July 2018

BPW Connection | July 2018

Join us for an evening networking event on Wednesday July 18th.  This month's event is being generously hosted by Zane Grey Lounge. The evening is also being sponsored by our own president, Ilja Chapman of Cruise Planners/Voyage Blue, and will have a "Travel the World" theme. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 Raffle!  All money raised during the event goes toward our Development Programs. Reserve your space in advance: CLICK HERE Mark your calendars! Wednesday, August 15. We are pleased to welcome State Representative Holly Raschein as our speaker for the August Luncheon. Save the date now, and be sure you register in advance to guaranty your seat at this informative luncheon. Ilja Chapman, President Greetings, When sending out the July event email invitation to the Upper Keys BPW database, we received several auto response emails in return saying, “I am out of the office”. Although we like to see as many of you attending our events as possible, I personally think it is a good sign that people are celebrating Summer! Did you know that the United States of America is the only advanced economy that doesn’t guarantee paid vacation to their employees? Studies show that workers who take time off are more productive after their batteries are recharged. They have higher morale and are less likely to mentally check out on the job. Since BPW has a long track record of promoting equity for women in the workplace, I thought you might be interested in learning about this - although it also affects our men. At the Upper Keys BPW we enjoy having our male members supporting our organization. We thrive on having a diverse group of members and our goal is to grow our membership, period. YOU can help! Bring a guest to one of the monthly events and have them experience our group at first hand. Or sign them up for our monthly newsletter to put the Upper Keys BPW buzz in their ears. Just send us their name and email address, and we'll add them to the subscription list. One of our main goals is to maintain and increase great value to you, the Upper Keys BPW member. That is why we are introducing new programs. Have you received and read the email sent last week from our VP of Development, Jackie Harder, asking you to participate in one of our new development programs? Please reach out to Jackie if you have any questions or would like to participate. In the next few days look out for a survey we will ask you to complete to let us know how we can better serve you. Our members are the core of our organization. Our board members are pleased to serve you and we hope to see you all on Wednesday. The theme of the evening is “Travel the World” and I hope you will be bringing a guest and get inspired for your next well-deserved vacation. Ilja Chapman

bpw|CALENDAR July 18: Evening Networking Event. Hosted by Zane Grey Lounge @ Islamorada Fish Co. 5:30 - 7:00 PM. Sponsored by Cruise Planners. August 15: Luncheon 11:30 am-1:00 pm. Holiday Inn-Key Largo, African Queen/Casa.  Speaker: State Representative Holly Raschein. September 19: Political Forum, Evening Event. Location TBA.

The Upper Keys BPW meets once a month, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. We alternate between luncheons and evening networking events, and would love for you to join us! Click the button to see our full event schedule and register for an upcoming event.  SPONSOR AN EVENT! If you or your business would be interested in sponsoring one or more of our lunches or evening events, let us know!  More information on sponsorship cost and benefits can be found below. Help us fund our Adult Scholarship program, and promote your business.

SPONSOR AN UPPER KEYS BPW EVENT! The cost to sponsor an event is $250. With the sponsorship you receive the following benefits and opportunities: Logo/branding: Event E-vite emailed three times to a database of 500 people Monthly BPW member Newsletter emailed a few days prior to event Mention at Upper Keys BPW social media One Free dedicated business E-Blast to our membership with a message your business likes to share Display table and/or hand outs to all attendees Banner display at the luncheon Two FREE entrees to the luncheon 5 minute speaking time at the luncheon directed to all attendees            bpw|member SPOTLIGHT Meet Bob Thomas Bob Thomas,  Key Largo Chocolates & Ice Cream,        MM 100.5, Bayside. "I moved all over the world as a Navy brat, then flew airplanes with EAL, American Eagle, Saudi Arabian Air Lines, SWA, & Copa Airlines.  My wife Kristie & I started Key Largo Chocolates & Ice Cream in 2010 and it keeps growing, in spite of Irma!  I have 4 great sons & Kristie has 2 wonderful ladies.   Between them, we have 13 grand kids!  This picture was taken last month on Machu Picchu Mountain with my grandson, Mason. I enjoy golf, when possible, exercising, reading & volunteering my time in several areas.   My joining the BPW is a major push/pull to get Kristie to attend your meetings. We are going to the Hemingway Lookalike Contest in Key West this week to have fun.  I don't expect to win, but I'm not going there to lose...   :)"

