I have certainly experienced the effects of what not loving myself has brought me! So this Valentine’s Day, I am declaring a love affair with myself and will focus on what it truly means to be loved by another and to freely give love in return.
The Executive Grapevine: news and notes about WEC members. 
Carol McKeever has recently been elected President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Fort Lauderdale/ Broward Chapter. AFP is the largest professional organization for fundraisers worldwide. Carol will serve as President in 2010. 
Jan Herard has two new men in her life! For the New Year, she and her husband Bill adopted two male miniature schnauzers. They are now 10 weeks old and their names are Gator and Tebow!! 
I have been elected Chairperson of the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design for this coming year. My first meeting was in Tallahassee, on January 6th and 7th. 
Randi Grant, Director of Taxation and Personal Financial Planning, at Berkowitz Dick Pollack & Brant Certified Public Accountants & Consultants, LLP, is proud to announce that her accounting firm has expanded beyond Miami and Fort Lauderdale, to an additional office in Boca Raton.
Gail Smith, our new member, is hosting Abraham Lincoln's 200th Birthday Party, February 12th at 11:30 A.M. at the Coral Ridge Yacht Club (2800 Yacht Club Blvd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL). This exciting luncheon will feature a presentation by "The Young Patriots" performing and reciting the Gettysburg Address. There will be a short drama portraying "Mary Todd Lincoln" with the essay and art winner. The cost is $30. Make checks payable to NLAPW and mail to Gail Smith, 2041 NE 54 Ct., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308.
Business Leader Media recently recognized its annual Women Extraordinaire Award winners—and our very own Jan Bullard was among them! Winners were featured in the December 2008 issue of Business Leader magazine. The 2008 honorees were chosen from a record number of nominations. Congratulations to Jan, who is truly a “South Florida Woman Extraordinaire”!!!
For those of you who are new members, you may not have had the pleasure of meeting our past president, Ronnie Karlin. That’s because for the past two years, she has been traveling a lot for business. Up until then, she never missed a WEC function! 
All WEC members are invited to become “Bookies”, where women meet in each other's homes once a month to share in the love of books. The WEC Book Club is currently reading William Paul Young's "The Shack" and invites members to read along with us, and meet at Deb McLaughlin's home at 6:30 on February 9th to talk about it and share a potluck supper.
We're fortunate in having more opportunities 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. 
6pm to 8pm
President |
Vanessa Koutalidis, |
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Past President |
Melissa Rapkin, Documents2Disc |
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President Elect/ |
Jenny Kelly, |
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VP Corporate Records |
Karen Rowe , |
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VP Finance |
Carol Moroco, |
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VP Community Involvement |
Rose Gershon, |
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VP Membership |
Jan Bullard, |
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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.
2009 Luncheon Dates
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.