NAWBO® Central Illinois - The PULSE

July Meeting

Our July meeting will be Wednesday, July 20, 2011, at 5:30 pm at Jonah’s in East Peoria. Your reservations are due by Monday, July 18.

Join us for a fun, relaxing evening enjoying wine and appetizers. Jonah’s is located at 2601 North Main St in East Peoria. Click here for a map.

Please respond as soon as possible by replying to this message or sending your response to secretary@nawbo-cil.org. Please make sure you receive a reply back to confirm that we've received your e-mail.

For your convenience, you can pay for your meal online! Just go to http://www.nawbo-cil.org/store.php.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – MEMBERS - $30, GUESTS - $35
RSVP – by Monday, July 18, Noon

Reservations made but not kept will be billed accordingly.

Door Prize: Everyone is invited to bring a door prize this month.

Make check payable to: NAWBO
Click to: secretary@nawbo-cil.org
Mail to: PO Box 9404, Peoria, IL 61612-9404
Call: 309-692-2225

Congratulations to our new board members!

Past President:  Wendy Ramsay
President:  Cindy Fleming
President Elect: Shelly Hranka
Secretary: Denise Moore
Treasurer: Beth Ward
Communications: Doris Symonds
Membership: Lindsay Brown

We look forward to a great year under their leadership! Please support them in any way possible!

Congratulations Again to Doris Symonds - Named 2011 Regional Champion of the Year!!

NAWBO-CIL Member Doris Symonds of “Talk to Doris Now” just received notice that not only did she win the State of Illinois Women in Business Champion of the Year 2011 Award, she has also won the Regional Women in Business Champion of the Year Award!

The Regional Award includes strong competitive state nominees from Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and Michigan.  Doris and the other award winners will be honored at the 2011 Small Business Week Awards Reception and Presentation Ceremony to be held in Chicago.  This event will be sponsored by the United States Small Business Administration, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Small Business Development Center Network and SCORE-Counselors to America’s Small Business.  Congratulations Doris!

NAWBO-CIL March Meeting

Our March meeting will be Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria. Your reservations are due by Monday, March 14.

Technology as we all know is here to stay. Staying on top of or ahead of the ever changing rules is a feat we business owners must tackle. Whether you use a single PC or have hundreds in your office, this month’s topic will be of informative. I just started accepting credit cards and had no idea the responsibility I was assuming. As I learned what those responsibilities were, I wanted to be sure we all understood. Frankly, I'm not sure I completely understand. Hence, this month’s program.

Also, March is public policy month. We have a great speaker coming to talk to us about how our involvement does make a difference.

I hope to see you there.

-- Wendi E Olson Ramsay, NAWBO-CIL President

4:30 Education hour program
PCI Compliance -"What you need to know if you accept credit cards."
Are you aware that there are rules and regulations that the Payment Card industry requires merchants to adhere to? Not following these rules can be very costly, even a loss of your business can occur. Learn how you are affected and what it takes to become compliant.Speaker - Todd Thousand, IT360

6:00 Dinner Program
How important it is to get involved at the local level
Presented by Demetra DeMonte, leader Tazwell County Republican Central Committee

What is this Cloud that I hear so much about???????
Cloud computing - What is it? What isn't it? How can it benefit me?Presented by Todd Thousand, IT360

Times and Agenda

4:30 pm – PCI Compliance, by Todd Thousand, IT360
5:30 pm - Social and Networking Time
6:00 pm – Dinner & Program
First, “How important it is to get involved at the local level”, by Demetra DeMonte, leader Tazwell County Republican Central Committee
Second, “What is this Cloud that I hear so much about” by Todd Thousand, IT360

Please respond as soon as possible by replying to this message or sending your response to secretary@nawbo-cil.org. Please make sure you receive a reply back to confirm that we've received your e-mail.

For your convenience, you can now pay for your meal online! Just go to http://www.nawbo-cil.org/store.php .

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – MEMBERS - $30, GUESTS - $35
RSVP – by Monday, March 14, Noon
Reservations made but not kept will be billed accordingly.
Door Prize: Everyone is invited to bring a door prize this month.
Make check payable to: NAWBO
Click to: secretary@nawbo-cil.org
Mail to: PO Box 10072, Peoria, IL 61612
Call: 309-692-2225

Government Purchasing Diversity Event

How to do business with government agencies

Please join us for this educational event!

Members of these agencies and other business resources will be available for an open network-ing session. These governmental agencies are seeking companies that are existing or potential DBE, MBE, WBE, 8(a), Section 3, or Service-Disabled Veteran owned. Small business owners will be able to get valuable information on requirements to do business with governmental agencies.

