HAND IN HAND, WHERE LOVE BINDS THE EXECUTIVE

Mission: “Camaraderie, Community, Business and Fun”

In 1976, 76 women joined Women’s Executive Club (WEC) hoping to become part of this special women’s community by finding people of like minds.  The women found more than they could have ever dreamed possible!

A woman by the name of Beth, a new member, observed that before she came to WEC, she was keenly aware that the women she had known in other clubs, usually ended up using their competitive natures in a business atmosphere. She found the WEC difference: the use of courage to find different attributes to nurture each other into a safe environment.

From the beginning, Beth Frank decided that she wanted to get involved.

She chose to volunteer for committees that would be good for all concerned.  Becoming Editor for two years of the WEC newsletter was hard work but a real treat because she got to know the women first hand. The year 1983-1984, each month found a new member SPOTLIGHTED in the newsletter, which at that time was sent out by the post office. Then the PC/MAC became our sacred habitat. They say change is good . . .

As each year went by, the feeling of abounding hunger for a change seamed to spread throughout our populace. Members decided that we wanted a community project that would be an ongoing state of affairs.  We added “FUN RAISERS”.  Our goal was to provide two seniors with $1000 scholarships for the college of their choice.

We chose girls from the high schools in our area. The girls who came from public and private high schools were bright, loving and provided our members with a learning experience that was worth every moment spent with the young ladies. We planned to showcase our businesses to these young women. Mentors spent about two hours with their mentee, not a long enough time to learn the business, yet each received a look-in of what their business would be like. Each girl signed up for a business they might wish to do in the future.

This worked very well for awhile but it was difficult to find girls that were devoted to this kind of culture, so we had to come up with a different course of action.

In 2004, RONNIE KARLIN, then Vice President of Community Outreach came up with several ideas which finally ended up as the FX MENTORING PROGRAM, “a revised mentoring program that selects a few bright, qualified, energetic women as associate members. Though each has a minimum of two co-mentors as primary coaches, the entire club will mentor these rising future executives. Sharing experience and shaping lives.

Another outreach became PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS, “that provides girls and young woman an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy”. The third circumstance of our outreach curriculum became WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN (WEW). “This program began in 1998, and provides scholarships and member services to support women who need to further their education in order to advance in or return to the workplace as an executive”.

Fellowship and networking is very important to this club. There are many activities and events, with a monthly newsletter that lets us know what is happening within WEC. A small and delightful business directory is published electronically and like the newsletter may be downloaded in several formats.

There are ten luncheons a year at the TOWER CLUB with luncheon programs, featuring dynamic speakers of general interest to all and a grand holiday luncheon.  The cost of the luncheon is included in the annual dues.

To round out our year, a RETREAT is planned by our incoming President.  Goals are set and an agenda for the coming year is introduced.  Every member is invited to add their voice to this “town meeting”.  The Board provides a powerful part of our growth and vision for the club. This day is always full of fun; most of all, the camaraderie fills our hearts to overflowing.

Each year brings new intellectual growth and a flood of new members to the roster.  Each Retreat is different yet the significance of ideas is the same; a special time where hand in hand, love binds the WEC woman by way of veracity and integrity to one another.  WEC is such a special arena to play, educate and to grow.  We are the exception to every rule for women’s business clubs.

Joni Rosenthal

Member since 1986