Ventura County Professional Women’s Network
January-March 2007
Promoting the professional and personal growth of Ventura County women through education, mutual support, and sharing of resources
VCPWN
These dates
are closer than
they appear!
Networking for Success
Meetings
Calendar
By Shawn & Linda McCarthy, Executive Directors, Business
Network Int’l (BNI)
Location:
Wedgewood Banquet Center
5880 Olivas Park Dr. Ventura
Making contacts that turn into relationships is the foundation
of a prosperous word-of-mouth based business. People new to
networking repeatedly ask us,“What can I do to meet more people and make better contacts at business mixers?”
Thursday, January 11
Linda McKenzie - Make-A-Wish
Foundation
Sponsor: Linda McCarthy
Thursday, February 8
Alison Balter & Sheila Lowe - Authors Amongst Us
Sponsor: Pam Vos
Thursday, March 8
Let's Network & Silent Auction
Sponsor: Carrie Sharpshair
Networking begins at 5:30 p.m.
Dinner at 6:30 with continued networking
Program 7:15
Adjourn 8:45
VCPWN Board of Directors
Meetings
All members are welcome to attend:
Wednesday, January 24
Wednesday, February 28
Wednesday, March 28
Location: Cypress Place, Ventura
6:00 p.m.
Dinner and meeting
Two keys to being confident when meeting people are preparation and practice.
By developing your social skills, you will develop greater confidence in your ability
to meet people, generate conversation and discover new networking opportunities.
Have your presentation professionally represent who you are and what you do. Representing yourself professionally will add polish and power to your networking.
How to Benefit from Networking Events
$
$
$
$
Be forward! Don’t be shy. Be approachable and friendly. Smile! Smile! Smile!
Walk right up to people, shake hands and ask them what they do.
Have plenty of business cards with a current e-mail address and phone number.
Always have a pen so you can write notes on the back of business cards you
receive to remind you about each person you met.
$ Introduce someone you have just met to someone you already know.
$ Thank anyone that makes an introduction for you. It could change your life.
$ Never be rude, under any circumstances.
$ If there are sponsors providing refreshments, make a point to thank them
personally.
$ One of your reasons for attending mixer events should always be to meet new
people.
$ Engage everyone in lively, friendly and supportive conversations.
$ Try to spend most of your time talking with people you don’t already know.
$ Meet and speak with as many different people as you can, but spend some
quality time with a few.
$ Don’t monopolize one person’s time that other people are waiting to meet.
$ Never carry or hand out flyers or sales materials.
$ Dress appropriately, but wear comfortable shoes.
$ Reciprocate – bring something to the table to offer others at the event – names,
contacts, information.
$ Follow up with a phone call or email within a few days while you are still fresh
in the person’s mind.
$ AND remember that networking is not selling…it is alliance building!
Networking is a learned skill. Practice, practice, practice and watch how it
changes your business life. Go for it!
Page 2
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VCPWN Focal Points
January/March 2007
From the President
As we usher
in another New
Year, VCPWN
has set its goals
high. In the
spring of 2007,
we will be celebrating our 25th
anniversary. Not bad for a “local” group!
The success of the organization lies on the
shoulders of so many wonderful women
(and men) that have contributed over the
years. We are so pleased you are a part of
this history. Opportunities for putting together this special soiree will be plenty.
In 2007 VCPWN will be re-introducing
the Business Conference. This year’s version will be a half-day informational affair
that we hope you won’t want to miss.
Watch for news of this event. We’d love to
have you be involved in the planning–contact Special Events Coordinator, Marlene
Herman.
is moving. We are thrilled to have so
many new and renewing members.
Thank you all for being part of this organization. We couldn’t do it without
you.
The Wind Beneath My Wings Award is
coming up, as well as the Spirit of Networking award. It’s time to start thinking
about whom you want to nominate for
these prestigious awards.
Fashion Coordinator and so much
more!
The Board and I are excited about our
focus and the directions in which VCPWN
[email protected]
Between the
Lines
With the first week of 2007 behind us, there's still time to make
some New Year's Resolutions. How
about adding this one:
I resolve to write an article for Focal Points, or at least
submit some items for the Blow Your Horn column.
Your contributions to this newsletter are important. The
more input we have from members, the more personal
your newsletter becomes and the more you'll enjoy it.
