March 2012 - abwa

March 2012| Vol.8, Issue 3
Suburban Connection
Charter Chapter
Clinton Twp, Michigan
A Chapter of the American
Business Women’s
Association
Suburban Scene
Suburban Scene
The Mission of the American Business Women’s
Association is to bring together businesswomen of
diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for
them to help themselves and others grow personally
and professionally through leadership, education,
networking support, and national recognition.
inside this issue:
Member Spotlight............................2
WOY Nominee: Linda Morgan........2
WOY Nominee: Julie Sullivan…......4
WOY Nominee: Debby Schroeder . 4
President’s Letter (cont.)..………….3
WOY Nominee: Cathy Robinson.... 5
Member Spotlight (cont.) ................3
February Meeting Photos.…...…….6
President’s Letter
While I was in sunny Florida, I missed
all of you last month and I got plenty of
R&R; can’t believe how relaxing it was.
On my kindle I read four books; what a
great reading tool. I have to tell you I
was offered a job while at the pool of
all places. They wanted me to be their
water aerobics instructor; however,
there was no pay involved. So, back
home I came - LOL. Being back to
work was a challenge after having my
days to play.
Thank you Debby for taking over and
running the meeting for me while I was
gone and Cathy for stepping up (as
usual) and taking care of the WOY
&Top Ten nominations. I am excited
to read the bios. Pam and Cathy did a
great job with our SBMEF Grant and
every year we get a little better at it.
Congratulations to our winner. Thanks
also to Debbie, Rachel, Linda, and
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Cathy for taking care of getting our
newsletter back on track. I know
everyone would agree you are doing a
fantastic job and I am so grateful to be
associated and work with such
talented, giving women.
Can you believe it is March already
and we are celebrating St. Patty’s day,
a day that everyone is Irish? Be sure
to kiss everyone you see. Spring is
right around the corner and my
daffodils and tulips are so confused
with the mild winter, they keep trying to
come up. April brings our Mystery
dinner and then our fabulous
conference.
and
our
Our
March
meeting
membership drive are creating a lot of
excitement for all.
(continued on page 3)
Calendar…
March-May 2012
New Membership Recruitment
Campaign
March 20
Monthly Meeting and Ladies’ Night
of Fashion and Fun
April 14
EMC Meeting, hosted by Nu Lite
Chapter in Flint, honoring the Woman
of the Year from each local chapter
April 26
Murder Mystery Event and Dinner
Show
March 2012| Vol.8, Issue 3
Suburban Scene
F
Member Spotlight: Stephanie Holland
Stephanie Holland
Suburban Connection
Hand of Friendship
Program
•
1 new member
sponsored = ABWA
business card holder
•
3 new members
sponsored = ABWA
gift card for $10
•
•
5 new members
sponsored = gift card
for dinner
11 new members
sponsored = gift card
for $50
Extend your Hand of
Friendship to a friend,
relative, or colleague. We
grow as a chapter and as
individuals by sharing the
gift of ABWA. Share with
someone today.
Hi! My name is Stephanie Elainea
Holland. In my current career, I am
the
Fundraiser/Event
planner
(Campaign Director at Leukemia &
Lymphoma Society). LLS raise funds
to help find a cure for leukemia,
lymphoma and myeloma and improve
the lives of patients and their families.
They do this through research worldwide and several patient support
programs, including financial aid. I
help oversee and execute two
fundraising campaigns called the Light
the Night Walk and Leukemia Cup
Regatta.
I have a boyfriend of 11 years who
works for Gardner White Furniture; no
kids; and a cocker spaniel I rescued
named Charlie. We also have two
tropical saltwater tanks, which are my
boyfriend’s favorite hobby. I grew up
about 5 blocks from where I’m living
now, in Warren. My favorite thing
The best business advice ever given
to me was, don’t ask for permission,
ask for forgiveness later. (aka: take
risks and chances when you believe in
an idea; worry about the potential for
failure later). My favorite networking
tip is try to make one or two great
(continued on page 3)
Woman of the Year Nominee: Linda Morgan
Linda
Morgan
currently works at
Credit UnionONE
as a loan officer
and has worked
on the front line
and
the
back
office there since
1988. She has
been a Lending Officer, Executive
Assistant to the EVP/ COO, and
Administrative Assistant to the CEO.
