Chapter News: April 2011

 

Inland Northwest NAWBO Newsletter

Volume 8, Issue 7
April 1, 2011

NAWBO Chapter News

  • Hot Off the Presses! unCorked! Is Almost Sold Out!
  • Thank You to Our unCorked! Sponsors
  • unCorked! Program
  • unCorked! Raffle<
  • Welcome New and Returning Members
  • Thank You -- New and Renewing Corporate Partners

NAWBO Member News

  • The Tomato Lady Has Peppers Too
  • Julie Prafke Takes Odyssey Across America
  • Lunell Haught Presented to INSHRM
  • Kyrsten Weber Documentary Airs
  • Kyrsten Weber Offers Voice-Over Services
  • Diane Gibson Presents Consulting Collaboration
  • Alison Zecha Has Busy Speaking Schedule
  • 2011 Power Women’s Summit Coming
  • When the Phone Rings, Are You Ready to Answer It? -- Merrily Bjerkestrand

Corporate Partner News

  • Upcoming LaunchPad Events
  • A Tale of Lament from Billie
  • Thanks to Our Corporate Partners

 

NAWBO Chapter News

 

Hot Off the Presses! unCorked! Is Almost Sold Out!

 As of 3/31/2011, only 9 tickets remain available for unCorked!, our annual fundraiser for NAWBO. Please consider being one of the last lucky 9 who purchase a ticket! Tickets are $38 and if there are any left on April 28, $42 at the door. Due to the size of our venue, we cannot sell additional tickets. Please log onto the NAWBO website to purchase your ticket www.nawbonw.org.
 
unCorked! will replace the regular April NAWBO meeting. 
Date: 4/28/2011
Time: 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Location: Nectar Tasting Room / 120 N. Stevens / Spokane, WA 99201
Cost: $38 online / $42 at the door (if not sold out)

Raffle:  Please bring cash for our amazing unCorked! raffle.  Tickets will be $5 and you will have many beautiful baskets to choose from which may include wine, wine related items and gift certificates for great services.

Thank You to Our unCorked! Sponsors

We could not put on such an amazing event without our unCorked! sponsors. Thank you so much! 

Thank you to our Cabernet sponsor Inland Northwest Robotics Alliance.  The Alliance is made up of Billie Moreland & Associates, Eastern Washington University Computer Science, Interlink Advantage, Inc., and Pilar Heredia.
 
Thank you to our wonderful Chardonnay level unCorked! sponsors: Coeur d'Alene Olive Oil Company, Frucci and Associates, Riverbank,  Synergy Healthcare, Tiller Care Strategies and Volwiler Counseling.
 
If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities, contact our Chair, Darrelle Volwiler, Ph.D. at 242-0806 or docvol@aol.com.

 

unCorked! Program

We have a fabulous program scheduled for unCorked! this year, thanks to the imagination of John Allen, from Vino! and Josh Wade of the Nectar Tasting Room.  John will tell you fascinating details about the wines, and Josh will tell you all about each winery. Here is what you can expect:

  • 5:30 - 6:00  Sparkling wine reception. Peruse the raffle items and splurge on tickets.
  • 6:00  Turn in your champagne flute for a wine glass while learning about the next tastings: a white wine blend and a Pinot Noir. Share a toast to our unCorked! sponsors and be enticed by our raffle line up.
  • 6:20 - 6:30  Here come the reds!  Enjoy three more tastings: a Malbec, red blend, and a Cabernet. Have your raffle tickets at hand for the next drawings.
  • 6:50- 7:00  Enjoy an elegant port while sampling decadent chocolates placed around the room. More raffle items sweeten the experience.
  • 7:20  Final raffle winners announced.
  • 7:40 - 8:30  Linger over conversation and a glass of your favorite wine from the evening. Or, take a bottle home. All wines on the Nectar Tasting Room menu will be available to you for purchase.
Food will be catered by Puttin' on the Ritz, and we have several Chocolatiers providing chocolate.

unCorked! Raffle

The gathering of great ideas and generous offers has begun! Don’t miss out. As raffle a contributor, your name and your company's name will appear on the big screen at Nectar Tasting room along with a photo of your donation. The photography will be on a continuous loop so your name will show up multiple times. You will also be named and thanked when your item is raffled off, and your business card goes with the raffled item.