Articles by members aren't for direct advertising, but
they do provide a great forum to show off your expertise
by allowing you to share important and pertinent information in your particular area. Don't worry about sending a
finished product––the editor is here to help polish what
you write. Just send me 500-700 words and a photo, and
I'll do the rest.
We also want to know what you like most about Focal
Points and what else you want to see in these pages.
Meanwhile, here's wishing you a healthy, successful, profitable New Year.
Sheila Lowe, Editor [email protected]
www.sheilalowe.com
www.claudiaroseseries.com
Shirley Lorraine
Multi-talented Momma
www.weekenders.com/shirleyscloset
www.spencerlorraine.com
Bulletin Board
~ Have you changed your email address lately?
Added a web site? Remember to update your
VCPWN Directory listing online at
www.vcpwn.org. If you don't know your Member
Number, contact Secretary Denise Lawrence at
805-984-5142.
~ 2007 is VCPWN's 25th Anniversary! Help us revitalize and renew your organization. Invite people you think who could benefit from and add to
our membership to our next meeting.
~ In April we'll be awarding the Spirit of Networking Award. Start thinking now about which member you believe deserves this prestigious award.
Stay tuned for more details in the next issue of
Focal Points.
~ Watch for information about the upcoming
VCPWN Women's 1/2-day conference. Specifically targeted at the Baby Boomer women in transition, topics may include elder care, finances and
investment, and retirement planning.
Page 3
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VCPWN Focal Points
January/March 2007
Wind Beneath My Wings
Award
The prestigious Wind Beneath My Wings award will be given
in February. To win, all you have to do is write a short essay of
approximately 500-700 words about someone who has made a
major difference in your life. This person can be a relative, a client, another VCPWN member, or anyone who is very special to
you.
If you win, the subject of your essay will be invited to the February
meeting to share your award with you. Your essay will be read in front
of all of the meeting attendees and you will receive a special gift.
Essays are due by January 20, 2007. Please send essays or questions to Alison Balter: [email protected]
....a Friend does most or all of
these…
(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in “you”
(C)alls you just to say “Hi”
(D)oesn’t give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the
unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust “be” with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever Judges
(O)ffer support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
UPCOMING
EVENTS
Call to make reservations: 656-6011
January
Linda McKenzie, Program Services
Manager for the Tri-Counties
Make-A-Wish Foundation is our January speaker.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation delivers the heartfelt wish of a child with
a life threatening medical condition.
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to
hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains thing you don’t understand
(Y)ells when you won’t listen and
(Z)aps you back to reality
Alison Balter
Before joining the Make-A-Wish
Foundation, Linda owned and operated Messiah’s Cookies, the largest
wholesale bakery in the county.
Sheila Lowe
February
Authors Amongst Us, Alison Balter
and Sheila Lowe join forces in a panel
discussion to answer your questions
about getting published.
Both VCPWN board members and
published authors, Alison and Sheila
will share their experiences in becoming published both in non-fiction and
fiction.
Do you have a book in you that
you'd like to have published? Have
you ever wondered what the life of an
author is like? Do you have questions
about the process? Get them answered
at the February meeting.
Page 4
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VCPWN Focal Points
January/March 2007
Please support our sponsors!
If you would like to help support Focal Points, please contact Sheila Lowe at (805) 658-0109 or [email protected]
Our January Meeting
Sponsor is Linda
McCarthy of BNI -Business Network
International
FOCAL POINTS
2007 advertising rates
Business Card Size: $25 per issue
or $75/4 issues
Quarter-Page: $65 per issue
“Unclassified” Ads: $15 - up to 20 words
Insert (8 ½” x 11”): $50 per issue
www.sheilalowe.com
(805) 658-0109
Learn what motivates you
Work with your strengths
Overcome deficiencies
Understand loved ones
When you really need to know . . .
Handwriting
Handwriting
Handwriting
Handwriting
Handwriting
Handwriting
Handwriting
Sheila Lowe, FACFE, CG
Handwriting Examiner
All ads subject to editor approval and are due
by the 10th of the month preceding
publication. Book your ad and renew directly
on the VCPWN web site!
For information about advertising in Focal
Points, contact Susan McRae (805) 659-5580
Page 5
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VCPWN Focal Points
Recent Meeting Reviews
By Carol Leish
How to Value People and Get Value in
Return
According to our October speaker, Noelle Nelson, Ph.D., it is
important to let people know that they matter. With her vast background, which includes working with attorneys, company management and authoring nine books, Noelle emphasized the
importance of realizing that appreciation goes both ways in
business.
