Contents:
January Luncheon
"Puttin on the Ritz"
The Executive Grapevine
Upcoming Luncheons and Board Meetings
Cannon Circle Schedule
WEC Mission Statement
Book Club
Women Empowering Women
December Photos
Mentorship Program
Greet Eat Meet

WEC Board of Directors
2003-2004

President -
Leigh Nickel

President Elect -
Dee Moustakas

VP Corporate Records -
Emily Rushin

VP Community Involvement -
Ronnie Karlin

VP Finance -
Jacqueline Powell

VP Internal Involvement Toby Manke

VP Membership -
Carolyn Ernest-Jones

Past President -
Joyce Shore

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.

Upcoming Luncheons

11:30 am
Riverside Hotel

January 15, 2004
February 18, 2004
March 16, 2004
April 16, 2004
May 14, 2004
June 15, 2004

Upcoming Board Meetings

12 noon
Riverside Hotel

January 9, 2004
February 6, 2004
March 5, 2004
April 2, 2004
May 7, 2004
June 4, 2004

January Luncheon

Date: Thursday January 15, 2004
Time: 11:30 Networking
12:00 Luncheon

The Riverside Hotel
620 East Las Olas Blvd
Fort Lauderdale

Guest Cost: $20.00 Members are responsible for all guest lunches

Program Topic: "Drug Court Model-Success in the Criminal Justice System"

GUEST SPEAKER: Gisele Pollack graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Miami in 1978, and with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami Law School in 1981. Ms. Pollack has specialized entirely in criminal law both in private practice, and as an Assistant Public Defender in Broward County, Florida. Ms. Pollack is currently the senior attorney in the Drug Court in Fort Lauderdale; and has been assigned full time to the Drug Court since 1994. In addition to assisting adult felony drug offenders seek recovery and end their cycle of criminal justice involvement; Ms. Pollack utilizes her expertise in the field to speak to young students about substance abuse prevention. Ms. Pollack serves the community as a Board Member of the Broward County Commission on Substance Abuse, Fort Lauderdale’s anti-drug coalition; The Starting Place treatment program; B.A.R.C. (Broward Addiction Recovery Center); and the Broward County Commission on Alcoholism. Gisele Pollack is a member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, the Florida Association of Drug Court Professionals (Board Member), the Broward Bar, the Broward County Association of Women Lawyers, and the B’nai Brith Justice Unit. Ms. Pollack is a faculty member for the Justice Management Institute (JMI) and the National Drug Court Institute (NDCI). Gisele Pollack is currently a Candidate for County Court Judge in Broward County for the year 2004

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“Puttin’ On The Ritz Gala Seeks Sponsors

To support our mentor and Women Empowering Women programs, WEC needs to raise approximately $7,500 annually.

The best way to do this is with sponsorships*. Remember, when you ask local businesses to become corporate sponsors you are giving them an opportunity to showcase their products and services to more than 150 decision-makers with far-reaching professional and community contacts. It’s less expensive than print or TV ads and helps a worthy cause.

The venue for this year’s event –– Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum –– provides a backdrop of antique cars and 1920’s-era memorabilia and promises to make our Puttin’ On The Ritz Gala a fun and prestigious event. With everyone’s participation, we can reach our goal –– and have a wonderful time!

Here are several ways you can get involved:
• Invite friends and clients
•Become an event sponsor
•Create a gift basket for auction
•Solicit auction items and event sponsors

View sponsor form, then print it out.

You'll need Acrobat Reader. If you don't have it, you can download it here.

Please join us on March 20, 2004 for a grand evening as we celebrate what makes WEC unique –– special friendships and a commitment to empowering each other and the women in our community.

*If our primary sponsor is a car dealer, we’ve made arrangements with the Museum for them to be able to showcase up to three vehicles the night of the event.

Cut A Rug with the Charleston

The Charleston has a long history. The series of steps are thought to have originated with the African-Americans who were living on a small island near Charleston, South Carolina. Some say it is from the Cape Verde Islands in Western Africa. The Charleston was performed as early as 1903 and made its way into Harlem stage productions by 1913. The dance became established worldwide during the Ragtime-Jazz period.

In 1922-23, it was introduced to the theater-going public at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York by the Ziegfeld Follies. Composers Sissle and Blake introduced a young African-American boy to choreographer Ned Wayburn. The boy demonstrated what was to be the signature step of the Charleston. Wayburn added a few steps and Sissle and Blake wrote the songs ... it was an immediate hit.
In the 1920's, women who did the Charleston were called "Flappers" because of the way they would flap their arms and walk like birds while dancing.