Don't worry about gift bags or baskets unless that's your thing.  Be sure to attach your business card.

Drop-off sites until Thursday, April 21.
 
Nectar Tasting Room will store raffle items for us.
120 N. Stevens (Stevens and Main downtown Spokane)
Open Thu 12pm-7pm; Fri-Sat 12pm-9pm / (509) 869-1572
Please label your drop-off so Josh and his staff will know it is for unCorked!
 
Darrelle Volwiler's Office
910 N. Washington / Suite 211 / across from the Caterina Winery / (509) 242-0806.  It is OK to leave your item(s) in Darrelle’s lobby.
 
Questions? Contact Kathy West at 509 879-2480

Please bring cash for the raffle.  Tickets will be $5 each.

Welcome New and Returning Members

Please extend the warmest of welcomes to our new members:
  • Dr. Kaiulani Morimoto, Isagenix
  • Rebecca Karvonen, Mountain Dove Construction
  • Kayla Littlefield, Financial Planning Division of MetLife
  • Stephanie Butler, Broker, Windemere Real Estate
Welcome back renewing members:
  • Joslyn Cox, Coeur d'Alene Olive Oil Company
  • Marry Hanna, Independent Services Corp.
  • Joan Hubbard, Ameriprise Financial Service
  • Bonnie Bell-Anderson, Bell-Anderson Financial Services, LLC

 

Thank You, New and Renewing Corporate Partners

A gigantic welcome and thank you to our new Corporate Partner
  • Simply Northwest
Simply Northwest is owned by  Denielle  Waltermire.  Please extend a huge NAWBO welcome to Denielle.

A huge thank you to our renewing Corporate Partners: 
  • Bozzi Media
  • Lincoln Center
 
Bozzi Media publishes Catalyst Magazine, Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living, and several other quality magazines.  Lynn Hanley represents Bozzi Media at our NAWBO meetings.
 
The Lincoln Center, our regular meeting venue, is represented by Tammy Tracy.

NAWBO Member News

 

The Tomato Lady Has Peppers Too

 Elizabeth Casteel, aka The Tomato Lady, says, “Tomato plants should be ready by the last week of April. I have 137 varieties, (Kelloggs Breakfast, Mortgage Lifter, Banana Legs, Early Girl, Black Truffle, Chocolate Stripes, Tiegrella, Cream Sausage, Sweet Baby Girl,) to name a few and 36 varieties of peppers, hot and sweet (Purple Beauty, Corno Di Toro, Habanero, Early Jalapeno, Fish Pepper, Giant Thai, Karma, Monster Bell etc.). Check out my website. There will be no preorders, due to lack space for segregating them and it will be first come, first served. They are $3 each and that includes tax. I will post on the website exactly when they are ready to go home.” The Tomato Lady, Elizabeth Casteel, 822 N University, 509-928-3342.

 

Julie Prafke Takes Odyssey Across America

Aullie and Julie Prafke have just returned from a 6-month, 23,000 mile Odyssey across America in their 5th wheel.  We left on September 16, 2010 and hope to pull into our driveway sometime the week of March 21.

I took lots of pictures, and recorded our Ramblings for family and friends.  If you are interested in any of our adventures, please let me know.  We’ll be happy to share the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Not really any bad or ugly, just variations of the “trip of a lifetime.”

Looking forward to seeing you all very soon. Julie. Prafke

 

Lunell Haught Presented to INSHRM

Lunell Haught's article "Speaking Up, How do you know if your open door policy is actually working?" http://www.haughtstrategies.com/articles/speaking-up.asp tells what's difficult and why both bosses and employees don't like to speak up.  It recommends eight tactics to avoid having to say after the fact 'why didn't you tell me?' She and research associate Ginny Darrell PE presented this at a Society of Human Resource Managers (INSHRM) meeting.