According to Noelle, we need to remember that “Appreciation
is not just another word for attitude.” She mentioned several
companies who know the power of appreciating their customers
and employees. These include Southwest Airlines, See’s Candies
and FedEx.
Noelle said,“The U.S. Department of Labor tells us that the
Number One reason people leave their jobs is lack of appreciation”—not low pay or poor working conditions, but lack of feeling appreciated. She noted the staggering costs to a company in
terms of absenteeism and high turnover, in addition to replacement costs of recruiting, hiring, and training.
According to Noelle, appreciation is an active, purposeful
search for the value of whomever you come in contact with. She
mentioned the importance of employers giving specific comments, not general ones and letting employees know how much
you appreciate their positive effort. She said that stating one’s expectations can make a tremendous impact on job performance.
Whether you are working in a corporation or as a homemaker,
Noelle said, one’s individual needs must be addressed. A customer will become a loyal customer only if his or her needs are
being valued. Knowledge is power!
January/March 2007
She also mentioned several sources of power. According to
Gina Rae, we are put into a parent/child relationship when a supervisor or a parent make demands instead of requests. To deal
with this “Authority Power,” she said it’s a good idea to develop
negotiation skills to outmaneuver controlling people.
If someone has the power to give or take away something you
want, you are experiencing “Reward and Punishment Power.”
Human Resource departments have it with employees, and parents have it with children.
Salespeople feel that the customer has the power, but Gina Rae
says they need to realize that they have the power, too. Sales people have incentives for good behavior and negative consequences
for poor performance.
According to Gina Rae, having knowledge or a special mastery
in a particular area is “Expertise Power” and is considered valuable to others—and they are willing to pay a lot for it. Doctors
and lawyers are in this category, as are academics who use large
words as a power play.
“Credibility Power” involves consistency between what you
say and what you do. The way we dress affects our credibility.
People trust people they like. Gina Rae named Ghandi as one
good example; Martin Luther King was another whose non-violent thoughts and behavior supported his thoughts.” Alan
Greenspan was named as yet another example of someone with
credibility power.
In “Coalition Power,” Gina Rae says, “the power of a group is
more powerful than the individual.” This is true in organizations
from VCPWN to MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving).
“Sharing information builds relationships but withholding information creates intimidation in “Information Power,”” said
Gina Rae, reminding us that the written word is very powerful.
Remember, each one of us has power! Now, use it!
Negotiating with Power
The November Speaker, Gina Rae Hendrickson, is a published
author and a corporate trainer in problems in the workplace. She
is the federal mediator for the U.S. Postal Service and the U.S.
Forest Service, as well as the state mediator for the California
State Employee Mediation Program.
“If you think you have power, you do,” Gina Rae says. “If you
don’t think you have power, you don’t. It’s something that you
have to give yourself internally, before the rest of the world recognizes it.” She showed us how we can step into our power and
have constructive interactions.
A quarterly publication of
Ventura County Professional
Women’s Network
EDITOR
Sheila Lowe . . . . . . . . 658-0109
[email protected]
ADVERTISING
COORDINATOR
Susan McRae
MEETING REVIEWER
Carol Leish
Page 6
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VCPWN Focal Points
January/March 2007
VCPWN Meeting Etiquette
The board decided it was time for us all
to review our organization’s Standing
Rules. Please read them carefully and if
you have any questions, contact any board
member listed on the back of Focal Points.
mailing, legal, insurance, and/or promotional.
11. Reimbursement Form: Committee
members are requested to use a reimbursement form for expenditures (Property of
1. Networking Tables: Only member ma- Director of Finance, and available on the
terials are to be placed on the Networking VCPWN.org website).
table at general meetings. No religious, po- 12. Media: A list of the current media will
litical subjects, or “special causes” materi- be included within our mailing list and coordinated through the Executive Secretary.
als are allowed as a representation of
VCPWN. Discussion of these types of top- 13. Folders/Responsibilities: Included in
ics should be handled one-on-one.
the individual Board Member file folders
2. Dinner Tables: No material, except a business card that indicates a
specific seat is taken, is to be placed
on dinner tables unless it has Board
approval.
3. Sales: Nothing is to be sold at
meetings except for VCPWN promotional products or guest speaker’s
tapes, books, etc.
