ABWA WEWEN- Newsletter- Q3-April 2021 (1)

AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S
ASSOCIATION-

WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN EXPRESS
NETWORK

May 2021

THE QUARTERLY
EMPOWERMENT

WEWEN VISION 2020 - 2021

Leading our members to overcome obstacles and meet the
current challenges. Reaching beyond to become better

leaders and empowering others to excel professionally and
personally. Creating vision to become stronger and more
resilient than ever before.

2020-2021 WEWEN BOARD

President - Markisha Mitchell - Medella Urgent Care
President-Elect - Anya Lucas - Lucas Auto Care

VP of Communication - Suzanne Short - Edward Jones
VP of Finance - Carol Brace - Retired

VP of Membership - Tessa Elrod - Next Step Financial Solutions
VP of Marketing/Public Relations - Kristie Castilow - Kristie Inc.

VP of Programming - Dawna Dyson - Juice Plus+
Past President - Lindsey Chapman - Meadows Resource

WEeWlirgEeiNcibmolMenbffeueomrrrespbenamecrretseinaaltr.efor additional information
www.abwa.org
1-800-228-0007

contact ABWA National before June 15 2

to set up your payment plan

AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN ASSOCIATION MISSION

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.

Core Values 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.

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 interest.

6.Members will strive for excellence in their
professions by maintaining and enhancing their
own business knowledge and skills by
encouraging the professionals development of
other members.

hrr 1. Giving Members a Voice 3
2. Treat People With Dignity
3. Lifelong Learning
4. Focus on Creating Value for
Members
5. Achievement
6. Visionary Leadership
7. Focus on the Future
8. Focus on Results
9. Manage by Fact
10. Manage for Innovation

BUSINESS LUNCHEONS

WEWEN business luncheons are held the first Wednesday of each month. Come early to
take advantage of networking, enjoy your meal, and learn from one of our guest
speakers.
In response to our changing social landscape, we are proud to offer an In-person and
Virtual option. Your patience is appreciated as we master hosting hybrid meeting
formats and choose the safest locations for our events. Promote yourself, Promote your
business! New this year, your membership covers one BITS presentation per year.
Contact Desna Randall at [email protected] !
Sign up for all WEWEN Member Events at www.wewen.org/events

LUNCHEON AGENDA

11:00 am - 11:30pm -
Arrival/Networking
11:30am - 12:00pm- League
Business Meeting
12:00pm - 12:45pm - Guest
Speaker
12:45pm - 1:00pm - Member
Celebrations / News; Door Prizes
1:00 pm - Meeting Adjournment

4

GUEST SPEKERS

June 2, 2021

Kristena Hackett

SPOTLIGHT YOUR BUSINESS:
TWO TOOLS TO USE

July 7, 2021 5
Tessa Elrod

INVESTING 101: THE BASICS
OF INVESTING & HAVING A

DEFINED SPENDING PLAN

FEDERATION OF HOUSTON PROFESSIOAL WOMEN

(FHPW)

The FHPW unites women from diverse member organizations to enrich relationships
and expand leadership, partnership and educational opportunities.

As an extension of business women's current member organizations, FHPW provides
stewardship, mentorship, and partnerships in the Greater Houston and surrounding
communities to connect and transform the networking experience by recognizing
women of excellence and building pathways to help members achieve their
aspirations by encouraging networking, education, and growth.

FHPW QUARTERLY MEETINGS

The fourth Monday of each quarter January,

April, July, October.

Norris Conference Center

816 Town & Country Blvd. St 201

Houston TX 77024 6

fhpw.org

FHPW Quarterly Meeting Report
Thursday, April 26th, 2021

Respectfully Submitted by Vicki Tichenor/Delegate

Call to Order-Donna Mitchell
Invocation and Dinner-Jill Almaguer

Guest speaker, Deborah Olson spoke on “Strategies for Building Resiliency” She has a book out
on this topic and is available for speaking engagements.

2-Step CPR presented by the Association of perioperative Nurses Greater Houston Chapter.

Approval of the January Minutes-Donna Mitchell/Minutes approved. Treasurer’s Report-
Approved and filed for audit.