BPW Board and Members representing in the Key Largo 4th of July Parade! We had a lot of fun and generated a lot of interest in BPW!   Atta Girl BPW Member Kate Banick!Kate Banick, Director of the Good Health Clinic, announced that after a year of planning, and with the help of United Way of the Florida Keys and Direct Relief International, they will be opening a satellite clinic in Marathon!  That is wonderful news!  Kate's successful fundraising efforts, hard work and dedication have made this possible. Way to go Kate! Atta Girl BPW Member Jill Kuehnert! After years of scuba diving around the world, Jill and her husband Glenn can now share their love for the ocean from their own boat and small business. Call Jill and go diving with Lucky Fish Scuba! Congrats Jill! Atta Girl BPW Member Trinity Van Steenburg! Owner of Keys Planning and Events, Trinity recently expanded her business by purchasing Caribbean Catering in Islamorada from Debbie Pierog.  It's a natural fit, and we wish Trinity much success! Congrats Trinity! Atta Girl BPW Member Laura Lietaert! The Rotary Club of Key Largo awarded Key Largo School Principal Laura Lietaert with the Rotarian of the Year Award. Laura said she received the award for work and recovery efforts she did following Hurricane Irma.  Principal of Key Largo School, Laura was also named the Monroe County Principal of the Year a few months ago. Way to go Laura! NEW JULY MEMBERS Please help us welcome new and renewing members! NEW MEMBERS: RENEWING MEMBERS: Sandi Bisceglia Wendy Coffman Elizabeth Moscynski Vicki Walker Margie Smith Ask us about the benefits of being a member! Become a member of the Upper Keys Business & Professional Women (BPW) Click the button, or go to upperkeysbpw.org for registration and information. You can also join us at one of our luncheons or evening events, held on the third Wednesday of every month. Left to right: New Members- Bob Thomas and Carlee Waack;  Board Members: Miriam Lazcos, Shawna Simcic, and Ilja Chapman          Miss America is Scrapping the Swim Suit The next edition of the Miss America pageant will scrap swimsuits and will be more inclusive to women of all sizes, the contest announced recently. Gretchen Carlson, the chairwoman of the Miss America board of directors, announced on "Good Morning America" that the event will no longer feature a swimsuit portion. "Miss America will be a competition, not a pageant," Carlson said.  "We will no longer judge our candidates on their outward physical appearance. That's huge," she said. Carlson also said the new Miss America competition will be more inclusive to women of "all shapes and sizes." The official Miss America Twitter account tweeted a short video of a white bikini going up in a puff of smoke with the hashtag #byebyebikini. In place of the swimsuit contest, the contestants will take part in a live interactive session with the judges, according to a statement from the Miss America Organization, "where she will highlight her achievements and goals in life and how she will use her talents, passion, and ambition to perform the job of Miss America." It's not the only change coming But the elimination of swimsuits isn't the only change coming to the 97-year-old event. The evening gown competition is being revamped as well. Contestants will now be able to wear "whatever they choose." Contestants will also discuss how they would advance their social-impact initiatives during this part of the contest. The talent portion of the competition will remain. The rise of the #MeToo movement is powering the changes, Carlson said. "We're experiencing a cultural revolution in our country with women finding the courage to stand up and have their voices heard on many issues," she said in a statement. "Miss America is proud to evolve as an organization and join this empowerment movement." Some changes to the pageant's format had been expected since the Miss America organization is now being led entirely by women for the first time. APPLY FOR AN UPPER KEYS BPW ADULT SCHOLARSHIP The Upper Keys's BPW Adult Scholarship program is about women helping women!  