Not everyone had good luck with the Charleston. Many non-dancing jobs of the day required you to be competent to dance or teach the Charleston in order to get the job. Many waiters and waitresses would have to perform the Charleston while waiting tables. Many saw the Charleston and Flappers as the downfall to many moral issues of the day. In 1925, Variety Magazine reported that in Boston, the vibrations of Charleston dancers was so strong that they caused the Pickwick Club to collapse, killing fifty.

Movie Personalities ...
1) Bessie Love was recorded as doing the first on-screen Charleston in the 1925 film 'King on Main Street'.
2) Joan Crawford won many Charleston contests including the "Movie Weekly Stage Contest," which helped launch her movie career.
3) Ginger Rogers won the Texas State Charleston contest at the Texas Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas. After she won, she headed for the Grand Championships at the Baker Hotel in Dallas on November 9th, 1925 where she won again.

In 1926, the Charleston craze gave way to the Black Bottom and the Lindy Hop. The Mashed Potato is a later day Charleston and can be found repeatedly in today's modern West Coast Swing. The Charleston can be performed as a solo or couple dance.

Membership:

The membership requirement is to attend a minimum of five (5) meetings every year in order to maintain regular membership. This is calculated on a fiscal year basis (i.e. August-June, not calendar year).

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Cannon Circle

Members get together in a more informal atmosphere during the year. These evening socials are called "Cannon Circles" and are hosted at members' homes. The Cannon Circle is named for Past President Shirley Cannon who was known for her gracious and uplifting spirit.
The next Cannon Circle will be February 26, 2004 and will be hosted by Mary Minnnet and Dorothy Eisenberg (Business Venue)

WEC Cannon Circles

February 26, 2004 Mary Minnnet, Dorothy Eisenberg
(Business Venue)
March 24, 2004 Carol Jones
April 28, 2004 Patty Camp, Debbie Rugg
May 26, 2004 Dr. Dora Vilk-Shapiro’s Office
(all dates are not confirmed)

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The Executive Grapevine

Emily Rushin: Yes, I had a whirlwind trip to Ireland with Chris Guld's mum Marilyn VanValkenburg. We drove around admiring cows, photographing sheep, climbing around castles, drinking Guiness, shivering a little, and having a perfectly wonderful time! It is so reasonable to go to Europe in winter; just couldn't resist it.

Joni Rosenthal:

Dear Ones:

At this point in my life, I am considered the DIVA everywhere I go. Now, I could be affronted by this name but I am not, I have earned the title big time!

What I wish to share with you is the LOVE that I have been given by the women in our club. You are very special to me. I have been a part of you since 1986 and each year, I have the privilege of getting to really know you. I know that I can be a real pain when running around with my camera's taking your pictures. You are affording the DIVA a chance to shine and to give back to you at a time in my life where giving is important to me.

I am so grateful for the Book Club where I have gotten to know some real neat ladies. We are having such fun by interacting with each other by using our minds and sharing ourselves, big time. The GEM luncheons additions begun during the "JOYCE" reign is another situation where we can get to know our fabulous WECer's.

We are so blessed to know and to be a part of one another. I remember a luncheon some time ago when one of our members was in need. In ten minutes we raised some $3,000. We are a wonderful, caring group of people in an age where so many prefer to think about me, me, and me. I wish to honor and humbly thank you for your precious and loving ways. I am the most fortunate DIVA on this planet!

May PEACE be ours in 2004 as we go forward to the only thing that matters or will ever matter . . . LOVE!

And, I love you,

THE DIVA, Joni

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WEC BOOK CLUB:

In 2002, members of WEC who had a common desire for reading and discussions formed the WEC Book Club. The book for discussion is select by the majority and the gathering is held in a member’s home (munchies are always welcome). The meeting schedule varies according to the book and other circumstances. All members are welcome to participate.

If you missed the November meeting, you missed a really interesting discussion. Even though about half those present didn't really like the book, the discussion was deep and quite wonderful.

Emily Rushin will host the next meeting of the WEC Book Club on Monday, February 19 at 6:30, and the book chosen that evening was WEAVEWORLD by Clive Barker.

A few quotes from the back of the book: "Barker puts in strands of Joyce, Poe, Tolkein, and King himself, and emerges with the one ingredient that all good rugmakers and storytellers have in common: an irresistible yarn." Time "A powerfully imagined, fully executed fantasy. A book of dreams recalling William Blake instead of Lewis Carroll...Barker borrows a great many themes from literature, folklore and religion, and makes it completely his own. He writes with a lyrical intensity that transforms some passages from prose to poetry. He infuses his villains and horrors with such venom that they are overwhelming. And he informs everything with an imagination so powerful that it creates its own reality." Cincinnati Post

Note that the book is available in paperback, mine is marked $14.95, and it's not new, so you might find it used on Amazon or Ebay's Halfbooks.com. Now for the groans, my paperback edition is 648 pages long BUT I can ALMOST promise you that you will hate to see it end! You have over three months to read it. Happy reading! Emily

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Women Empowering Women Program

The "Women Empowering Women" (WEW) program, started in 1996, provides financial assistance and member services support to females in the workplace who need help to further their education.