4. Flyers: Flyers for committee activities approved by the Board are to
be presented in a professional manner and contain the VCPWN logo.
5. Correspondence: Any correspondence sent as a Board or Committee
member should use the VCPWN staare the previous month’s new members and
tionary or note cards.
renewals with indication of their choices
6. Attendance: If a Board member cannot for committee interests and guests and visiattend a Board meeting, the member must
tors.
send a proxy in order to be considered in
a. The Committee to which the interest corattendance or submit a written report to the
responds should contact the individual.
President in advance of the Board meeting.
b. The Director of Membership and her
7. Absences: Three unexcused absences of
committee will contact all new guests and
Board members from Board meetings in
visitors.
one Board year are grounds for termination
c. The Director of Membership will contact
of office.
all new members, renewing members, and
8. Recording Secretary: A copy of the
non-renewing members.
Board minutes shall be in the mail, faxed,
14. Greeting: At the VCPWN monthly
or E-mailed within 1-2 weeks after commeeting, Board members/Greeters will
pletion of the Board meeting.
a. Encourage and direct new members to
9. Suggestion Box: There will be a comments/suggestion box at the check-in table the New Member Orientation meeting
prior to each meeting.
at the monthly VCPWN meeting.
b. Promote Networking with all new mem10. Bids: Each committee is requested to
bers and guests.
obtain competitive bids for any work rec. Demonstrate good networking princiquiring a fee; three bids, preferably from
the membership at large; categories would ples.
include an audit, accounting, printing,
15. Check-in Table: Copies of membership applications, VCPWN brochures, and
Focal Points will always be at the check-in
table, plus leftover copies of current fliers
and any other miscellaneous VCPWN activities or flyers.
16. Meeting Tables:
a. A sign will be placed at each table reserving a seat for a Board Member.
b. Each Board Member will sign up for a
table at the Hospitality Table.
c. There will be at least one Board Member
at each table
17. Outside Meetings: The Co-Director of Public Relations, in January,
will
a. purchase a VCPWN display table
for the annual Creative Options Day at
Cal Lutheran University which is held
in March.
b. An exploration should be done to
determine other available meetings.
18. Meeting Announcements:
a. At the appropriate time, agenda
speakers will approach the podium.
b. All agenda speakers should identify
themselves before making an announcement.
c. Speak clearly and briefly
d. Introduce the next agenda speaker, wait
until the person arrives at the podium, and
hand the microphone to the speaker.
e. Cross to the end of the line of agenda
speakers. When all speakers are finished,
all will move to their seats.
19. Meeting Cost: Cost of meeting includes dinner. Price is the same if no dinner is ordered.
20. Liaisons: The Immediate Past President will chair the project to establish and
maintain liaisons between VCPWN and
other professional organizations. She will
inform and advise the Public Relations
Chairperson(s).
21. All Board Members will know
VCPWN “Do’s and Don’ts of Networking”
22. Robert’s Rules of Order are to be followed, within reason, at Board Meetings
and officiated by the Immediate Past President and Recording Secretary.
Page 7
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VCPWN Focal Points
January/March 2007
Blow Your Horn!
M Hurrahs to Linda and Shawn McCarthy, who were honored at
the November BNI International Conference. Nominated by
their peers from more than 350 directors in the USA for the
BNI Founder’s Circle, Sean and Linda were selected based
on their exemplifying BNI core values, region growth, and
contributions to the organization.
M Congratulations, too, to Pam Vos, chosen as one of the Best
Personal Trainers in Ventura County for 2006. Pam also
recently welcomed a group of VCPWN members at her
Forever Fit for Women studio for a relaxing evening of yoga
by candlelight (wine and cheese helped with the relaxation
part).
M Even more congratulations are due.
VCPWN Recording Secretary Anna
Kittleson was elected to the Board of
Directors for Caregivers, and VCPWN
President-elect, Lisa Ross, was named Vice
Chair of Communications for the Ventura
Chamber of Commerce for 2007.
M Led by Director of Special Events, Marlene Herman,
several VCPWN members recently enjoyed an afternoon
at Firefly Ceramics, where Margaritas, Pina Coladas, and
food helped bring out their creativity. On another note,
Marlene, who is a travel agent, attended a Kempinksi
Hotels trade show at the Bel Aire Hotel and met twelve
General Managers from their worldwide properties. She
won three nights at the Kempinski Beijing hotel and two
nights at the Villas at the Great Wall and is excited about
her first visit to China.