Linda Joined Suburban Connection
Charter Chapter in 2006. Over the past
award year, she has held leadership
positions as: Treasurer, Program
Committee
Co-Chair,
Hospitality
Committee Chair, and a member of the
Newsletter Committee.
Her education includes working on a
Bachelor’s
Degree
in
Business
Management at Central Michigan
University, licensed to sell Credit Life
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about Michigan is the variety of
beautiful areas throughout the state.
My favorite childhood memory relates
to every Christmas growing up. It was
my dad’s favorite holiday and he would
be just as excited as my sister and I
for us to open our presents. Our entire
house would be decorated inside and
out and it would be the happiest time
of year. My education includes ABA in
Marketing; BBA in Marketing &
Management; and MBA in Strategic
Management all from Davenport
University.
and Disability Insurance, and Lending
Officer Training Requirements. She
has completed the Striving for Best
Practices module in WIN 2011-2012.
Linda has contributed to Suburban
Connection by helping at the
Women’s Expo and overseeing silent
auction tables and collecting the
funds for the silent auction items,
through her diligence in securing our
venue setup and dinners monthly,
and offering to help whenever she
can.
Her community Involvement includes
participating
in
the
Make-aWish/Wish-a-Mile (WAM) 300 Bike
Ride for a number of years, the
Salvation Army Bed and Bread
Radiothon (8 years), Evangelization
Committee Member at St. Blasé
Catholic Church and volunteers for
the McRest Warming Center at St
Blasé (5 years).
March 2012| Vol.8, Issue 3
Suburban Scene
President’s Letter (continued)
Please make sure to share our
mission statement with all your friends:
“we are here to bring together
businesswomen
of
diverse
occupations and provide opportunities
for them to help themselves and
others
grow
personally
and
professionally through leadership,
education, networking support and
national recognition”. I encourage
each of you to step out of your comfort
zone and participate fully in ABWA
mission. Invite all your friends to our
fun-filled meeting in March. We are
planning a shoe, yes, shoe fashion
show, pampering, networking, and, of
course, meeting all of our wonderful
members.
There
are
awesome
members in this chapter and we need to
let the rest of the women in on our
secret. So get the invites out to
everyone.
I’m looking forward to more growth and
excitement for our group. Let’s all get
engaged and fully participate in this
wonderful organization.
Respectfully,
Diane Materna
President
Yvonne Haddix, Michelle Diamond,
and Debby Schroeder
How to Get Found
Member Spotlight: Stephanie Holland (continued)
connections with potential in any event
instead of collecting business cards
from everyone. Also, be a resource for
people first and business will follow.
My favorite business book is “Looking
Good in Print”, by Roger C. Parker
(more of a marketing book than general
business). My favorite place for a
business lunch is Beverly Hills Grill.
To relax or unwind, when I am not
working extra hours, I actually love just
hanging out at home with my boyfriend
and dog; or spending time at my mom’s
house chatting. If I’m in need of just
getting out, shopping therapy helps too
every now and again. My idea of
perfect day is being on vacation with
my mom and/or boyfriend exploring
new adventures outdoors. I love
outdoor activities, especially new
experiences in foreign cities/countries.
My dream vacation is a trip to Tahiti or
tour through Europe.
ABWA Anniversaries
Some of my “likes” are breads of all
kinds and potatoes (the two worst foods
for
any
diet)
and
I
admire
passion/dedication in others. My pet
peeve is dishonesty/self-serving actions
in others. I wish now that I had known
the importance of office politics in any
career at the time I started my career.
If I were U.S. President, I would require
all politicians to work on a volunteer
basis (non-paid) and bring back the
original intentions of many incredible
programs funded by the government. If
won the lottery, I would finally be able
to help my entire family financially and
fund my own non-profit (a no kill dog
shelter with a state-of-the-art dog
training facility). I’d like 30 minutes
alone with Oprah.
You would be
surprised to learn that I love target
shooting with pistols and am pretty
good at it.
3/6/88- Cathy Robinson
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- Facebook, Twitter, Manta,
Yelp, and local.com
Make Sure Your
Information is Consistent
Across All Your
Networking Sites
- EX: Avenue vs. Ave.
