Women’s Executive Club

From Jan Bullard to Joni Rosenthal:

“PACING EACH OTHER ON THE ROAD TO EXCELLENCE”

On October 23, 2003, Joni found a remarkable situation in which  she felt the need to rid herself of the overwhelming fear of public speaking. Toastmasters International, an organization founded in 1924, became the awakening impetus to serve her in all areas of her life.

Toastmasters at Unity Church of Fort Lauderdale and founded by a gentleman named Jim McKean was the special group that she joined where she became a Charter Member of the Power Speakers: “The Small but Mighty Club” of our area. This was a quote that was given to these Toastmasters by the then Area 20 Governor. Later, Kevin Lane, Editor of many newspaper columns wrote a dazzling article in one of his many newspapers about the Power Speakers Club located off Victoria Park Road.

What is so interesting about this situation is that Joni spent a lot of her life in the theatre in New York City and kept dancing and singing until she was 52 years old. She was one of the eight lead June Taylor Dancers and singers that June trained for what became THE SHOWOFFS. Their shows were hailed by the entire community; three dynamic shows came to be in 1976, 1977, and 1978.

This prestigious approach to fund raising came about when Joni was the Founding President of the Parents and Friends of the Atlantic Foundation for the Performing Arts. The foundation needed to raise money and the ever gracious June Taylor joined this effort to help this marvelous state of affairs come to fruition. She came up with the idea of gathering some women and men who she could train like her television show dancers on the Jackie Gleason Show. The last show had a Broadway producer and a cast of over 100 people. THE SHOWOFFS presented their talents for three years at Parker Playhouse and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Joni shared “that dancing three days a week for some four hours was amazing, wonderful and plain grueling at times”.

From 1979- to 1981, Joni put on a Speakers and Arts series for two years called the Golden Pathways. With her partner, Bob James, they brought the following people to Fort Lauderdale: Dr. Norman Peale, Pearl Bailey, Dr. Robert H. Schuler, Dr. Leo Buscaglia, W. Clement Stone and several other speakers. There were four shows a year during those two years.

This was a first of its kind in our area. Coming from this setting, a producer asked Joni to join him as a talk show host on OMNI, a variety show with celebrities and all sorts of interesting people that were showcased. From what Joni told me, she was scared out of her mind every Thursday when she went on camera at 4:30 PM, on Comcast Cable Channel 12. There were times that she felt that she might not keep it all together.

From what I know of Joni, once she makes up her mind to do something, it is a done deal. If anyone can be called a mover and a shaker, this girl wins the highest award that is possibly created in the Universe. Joni had to interview her guests, advise her guests on what to wear and write all of the scripts. She did an awesome job yet each week “her nerves were always on edge”.

When Toastmasters came into her life, everything changed for her. Most people think of Toastmasters as just a place to learn how to speak in public and to do this endeavor with poise and self-confidence. Yet, Joni shared with me that you not only learn about speaking well at any time but it is the Leadership part of the equation that is one of the best kept secrets. Then there is another place that is loved by every member. It is where Members bond with each other within the learning process. There are also social gatherings that are a lot of fun.

Like Women’s Executive Club, they learn as a TEAM. Each member has their role to play. In order to become a Distinguished Club, they must all climb the ladder together, mentoring each other through their first ten speeches from a Manual that is called the Competent Communicator consisting of ten speeches.

Each member strives to do their very best, aware of their part in the equation of service to themselves and others. “We all become winners at our own pace and with our own flavor in our speeches.”

This is Joni’s 7^TH year in Toastmasters. Every Tuesday evening at 7PM sharp, ending at 8:30PM, sharp, POWER SPEAKERS members move and shake for an hour and a half. Time is spent together in fun and some heart to heart thinking that take root from their speeches.

Joni shares that she does not feel nervous anymore in front of an audience. So much so, that she must be careful to feel herself on deck, in a way that her energy is constant, so that she is not too relaxed. She just received her GOLD award. This took a lot of hard work to get to this echelon. She still has quite a bit of work before she can receive her DTM which is the Distinguished Toastmasters.

It is Joni’s hope that some of our fastidious women join her one evening to get a taste of what Toastmasters is all about. Chris Guld is a Member of Toastmasters. She has shared with Joni concerning the superb dynamics that she has received by being a member of Toastmasters.