M Director of Networking and realtor, Carol Powell,
traveled to Arizona for a week in December, where she
attended six days of real estate investing school. Carol
learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed her first time in
Scottsdale, which she says has developed into a very
impressive city. She was also able to squeeze in a visit
with her sister and an old friend from her BNI group.
Note to all that Carol found flying from Oxnard airport to
LAX a great alternative to driving or taking the shuttle.
M Your busy VCPWN Board met on December 14 for its
M The indefatigable Alison Balter has just
completed her twelfth book and is currently
working on her thirteenth. Microsoft Office
ccess 2007 is the topic.
A
M President Shirley Lorraine revealed yet another talent when
she performed “mystic predictions” card readings during the
holidays for private parties on a boat, in an auto body garage,
and outdoors. Her motto is “Have cards, will travel!”
M Focal Points Editor Sheila Lowe was a guest of radio
personality Baron Ron Heron on AM 1290, discussing her
new books, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Handwriting
Analysis, Second Edition, released in January and her first
mystery, Poison Pen, featuring a forensic handwriting expert,
which is due out in March.
annual holiday party, which was an extra-special event, as
it happened to fall on Shirley Lorraine’s birthday (we
were polite and didn’t ask which one). Fantastic food and
fun gifts were exchanged, as this hardworking group of
women (our male board member was absent) took a
well-earned break.
Send “Blow Your Horn” announcements to Focal
Points Editor Sheila Lowe at [email protected], or
complete a Blow Your Horn form at one of the VCPWN
meetings. Remember, the articles are for interest items
only. If you are interested in purchasing an advertisement to publicize your business or an event or place a
classified ad, please let us know. It will benefit you and
help support Focal Points.
VCPWN MEMBERS USING MEMBERS SERVICES OCTOBER MEETING
Lisa Ross
Maura Raffensperger
Ingrid Ward
Sue Gary
Laura Parson
Linda McCarthy
Barbara Marquis
Martha Jaffe
Susan McRae
Lisa Collier
Cypress Place Senior Living
Organizing Rx
Citibank
Promotional Products
Data-Girl Business Services
BNI
Marquis Interiors
Travel Planner
California Lavender
Custom Embroidery
used
used
used
used
used
used
used
used
used
used
Susan McRae
Sue Gary
Ione Lindroth
Breena Maggio
Lisa Collier
Martha Jaffee
Lisa Collier
Lisa Collier
Marlene Herman
Barbara Marquis
SeneGence
Promotional Products USA
Massage Therapist
Creative Memories
Custom Embroidery
Travel Planner
Custom Embroidery
Custom Embroidery
New Act Travel
Marquis Interiors
Ventura County Professional Women’s Network
Post Office Box 6329
Oxnard, California 93031
(805) 656-6011 www.vcpwn.org
.
VCPWN 2006-2007 Board of Directors
President
Shirley Lorraine
805-659-5580
10155 Jamestown St., Ventura 93004
Focal Points Editor
Sheila Lowe
805-658-0109
4735 Rossini Ln #102, Ventura 93003
Director of Mentoring
Pam Vos
805-382-4444
1257 Bayside Cir., Oxnard 93035
President-Elect
Lisa Ross
805-650-8000
368 Citadel Ave., Ventura 93003
Director of Public Relations
Don Williams
805-339-9360
P.O. Box 7016, Ventura 93006
Executive Secretary
Denise Lawrence
805-984-5142
2682 N. Victoria Ave, Pt Hueneme 93041
Director of Special Projects
Marlene Hunau-Herman
805-485-7573
2511 Topaz Ct., Oxnard 93030
Director of Membership
Ingrid Cabral Ward
805-485-9122
2072 Olga Street, Oxnard, 93036
Immediate Past President
Alison Balter
805-491-0111
11450 Highridge Ct., Santa Rosa Valley 93012
Director of Networking
Carol Powell
805-443-5900
1540 Quincy Street, Oxnard 93033
Director of Finance
Mary Sullivan
805-642-9706
636 Colina Vista, Ventura 93003
Member-at-Large
Laureen Lazzaro
805-477-0441
1794 Victoria Ave Suite A,
Ventura 93003
Director of Hospitality
Mary Gabriels
805-247-1470
236 S. G St., Oxnard 93030
Recording Secretary
Anna Kittleson
805-491-0111
8323 Boise Street, Ventura 93004