WEWEN Newsletter Vol 2 Issue 4

WEWENWON
The WEWEN Newsletter

Melissa Rotholz, Carol Brace, Lindsey
Meadows, Anya Lucas, Kaley Frye,
Sherri Walker, Elizabeth Hale

IGNITE YOUR DREAMS WITH WEWEN ABWA

WEWEN 2017 Vision Statement: To be a diverse group of innovative leaders that
encourages members through education, involvement, and recognition, which
provides and lasting change in the community.

WEWEN NEWSLETTER- July 2018 Vol. 2, Issue 4

TABLE OF WEWENWON
CONTENTS The WEWEN Newsletter

01 Letter from the
President

03 Upcoming
Speakers

05 HAC Delegate
Report

07 ABWA Conference
Travel Tips

08 Welcome New
Members

09 FHPW Delegate
Report

10 WEWEN Events

National

13 Conference/WEWEN

Board

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.

WEWEN 2017-2018 President Carol Brace

LETTER
FROM THE
PRESIDENT

As the year draws to an end and our new board is about to embark on the 2018-2019 WEWEN
Journey I would like to share the following:

Truly keeping a positive ATTITUDE is everything!! In my year of tenure as the President of Women
Empowering Women Express Network, I enjoyed a tremendous roller coaster ride of ups and downs –
twists and turns and AWESOME Leadership Support. I learned the value that each and every one of
my members possessed and gained a deeper respect for the volunteer world of ABWA and its
national leadership board.
I found that ABWA National eagerly answered and supported all questions without judgment or
hesitation.
And I am so PROUD that this quarter, we had over 10 new members join and 20-plus of our members
celebrated WEWEN Anniversaries. Our members are KEY to the shared wealth of knowledge and
growth potential for our association.
ABWA has the RIGHT ATTITUDE…..Be Bold…… Be Brave….. Be You

Carol Brace- WEWEN President

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THANK YOU WEWEN WEWENWON
The WEWEN Newsletter
SPONSOR August Speaker- Lindsey Meadows

September Speaker-Katherine Knotts

Future Speakers & Topics

August 1st, 2018 Lindsey Meadows- “Start-Up Secret”
Lindsey is the proud owner of Meadows Resources an HR consulting and virtual staffing agency that
places virtual and remote workers with clients all over the world. She is also the founder of VA
School, a virtual academy dedicated to the enrichment of virtual workers and clients. She has over a
dozen years’ experience in HR, recruiting, staffing, and training with over five years in a virtual
capacity.

September 5th, 2018 Katherine Knotts- "Lessons Learned"
Kathryn graduated from UMHB in August 2002, cum laude and began law school at Baylor University
three days later. Kathryn graduated from Baylor Law School with an emphasis in civil litigation. In
2007, Kathryn was recognized by her firm as Attorney of the Year. Kathryn transferred to Brazos
County to manage the firm’s Bryan-College Station office, where she has worked to more than
quadruple the office’s productivity in five years. Kathryn is also a Gold Ambassador with Plexus
Worldwide, where she enjoys helping others find better health and wellness.

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.
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.

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HAC Nicole Rincones, Ro'Vin Garrett, Lindsey Meadows,
and Desarie Rohodes Hobbs 2017-2018 HAC Board

DELEGATE REPORT
WRITTEN BY LIZ HALE - CAKE FINE PASTRY
Fun Facts~
ALOHA LADIES AND GENT!! The theme of the Rebecca is a Latin Ballroom dancer, Carol is
the July meeting was Hawaii we were all adorned certified SOUS Chef, Shawn is a fun traveler and
with Hawaiian leis and were gifted bright and belly dancer OPA! Who ever wins, our District is in
colorful, sustainable, & reusable shopping Bags. good hands!
The vendors were: Sherry Pausky with The In other news: A new league is forming in the
Pampered Chef, Catherine James With Jordan Woodlands!!!!!! Yea more sisters!!
Oils and Offenbacher Fudge. Woman Celebrating Women Financial report
Lets get down to Business.... 7/26/2018: Income 11,260.35, Expenses 9,113.42
With conference coming up in October in Augusta Ending balance 2,146.93, Net Income 199.52
GA the Candidates for District II Vice President HAC of ABWA Profit & Loss April-June, 2018
are well under way campaigning for our vote!! Total Income 1,141.00, Total Expenses 1,424.44
(GO TO CONFERENCE!!) your voice matters! Net Income -283.44.
The Candidates are: Carol Brace of Houston, TX; HAC is currently looking to fill the following positions
Rebecca Dollinger of Dallas,TX and Shawn Todd for the 2019 board: Vice Chair, Financial Officer,
of Victoria, TX. The Panel Q/A was hosted by Fundraising Committee Chair, Professional
None other than the current District II VP Development Committee Chair.
Charlotte Osborn.