When you listen to Chris speaking in her Picasa videos, listen carefully to her distinct style of speaking. It seems that Toastmasters teaches us to rid ourselves of all crutch words as in well, (President Regan) okay, and, AND, President Obama’s favorite crutch word. Plus, there are a whole slew of words to watch for in order to learn to speak correctly. Joni believes that when we can’t think of something, we choose to use a connector word in order to ponder the next part of the tête-à-tête.

After everything else was said, Joni signed off in this manner to me: “I try to live my life with LOVE, sharing with awe-inspiring surroundings and people. Where can I begin to thank you all”?

Just having Joni as a part of WEC is enough! Her vivacity and enthusiasm is a power of example to us all.

YES, SHE CAN, NO MATTER WHAT SHE DOES!

From Susan Kingsley to Lynda Amorello and Michal Angel:

Both of these ladies have been a priceless treasure to my business and my seller clients!

Lynda is a never ending reference for property management related questions I have that are an immediate need for answers. She is an encyclopedia of knowledge!

Michal has helped me, with locksmith needs on multiple occasions, during normal business hours and in an emergency situations. In addition, Michal’s additional business she is involved in, 911 Restoration is currently doing quality work for a seller of mine in Aventura.

I would be lost without them. Thanks ladies! You are both heaven sent!!!!!!

ANN MEACHAM

It’s unbelievable. After moving here for what we thought would be 4 years in 1983, here I am twenty-seven years later! It’s been quite a ride including a great few years serving on the WEC Board and as president in 2001 (I think). I joined in 1995. I’ve made some wonderful friends in WEC. The things I like most about WEC are GEM lunches and Cannon Circle.

The two biggest events for me over the years were: 1) getting divorced from my High School sweetheart after 34+ years and 2) starting my own business in 1998. Although the marriage needed to end and I’ve never been happier or freer, it was tough . . tough . . tough. Being in my own business has been great…and challenging.

I love my work. I coach business owners and execs on being effective leaders, inspiring their people, being good communicators, etc. We also work together to create a vision and a strategy for achieving the vision. The joy is in seeing the individuals grow as well as their companies. Interestingly the coaching often crosses into life coaching since many behaviors at work transfer into our personal lives and vice versa.

I have two children: Charlie and wife, Ann, live in Connecticut and have two beautiful, smart children (aren’t all grandchildren?). Abby is 5 and Ryan is almost 4. I love visiting them – such a loving household. Laura and husband, Cameron, live in Jacksonville and are hoping for children and are settling for 2 kitties as their children for now.

I’ll close with one of my favorite quotes:

“The greater danger is not that your hopes are too high and you never reach them, but that they are too low and you do.” Michelangelo

NATALIA BENDA

I have been lucky to be a member of WEC for 3 years now. It is really wonderful to meet and listen to so many interesting, strong women. In my free time, I enjoy the beach, dancing, traveling and training Tae Kwon Do. I am a green belt- watch out!

I have been practicing dentistry for 9 years and couldn’t be happier or more in love with a profession. I believe it is an advantage to be a woman in Dentistry for many reasons- we are more patient, more caring, we listen and we have smaller hands!  I use the latest technologies, materials and the best laboratories in order to provide the very best dental care available.

Ladies, please help me welcome our newest FX member (Future Executive) to the WEC Family- Sherine Bichara. Sherine is the founder and the cosmetic chemist of SB Cosmetics specializing in massage products, anti-aging products and bath and body care. Sherine would appreciate the experience, expertise and support of the WEC ladies to grow and prosper and develop into a fully fledged WEC member.

To accomplish her career goals, Sherine would like advice and guidance in the following fields:

- Business Coach: need guidance on getting customers and revising business plan.

- Marketing Coach: regarding promoting SB Cosmetics brand and products.

- Sales Coach: Need advice on pricing the products and making a profit while working with a salesman.

- Accounting Coach: regarding structuring the financial aspect of the business.

Sherine has a vision and a goal that she is working on accomplishing the following:

- The first goal would be to focus on the distribution of massage products by targeting a wide range of spas and massage schools.

- The second goal would be to market the natural anti-aging line by introducing to Spa s or salons. It includes serums, cleansers, toners and sunscreens.

- The third goal would be to introduce the bath and body care collections; Beautiful and refined baskets including sugar scrubs, body lotions and natural shower gel with a wide choice of exotic fragrances. Those products would be ideal for home spa.

- The fourth goal would be opening a State of the Art Lab where ladies could come and ask for their personal creams and fragrance while sipping a cup of tea.

WHAT IS AN FX or Future Executive?

