Learn More About the Houston Area Council of ABWA

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1 Houston Council Mission Statement To promote involvement among participating Chapters and Express Networks and to provide opportunities for combined activities to enhance our membership, to publicize ABWA and to promote education within our community. January 2013 Vol. 17 Issue 1 Inside This Issue: A Note from the Chair HAC Executive Board Members 3 Please join us: HAC Meeting Minutes 4 ABWA Mission & Code of Conduct 5 Designing Your ABWA Experience 6 The Magic of Passion by Dr. Melanie Brown 7 Omni Salsa Dance Studio for ABWA Ladies 8 Small Business Finance and the Fiscal Cliff 9 Tax Services for ABWA Ladies 10 Advertise with Houston Area Council 11 Thursday, January 24, :30 pm Networking & Vendor Shopping 6:00 pm Dinner/Program Sheraton Four Points Katy Freeway Houston, TX $28 Members $33 Non-Members RSVP by January 18, 2012 to hospitality@abwahouston.org Learn More About the Houston Area Council of ABWA The Houston Area Council of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) offers member Chapters and Networks an additional networking and professional growth opportunity as well as being a focal point for dissemination of relevant information and opportunities. In addition to offering our members the opportunity to be a part of the best professional business women's association in the United States, we offer incredible networking opportunities, education benefits, and other perks made available through our national organization of the American Business Women's Association. We invite you to attend our quarterly meetings held on the 4th Thursday in January, April, July and November and find out more about us. Please visit the different areas of our web site to discover how we can meet your needs. We look forward to learning more about you and your business! Click here for more information. Mary Rodriguez ~ Newsletter Editor ~ newsletter@abwahouston.org ~ (832)

2 A Note from the Chair... Embracing Opportunities The time is now to strengthen the very foundation that made us strong. Before us in the upcoming months, together we have an opportunity to learn and grown from amazing women and exceptional programming. We are on the threshold of a new time in ABWA history. Challenged with very busy schedules, economic constraints, and governmental uncertainties, it can be difficult to persuade members to understand the value of the Houston Area Council of ABWA (HAC). Building leadership skills and partnerships, the HAC broadens individual and team experiences to be so much more than participating in a business league. What will the legacy be of the 2013 HAC? How will we be remembered in future years? We will be thought of as ordinary or a group of women of indifference accepting a state of little action? Indifference elicits no response it has no beginning or end, it is not creative, presents little opportunities, and can be more destructive than anger. It is tempting to look away and avoid taking the time and energy to make a difference. Though it would be easy, we are not a group that is afraid of getting involved. Our journey in the upcoming year will be filled with purpose and meaning that benefits members, and by extension all of ABWA, today and tomorrow. With remarkable board and committee members, we are innovative and energized; we are here for each and every member. We have much in stored from engaging all members on a personal level by visiting business leagues regularly, offering electronic payments, easier registration, exceptional programs, acknowledging membership contributions to their teams and communities, and much much more. The HAC is here to empower all members, and yes, together we can, together we will. If you are interested in being part of the HAC team, please me at chair@abwahouston.org or by phone at Wishing everyone a very joyful and prosperous New Year! Warm regards, Dr. Melanie Brown 2013 Houston Area Council of ABWA Chair 2

3 2013 Executive Board Members ~ Houston Area Council Dr. Melanie Brown Chair Anya Lucas Vice Chair Sheri Parrack Financial Officer Marla Regan Communication Officer Please welcome the 2013 Executive Board Members for the Houston Area Council of ABWA. 3

