Ilja Chapman, President
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller
The definition of teamwork is the combined efforts of a group of people working together effectively to achieve a goal.
For me, teamwork has been the core of my hospitality career. I have been fortunate to lead several hotel teams in different countries and work with many departments. Today, running my business from my home-based office, I don’t have that dynamic of a team anymore but I am happy to say that Upper Keys BPW team is making up for that.
One of the greatest gifts you can give in life is your time -- #volunteer. The Upper Keys Business and Professional Women is based on volunteers and I am so excited to see the enthusiasm and involvement of more and more members in the committees to make BPW successful.
In the last few weeks, we have seen successes by the Political Forum, the Mentoring and Scholarship committees. The Scholarship Committee has determined the 2018 fall choices for the UKBPW fund and the Holly Given fund to be dispersed; we will award the recipients during the Wednesday dinner.
Thank you to all committee chairs and members for your time and for being involved with our organization. Your input will help support our members and the community.
This month we have a team of BPW members sponsoring the dinner event at MM 88. Our goal as an organization is to raise a minimum of $250 each month which goes directly to the scholarship fund. Three members will be in the spot light this month for their monetary support and our immediate past president is supporting our organization by providing desserts for our Wednesday dinner event!
In October, we have one more team opportunity. The Upper Keys BPW members will join forces and walk on Saturday, Oct. 13 in Key West to raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Event. Our very own Suzi Youngberg will tell us about this fundraiser at dinner tomorrow and show you how easy it is to join our team.
Looking forward to having dinner with you on Wednesday. Besides the many BPW goals we have, an important one is still to connect and share our stories during our monthly events with each other. Working and networking with this diverse group of women sure gives me energy and inspiration!
Ilja Chapman
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After being frequent visitors, my husband and I finally moved to Key Largo in 2013. We were both born and raised in the southern United States, so Key Largo felt like "home" - a small rural town with friendly neighbors and lots of green space. The fact that Key Largo is also an international tourist destination surrounded by beautiful waterways, National Parks, and a Marine Sanctuary was a bonus.
Left to Right: Shawna Simcic, Laura Maupin, Theresa Sutter, Ilja Chapman, State Representative Holly Raschein, Miriam Lazcos, Suzi Youngberg
Congratulations to BPW Member Retz Reeves for the front cover picture and article in Keys Life Magazine this month! It was a really nice article about how Retz and her business partner Cale Smith are "Invested in the Community," and how Islamorada Investment Management is there to help people in the community take control of their finances.
Retz and her husband of 27 years, Randy, can be found often out and about in Islamorada when she isn't traveling abroad.
Shout out to BPW Member and newly elected Monroe County School Board member, Sue Woltanski! Sue has donated the majority of her unused campaign contributions to local schools. She was elected on June 22nd, at the end of the ballot qualifying period, when she remained unopposed in her District 5 race, and will assume her position on the School Board in November.
“I am grateful for the tremendous community support I received during my campaign and wanted to be sure my unused campaign funds were put to good use,” Sue stated. 
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Memorial 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. 
ACS CAN and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer are teaming up to urge Congress to put the ‘Power of the Purse’ behind research. By joining ACS CAN, you are becoming part of a movement to help influence lawmakers to maintain funding levels for cancer research. This research could lead to improved screenings, treatments, and care for breast cancer patients. Join ACS CAN for a $20 donation, and get the 2018 collectors Purse Pin. Suzi Youngberg will have membership forms and purse pins available at the September meeting, or contact her at suzi.youngberg@cancer.org.
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