Do You Know ... someone who is re-entering the workforce? . . . trying to advance in her career? . . . could use a “leg up”?

Our Women Empowering Women (WEW) program provides scholarships and mentoring to women who are either going to work after staying at home for a period of time or who want to transition from an hourly position to management. If you meet Kim, our current scholarship recipient, you’ll see a bright woman working on her Masters in communication. Kim has the promise and drive to be an executive. We’re helping her do that through financial and moral support!

Please help us identify someone. It can be a family member, co-worker, friend, or friend of a friend. Call (954-344-9892) or email (ann@ileadershipsolutions.com) Ann Meacham with ideas or questions

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Special FX Mentor Program

NEW PROGRAM LAUNCHES IN JANUARY
After surveying the membership last year regarding the Mentor Program, it was evident that we are ready to try something new. So, Ronnie Karlin and her committee have been hard at work transforming our old way of mentoring into a new, exciting program designed to be more satisfying and meaningful to all involved.

Rather than spend a short time with dozens of high school students, we will make a commitment to mentor the rising female executives or entrepreneurs. These future executives –– or special FX as we will familiarly call them –– will be considered junior members of WEC and will be expected to spend quality time with us at luncheons and other activities, including Cannon Circles, GEM lunches, book club, retreats and committees.

Imagine the impact we can have on these women –– and they on us –– by being able to offer our various experiences and expertise on an extended basis. By providing coaching and advice, and encouraging them to network with all members, we can have a profound effect on their careers and personal successes. We believe this new approach to mentoring will be of great value to both the FX and to you.

WHO
The future executives will be bright, energetic young women identified by their peers or supervisors as rising stars in their companies or self-nominated, highly-motivated young women who own or will be starting their own business within one year.

WHAT
Qualifications will include a minimum of two years’ college and two years’ professional work experience. Applicants will submit a resume, two business references and one personal reference as well as an essay about future goals and objectives. A two-year commitment is required along with attendance at five luncheons per year and participation on one committee each year. Each FX will be paired with a minimum of two members, volunteering as co-mentors.

WHEN
To make sure we do it right, we’re going to roll out the program this year with only one or two participants. You can meet our first candidate, Tina Debord, at our January luncheon. We plan to use this year as a trial run, learning along with our FX what works and what doesn’t.

HOW
Our goal is to mentor up to ten future executives and entrepreneurs annually. Once we iron out the kinks, we will introduce the program to the community at large. The Mentor Committee will set up liaisons with corporations and business owners to identify future executives who might be interested in our program. Of course, recommendations from you are always welcome.

There will be a $125 fee per applicant per year. Since we are learning as we go, the committee decided to waive the application fee for this year’s applicants. The budget for this program includes the cost of lunches, printed materials and gifts of recognition. Even with ten participants annually, the new FX program costs less than our previous program, which means we won’t have to spend as much time and effort raising funds.

IT TAKES THE WHOLE CLUB
While we plan for each FX to have at least two mentors, we are hoping every WEC member will get involved. The program is a two-year commitment for the FX and a minimum of one year for the co-mentors. Monthly phone calls, emails and face-to-face contact are encouraged. Spending time in a work environment (not necessarily yours) at some point in the process is also required. Occasional feedback via phone or email to the Mentor Committee on the progress and commitment of the FX is necessary, with a written report from the co-mentors due in May to the Board.

The benefits are numerous:
1) We are in a position to positively influence other women’s lives
2) The FX will bring fresh ideas to WEC
3) WEC will experience greater exposure in the community
4) Potential new members for WEC
5) Satisfaction of using your experience to help someone else

Please consider being a co-mentor. We already have one outstanding candidate this year who is willing to grow with us. And you have 70 WEC members to back you up. Contact Ronnie for more information or to volunteer for this exciting new adventure.

GEM “Great Eat Meet” Program

Formed in November 2002, members of WEC who choose to get together for an informal meeting are selected at random in small groups to great, eat and meet. A Lead person is selected to set a time and place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or what ever. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other on a more personal level. It is great fun!

What a bunch of good looking members we have!!

These photos snapped by Joni Rosenthal at the Holiday luncheon.

Carol and Joyce Leigh and Jeanette Lee and guest Jeanette and Dr. Donna Linda, Theora and Susan Roberta Stanley Barbara Ryan Marshia Durham Jan Herard

WEC MISSION STATEMENT
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.

January Luncheon
Thursday, January 15
RSVP to: Toby Manke

Quote of the Month:

Good Friends Are Like The Stars, You Don’t Always See Them, But You Know They Are Always There!