Kyrsten Weber Documentary Airs

My latest documentary is airing again this month. “Courage in Corsets” chronicles the fight for women's suffrage in WA State. It debuted on KSPS last November, but this time it will air on both sides of the state. Here are the dates and times...
  • KSPS 7 (Spokane)   Tues, March 22, 8 pm  AND  Thur, March 31, 7 pm
  • KCTS 9 (Seattle)   Mon, March 28, 10:30 pm  AND  Thur, March 31, 7 pm
  • KYVE 47 (Yakima)   Mon, March 28, 10:30 pm  AND  Thur, March 31, 7 pm
There are also some 2 am airings in April, just in case you miss it.

One of my guests for Uncorked! will be Mary Decesare, writer and producer of “Courage in Corsets”.

Kyrsten Weber Offers Voice-Over Services

If you are looking for a warm, friendly and professional voice for your Voice-Mail or On-Hold Message, Kyrsten Weber is offering free script consultation and writing when you use her voice on your system ($50-150 value depending on the length of the script). Her voice-over rates are very reasonable. Contact Kyrsten with your questions... 220-2477.

 

Diane Gibson Presents Consulting Collaboration

Diane Gibson presented Consulting Collaboration: The Sum is Greater Than Its Parts on two different occasions in the last month.  She presented with Bob Phillips, and Jerry Vieira, CMC at the OSWW in Portland, OR on March 15.
 
On April 1, she presented to the Spokane CPN Group (Consultant Professional Network).  This presentation, Consulting Collaboration, discussed the benefits, pitfalls and operating mechanics that can reap rewards for both client and consultants as a result of collaboration.

Alison Zecha Has Busy Speaking Schedule

 Alison Zecha, Coach AZ,  was the speaker for the Leadership Spokane Alumni Association’s recent Leadership Perks!  A Double Shot of Leadership, a discussion on how to "Re-energize your Leadership Passion" with Alison Zecha, Class of 2007.
 
Alison is the featured instructor for “Leadership Matters: Leading Others, Knowing Yourself” presented by  The Washington Center for Nursing on April 11 and 12, 2011 at The Lincoln Center, Spokane, WA. 
 
Alison returns to Honolulu twice in April to present “Leadership Fundamentals”, a two-day workshop for new leaders.
 

Lunell Haught Selected for the 2010 Best of Business Award

March, 2011. Haught Strategies has been selected for the 2010 Best of Business Award in the Business consulting category by the Small Business Commerce Association (SBCA).  To learn more visit:  www.nawbonw.org.

Donna Graham Saves the Dress

 Lunell Haught reports that Donna Graham came to the rescue of her daughter’s favorite dress.  Donna Graham replaced the favorite and very complex dress by deconstructing the original and using it as a pattern to create a new one.  Donna said that it was a challenging but ultimately rewarding project.  Lunell’s daughter currently resides in Istanbul, Turkey.

ECO DEPOT, Inc. Has Special Offer

Nadine Sullivan of ECO DEPOT says, “Come see us in booth 207 at the Premier Home Improvement Show April 15-17 and get $1.00 off of your 1st show special LED light bulb when you mention code "depoteco11".
 
The show is at the Fair Grounds. Hours are Friday April 15 noon -8pm, Sat the 16th 10:00am-8pm, Sun the 17th 10:00am-5pm.
 
Just in for spring gardening, soft and breathable Bamboo Fiber garden gloves. Come in and try on a pair for the best fit.

2011 Power Women’s Summit Coming

 Save the date for the 2011 Power Women’s Summit,  June 8, 2011 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Mirabeau Park Hotel Convention Center.
 
This year’s theme:  Strength and Courage, features insightful workshops, a panel of courageous women who have accomplished the unexpected, and keynote speaker, Diane Holmstrom, President and CEO, World FX IQ.  Learn about life and career enhancing opportunities.  Registration: $75.00 includes continental breakfast and lunch.
 
Brought to you by the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 509-924-4994 or go to www.spokanevalleychamber.org.
 

When the Phone Rings, Are You Ready to Answer It?

