_ABWA WEWEN- Newsletter- Q1

AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S
ASSOCIATION-

WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN EXPRESS
NETWORK

THE QEUMARPTOEWRELRYMENT

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.

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 2
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

LETTER
FPRROEMSIDENT

You are right where you need to be

MARKISHA MITCHELL

So, I was having one of those days, rather, I was having one of those weeks, who am I kidding…months! I had
deadlines to meet, both personally and professionally, and I was feeling overwhelmed. I had a running "to do list"
in my head and the more I thought about the various tasks ahead of me, I wanted to retreat to my safe happy
place, my sewing room watching Netflix. And that is exactly what I did. I finished several sewing projects and
binge watched all 8 seasons of Game Of Thrones in record time. My temporary escape was nice, but my mind was
still unsettled, over-thinking all the various things I needed to do. I started to question myself, my abilities, my
organizational skills; did I really sign up for this, am I qualified enough, do I have what it takes to be successful?
Can you relate, or maybe it's just me? While sewing, my brain subconsciously began to craft my exit strategy for
the roles and positions I had taken on.

Without much thought, I picked up the phone and called my longtime friend Kia. She's that one friend I call that
supports Baby Kisha, my alter ego. If I told Kia that I wanted to join the circus, her reply would be a quick "Yes girl,
forget them, when do we leave, I’ll make daiquiris”. However, the adult and professional Markisha knew that was
not an option. So, I decided to search my contacts and call one of our fellow WEWEN members for help. I was
slightly nervous to call her even though she extended the invitation for me to do so if I needed ANYTHING.
Although I did not know her very well, I knew she was experienced, wise, and pragmatic. She listened to me. She
shared her own experience and gently held me accountable. She challenged me and perhaps she had a point.
Maybe there was a direct correlation between my feeling overwhelmed and my difficulty delegating tasks to
others. Effective delegation is akin to asking for help and essential to a woman’s self-preservation. Additionally,
she reminded me of a life principle that I know to be true: “You are right where you need to be”. To be fully
transparent, during challenging times I tend to forget this simple truth.

As President of our WEWEN league it is important to me that I perform this role to the best of my ability. I am
grateful to serve on a leadership team with a diverse group of women. These women are intelligent, dedicated,
and successful in their businesses. They are committed to support, educate, and empower others. We welcome
this challenge. We as leaders have the unique opportunity to truly serve our members during a global pandemic
with an uncertain economic, political and social landscape.

The coronavirus pandemic has had a great impact on our lives. Keeping in line with our WEWEN Vision for this
year, our focus is to assist each other to overcome obstacles and to face challenges with confidence. It is vital that
you know that you have the support and encouragement of WEWEN members. We want to help each other to
become better leaders and to excell both personally and professionally. We aim to increase engagement while
meeting the needs of our members. Not only will this require commitment and intention from the leadership
team, it also requires effort from YOU. Being a woman in business can be isolating and scary but we do not have
to ‘go at it alone’. Please reach out to anyone on the board. Call us, call each other. Meet for coffee, face to face or
virtually. Share your challenges, successes, and great ideas. Extend yourself some grace and know that “you are
right where you need to be” and we are glad you are here.

On behalf of the WEWEN 2020 -2021 Leadership board, we look forward to collaborating with all of you 3

and becoming stronger and more resilient than ever before!! Markisha

2019-2020 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 Divorce Solutions
VP of Marketing/Public Relations - Kristie Castilow - Kristie Inc.

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

Does Your Corporate Culture Get All A’s?
The proactive process to shape the team culture you want.

Oct 5, 2020

Visit ABWA.ORG blog for tips and trick to work from home

Visit ABWA.ORG for career opportunities

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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

Dawna Dyson & Kim Howell,
doing their best to social distance

Lindsey Chapman monitoring the chat during the 5
luncheon to maintain engagement with virtual attendees.

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

November 4, 2020

Talking Taxes and Other Topics

With over 37 years of professional
accounting & financial planning, speaker
Lori Klein share her wisdom and provide
information to help prepare our business
for tax season and the impact covid may

have on this years tax filings.

December 2, 2020

A Practical and Profound
Approach to Meet Goals

Strategic management is the process of
regular and continuous planning, leading
and analysis of all the necessary actions
that help an organization to meet its goals

and objectives.
Get ready to set some goals.
Lead by Formation chair & Past President
of WEWEN, Darlene Hajduk, you will leave
this business luncheon with strategies you
can implement that will help you
personally and professionally.

January 6, 2021 6

"Who's Zooming Who ?"

Professional speaker, hypnotist, and
comedienne Robin Roberts,CN, will share

her tips, tricks, and insights on what it
takes to stand out during a Zoom
Presentation.