Event Information
Date: March 23, 2011
Time: 8:30 a.m. – Noon
Location: Gateway Building
200 Northeast Water Street, Peoria IL

Schedule
8:30 a.m. Registration begins
9:00—9:10 a.m. Welcome
9:10 —10:00 a.m. Benefits of Joint Ventures to Grow Your Business, presented by Linda Krendick, Director, IL PTAC
10:00—10:10 a.m. Break
10:10 a.m.—Noon Open networking with local governmental agencies

Registration
To register, please contact one of the following people by March 18, 2011:
David Watkins, City of Peoria, (309) 494-8528, dwatkins@ci.peoria.il.us
Virginia Pearl, County of Peoria, (309) 672-6054, vpearl@peoriacounty.org

Register today for this FREE EVENT!

Congratulations to Doris Symonds - 2011 NAWBO Champion of the Year!!

NAWBO-CIL Member Doris Symonds of “Talk to Doris Now” will receive the 2011 Women in Business Champion of the Year Award. She will be honored along with other NAWBO award winners at the 2011 Small Business Week Awards Reception to be held on June 22nd of this year. This event will be sponsored by the SBA in partnership with SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Small Business Development Center network.

Congratulations Doris! What an awesome accomplishment!!

Read the letter here.

George Washington Banquet Seats Still Available!

Limited seating is still available for the 113th George Washington Banquet, which is on Wednesday, March 9th at the Hotel Pere Marquette. Shelly Hranka has 4 seats left at the NAWBO-CIL table. The cost for members is only $100. If you are interested, please contact Shelly before Friday, February 25.

NAWBO Survey Request

Brian Nagy, Bradley University faculty and speaker at one of our fall meetings, is requesting our assistance to help him understand factors that lead to an entrepreneur’s successful attempt to gain legitimacy and scarce resources during the nascent stage of firm development.

The specific requirements involved include about fifteen (15) to twenty (20) minutes of your time. The activity is painless, and it will result in very little to no discomfort and stress. Arguably, the exercise is actually somewhat enjoyable. If you choose to volunteer to help us, Brian asks that you do a few things.

The first is to very carefully read over an entrepreneur’s biographical information. This task should take about five minutes. Next, watch a video recording of the entrepreneur, David Noble, as he describes his ideas related to his nascent venture. The video is very short. It is two to three minutes in length. Following the video, please complete a web-based questionnaire related to the entrepreneur and his prospective new venture.

Again, your participation is completely voluntary and your responses are completely confidential.
If you have questions that you would like to ask in private, Brian’s Bradley University office telephone number is 309-677-2314. Please feel free to use that number to ask anything about this exercise.

The website where you can view David’s information and answer our survey questions is:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ZpPs38WPgGf2_2fKygc1d9Hg_3d_3d

Thanks.
Wendi Ramsay

See NAWBO Represented on Television

On February 9th, Dina Emser and Doris Symonds will appear on TV Channel 25 at Noon to represent NAWBO and promote the Membership Drive. Be sure to tune in!


Thank You

Becky Dailey sent a thank you card to NAWBO to thank all of the members for their prayers on the lost of her mom.

NAWBO Membership Guide 2010-2011

The new 2010-2011 NAWBO-CIL Membership Directory is now available as a pdf. Click here to download.

The Membership Directory is also available at www.nawbopulse.com in the middle column under "About Our Members."

February NAWBO Meeting is February 16, 2011

Our February meeting will be Wednesday, February 16, 2011, at Mt. Hawley Country Club in Peoria. Your reservations are due by Monday, February 14.

This month is Membership Month, so we will be recognizing new NAWBO members. Ms. Dina Emser will be our Guest Speaker. Download Meeting Flyer

Times and Agenda
4:30 pm – Create Your Business Roadmap Using the Top 10 Tips the Pros Know – Session I, by Ms. Dina Emser
5:30 pm - Social and Networking Time
6:00 pm – Dinner
6:15 pm – Welcome and Announcements
Evening program – Membership recognition, led by Doris Symonds; Session II  Speaker’s Recap, led by Dina Emser

About the Presentation:
Do you ever feel like you’re floundering in your business, creating things over and over, and spinning your wheels? In this session, Business Coach and Author, Dina Emser, will show you the Top 10 Tips that her clients use to maintain strength in their businesses. Each participant in Dina’s education session will receive a complimentary copy of her book, Roadmap to Success, written with authors Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard. (Extra copies of the book will be available for purchase – they make great gifts!) Come prepared to rethink some of your business practices and learn new ideas for keeping your operations both organized and fresh.

Please respond as soon as possible by replying to this message or sending your response to secretary@nawbo-cil.org. Please make sure you receive a reply back to confirm that we've received your e-mail.