Be Relevant
- Be an industry leader
- Ask your clients how you can
help them
Be Engaging
- Have interesting and relevant
content
Birthdays
3/9- Linda Morgan
3/10/83- Pamela Gerlach
Use Multiple Social
Networking Sites
- Find content on Squidoo,
Mashable, and Digg
3/9- Louise Verbeke
3/28- Debby Schroeder
Yvonne Haddix
March 2012| Vol.8, Issue 3
Suburban Scene
Woman of the Year Nominee: Julie Sullivan
Stephanie Holland and Debby
Schroeder
Fighting for the Right
to Vote Timeline
Women only have had the
right to vote for 92 years!
Julie
Sullivan
currently works at
Hewlett-Packard as
a
System
Administrator (17
years), is the owner
of JMS Productions
(9 years) and an
Independent
Consultant
with
Private Quarters (4
years). Past work experience includes 3
months at CIBER, Inc. as a System
Administrator and over 5 years at Detroit
Savings Bank as a Systems Analyst.
She joined Suburban Connection Charter
Chapter in 2008. Over the past award year,
she has held leadership positions as:
Recording
Secretary,
Corresponding
Secretary, Expo Committee Chair, Murder
Mystery Dinner Silent Auction Chair,
Publicity Co-Chair, Website Chair, and
EMC Delegate alternate. She also
attended the 2011 National Women’s
Leadership Conference (NWLC) in Texas.
Her education includes 3 years of study
at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
in Liberal Arts, Associates in Science from
Henry Ford Community College, and
certifications as a Microsoft Certified
Engineer, Black Belt-Lean Six Sigma and
Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist.
At the NWLC she completed ABWA-KU
MBA Essentials courses- Leading and
Communicating with Integrity, Marketing
Management, and Decision Making in an
Uncertain Environment.
Throughout her AWBA membership, she
has sponsored two new members,
received
recognition through Suburban
Connection for Professional Development.
Membership, and Perfect Attendance,
completing 16 modules in WIN, and
received a National APEX award for
Personal Marketing and Teaming.
Julie’s community involvement includes
fundraising and volunteer activities for the
following groups: Children’s Leukemia
Foundation of Michigan (8 years), Relay for
Life Dearborn, Turning Point, Women in
Networking Expo, Operation KidEquip,
YMCA of Western Wayne County, and
membership in the Dearborn Chamber of
Commerce, the Detroit and Downriver
Business Association, Direct Selling
Women’s Association, and of Power
Networks.
th
Early 19 century - Reform
groups sprouted up
1848 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton
and Lucretia Mott organized a
meeting in Seneca Falls, New
York,
which
created
a
Declaration of Sentiments that
proclaimed, “that all men and
women are created equal…”
1869 - Elizabeth Cady Stanton
and Susan B. Anthony founded
the National Woman’s Suffrage
Association
1872 - Susan B. Anthony tried to
register to vote. She and some
of her supporters were arrested
1890 - Stanton was voted as the
first president of the National
Woman’s Suffrage Association
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Success is doing the best you can with what you have.
Unknown
Woman of the Year Nominee: Debby Schroeder
Debby Schroeder
is a Director in
Qualification and
an
independent
business
owner
with Mary Kay
Cosmetics
(12
years) and Talbots
Sales Manager (17 months). Past
work experience includes: Loft Sales
Manager
(2
years),
General
Manager, Femme Fitness Center (1
year), Curves for Women (3 years,)
Owner, Music is Instrumental (12
years), and Debby’s Place Child Care
(10 years).
She joined Suburban Connection
Charter Chapter in 2006. Over the
past award year, she has held
Leadership positions as:
Vice
President, Program Chair, Women’s
Expo Co-Chair, and Dinner Show CoChair. She also attended the 2011
National
Women’s
Leadership
Conference (NWLC) in Texas.
Her education includes a Bachelor’s
Degree in Music Education from
Central Michigan University.
Her
Mary Kay Cosmetic Certifications
include: Color Specialist, Product
(continued on page 5)
March 2012| Vol.8, Issue 3
Suburban Scene
WOY Nominee: Debby Schroeder (continued)
Technique, and is currently working on
Foundation Specialist.
Throughout her ABWA membership,
she has sponsored three new
members, completed the Striving for
Best Practices module in WIN for
2011-2012, and was a Top Ten
Nominee.
Debby’s
Community
includes affiliations with the following
groups: Trinity Lutheran Church helping
in the Parents Group, Bible Studies, and
Women Ministries; L.O.V.E. Production;
Haven House. She is also a member of
the following organizations/professional
societies: Michigan Business and
Professional Association, Birmingham
Junior Legion, Alpha Chi Omega
Sorority, and Women Business Owners.
