BPW Connection | NEWSLETTER
February 2022
 |
| Suzi Youngberg |
Greetings Upper Keys Business and Professional Women!
Happy Valentines Day! February is the month of love. Romantic love of course, but also family love, friend love - have you heard of Galentines Celebrations? Girlfriends getting together to celebrate their love and friendship should actually be a holiday all it's own, in my humble opinion! It's also a good time to remember to love all of our fellow human beings and four legged friends.
I read that this week is "Random Act of Kindness Week", with the 17th being recognized as the official "National Random Act of Kindness Day." As you go about your week, try to remember to be a little bit kinder to others - perhaps grab your neighbors trash cans from the street, take flowers or food to someone in need, buy your co-workers a coffee on the way in to work one day, pay for the order of the person in line behind you at the drive through... there are so many ways to show random kindness to others. How will you be spreading love and kindness this week?
Our evening social networking event is this Wednesday. If you haven't registered yet, the DEADLINE IS MONDAY 2/14 AT 9:00 AM. So, register now! It's going to be a great time on the beach at Baker's Cay Resort Key Largo, watching the sun set and full moon rise! Don't miss this special evening of friendship and networking in a beautiful location. If anyone is interested in sponsoring this event, or any future events, please contact me or any Board member.
I want to remind you that the Nominating Committee will be forming on March 1st, to begin the process of Board Nominations for the 2022-23 Upper Keys BPW Board of Directors. If you are interested in becoming more involved and getting more from your BPW membership, please give me a call to discuss the available opportunities and open positions for the coming year. Elections and new Board installation will be held in May.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday! As we all go about our week, please let us not forget to be kind.
With love and gratitude,
Suzi Youngberg
UKBPW President 2021-22
305-393-6830
"Tell Me Something Good!" Let's start our day by sharing something good that is happening, has happened or will happen. Can be personal and/or professional related as long it is positive. Zoom link provided after RSVP.
March 2nd
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Coffee Talk with the Upper Keys BPW, first Wednesday of every month.
RSVP NOW
MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
March Luncheon - March 16th at Baker's Cay Key Largo --
"Not Your Mother's Networking Event"
Speed Networking back by popular demand!
Professional Development Series | Upcoming Sessions
Stay tuned for more Professional Development workshops coming soon.
The January Luncheon featured Speaker- Melinda Van Fleet, Charity- Community Foundation of the FL Keys, and was Sponsored by Italian Food Company
Several members of the Board of Directors awarded a check to Lynda Weinstein for the Florida Keys Children's Shelter. The check represented funds raised during registration for the Holiday Party.
Pictured L-R: Brittany Parker-VP/Hospitality, Victoria Leonard-Treasurer, Suzi Youngberg-President, Lynda Weinstein-Membership Chair & Development Director for FL Keys Children's Shelter,
Jill Kuehnert-Secretary, Patricia Milian-Director.
Professional Development Workshop
Board Member Patricia Milian presented an amazing Professional Development Workshop earlier this month at the College of the FL Keys Key Largo Center. "How to Build a Standout Brand" was well attended and everyone left with some amazing strategies to improve their business! Thank you Patricia for sharing so much knowledge and insight!
NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS
New Members -
Kinsey Jackson, The Title Station, Inc.
Renewing Members -
Vivian Dodge, Chapters Health Hospice
Michelle Pope, Keys Life Magazine
Ask about the benefits of being a member! bpwupperkeys@gmail.com
Member Spotlight | Meet Lauren Dunn
I am a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Schmitt in the fabulous Florida Keys. Born and raised in Key Largo, I have a passion for making sure everyone feels this is as much their home as it is mine. From the Atlantic Ocean to the Florida Bay, and everything in between, there is something for everyone. My whole family is in construction, offering me a unique experience and love for the process.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Hospitality Management from the University of Central Florida. However, I knew I wanted to be back home in the islands. I got a job at a local bank and worked my way up through Branch Administration and became Branch Manager. I was there for eight years. Just after getting married, my husband and I started, and still own and operate, Dunn Electrical Service Inc. I also founded a small company, Dunn Bookkeeping, where I became a certified bookkeeper.
We have two sons who are 9 and 12. We love snorkeling, boating, and traveling. When I am not enjoying the beauty of our paradise, you can usually find me volunteering for the Parent Teacher Association, School Advisory Committee, Cub Scouts or Little League. I have been a member of BPW/Upper Keys since 2008 and was the proud recipient of the “Woman of the Year” award. I was the BPW/Upper Keys Treasurer for multiple years and am honored to be a part of such a great organization.
Emily Haydocy
Public Policy Chair
Florida Legislature Action Alert
Upper Keys BPW members passionate about reproductive rights should know that a bill impacting women’s rights (SB 146/HB 5) is speeding through the FL Legislature with only a couple of weeks to go.
Call your legislators to express your opinion ASAP. All 160 Florida legislators are up for reelection this year; they need to hear from their voters now!
Representative Jimmie Mooney 850-717-5120
Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez 850-487-5039
UPPER KEYS BPW PUBLIC POLICY PLATFORM PLANKS:
1. Economic Equity, Opportunity, and Self-Sufficiency
2. Environment
3. Healthcare
4.Safe Workplace
5. Equality for All
*UKBPW Platform Planks mirror BPW/FL's Public Policy Platform, but are in order of importance to Upper Keys Members, based on a recent survey of membership.
Questions or Comments, Contact:
Emma Haydocy
Public Policy Chair
Upper Keys BPW
Atta Girl to Whitney MacEachern!
BPW Member Whitney MacEachern's business Cirque Salon Studios was "In the Spotlight" at the Key Largo Chamber Luncheon last week. Whitney gave a great presentation and announced plans for the opening of a brand new location!
Atta Girl to Gina Boilini & Jill Kuehnert
BPW Board Members, Gina Boilini and Jill Kuehnert were both recently featured in Upper Keys Weekly Magazine. Gina is owner of Doc's Diner and Jill owns Lucky Fish Scuba. Both articles were written by another BPW Member, Melinda Van Fleet.
Nice job Ladies!
Atta Girl to Ginette Hughes & Shayne Messina - Un-Sung Heroes!
Ginette Hughes was presented the Unsung Hero Award for her work with Leadership Monroe.
Shayne Messina was presented the Unsung Hero Award for her work with American Cancer Society!
So Proud of you both!
Atta Girl to ALL of the Upper Keys BPW Members who attended the CFFK Leadership Success Academy last week.
BPW was well represented at the Leadership Success Academy at the Key Largo Center of College of the Florida Keys. Almost 40% of the attendees were BPW Members!
We are proud knowing that so many of the leaders and doers in our community are also BPW Members!
Back Row L-R: Theresa Sutter, Brittany Parker, Kate Banick, Suzi Youngberg, Emma Haydocy, Laura Lietaert, Patricia Milian, Cathy Brewer
Front Row L-R: Cindi Irwin, Gina Boilini, Jill Kuehnert, Betsy Basty, Amy Young (not pictured, Christina Sarmiento)
Way to go Everyone!
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
THANKS AGAIN TO JANUARY'S SPONSOR, ITALIAN FOOD COMPANY.
SPONSORSHIPS GO TO FUND OUR ADULT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