For your convenience, you can now pay for your meal online! Just go to http://www.nawbo-cil.org/store.php.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – MEMBERS - $30, GUESTS - $35
RSVP – by Monday, February 14, Noon

Reservations made but not kept will be billed accordingly.

Door Prize: Everyone is invited to bring a door prize this month.

Make check payable to: NAWBO
Click to: secretary@nawbo-cil.org
Mail to: PO Box 10072, Peoria, IL 61612
Call: 309-692-2225

NAWBO-CIL / Pathways Survey

For the last 10+ years NAWBO, and, recently in conjunction with Women in Leadership, has hosted the Pathways to Success conference. The event was not held in 2010.

Please take a few moments to answer 7 questions about the conference. Your response will help us determine the future of this event.

Click here to take the survey - http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/M7MNW25

The survey deadline is Monday, January 31, 2011, so please consider answering our questions today!

If you have any questions, please contact Wendi Ramsay at 309-692-4016. Thanks.

November Monthly Meeting - New Location!

The November monthly meeting is Wednesday, November 17. Please RSVP by Monday, November 15 to secretary@nawbo-cil.org.

Our theme is "The Comforts of Health and Home for the Holidays" and the presentations will be given by Mary Ardapple of Apple’s Bakery  and  Yvonne Greer of Power Zone.
 
Please note the different location for this month! We'll be at Apple's Bakery, 8412 N Knoxville Ave, Peoria. The phone number there is 309-693-3522.

Here's the schedule:

4:30 Choose your comfort!

• Frost cupcakes
• Shape and Bake bread
• Learn home exercise tips (fitness q/a)

5:15 Networking

Wine, Beer, and soda
Assorted appetizer selection

6:00 Soup and Bread Dinner

Dinner will be a buffet self serve style meal of:
Selection of 3 soups:  1. meat  2. vegetarian 3. creamed
Assorted breads that will have been baked at the 4:30 session
Desserts:  Cupcakes decorated at the 4:30 session

7:00 Holiday Fitness Strategies

Think

• Decide who you’re going to be before you decide what to do.
• Recognize your body’s uniqueness and honor it.
• Expect success and enjoy the many ways it is revealed to you.

Move

• Yes, get some exercise… you know it’s good for you.
• Rest is good for you too.
• If neither exercise or rest seems appropriate, just breathe.

Eat

• Have a healthy snack before the holiday party to curb hunger and reduce temptation.
• Have a glass of water after every alcoholic beverage.
• Give yourself permission to indulge, just choose indulgences in advance.

Additionally, the evening will be a collection evening for Dress for Success.

All attendees are encouraged to bring a special holiday recipe which will be cataloged on our website for members to download as a Holiday Gift  for our home kitchens.

Attire is casual. This event is intended for members and guests to come laugh and relax before the rush of the Holiday season is upon us.

The Purple Team Recruits New Members

The heat is on! The Purple Team has recruited three (3) new members: Jannish Bush, Nancy Churchill, and Kate White.

Welcome New Members!

This Purple Team photo was taken at the October 2010 monthly meeting.  Shown are NAWBO members and guests.

October NAWBO-CIL Meeting Information

Our October meeting for NAWBO-CIL is Wednesday, October 20, 2010. Your RSVPs are due Monday, October 18, by Noon!

October is an exciting and busy month for NAWBO.  We will be kicking off our membership campaign, "Ask me about NAWBO".  Search your rolodex for potential members and invite them to the October and future meetings.  Remember there's buckos, dineros, $dollars$ in it for the members that recruits the most "joined" new members. 
 
We've invited the members of Women in Leadership (WIL) to join our October meeting.  In the absences of Pathways to Success, what a better way to renew friendships with the WIL membership.
 
Our 4:30 PM program features, Cindy Fleming of VisionShift, Inc.  Her topic is "Finding the Perfect Client".  We can all use one or two of those, so plan on attending to learn how to attract a perfect client.
 
Our dinner program will feature Cindy speaking on "Infinite Success - Getting It, Keeping It".  
 
To keep the program jammed packed, we even have a few candidates coming.  Their campaigns are gearing up for the final push and the candidates what to hear what we think and to share what they want to accomplish.
 
Whether you’re interested in the education, socializing or just want to hang out with a fabulous group of dynamic women,  plan on attending.