-New member organization/Women Driving Business-Houston West Chamber of Commerce was
recognized as new FPWH member. They have over 700 members!

-Legacy President Recognition-Donna Mitchell
Several Legacy Presidents present at the meeting. Since this is the 40th year celebration of the
organization, they were all personally recognized for their contributions and service to FPHW.

Ruby Gala Director-Vanessa Hawkins

-The Women of Excellence Gala 40th Ruby Jubilee will be on Saturday, September 18th, 2021 at
the Norris Conference Center. * Sponsors and financial contributions of any amount are in need
for scholarships. All donors will be recognized in the Woman of Excellence Gala Program. The
deadline for submitting WOE profiles will be May 31st, 2021.
Vendor Introduction and their door prizes presented along with the First Raffle drawing winner.

Announcements-Donna Mitchell

-New 40th Anniversary Logo introduction and recognition of the designer.

-The next Power Luncheon will be held in the Woodlands on June 16th-no venue yet.

-At the July 26th quarterly meeting there will be STEAM panel and WOE introductions.

-Deadline to submit WOE applications will be due by May 31st.

-WOE Gala and 40th Ruby Jubilee will be held on September 18, 2021.

Adjourn at 8:02-Donna Mitchell

7

8

HOUSTON AREA COUNCIL

(HAC)

The Houston Area Council of ABWA (HAC) is Local Sister ABWA Leagues
an umbrella that covers Houston, over to
IWIB-INNOVATIVE WOMEN
Victoria, and up to Bryan/College Station. As a IN BUSINESS
member of any local leagues or as a National Business / Networking Brunch the 2nd
Tuesday of every month.
member, the HAC is key resource and an
added value to your membership. CY-FAIR EXPRESS NETWORK
The fourth Thursday of each month.
16500 Houston National Blvd
Houston, Texas 77095

Visit http://cyfen.org/ for more information
and to learn more about their future events.

HAC QUARTERLY MEETING
The fourth Thursday of each quarter
January, April, July, October, and a Holiday
Mixer in December. Meetings are currently
held virtually.
Norris Center
816 Town & Country Blvd. St 201
Houston TX 77024
www.abwahouston.org

Nancy Robbins, Vicki Tichenor, Carol Brace, Melissa
Brotch, Markisha Mitchell, & Darlene Hajduk at the

2019 WCW Event

HAC Quarterly Meeting Report
Thursday, April 22, 2021

Respectfully Submitted by Vicki Tichenor/Delegate

2021 Executive Board Introductions-Those that Kim discussed with the group that support is
served for 2020 have agreed to serve another needed in attendance and participation and
year due to Covid. they are in need of finding a new Venue. Also,
if we cannot get attendance up to at least 40
Chair-Kim Stengel people at the next 2 events we will also lose
Vice Chair-Meredith Golden our status with the Junior League.
Finance Chair-Debbie Murphy
Communications Officer-Cathy Conrad Women’s Leadership Summit Fundraiser
Membership-Robin Taylor would be held in June. Meet and Greets and
Fundraising-HAC Team Mixers are returning soon.
Hospitality/Reservations-Natasha Vaughn
Programs-TBA 9
Publicity/Website-Kristena Hackett
Sponsorships-TBA
WCW Recognition Luncheon-Meredith Golden

HOUSTON AREA COUNCIL

(HAC)

HAC Quarterly Meeting Repor, continued

Guest speakers, Katherine R. Kest and author
Judith Ulmas (On remote). Kathryn spoke on
“Grateful Leadership” Using the Power of
Acknowledgment to Engage All Your People and
Achieve Superior Results. The program and book
on Grateful Leadership are available as a certified
training course offered to companies and
organizations.

Women Celebrating Women (WCM) Report-
Meredith Golden

This event will be held at the Junior League of
Houston on August 21, 2021 from 10 am to 1:30 pm.
A Friday night reception will also be held at the
Double Tree by Hilton-Greenway Plaza from 6-9
pm. Sponsorships at several levels are available.
*See the abwahouston.org website for more
details on the WCM and scholarship opportunities.

This is the 37th Anniversary of the Houston Area
Council WCW, honoring 2021 Women of the Year,
and 2022 Top Ten Candidates. 2021 Chapter
Protégé’s will also be recognized.