Apply for the Upper Keys BPW Adult Scholarship and the new UKBPW-Holly GivenMemorial Scholarship. The specifications and applications can be found on our website. Applications are accepted all year round, and are reviewed on March 15th and August 15th annually.  Scholarships may be used for certifications, training classes, or classes and required materials for higher educational degrees.   For more information, or to download the application, click the button below.    Sending an E-Blast to Upper Keys BPW email recipients is a great way to get your message out. Members and non-members alike are invited to use this forum for events, specials, sales and general advertising. Let the Upper Keys BPW help you spread the word about your business! Our E-Blast prices are as follows: $15.00  -  Members $30.00  -  Non-Members Proceeds from E-Blasts go toward our Adult Scholarship Fund. Simply send us your message, along with your name, business name and billing information to:        BPWupperkeys@gmail.com Connecting our Upper Keys Chapter to BPW Florida BPW/FL Florida Federation of Business & Professional Women's Club Inc. Member Resources On the BPW Florida website you can find wealth of information about our organization and we now encourage all members to take advantage of the resources. The members-only login section has been improved and we ask you, the member, what you would like to see in this section for your benefit. Log in at https://bpwfl.org/members-only-documents/ Public Relations committee BPW Florida in need of skilled volunteers Next year BPW Florida is celebrating their 100 year anniversary! We are excited to use this opportunity to grow awareness about the Business & Professional Women Organization on a State and even a National level. We are looking for BPW members who have PR experience and would have the drive to be part of the State Public Relations committee to work on this amazing opportunity for 2019. If you are interested call Ilja Chapman – Upper Keys BPW president at 305-998-8348. BPWInsider Congratulations BPW/FL on their new E-Newsletter, BPWInsider. There is a lot of good information and the first issue gave a shout out to the Upper Keys BPW as their Highlighted Local Organization!  We thank them for their recognition and their leadership!  To read the article CLICK HERE. Do You Ever Feel Like the Lone Ranger? Let's help each other  It's easy to feel like the Lone Ranger in the Keys, away from big cities and traditional paths to professional growth. Last month, Upper Keys BPW announced a mentoring program for women that can help. To make it successful, we are asking for your assistance in one or more of the following ways.  Serve on the committee. We've got a great start on the research. Now we need people to help us build a program that works for us, our members and our community.   Be a mentor. Mentors share knowledge and experience, and contribute to others' personal and professional growth.    Be a mentee. If you want to learn about new opportunities, develop leadership skills, learn new skills, move up the ladder, pump up your business, or something else, mentoring can help.  If you want to get involved in this mentorship program, or have questions, contact Upper Keys BPW VP of Development Jackie Harder by email – jackie@key-dynamics.com. Got questions? We'll do our best to answer them!         Board of Directors 2018-2019 President Ilja Chapman305-998-8348 Ilja.chapman@gmail.com Vice Presidents Miriam Lazcos, Membership 305-926-3125 mlazcos@gmail.com Suzi Youngberg, Hospitality 305-393-6830 suziyoungberg@gmail.com Jackie Harder, Development 305-451-9295 jackie@key-dynamics.com Treasurer Theresa Sutter786-361-5404 theresasutter@gmail.com Secretary Wendy Coffman 305-896-4451 wcoffman@centerstatebank.com Directors Pam Martin305-393-4643  pmflkeys@aol.com Laura Maupin 305-360-5645 keystoyouth@gmail.com Shawna Simcic 724-664-4120 shawna.simcic@gmail.com Contact your Upper Keys BPW Chapter: bpwupperkeys@gmail.com   or   info@upperkeysbpw.org P. O. Box 231, Tavernier, FL  33070 Facebook • Twitter • LinkedIn Unsubscribe