LOCATION
This month’s meeting is at Mt. Hawley Country Club, 7724 N Knoxville Avenue in Peoria.
(Click here for a map.)
TIMES AND AGENDA
Education Hour - 4:30 to 5:30
• Cindy Fleming of VisionShift, Inc. on "Finding the Perfect Client"
 
Dinner Program – dinner served at 6:00 pm, program starts at 7:00 pm
• Infinite Success - Getting It, Keeping It" by Cindy Fleming

PAYMENT
Members - $30, Guests - $35
You can pay for your meal at the door or by mailing a check. Make check payable to: NAWBO
For your convenience, you can also pay for your meal online! Just go to http://nawbo-cil.org/payment.htm.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – Due Monday, October 18th by Noon
Please respond as soon as possible by replying to this message or sending your response to secretary@nawbo-cil.org. Please make sure you receive a reply back to confirm that we've received your e-mail. You can also check the attendance list at http://www.nawbopulse.com/the_pulse/see-who-is-attending.html. It’s a great place to verify that we’ve received your RSVP or cancellation! Reservations made but not kept will be billed accordingly.

Door Prize: Remember, if it’s your birthday, please bring a door prize.

NAWBO Confirms New Board

Click to open the press release about the new board members and their goals for 2010-2011.

Press Release_NAWBO Confirms New Board

Presentation Slides from the September Meeting

The PowerPoint presentation from the September meeting are available by clicking on the following links:

Download Nagy presentation 1

Download Nagy presentation #2

NAWBO Membership Special!

If you know anyone who is interested in NAWBO-CIL, now is the perfect time to invite them to join! NAWBO is running a special for new members ho join between October 1st and November 30th. During this 2 month Fall Membership Drive, new members will receive $25 off National dues. Be sure to let your friends, business contacts, and colleagues know about this great deal. It wont' last long! Effective January 2011, dues will increase $50.

New members can join by clicking here >>

New Leadership Team

As of July 1st, here is your new NAWBO-CIL Leadership Team:

President
Wendi Olson Ramsay - Ramsay & Associates
weor0716@msn.com
847-989-8737

President Elect
Cindy Fleming - VisonShift, Inc.
cynthialfleming@gmail.com
309-648-4969

Past President
Mary Ardapple - Apple's Bakery
apples@mtco.com
309.693.3522

Member Services
Doris Symonds - T.A.L.K Teaching & Learning for Knowledge
dsymo92699@aol.com
309-224-9665

Corporate & Economic Development
Penny Kramer - Kramer Chiropractic
drkramer298@sbcglobal.net
309-693-9600

Public Policy
Lynne Johnson - Lynneterprises
lynneann939@cs.com
309-453-0806

Secretary
Becky Wood - The Service Station Advertising Agency
bwood@servicestationadv.com
309-689-3155

Treasurer
Shelly Hranka - Pyramid Printing, Inc.
shelly@pyramidprintinginc.com
309-648-4969

Public Relations
Lindsay Brown - Lindsay Brown Communications
info@lindsay.net
866-699-1791

A Message from Membership Chair Doris Symonds

Dear NAWBO Members:

I echo the same words as Kelly Scanlon, the new national chair of NAWBO:

“My involvement with NAWBO has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve experienced other than being a parent and running my own business.”

When I was installed as the 2010/2011 Membership Chair of the Board of  Directors last month, I am honored to be a part of a wonderful group of  business women.   I believe that much work still lies ahead of us today, and hope that in another 2 years, women business owners are as proud of the work this Board will have accomplished.

As we continue to move forward, our public policy impact is more important than ever, but so is helping our members with capacity building, diversifying our membership to new audiences and reaching out for sponsorships that will help our members’ businesses succeed. The journey continues and we all must lead the charge. I look forward to working with you all in the coming months.

—Doris Symonds, Membership Chair

Aaron Buchko's Presentation

Many of you were interested in getting a copy of Aaron Buchko's presentation from last Wednesday's meeting. His Powerpoints follow:

NAWBO June 2010 no 1

NAWBO June 2010 no 2

Reminder: NAWBO-Central Illinois Welcomes Disney Institute to Bloomington on June 25, 2010

Don't forget! NAWBO-Central Illinois is proud to partner with ASTD Central Illinois Chapter to bring Disney’s Approach to Quality Service program, presented by the world renowned Disney Institute, to the Bloomington area on June 25, 2010.
 
A unique one-day event, Disney’s Approach to Quality Service will challenge you to look at your business – no matter what size – in an entirely new light. Showcasing the powerful strategies and business models that are the cornerstones of the Disney organization’s long-term success, you will learn how to apply innovative Disney strategies to your own organization for immediate results. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity and register today.
 
IMPORTANT: Please use promotional code NAWBOMNE to receive $50 OFF PER GUEST when registering. Additional group discounts are available.
 
TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER GO TO: www.KeysBloomingtonIL.com
No prerequisite training required.

June Meeting Announcement

Our June meeting for NAWBO-CIL is Wednesday, June 16, 2010. Your RSVPs are due Monday, June 14, by Noon!