An article by Merrily Bjerkestrand, Northwest School of Protocol

I went to a high school basketball game to watch my nephews play.  Sitting next to my brother, dad to the nephews, I noticed him occasionally looking toward his son on the bench and holding his hand to his ear, like he was making a phone call.  His son, on the bench, quickly responded in kind.

“What in the world was that?” I asked.

 “Oh its just something I do.  I’ve told him, ‘When the phone rings, be ready to answer it.’ He needs to make sure he keeps his head in the game and stays prepared, even if he’s not playing right now.”

Oh my gosh, how profound is that!  (Of course, I didn’t tell my brother that.)

In this tough and disheartening economy where many are laid off or can’t find work, or find themselves on the “economic bench” while others are in the game, I ask you the same question.  When the phone rings, will you be ready to answer it?

During this minor setback, what are you doing with your time to help keep your head in the game?  While its understandable to be discouraged, frustrated, or angry, there are some other options to prepare you for the phone call when it does come.  Can you improve your person, your presence, or your “program”, meaning your knowledge base?

To improve your person, the you that others see first and build an impression on in microseconds, start with 2 mirrors.  With a small mirror, look at your face.  What color are your teeth?  Straight or not, they need to be clean and white.  A smile is your best asset.  There is no excuse in this day and age to have discolored or stained teeth.  If you can’t afford professional whitening, get to the store ASAP and get some Crest Whitening Strips.  Next, check your hair.  If you are a male with facial hair, make sure it is trimmed, well groomed, and contemporary. Think twice about a mustache, please.   Also, make sure ear, nose, eyebrow hair is under control.  Females, well maintained eyebrows are a must and a simple way to accent eyes, the great communicator.  Hairstyles should be clean, flattering, and current.  Just because someone told you your style looked good in high school, doesn’t mean it looks good now.  Male baldness doesn’t have the social stigma it used to today.  If you are a male who is losing more hair than you would like, consider a shorter or shaven style.  Be courageous.  Just don’t live in a baseball cap.  Also, get some rest and some sunshine.  Looking healthy and natural is always a positive sell.

With the second mirror, a full length one this time, stand back and take a look at you.  Be honest and proactive, not mean and critical.  How is your posture?  Look at how you hold your shoulders.  If you’re feeling discouraged, no one needs to know it but you.  Pull those shoulders back.  Act like you paid a million bucks for yourself, and you got a deal.  If you’ve had a desk job, your core muscles are probably weak.  How about a few sit ups a day.  Start simple.  Try on some of your “professional or business” attire.  Yes, they should be different than your Saturday or hanging-out with friends clothing.  Take this time to have them altered if you’ve had a weight change.  Attend to loose buttons and hemlines. Throw out or give away those that show too much wear or are discolored.  Better yet, have a business clothing “swap”.  Get together with other professionals you know, possibly in the same boat, and exchange what is still in great shape, but doesn’t work for you anymore.  “I’ll trade you two skinny ties for that collegiate stripped one.”  Polish your shoes or replace them.  Find some belts in the same color.  Take this extra time to try on new business clothes and find your style or add some color.  You don’t have to buy now.  Remember, you are just getting back into your professional shape.  To be in the game, we all need to have the right uniform that works for our particular team.  Make sure yours fits well, looks good, and you look confident in it.

Lastly, to prepare you for the game, step up your program, meaning your knowledge base. One way to do this is to read trade magazines.  Go to the library, it’s free!  Attend conferences or trainings offered.  Being a life-long learner is where success and leadership begin.  Don’t let your pride, credentials, or years of experience get in the way.  The best recommendation, connect with other professionals from different age groups.  Why?  Technology + experience= creative thinking. We need each other and to be successful, we need to be able to communicate.  Generational gaps and gender gaps exit.  To become creative, powerful, and successful, we each need to get over ourselves and value each other to form a working team, rather than putting our energies into jealousy, intimidation, and insecurities. Stay involved in the game.  Knowledge is power.

It may not feel like it, but this “economic bench time” could be the best thing to happen to you.  Use this time to reevaluate your “game”, starting with your person, your presence, and your program.  The choice is yours to lose heart and be discouraged, or take advantage of the time between games and find, discover, or create the best you possible.  When the phone rings, be ready to answer it.