THANK YOU TO OUR EBC SPONSORS

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WEWENWON
The WEWEN Newsletter

ABWA CONFERENCE TRAVEL TIPS

WRITTEN BY ANYA LUCAS

Congratulations you have signed up for your first National Women’s Leadership Conference! So
what’s next you may ask? Here are my BEST conference tips!
1. Find a travel partner. Most league’s have members going to conference so find a friend and find
out what their travel plan is so you can join the group. Having a hotel roommate, sharing a rental car
and parking costs at the hotel can be big money savers.
2. Read the conference schedule in the ABWA magazine before your leave and determine when
you may need or want a dinner reservation. Yelp and Zaggat both have useful website when trying
to find a good restaurant in the conference city. Get with your travel partner or your league and
come up with a number for the reservation, you can always add a few extra for the new conference
friends you will make!
3. Sit with a new person in your Conference Track. Take the opportunity to network with someone
out of your local area. Conference brings together women from all over the U.S. During your 4 days
invite your new friends to lunch or dinner with you and your league.
The conference schedule is FULL from morning to night so take in as much as you can but if you
need a break that is ok also. Most important is to savor the time with your league and make a new
contact!

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WEWENWON
The WEWEN Newsletter

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome to WEWEN

SARA ARNOLD REFERRED BY DARLENE HAJDUK
CINDY BENNET-SMITH REFERRED BY CHRISTY CREE
LAUREN BRIKER REFERRED BY
MARY HAMALA REFERRED BY D’ANN GUMMELT
JULIZZA HOLUB REFERRED BY MELISSA ROTHOLZ
LISSA KIRCHNER REFERRED BY LINDSEY MEADOWS
KATHERINE LEE REFERRED BY MELISSA ROTHOLZ
CHRISTY STRATTON REFERRED BY D’ANN GUMMELT
CHANTEL WILLIAMS REFERRED BY LINDSEY MEADOWS
SHAWNA YOUNG REFERRED BY THE NW HOUSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
LAUREN BRIKER REFERRED BY CAROL BRACE

BUSINESS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Chantel Williams Sara Arnold Melony Davis
Darlene Hijduk Kelly Hodges
Liz Hale Page 8

FEDERATION OF HOUSTON PROFESSIONAL
WOMEN DELEGATE REPORT

WRITTEN BY CAROL BRACE

Federation of Houston’s Professional Women (FHPW) Delegate Report
The Norris Conference Center @ City Centre
Monday, July 23, 2018
5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

What an exciting FHPW Event not only did they introduce the 2018 Women of Excellence
recipients but, the FHPW Education Foundation (FHPWEF) held a Kendra Scott Gives Back
Event from 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM raising $1054.00. This is so important as all monies raised by
FHPWEF help to assure continued scholarship support for young women seeking higher
education in Texas.
WEWEN celebrated proudly as our very own incoming president, Melissa Rotholz was honored
as an FHPW 2018 Woman of Excellence (a lifetime achievement award). An FHPW Woman of
Excellence (WOE) Honoree is a woman that has demonstrated excellence in her profession
and the community, and one that leaves a lasting impression on those organizations she
serves and the people she helps. Melissa certainly has done that and we are so proud of her.
Promptly, following the Introduction of WOE, the meeting began with a celebration of former
WOE and Past President Panel - Dr. Jackeline Gascon-Webb, Moderator
The panelist (Pat Durham, Chris Noble, and Susan Silverman) provided all their greatest
takeaways and lessons learned for us all. This detailed the importance of volunteering and
networking....as well as, just what is a WOE.
Finally, Dr. Sue Bradshaw and Nicole Travis recognized the FHPWEF Board and spoke to the
importance of the upcoming September 15, 2018, FHPW Gala.
Why is it important to attend the FHPW GALA?
1. Awards presented to:
• Women of Excellence - Melissa Rotholz
• FHPWEF Scholarship Recipients - (FYI out of the twelve recipients - 3 are UPEN students
(Ayushi Patel, Sharon Bowers, and Selena Garcia Palacios) and 1 is related to our WEWEN
family (Demethra's daughter - Gabrielle Orion)
2. FHPWEF Silent Auction - this is the main fundraiser for the year to assure Future
Scholarship Funds
*****As a reminder the FHPW Women of Excellence Awards Gala***** Deadline September 9,
2018
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Norris Conference Center @ City Centre Houston
Red Oak Ballroom
816 Town & Country Blvd. | Houston, TX 77024
Reception 5:30 PM | Dinner & Awards 6:30 PM
Register at https://form.jotform.com/fhpw/galareservations

