October 2018

BPW Connection | October 2018

Please join us on October 17th for the Upper Keys BPW Political Forum! Our Political Forums are known for asking the tough questions.  Come and meet the candidates and hear them answer questions that are of interest to Upper Keys residents. We will also be announcing and awarding the 2018 Woman and Business of the Year! Reserve your space in advance: CLICK HERE Ilja Chapman, President October is a commemorative month to raise awareness for many causes. The first thing that comes to my mind is October 4th, World Animal Day; a celebration day that left a significant impact in my life. It started as a young girl due to the fun fact that all kids in the Netherlands are encouraged to bring their pet to school on October 4th. They still do it today!  Can you imagine the stress on the teachers? When you see me next, ask me what animal I brought to school. The month of October has been the traditional breast cancer awareness month since 1985. The Upper keys BPW proudly supported the cause this year with a team walking for “The American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” held on Saturday, October 13th in Key West. We raised almost $600 for the cause and raised awareness for our organization at the same time. October is also National Women’s Small Business Month. It is a time to recognize and applaud the talented, dedicated and driven women whose entrepreneurial spirit helps drive our community’s economy forward. Congratulations to all women! Each year our members can nominate women and businesses from within our organization and vote to choose a winner for Woman of the Year and Business of the Year. We will recognize this year’s nominees during the Political Forum held Wednesday October 17th, in the presence of many community members. The winners will be announced and awarded at that time. It is so important in life to celebrate our successes. Next year the Upper Keys Business and Professional Women will be celebrating 100 years of existence. A reason to celebrate and we look forward to celebrating with you and our fellow BPW sisters throughout Florida! I encourage you to reach out to me if you are interested in being part of the organizing and planning for this celebration. It is going to be Epic. We are very fortunate with the support and input received from our board and committee members that help keep Upper Keys BPW relevant and fun. I hope you will agree and join me in thanking them for all they do. Ilja Chapman

bpw|CALENDAR October 17: Political Forum, Evening Event. Whale Harbor. 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Meet the Candidates! November 14: Luncheon.  Holiday Inn, Key Largo. 11:15 AM - 1:00 PM December 19: Holiday Party! Save the Date. More details coming soon.

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 R. Joyce Griffin, Supervisor of Elections-Monroe Co. I am fortunate to have worked my dream job for 34 years.  I could not ask for a more fulfilling, rewarding career.  Born and Raised in the Keys; I remember as a child, the newspaper would print a grid so that those at home on election night could fill in the results as they came in.  I was the one in charge of filling in the totals for our family.  I remember my mother taking me to the polls and watching her vote.  It is an honor to represent the seed of democracy.  I stand strong and diligent to make sure Monroe County elections are held to the letter of the law.  I love my job, I always have, and I always will.   When I started working at the elections office there were no computers and voters voted on leaver machines.  Everything had to be typed, and carbon paper was used. What am I most proud of, that list is long and distinguished. I would have to say that Monroe County having a voting system that allows those voters with a disability to vote in secrecy, as the constitution promises, has made me the happiest.  In the beginning of my career when I realized that voters with disabilities did not have a secret ballot, I was so sad.  In those days a voter that was blind had to have someone read the ballot and vote for them.  Think about that, who would you want to tell those decisions to? Who would you feel comfortable relaying those decisions?   I also have a great time adding information to our website. Our website has election totals as far back as 1932.  I could talk elections all night long, but I have reached my limit.  Thank you for this opportunity.

Atta Girl to all of the 2018 Nominees for Upper Keys BPW Woman of the Year! (Quotes are taken directly from the nomination forms, and were written by other Upper Keys BPW members to support each Woman of the Year nomination.) Sandi Bisceglia:  "Sandi supports many causes and programs of Upper Keys BPW and is passionate about the mission. She signs up for committees and is actively involved in it without getting direct recognition. She is a quiet member but has a lot of skills and knowledge she prefers to use quietly but gives without being noticed much." Wendy Coffman:   "Wendy is totally integrated in the Upper Keys community and always open to learn. She is very reliable and will help the organization where needed without any hesitation. Wendy keeps growing in her own development and at the same time stays humble and gives back to the community. Even when challenged in certain tasks, she will keep moving forward." Lucy Given:  "Despite family tragedy, she has taken her grief and devoted her time and energy to her community and the women of the Upper Keys. From fundraising and advocating for scholarships and working to improve teacher participation in our organization, she is inspirational." Sue Woltanski:  "Her community participation.  She saw something that needed help (schools) and is doing something about it." Suzi Youngberg: "Her community dedication is immeasurable. She has such wonderful energy and is incredibly helpful without hesitation -- a giver through and through. She is welcoming and inspires women to be a better version of themselves.  She completes her tasks as a Board member and then some, including an amazing radio advertisement and e-blast promotions of the BPW Political Forum. Because of Suzi, BPW has continuity in the events and newsletter. She belongs to BPW because she believes in it. You can really feel that from her; it radiates from her." IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW DESERVES AN ATTA GIRL, PLEASE SEND US THE INFORMATION AND WE'LL MAKE SURE YOU/THEY ARE RECOGNIZED!   bpwupperkeys@gmail.com NEW OCTOBER MEMBERS Please help us welcome new and renewing members! NEW MEMBERS: Lisa Reeder - Mother Earth Allison Fisher  - Fitness Trainer/Spin Instructor Froggy's Fitness Center Whitney MacEachern - Cirque Salon Studios RENEWING MEMBERS: Audra Hill - Tolley & Hill CPA's  Lauren Dunn - Dunn Electric Carol Keller - Keys Country Realty Ellie Donofrio - Keys Country Realty Dorothy Harden - Attorney at Law Gina Boilini - Doc's Diner  Suzi Youngberg - American Cancer Society Ask us about the benefits of being a member! The Upper Keys BPW team raised money and walked in Key West for the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Florida Keys Walk on October 13th.  It was a great morning, walking for a cause important to women and everyone, and representing our organization.                  Ilja Chapman, Suzi Youngberg, Barbara Hewlett, Wendy Coffman Ilja Chapman, Barbara Hewlett, Wendy Coffman, Holly Raschein, Suzi Feder 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 $50.00  -  Political Ads 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. Advocacy America was founded on the principal of equality for all and derives its strength from individuals working together for a common good. This Public Policy Platform is BPW/FL’s blueprint for our work in respect, justice, and equality for working women.  CLICK to read the official BPW/FL 2018-2019 Public Policy Platform. 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. Log in at https://bpwfl.org/members-only-documents/ 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. BPW/FL Breast Cancer Scholarship Fund BPW/FL proudly administers a Breast Cancer Scholarship Fund, which provides $250 scholarships for men and women fighting breast cancer. Through a legislative advocacy program as well as monetary support to breast cancer patients, BPW not only makes a positive impact on the present, but on the future as well. Any BPW/FL member in good standing may request a disbursement for any person, regardless of BPW membership, who has been diagnosed with breast cancer, in accordance with the approved guidelines. You do need to be a BPW/FL member. It's free and easy to sign up. Go to http://bpwfl.org, Once you're registered, click here for information on the Breast Cancer Fund Disbursements Guidelines and to complete an application for assistance.         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