For your convenience, you can now pay for your meal online! Just go to http://nawbo-cil.org/payment.htm.

This month’s meeting is at Mt. Hawley Country Club, 7724 N Knoxville Avenue in Peoria.
(Click here for a map.)

Times and Agenda
4:30 pm – Educational moment by Dr. Aaron Buchko
5:30 pm - Social and Networking Time
6:00 pm - Dinner
7:00 pm – Program:  “The Virtuous Company” by Dr. Aaron Buchko
“What are the true qualities that define outstanding organizations?  Books and research over the past decades have tried to answer that question in many ways; but have we learned anything?  As we look around us today, we see organizations facing significant challenges.  Despite all of the efforts, we seem to be not much better off today than we were years ago.  How can leaders today build truly outstanding companies?  In this presentation, Dr. Buchko will discuss the various approaches to understanding company performance and shed light on the characteristics that define the best companies in the world.”

Dr. Aaron Buchko is Professor of Management in the Foster College of Business, Bradley University, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in Planning and Strategy and  graduate courses in Executive Development and Business Ethics.  He earned his Ph.D. in management from Michigan State University. 

Please respond as soon as possible by replying to this message or sending your response to secretary@nawbo-cil.org. Please make sure you receive a reply back to confirm that we've received your e-mail.

You can also check the attendance list at http://www.nawbopulse.com/the_pulse/see-who-is-attending.html. It’s a great place to verify that we’ve received your RSVP or cancellation!

Door Prize: Remember, if it’s your birthday, please bring a door prize.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – MEMBERS - $30, GUESTS - $35
Reservations made but not kept will be billed accordingly.

RSVP – by Monday June 14th, Noon

Make check payable to: NAWBO
Click to: secretary@nawbo-cil.org
Mail to: PO Box 10072, Peoria, IL 61612
Call: 309-692-2225

NAWBO-Central Illinois Welcomes Disney Institute to Bloomington on June 25, 2010

The National Association for Women Business Owners-Central Illinois is proud to partner with ASTD Central Illinois Chapter to bring Disney’s Approach to Quality Service program, presented by the world renowned Disney Institute, to the Bloomington area on June 25, 2010.
 
We invite you to explore world-renowned Disney principles for service excellence and discover how attention to detail creates a consistent, world-class service environment.
 
A unique one-day event, Disney’s Approach to Quality Service will challenge you to look at your business – no matter what size – in an entirely new light. Showcasing the powerful strategies and business models that are the cornerstones of the Disney organization’s long-term success, you will learn how to apply innovative Disney strategies to your own organization for immediate results. Take advantage of this incredible opportunity and register today.
 
Disney’s Approach to Quality Service event is…

• Relevant: Impacts critical drivers of success in a slow economy
• Affordable: Priced to serve more people under limited budgets
• Actionable: Easy to implement upon return to the office
• Inspirational: Generates team excitement and momentum
• Short: Takes only one day away from the office
• Local: No travel expenses

Professional development doesn't cost—it pays.  It pays by creating a framework of focused energy in a vacuum of uncertainty.  It pays by helping an organization gain share in a slow economy.  The long-standing reputation of Disney Destinations for incredible service and friendly employees is not magic, it is sound ideology consistently applied in business. This program is designed to help organizations improve their quality service by immersing themselves in the successful Disney model.
 
IMPORTANT: Please use NAWBO-Central Illinois promotional code NAWBOMNE to receive $50 OFF PER GUEST when registering. Additional group discounts are available.
 
TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER GO TO: www.KeysBloomingtonIL.com
No prerequisite training required.

NAWBO May Meeting - Emotion & Negotiation

NAWBO-CIL Appoints Doris Symonds & Lindsay Brown to Attend NAWBO’s National Conference In Washington, DC

Local Peoria business woman, Doris Symonds, CEO of Teaching and Learning for Knowledge Company and Lindsay Brown, CEO of Lindsay Brown Communications in Bloomington were appointed by the board to attend the celebration of the 35th Anniversary and “The Power of One” at the Women’s Business Conference in Washington, DC.

Washington, DC is where history is made.  It was 35 years ago when NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) made its own history when it was founded in the nation’s capital-which is home to the federal government.  Hundreds of women from around the country and the globe will join NAWBO in the celebration on June 8-12, 2010.  Doris and Lindsay will return and present a workshop on the information received at the national conference.   

“This is a very proud moment for me to have been appointed to attend a national conference that works to empower all women business owners and entrepreneurs and for me to represent business women in central Illinois,” said Doris Symonds.  The opportunity to hear keynote speaker, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President will be worth the trip for me.