4 Women Celebrating Women Houston Area Council Meeting ~ Minutes Houston Area Council Meeting ~ Minutes Thursday, October 25, 2012 Chair Katherine Ebel called meeting to order at 6pm at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel. 16 Leagues were represented. Marketing Consultant John Moore, President of Brand Autopsy, presented the program Business Success through Everyday Innovation. Minutes were filed as presented. Treasure s report was filed for audit as presented. New Business: Melanie Brown presented the levels of sponsorship available to members and non-members for the newsletter and Council website. Melanie Brown presented the Council s Excellence in Achievement award to the Tomball Charter Chapter for Outstanding Achievement activities during the 3rd quarter of It was announced that Houston Area Council Newsletter, written and edited by Mary Rodriguez, won the Council Newsletter competition at National Leadership Conference in Memphis. This is the second consecutive year that the Houston Area Council Newsletter has won. The deadline for the last Council Newsletter of this year is 28 December Nomination Committee presented the slate of officers for the 2013 League year. Due to no nominations being presented from the floor and only one candidate was presented for each office, the new board was elected by acclimation. The new officers are Dr Melanie Brown, Chair; Anya Lucas, Vice Chair; Marla Regan, Communication Officer; Sheri Parrack, Finance Officer. There were six vendors present: Lacey Jimenez Stella & Dot Jewelry Linh Perez Financial Planner Cassandra Voutchas Unique Boutique Joyce Ferguson Heaugen Essence Sandy Davis Hand beaded hair clips from South Africa Margaret Roberto Silpada Jewelry Each vendor was given 2 minutes to elaborate on their products. Meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. Respectfully submitted, Grace Pary Grace Pary ~ Information Officer 4

5 Women Celebrating Women American Business Women s Association ABWA Mission Statement To bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support and national recognition. ABWA Code of Conduct All members will serve as goodwill ambassadors for the American Business Women s Association. Members will not allow their personal beliefs and convictions to interfere with the representation of ABWA s mission. Members will always treat their member colleagues, guests, vendors and sponsors with honesty, respect, fairness, integrity, responsibility, kindness, and in good faith. Members will maintain compliance with ABWA National, Chapter and Express Network Bylaws. Members will not use their personal power to advance their personal interests. Members will strive for excellence in their professions by maintaining and enhancing their own business knowledge and skills, and by encouraging the professional development of other members. 5

6 Designing Your ABWA Experience 6

7 The Magic of Passion The Magic of Passion It is so very easy to judge others, be a critic of behavior, and fear the unknown. It is so very easy to ridicule someone simply because he or she chooses to approach a task differently. It is so very easy to allow others to define self-worth and what is important in life based on material possessions or how much money is earned. It is so very easy to complain. Yet, now and then, you discover inspiration can come in the simplest forms. The true magic lies within individual choice and perception. The magic happens when passion in work and life inexplicably turns ordinary into extraordinary. The prerequisite for going beyond what is imaginable is believing in the gift of individual uniqueness. Be committed to reinvent your life and change others by adding value wherever you go. John Maxwell stated that you add value to people, when you value them. Value comes from being authentic, empathetic, and passionate in knowing more, doing more, and seeing more. There are two types of individuals who achieve very little in life. One is a person who does only what they are told no more, no less and the other is one who fails to observe and listen. Amazingly, those that live life fully, succeed by having passion throughout the journey. Passionate individuals are attractive and inspiring because they are enjoyable, entertaining, and enthusiastic, which makes them interesting. A fundamental philosophy of passionate individuals is not waiting, rather doing and not doing mediocrity. Perceived to be ineffectual emotions, anger, indifference, or negative limiting thoughts are not an option for those striving to make a difference. The best way to start the New Year is to grow. Grow your value and energy. Be excited about anything and everything. Take time to reenergize by fueling the mind, body, and spirit. Foster an environment that ignites rippling positivity and capitalization of opportunities. Take the time to care and find the passion within, you may just see the magic. Dr. Melanie Brown 2013 HAC of ABWA ~ Chair HAPEN of ABWA ~ President Elect 7

8 Omni Salsa Dance Studio for the ABWA Ladies! Omni Salsa is a premier dance studio dedicated to elevating our students' dancing abilities in various styles. We believe everyone should have an opportunity to experience the art of graceful and elegant dancing. With comprehensive dance lessons, our instructors will prepare you to own the social or competitive dance floor. Omni Salsa will help you discover new talents, improve your coordination, and impress all your friends! 8

9 Small Business Finance and the Fiscal Cliff 9

10 Tax Services for ABWA Ladies! 10

11 Advertise with Houston Area Council For Sponsorship Levels and information or check the council website 11