Involvement
The function of leadership is to produce more
leaders, not more followers.
Yvonne Haddix
Ralph Nader
Woman of the Year Nominee: Cathy Robinson
Cathy Robinson
currently works at
Curves
as
a
Fitness
Technician. Her
work experience
includes
5
additional years
combined
with
Cornerstone
Schools in Detroit and Northwood, Inc.
She retired early from DTE Energy in
2001 following 34 years of service.
She first joined ABWA in 1988 with Lac
Ste Clare Charter Chapter. In 2006 she
joined Suburban Connection after being
a National member for several years.
Over the past award year, she has held
leadership positions as: Professional
Development Co-Chair, Historian CoChair, EMC Delegate, Fundraising
Committee for Dinner Show, Newsletter
Committee, Chapter Photographer, and
Board Liaison.
Her education includes certifications as
Minister of Consolidation (Loss and
Grief) Facilitator, and 65 credits toward
a Bachelor of Liberal Arts at Wayne
State University – Computer Science
5
Fighting for the Right
to Vote Timeline
(continued)
and psychology (Minor) background.
Throughout her AWBA membership,
she has sponsored 12 new members.
She was chosen Woman of the Year
2010 for Suburban Connection and
Woman of the Year 1992 for the Lac
Ste Clare Charter Chapter; has
completed 20 modules in WIN, received
a National APEX award for Personal
Marketing in both 2010 and 2011; and
has attended the 2011 National
Woman’s
Leadership
Conference
(NWLC) in Texas.
Cathy’s
community
involvement
includes fundraising and volunteer
activities for the following groups:
Father Solanus SouperBowl (9 years)
Multiple Sclerosis Society (MS) Walks
and Bike Tours (21 years), The Parade
Company (25 years), St. Joan of Arc
Parish (10 years), Super Bowl XL Host
Committee
Emerging
Business
Program, Super Bowl XL Volunteer
Ambassador, Star Flow Entertainment
Assistant, ABWA (23 years), Second
Chance Heartline Unit (22 years), and
New Center Area Council. Inc. (14
years).
th
Late 19 century - Women
obtained the right to vote in
small pockets of the country.
First in schools and local
elections
1912 - Women were given the
right to vote in Washington,
California, Michigan, Kansas,
Oregon, and Arizona
1919 - Congress approved the
new
amendment
allowing
universal suffrage throughout the
country
Appreciate your right to vote
and make sure you make your
voice heard in every election
because so many women
never got the chance.
Suburban Scene
March 2012| Vol.8, Issue 3
Pictures from February’s Meeting
Suburban
Connection
Vision
The ABWA Suburban
Connection Charter
Chapter empowers
women professionally
and personally
through selfdevelopment,
unification, business
skills, recognition,
branding,
achievement and
networking.
Top Left: Linda Morgan, Sue Klucha,
and Pam Gerlach
Bottom Left: Sandy Sklar, Mary
Jendritz, and Nancy Martin
Top Right: Newspaper Committee:
Cathy Robinson, Rachel Frezell,
Debbie Bernard, and Linda Morgan
Bottom Right: Stephanie Holland and
Debby Schroeder
Julie Sullivan
ABWA’s Proud Code of Conduct
1. All members will serve as goodwill ambassadors for the American Business
Women’s Association.
2. Members will not allow their personal beliefs and convictions to interfere with
the representation of ABWA’s mission.
3. Members will always treat their member colleagues, guests, vendors and
sponsors with honesty, respect, fairness, integrity, responsibility, kindness, and
in good faith.
Diane Materna, President
dimaterna@wowway.com
Newsletter Co-editors:
Debbie Bernard
Linda Morgan
Suburban Connection
Charter Chapter #5529
Clinton Twp., Michigan
Phone: 586-615-2818
Email: jdbernard@comcast.net
4. Members will maintain compliance with ABWA National, Chapter and Express
Network Bylaws.
5. Members will not use their personal power to advance their personal interests.
6. Members will strive for excellence in their professions by maintaining and
enhancing their own business knowledge and skills, and by encouraging the
professional development of other members.
A Chapter of the
American Business
Women’s Association
Visit us online at
www.abwa-suburban.org
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