An FX is a rising female executives or entrepreneurs. An FX is considered an associate member of WEC and will be committed to spending quality time with us at luncheons and other activities. By providing coaching and advice, and encouraging the FX candidate to network with all members, we can have a profound effect on her career and personal success. An FX is a junior member of WEC and will need guidance and support from all of us.

HOW can you participate?

An FX member will have the privilege of getting the mentoring from a member. A mentor will spend 2 hours/ month supporting the FX in a specific area of the WEC member’s expertise ( this can be accomplished by spending time in a work environment, via phone and email or via a face to face meeting). The mentor will support the associate member and the associate member will follow up with the mentor’s recommendations. We believe the benefits of this mentoring program will be rewarding for the FX, the mentors and Women’s Executive Club. We hope Sherine will reach her highest potential as we share our enthusiasm, experience, and energy with the WEC family!

Thanks,

Chaadia

For more than 30 years, I have been a trademark/copyright lawyer. I help businesses protect their brands [trademarks] (including logos and slogans) and original creations [copyrights] such as books, websites, sculptures, software. Among the things that I do for my clients are: file trademark and copyright applications in the U.S. and abroad, manage trademark and copyright portfolios, design programs to protect these valuable intellectual property rights, draft and negotiate trademark and copyright licenses as well as franchise agreements. I also litigate cases involving trademark, copyright and domain name infringements, counterfeiting, and unfair competition matters, usually in federal court.

My career as a trademark lawyer began at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). After the USPTO, I served as in-house counsel for Ralston Purina Company where I protected such famous trademarks as PURINA DOG CHOW dog food and TWINKIES snack cakes. From Ralston Purina, I moved to Borden, Inc. where I was the guardian of trademarks such as ELSIE THE COW and CRACKER JACK candied peanuts and popcorn. Since working as in-house counsel, I have been working in law firms, primarily in Washington, D.C. and here in Florida.

As a native Floridian who was born and raised in North Florida, I love the sunshine and the beaches and I definitely don’t miss the cold weather or snow in D.C. For the past 2 years, I have lived in South Florida

I am a GATOR (University of Florida College of Law) and an Indiana University HOOSIER (B.A.) I chose Indiana University because at the time it had one of the only professional level college ballet departments in the country.

In my spare time I enjoy attending cultural events such as the symphony, theatre and ballet. If any of you would like to go to a cultural event and you would like someone to join you, just let me know. Gardening is another one of my pastimes as is traveling. I love exploring new places and cultures. I also love historic places which is why D.C. appealed to me. I lived just a few miles from Mount Vernon.

In 2009, I was honored to be the Woman of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for South Florida.

I am looking forward to getting to know each and every WEC member and making many new friends. 

My name is Lynn Davila and I would like to thank all of the wonderful women in this organization for making me feel welcome.

I was born and raised in Miami Beach. Went to Florida Atlantic University for psychology and took all of that knowledge and went into retail management. About 8 years ago, I injured my back and had to give up that career and start a new one. I now work for Genesis Automation Inc.

Our firm designs, installs, and maintains control systems for high end custom residences and small to medium-sized commercial projects: House Music, Distributed Video, Theater Design & Electronics, Lighting Controls, Security & Camera Systems, Motorized Shades & Drapery, A/C Temperature Control, and Integrated Control Systems.

I love to garden and I love NASCAR, so that is how I spend my weekends. I have a great dog that also keeps me busy.

Again thank you for all the warm wishes.

Although I am a born-n-bred Tar Heel, Florida is now my 5th US state of residence.  It only took 3 years to really get "thawed out" from living in the foothills of the Alleghany Mountains, in Corning, NY. 

During the years that I was at home with children, I had many volunteer opportunities that gave me a broad range of experience working with nonprofit organizations.  I enjoyed working with Girl Scouts, but I also sat on the Boards of Directors for two vastly different NPO’s.  When I was able to return to the work force, I sought a position with a local nonprofit in Steuben Co, NY.

Working for this nonprofit was a challenge.  I was able to bring a visibility to the organization that they had never had, and was able to keep the name in front of the press in a positive light.  Now, working for a major corporation and being on the "giving" side rather than the asking one, I am pleased to be able to reach such a variety of fabulous organizations here in Broward County. 

My family includes my husband, adult daughter and son, and 2 insane cats.  I’m a mad knitter, working amongst a variety of projects at any given time, but I used to teach English smocking, tatting, and a variety of specialized sewing machine techniques, including French Lace work and piecework.  You will always find me with a book close by!