Corporate Partner News

 

 Upcoming LaunchPad Events 

**Please remember that NAWBO members receive a 20% discount on all LaunchPad events.
 
Professional Women's Community Luncheon - Tuesday, April 5th 11:30 - 1:30pm
Join us in giving Mayor Mary Verner a warm LaunchPadINW welcome. We look forward to her message of honesty, sincerity, and perseverance. You'll also enjoy musical guests The Traveling Vagabonds! For more information, please visit http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/professional-womens-community-3 .
 
Intro to LaunchPadINW - Tuesday, April 5th 5:30 - 7:00
The Intro to LaunchPad will include some basic information about how to complete your profile, how to add and respond to discussions, blog posts, and events, etc., but will mainly focus on the vision on which LaunchPad is based, netiquette and how to use LaunchPad as a tool in your overall strategic networking plan. http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/intro-to-launchpad-inw-5
 
Next Generation Leaders Community Kick-Off - Wednesday, April 6th 4-6pm
Join us for the Kick Off Event of the Next Generation Leaders Community and Initiative. You will hear from initiative organizers Leadership Spokane and LaunchPad INW along with our business partners Washington Trust Bank. We will talk about the goals for this community initiative and also answer questions from guests. http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/next-generation-leaders
 
Emerging Trends in Technology: Health Care Innovations - Tuesday, April 12th 1-7pm
Are you in the health care industry? Do you have a product or service innovation that could work in health care? Join over 200 professionals as our media host KHQ's Sean Owsley interviews our guest speakers for this incredible day long seminar. http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/emerging-trends-in-technology-1
 
Managing your Online Presence: Wednesday, April 13th 11:30 - Ipm
This workshop is designed to help you improve your online presence. We'll show you tips and tricks you can use to help the right people find you online. We'll also show you how to connect to your blog, utilize Search Engine Optimization (SEO), social links, Facebook and Twitter. http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/launchpad-profile-optimization-3
 
Professional Development Conference: Wednesday, April 20th 9am-12:30pm
LaunchPadINW has become known by our members as a source for top quality educational workshops. We specialize in bringing you local presenters who are willing to share their professional expertise with you. We've recently consolidated our workshop schedule to bringing you multiple workshops in a single half-day conference.  http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/launchpad-professional-1
 
Strategic Relationship Forum: Tuesday, April 26th 7:30-9:00am
Strategic Relationships are a vital key to your success in business. LaunchPad's newest offering engages you with other professionals in your ecosystem while learning about important business development strategies.
 
Google Analytics and Conversion Strategies: Wednesday, April 27th 11:30am-1:00pm
Ed Reese of Sixth Man Marketing will lead you through a tour of Google Analytics and give you tips on how to turn those website clicks into customers.
This entry level class will show you how to harness the power of website data via Google Analytics. Understanding visitor behavior on your website is critical to understanding how to engage with customers, test your marketing messages, and grow your business http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/google-analytics-and.
 

A Tale of Lament from Billie

NAWBO Inland Northwest intends to have the same graphics, look and feel used in all of its mailings -- meeting notices, newsletters, and Web site.  This newsletter may not have the header graphics as usual, depending on your e-mail program. 

The problem is: I was using an "older" (in Internet years) newsletter program.  When the recent upgrade was offered, I said, "yes, but please don't lose my graphics."  Well, the graphics disappeared, and the new user interface isn't being "user friendly".  I can wait to publish and talk to tech support, but I'm opting to send it and figure out the graphics for the next newsletter.  If anyone really minds, I offer my apologies.

 

 

Thank You to NAWBO Corporate Partners

Inland Northwest NAWBO Corporate Partners:

Gold Partners:

Silver Partners:

Bronze Partners:

Supporting Partners:


National Corporate Partners:

Regional Patrons:

 

Editor: Billie Moreland, PhD
Billie Moreland & Associates
SCORE -- Counselors to America's Small Business
District Director, SCORE District 1094
www.billiemoreland.com