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As WEWEN sisters we try to afford as many WEWEN
networking and social opportunities for our MEMBER
members so that we can get the full value out of EVENTS
our membership and build lasting true
friendships that will continue through our lives.
Sign up for all WEWEN Member Events at
www.wewen.org/events

SUMMER POOL PARTY

August 8, 2018 @ 11:30 am
12518 Oak Park Dr., Houston, TX 77070
RSVP: https://wewen.wildapricot.org/

2018 WOE GALA

September 15, 2018 @ 5:30 p.m.
The Norris Center
816 Town & Country Blvd., Houston, TX 77024
RSVP: http://fhpw.org/home-2/

ABW DAY

September 22, 2018

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ONGOING WEWEN Members also have a vast array of social and
EVENTS networking opportunities outside of WEWEN that are available to
them throughout the month.
Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities each month
to get the most out of your membership with ABWA.

CYFEN-ABWA

Our sister chapter meets the fourth Thursday of each
month.-$30
16500 Houston National Blvd
Houston TX 77095
www.cyfen.org

UPEN-ABWA

Our sister student chapter meets the second Friday of each
month.
LSC- University Park West Dining Room

HAC QUARTERLY MEETING

The mission of the Houston Area Council of ABWA is to promote
involvement among participating Chapters and Express
Networks, and to provide opportunities for combined activities to
enhance our membership, to publicize ABWA and to promote
education within our community.- $38
The fourth Thursday of each quarter January, April, July, October,
and a Holiday Mixer in December.
Norris Center
816 Town & Country Blvd. St 201
Houston TX 77024
www.abwahouston.org

FHPW QUARTERLY MEETING

The mission of the Federation of Houston Professional Women is
uniting women from divers member organizations to enrich
personal and professional relationships and expand leadership,
partnership , and educational opportunities.- $35
The fourth Monday of each quarter January, April, July, and
October.
Norris Center
816 Town & Country Blvd. St 201
Houston TX 77024
www.fhpw.org

HOUSTON NORTHWEST
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Community Breakfast, Lunches, and Networking Meetings
throughout the month.
www.houstonnwchanber.org

GREATER TOMBALL
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Community Breakfast, Lunches, and Networking Meetings
throughout the month.
www.tomballchamber.org

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WEWENWON
The WEWEN Newsletter

2018 National Conference

For over 68 years, the National Women’s Leadership Conference, hosted by the American Business
Women’s Association, is where women come together to celebrate the past and focus on the future,
not only for themselves but for all working women. This year’s “Be Bold, Be Brave, Be You”
Conference offers three and a half days of professional development programming delivered by
nationally acclaimed authors, speakers, and business experts, all willing to share their insights with
you so you can achieve your personal and professional best.

Join us on Oct. 10 – 13 in Augusta, Georgia, for an action-packed conference where we will
empower women to share their voice, define their personal vision and understand their value in and
outside of the workplace.

Changing women’s lives…one woman at a time. This is who we are. This is what we do. And this is
what we continually strive to do in the American Business Women’s Association. We hope you join
us in our quest.
October 10-13th 2018
Augusta Georgia

2018-2019 WEWEN Board Page 13

President - Melissa Rotholz, Shield Bearer
President-Elect - Lindsey Meadows, Meadows Resources
Past President- Carol Brace, University of Houston Downtown UP
VP of Communication - Anya Lucas, Lucas Auto Care
VP of Finance - Kaley Frye, Northwest Houston Chamber of Commerce
VP of Membership - Sherry Waller, Pampered Chef & Carrie Morrison
VP of Marketing/Public Relations - Kelli Seyedain, KM Interiors
VP of Programming – Liz Hale, Cake Fine Pastry