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Due to covid-19, NLC was held in a virtual format. The national leadership
team did not disappoint. Keynote speakers were engaging. Zoom
breakout rooms were used to encourage attendees to share ideas,

experiences, and analyze case studies. Some topics explored in sessions
included identifying and managing unconscious bias, negotiating skills,
leveraging multi-generational team dynamics, updating your wardrobe

and more. We came together to attend the Best Practices Awards
Ceremony and to congratulate Lindsey and the other honorees during the

Top Ten Women In Business Recognition Celebration.

Lindsey with a custom ABWA Darlene Hajduk, Liz Hale,
creation from Cake Fine Pastry Lindsey Chapman, a
Meadows Resources

employee, and Lindsey's
daughter, Ivy

enjoying the Top Ten
Women in Business

Celebration

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
Community Breakfast, Lunches, and Networking Meetings throughout the month.
Networking Meetings throughout the www.tomballchamber.org
month.
www.houstonnwchanber.org 7

HOUSTON AREA COUNCIL

(HAC)

The Houston Area Council of ABWA (HAC) is
an umbrella that covers Houston, over to

Victoria, and up to Bryan/College Station. As a
member of any local leagues or as a National

member, the HAC is key resource and an
added value to your membership.

HAC Delegate Report - October 22, Nancy Robbins, Vicki Tichenor, Carol Brace, Melissa
2020 Brotch, Markisha Mitchell, & Darlene Hajduk at the

by Markisha Mitchell 2019 WCW Event

Virtual meeting held with opportunity to network before and HAC QUARTERLY MEETING
after meeting. Speaker Germaine Porche (2006 Top Ten), The fourth Thursday of each quarter
spoke of the importance of pausing & identifying "The January, April, July, October, and a Holiday
Mixer in December. Meetings are currently
Weeds" and "The Fertile Fields" in our lives. Identifying "The held virtually.
Weeds" (areas that hinder growth and productivity) provides Norris Center
816 Town & Country Blvd. St 201
an opportunity to create boundaries, to hold ourselves Houston TX 77024
accountable, and helps to achieve our goals. "The Fertile www.abwahouston.org
Field" fosters creativity and is an opportunity to acknowledge
oneself and identify what is working well in our processes. Local Sister ABWA Leagues

Be on the look out for a date to participate in drive by voting IWIB-INNOVATIVE WOMEN
to approve HAC business. IN BUSINESS
Business / Networking Brunch the 2nd
WCW Event at Junior League is still a go. Our Top Ten's and Tuesday of every month.
Women of the Year will be celebrated. New this year, Protégé
CY-FAIR EXPRESS NETWORK
Award winners will be celebrated. 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.

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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 Educational Foundation Scholarship
Recipients

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
fhpw.org

2020 Women of Excellence Honorees

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THE SCOOP

Kristie Castilow earned The Ambassador Club Award for
outstanding HR support to the Field Sales organization at FedEx

Dawna Dyson joined the Board of Directors for the Greater
Tomball Chamber of Commerce. She will serve as the
Chair-Elect during 2021and the Chair in 2022

News from Wellness 365 Personal Coaching with Vicki
Tichenor

We have all had to make changes and pivot some in our
businesses due to the pandemic. Most of you know that I am
a Health and Life Coach. I specialize in three areas, weight
loss, energy and productivity, and stress management. This

year, I have added some new programs for both new and
past clients and I have incorporated a new line of Health and

Wellness products. Modere offers a great selection of
collagen products and even weight loss collagen!

Personally, I started taking the Liquid Biocell about a year
ago. It has improved my health and life significantly.

A combination of Coaching and Modere can lead to amazing
life changing results! Your Health is your Greatest Wealth!

Vicki Tichenor

[email protected]

www.wellness365.online 10

to be included in THE SCOOP, send submissions to Suzanne at [email protected]

EVENTS

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

November 14 - CyFair Chili Challenge

December 2 - WEWEN Monthly Meeting

December 3 - WEWEN Holiday Mixer

January 23 - HAC's Women Celebrating
Women Luncheon

Kim Howell & Leslie Sloan Nancy Robbins & Desna Randall
#BIZFRIENDS #BIZFRIENDS

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12



“SISTERS COOKING TOGETHER”
COOKBOOK FUNDRAISER

Cookbook with submissions from our local ABWA leagues in the Houston Area. This cookbook will be
5.5” x 8.5”; Plastic Coil bound. Your price to purchase is only $10.00 each for a minimum of 50
books. You will be able to sell them at whatever cost your league chooses.

Recipe Submissions – (3) Three recipe submissions max. per ABWA member due around Valentine’s
Day.

Send to: [email protected] SUBJECT: Sisters Cooking Together Submission
Be sure to include the member’s name and league.

* Ads are also available to be printed in the back of the cookbook

Business Card ad (3.5” x 2”) - $25.00
Quarter Page ad (4.25” x 2.75”) - $75.00

Half Page ad (4.25” x 5.5”) - $100.00

Markisha Mitchell & Suzanne Short Carol Brace & Anya Lucas

Havy Pham & Nancy Robbins 14