“The NAWBO Central Illinois local chapter is a professional organization where women of Bloomington can come and build relationships in Peoria and network with seasoned business owners that offers and shares technical training, certified expertise, public policy, and participate in community events,” said Lindsay Brown. 

Peoria’s chapter works to strengthen the wealth-creating capacity of our members and promote economic development.  We create innovative and effective changes in the business culture, build strategic alliances, coalitions, and affiliations.  We transform public policy and influence opinion.  Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month beginning at 4:30 pm at the Mt. Hawley Country Club.  Contact Doris Symonds, 309-224-9665 for membership or visit the website:  www.nawbo-cil.org

Condolences to Member Shelly Hranka

Our condolences to member Shelly Hranka, whose mother in law passed away recently. You may send cards to:

Shelly Hranka
Pyramid Printing
4701 Edgewater Dr
Groveland, IL 61535-9571
Phone: (309) 387-2777

April Meeting Announcement

Our April meeting for NAWBO-CIL is this Wednesday, April 21, 2010. Your RSVPs are due April 19th by Noon.

For your convenience, you can now pay for your meal online! Just go to http://nawbo-cil.org/payment.htm.

This month’s meeting is at Mt. Hawley Country Club, 7724 N Knoxville Avenue in Peoria.
(Click here for a map.)

This month we celebrate Corporate Partner Appreciation Night! We'd love to see everyone there to thank our corporate partners for their support.

Times and Agenda
4:30 pm – Educational moment
5:30 pm - Social and Networking Time
6:00 pm - Dinner
7:00 pm – Program:  Social Marketing – “Using Today’s Technology to Take your Business to the Next Level”

Please respond as soon as possible by replying to this message or sending your response to secretary@nawbo-cil.org. Please make sure you receive a reply back to confirm that we've received your e-mail.

You can also check the attendance list at http://www.nawbopulse.com/the_pulse/see-who-is-attending.html. It’s a great place to verify that we’ve received your RSVP or cancellation!

Door Prize: Remember, if it’s your birthday, please bring a door prize.

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – MEMBERS - $30, GUESTS - $35
Reservations made but not kept will be billed accordingly.

RSVP – by Monday, April 19th, Noon

Make check payable to: NAWBO   Total: ________________
Click to: secretary@nawbo-cil.org
Mail to: PO Box 10072, Peoria, IL 61612
Call: 309. 692-2225

Name: __________________________ Guest: __________________________

Congratulations to Our NAWBO BBB Torch Award Finalists!

The Better Business Bureau recently announced their finalists for the BBB Torch Award for business ethics. http://heartofillinois.bbb.org/article/bbb-congratulates-2010-nominees-18166

Congratulations to our NAWBO sisters!
Alpha & Omega Couriers, Springfield (Springfield chapter)
Calahan Solutions, Bloomington
Philippi-Hagenbuch, Peoria
Ron's Carpets, Peoria

NAWBO goes Formal at the Washington Day Banquet!

 

A "Green" Request from National

For the next issue of NAWBO Focus, we are doing a roundtable of NAWBO members who own or operate sustainable businesses. If your chapters have any women who run environmentally-friendly or "green" businesses, we would love to include them in the issue. Our editorial calendar is posted on the website, if there are other members you would like to consider or other stories you think we should know about, please feel free to send us an e-mail.

The NAWBO Publications Team
(818) 772-9555
publications@nawbo.org
www.nawbo.org

Pathways to Success Conference Status

After this year's Pathways to Success" conference, the Board, after much discussion, has decided not to hold a 2010 conference.  A letter outlining this decision was presented to the WIL Board.  The attached letters represent the joint agreement by both organizations to convene in the future to discuss and evaluate potential next steps which would benefit educational events for members.  The Board expresses a "BIG" thank you and round of applause to all the members who have given countless hours in the success of Pathways!

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mary Ardapple, 309-693-3522 or apples@mtco.com.

View Pathways to Success Conference Letter 2010

View WIL P2S response

New NAWBO Documents

Newly available! The NAWBO-CIL 2010 Membership Guide is now online. It will always be available at www.nawbopulse.com under About Our Members. In addition, the board has also published a NAWBO Mentoring Initiative, which is also available online. Please take time to review this new documents.

If you have updates or corrections to your contact information in the 2010 Membership Guide, be sure to log-on to www.nawbo.org and update your information there. If we make the updates in our local database, we run the risk of overriding the new info when we download from the main national database. Thanks for your help in keeping things current!

Washington Day Banquet with Barbara Walters

A NAWBO table has been reserved for this year's Washington Day Banquet Monday February 22nd featuring guest speaker Barbara Walters.
 
Cost:  $100 per seat for NAWBO member
Limited seats available.