New Business-Cathy Conrad and Kim Stengel

They are looking for committee volunteers to help
find a new venue for the HAC quarterly meetings.

*The Online/Virtual meeting price will be
increasing going forward to help cover expenses.

10

CHAMBER PARTNERSHIPS

WEWEN Members also have a vast array of social and networking opportunities outside of
WEWEN that are available to them throughout the month. In addition to HAC and FHPW,
you are a member of Houston NorthWest Chamber of Commerce and Greater Tomball
Chamber of Commerce through your membership with WEWEN.
Make sure to take advantage of these opportunities each month to get the most out of
your membership with ABWA.

HOUSTON NORTHWEST GREATER TOMBALL
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Community Breakfast, Lunches, and
Networking Meetings throughout the Community Breakfast, Lunches, and
month.
www.houstonnwchanber.org Networking Meetings throughout the 11
month. www.tomballchamber.org

GET INVOLVED

As WEWEN sisters we try to afford as many networking and social opportunities for our
members so that we can get the full value out of 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

Check your email
and WEWEN

Events Facebook
page for the link
to join the Coffee

Connect

12

How Preparing for a Rainy-Day
Fund Could Save Your Marriage

Tessa Elrod, CFP®, CDFA®

It is extremely common to hear that people have more debt than I
they can keep up with, that they live on credit and paycheck to
paycheck. In the initial panic of COVID-19 the fear wasn’t just of If you are like many that are going stir
the virus, it was the inability to work and maintain a paycheck. crazy in our COVID-19 social distancing
Why??? Because when you live paycheck to paycheck, you likely era, a good use of time could be using
don’t have a rainy-day fund and believe it would be impossible to this opportunity to work on your
ever save for one. What if I told you that was a lie, and in fact, marriage. All the ‘noise’ of life and
you could create savings and grow your rainy-day fund. All it busyness has been forcibly removed for
takes is a little discipline and time. you. Take the time to analyze what
Now, let’s say you believe my truth and you start by analyzing your areas you have found could be carved
spending and cutting out the unnecessary expenses, even the out after we get back to normal, and
tiniest ones. Next, you start a new account with an automatic how that time can be intentionally used
deposit of just $25 a month, then after a couple of months you to serve each other.
realize you never missed that $25 so you double it, and so forth The key is staying focused on what you
and so on. Over time you begin to amass a rainy-day fund. With can control, that is you and your
discipline, patience and time it is possible. response only. Marriage takes work and
both spouses willingness to give 100%,
What if you used the same approach in your marriage? Instead of not just 50/50. Life may throw you a
cutting expenses, you’re cutting noise and wasted time. Instead pandemic, and stop life as you know it,
of an auto savings, you regularly serve your spouse and/or make but what you choose to do with it is up
time for a date night. You learn to become intentional with the to you.
time you have and how you use it. Over time, with discipline and
patience, there is a chance you might find your relationship 13
growing.
If you have ever read the book ‘Fireproof’ written by Eric Wilson or
watched the movie, you saw that the initial behavior or response
to change can be misunderstood. Changing our budgeting habits
doesn’t happen overnight and they don’t always go as planned,
but with time and consistency changes can begin to manifest.
The same can be true for your marriage if you and your spouse
are both willing.

Innovative
Women In
Business

(IWIB)

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

9:30 am - 5:00 pm

Virtual Leadership
Conference
$25

Registration is open at
https://www.abwaiwib.org/e
vents-1/iwib-2021-
leadership-forum

Sponsorships are
available by contacting
Darlene at
[email protected]

Markisha Mitchell, Katina Mein, 14District II Vice President, Judy Taylor during
and Anya Lucas hybrid meeting set up

LIFELONG LEARNING

Your membership in ABWA provides opportunites for life time learning. ABWA
National has offered a variety of self-paced Apex courses availanle at no
additional cost. Listed under the School of Lean, login and register today at
www.myapexcampus.org! Please call the ABWA National team at 913-732-5100
or email at [email protected], if you have questions.

May's course offering includes Seven Quality Controls and Toyota
Kata-Practice Makes Progress (deadline to register is May 28)
June's course offerings will be A-3 Thinking and The Kaizen Way