Please contact Mary Ardapple at apples@mtco.com for more information or make a reservation.

Ribbon Cutting for Wannabe's Upscale Resale

You are invited to join member Tracy Wann and Wannabe's Upscale Resale for a ribbon cutting on Friday, Feb. 5th at 10 am. The address is 3530 W. Willow Knolls Dr. in the Willow Station shopping plaza right next to Curves. It would be wonderful to see a few NAWBO members there, showing their support!

Apply to be a NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer

Wells Fargo and NAWBO want to recognize the extraordinary talent, drive and innovation of women business owners across the country. In 2002 we launched the NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer Award to celebrate the enormous role women entrepreneurs play in driving the American economy.
 
We are looking for women business owners who have built successful businesses with unique products, services or delivery channels and are serving as role models for others to follow. Tell us how your business reflects your vision and commitment to building an organization that makes a difference in your community.
 
Three outstanding women-owned businesses will be recognized for their trailblazing spirit as demonstrated by their companies' business performance, innovation, growth and contribution to the community. Each winning business will receive a cash grant of $5,000, gain nationwide recognition, and be honored at the NAWBO Women's Business Conference 2010 in Washington, D.C.

Apply or nominate a woman trailblazer today!

You may submit your nominations ONLINE or by mail using the attached Application Form. All applications must be submitted by February 19, 2010 to qualify.

CLICK HERE for award qualifications, evaluation criteria and nominations process.
 
CLICK HERE to apply online. 
 
CLICK HERE to apply by mail. 
 
For questions or additional information, please contact Wells Fargo Women's Business Services at wbs@wellsfargo.com.

Book Club is Back!

When:  January 28th at 6:00
Where:  I Know You Like a Book on Prospect
What:  The Book is Who Moved My Cheese, Leader this Month is Tina Thomas

Contact Penny Kramer 472-4023 with questions!

I Know You Like a Book is located at 4707 N Prospect Rd, Peoria Heights, IL.

January Membership Meeting

Get on board for 2010!

It’s time to prepare for the January meeting for NAWBO-CIL. It will be on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. Your RSVPs are due by Monday, January 18th.

This month’s meeting is at Country Club of Peoria, 4700 N. Grandview Dr., Peoria Heights, IL.
(Click here for a map.)

This meeting theme is “Get on board for 2010”. It will feature:

• Discussion nuggets of “Out with the Old and In with the New”
• Chapter Update of Board Direction for 2010
• Distribution of 2010 Membership guide
• Presentation and Launch of NEW “Mentoring Program”

The meeting kicks-off at 4:30 with an Educational Moment led by public relations director Lindsay Brown with “Tips for Effective PR 101”.  This presentation is a must for those looking at refining a promotional strategy for 2010.

Times and Agenda
4:30 pm – Educational Moment by Lindsay Brown
5:30 pm - Social and Networking Time
6:00 pm - Dinner
6:45 pm - Announcements
7:00 pm – Program – “Get on board for 2010”

Please respond as soon as possible by replying to this message or sending your response to secretary@nawbo-cil.org.

If you want to see who will be attending, visit http://www.nawbopulse.com/the_pulse/see-who-is-attending.html.

Door Prize: Remember, if it’s your birthday, please bring a door prize.
 
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – MEMBERS - $25, GUESTS - $30
Reservations made but not kept will be billed accordingly.
RSVP – by Monday, January 18, Noon
Make check payable to: NAWBO   Total: ________________
Click to: secretary@nawbo-cil.org
Mail to P.O. Box 573, Peoria, IL 61651
Call: 309-692-2225
Name: __________________________ Guest: __________________________

Member News

We would like to extend our condolences to Becky Woods, who recently lost her father.

Cards may be sent to:

Becky Woods
10808 N David Ct
Peoria, IL 61615-9484

Also, Doris Symonds asks for thoughts and prayers for her family. Her mother is terminally ill, and they have just enrolled her in a hospice program. Her address is:

Doris Symonds
5106 W Newcastle Dr
Peoria, IL  6l6l5

It's the NAWBO Christmas Party

The NAWBO-CIL Christmas party is December 16th at 5:30 pm at the Water Street Wine Café. Your RSVPs are due by Friday, December 11th!

The Water Street Wine Café is at 100 East State Street in Peoria. (Click here for a map.) The phone number is (309) 966-4246.

We’ll be doing a Dirty Santa gift exchange, so please bring a gift (value +/- 15.00). Make sure you like it, too, because you might end up with it! Re-gifting might not be a good idea here :-)

We'll be downtown in the city lights so let's dress to the 9’s. We'll be wine tasting and eating some great food, too!

Please reply to secretary@nawbo-cil.org and watch for a reply so you know your reservation (or cancellation) has been confirmed.

Hope to see you there!

Nominations Open for Leadership Opportunity at National Level

The Central Illinois NAWBO Chapter would be proud to have membership represented at the National level. Please read about leadership opportunities to be a nominee for NAWBO Board of Directors at http://nawbo.org/content_7447.cfm. Those interested contact Mary Ardapple at apples@mtco.com. The deadline for submissions is November 30, 2009.

Participate in the AWESOME 40 Under 40 Awards!

The 40 Under 40 Awards Night is always a night of great networking and celebration.  It has been a part of the NABO history since its beginnings.  Our NAWBO sister Jan Wright was one of the originators of the award.  Many of our NAWBO sisters have received the award.  Will you be there tomorrow?

Women in Leadership has purchased a table at the Forty Leaders Under Forty dinner on Wednesday, November 4, 2009.  You may or may not know that Shawna Knapp has been nominated for this award. Since Shawna has worked with many NAWBO members through Pathways and other projects, WIL would like to extend an invitation to the members of NAWBO to sit at their table.  Tickets are discounted at $25 (regular $50).  They currently have approximately 5 seats available.

If you are interested, please contact Valerie Sinks right away at (309) 694-4251 or Email:  vsinks@hbcpas.com.

Lindsay Brown is our New Public Relations Director!

New member Lindsay Brown has accepted the role of Public Relations Director.  The board is thrilled to have Lindsay join bringing her energies and public relations skills toward promoting the news of members and the Chapter.

November Meeting Topics

Our November 18th meeting will feature the theme, "Building a Culture of Philanthropy." It will begin at 4:30 with an Educational Moment led by Pam Neff  Neff Accounting….Pam will offer insight to tax benefits to charitable giving.

Our Dinner Speaker is Linda Sahn Executive Director of District 150 Foundation.

Be sure to join us by RSVPing to secretary@nawbo-cil.org!

A look ahead...

Our December 16th will be our Holiday Party led by Andrea Flairty 

Lapsed Member Campaign

Central Illinois Chapter NAWBO Membership!
 
National NAWBO is hosting a Lapsed Member Campaign.
 
To help former members come back to NAWBO, National is offering a $35 membership discount. The $35 discount is available through November 30, 2009.

I need your help to notify former CIL-NAWBO members of this campaign!  Please share this message with former members you know. Just a friendly phone call or inviting email is all it takes.

Working together we can increase our membership. Here’s to a great campaign!

Doris Symonds
CIL-NAWBO Membership Chair

Inside NAWBO Newsletter

Inside NAWBO - Get the latest member news and information from NAWBO!

Click on the cover to go to the Table of Contents page.

Book Club Reminder

I moved book club back one week due to the Pathways Conference schedule.  Hope to see you there!

What:  Never Eat Alone, Part 2

When:  Thursday, October 29th

Where:  I know You like a book

Time:  6:30-8:00

Penny Kramer
309-693-9600

NAWBO Membership Ambassadors

Members now have an assigned representative they can connect with and continue to keep abreast of what is going on within the Chapter. Ambassadors are the ears to the members for questions, contacts, illnesses, death notices, you name it. Whatever is going with a person within the chapter, your assigned ambassador want to know.

To find your ambassador, open this document - NAWBO Ambassador List

If you have any questions, please contact our Membership Coordinator Doris Symonds at dsymo92699@aol.com or 309-224-9665.

September Membership Update

by Membership Chair:  Doris Symonds

It is without a doubt that our members continue to bring value, connectivity and collaboration to the Central IL Chapter NAWBO.  It is the goal of the NAWBO Board that members are to be actively informed.  The membership chair along with three NAWBO ambassadors will be responsible for informing and connecting with each member of the chapter.   It is an opportunity for members to share information with their ambassadors about new ideas, success stories, business and personal news and events, and also to assist in bringing new visitors to monthly meetings.  Members are welcome to offer ways the chapter can use their skills and talents on committees, workshops, conferences or community events. 

NAWBO Ambassadors:

• Barbara Senn
• Lindsay Brown
• Doris Symonds
• Penny Kramer 

Update of New Members: 

• Mary Corrigan, Attorney (Peoria)
• Lindsay Brown, Motivational Consultant, Speaker and Trainer (Bloomington)

Other items to note:

• Condolences to Lindsay Brown due to the death of her brother in law.  Please send cards to 1701 E Empire St, Ste 360-333, Bloomington, IL 61704-3532
• Get well wishes to Pam Dickerson who has just return home from a major surgery.  Please send cards to 120 Arrowhead Ct., East Peoria, IL 61611-1808