Celebrating Us!
A message from WPF President Adrienne Jandler
March is National Women’s Month, designated to honor and celebrate achievements of American women and their impact on our country and in our society. As I pause to consider luminary women in history, I also think of the women who started WPF, and the impact our organization has had over the past 43 years for our sisters and community. I think of the impact we continue to make.
WPF is a truly special organization, unlike any other. The women who founded it wanted to establish an organization to support professional women, share experiences, exchange information and ideas, encourage each other to attain high career goals, and to provide a network of professional contacts to enhance our careers. It is unique in that focus – there are plenty of women’s organizations that address different aspects of those objectives – women’s networking groups, support groups, industry-specific professional associations, etc. None include them all and combine personal and professional interests the way WPF does. As much as I love some of the other women’s organizations I’m in, I dare say none of them foster the depth of relationships that we enjoy among our WPF sisters.
As we continue into our 43rd year, our organization is as active as ever, and growing and changing to support our members.
The lifeblood of our organization is our sisters; we want to be sure that we are helping our newest members get involved, form meaningful relationships, become familiar with our traditions, and understand all the opportunities available. In the coming months, you will see additional communications on how WPF operates. Some of these include details about the different SIGs, how to get involved, where to share your ideas, who to contact on the leadership team, committees and SIGs for various questions or suggestions, how you can disseminate information about events you or your company are hosting/sponsoring, FAQs about WPF and more.
We have lots of great events and opportunities ahead, including a brand new SIG (you’ll hear more about that this month). I’m excited by the growth and evolution of our sisterhood and encourage you to check out the newsletter and website for full details!
March Meeting
The “F” Word: Feedback
Women are taught from an early age to be kind and those gender norms stay with us, even into the workplace. Yet, as leaders and managers, we are required to give constructive feedback. Why is feedback so important? How do we get comfortable with giving regular feedback? Come explore the “F” word with Jessica Glazer of the Center for Creative Leadership. Jessica will approach feedback through the lens of women at work and you will leave with tips and tools you can apply right away.
About Our Speaker: Jessica Glazer is a Leadership Solutions Partner for the Center for Creative Leadership, where she designs and delivers custom solutions by partnering with clients from a variety of industries in order to meet their most pressing development needs. Prior to joining CCL, Jessica balanced dual careers in which she held leadership positions and managed large, geographically dispersed teams in both the corporate and academic arenas. Over the past 13 years, Jessica has worked with corporate, government, non-profit, and education clients on four continents.
Jessica regularly presents as a Keynote Speaker and Advanced Practitioner for organizations and conferences around the world. Her work centers on the intersection of neuroscience, positive psychology, and leadership development. Jessica holds an M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from the Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. in Sociology from Brandeis University.
2020 New Member Applications
With members seeking changes in their status in the new year, there will be some openings for new members this year. The deadline for completed applications is June 1. Please note that the three required luncheons that the applicant attends with her sponsors must occur between June 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020. Active and Active Retired members may serve as primary sponsors or co-sponsors. Emeritus members may act only as co-sponsors. Supporting members may not sponsor or co-sponsor new members. Please reach out to Melanie Tuttle, Membership Chair, with any questions.
SIGS…
Make Friends, build bonds, and grow!
BOOKS & ARTS
Art in Bloom @ NC Museum of Art, Thursday, March 19, 9am to 5pm
Join Books and Arts for the Arts in Bloom spectacular at the NC Museum of Art. Pat Vedder is planning this group outing. To RSVP and get details for this excursion, contact Pat Vedder at 336-854-8279.
WILD WOMEN in the MOUNTAINS
March 20-22, 2020 @ Blowing Rock, NC, $125 per person
It’s that time again! Time to think about the fun and relaxation of 3 memorable days in the mountains with your WPF sisters! Stay at the home of a WPF hostess, reconnect with old friends and make new ones! Enjoy shopping, playing, hiking, dining, relaxing. West glow Spa even offers custom pampering. Sisters laugh and talk the whole weekend. You will completely decompress!
To register, email Sarah Shoffner: sarahshoffner@rtelco.net
BOOKS & ARTS
8th Annual TEDX Greensboro @ Van Dyke Performance Space, Greensboro Cultural Center
Pre-event Reception, Wednesday, March 25, 5:30-7:30
RISK:TEDX Greensboro, Thursday March 26, 8:30am-4:30pm
Click here to register now. Enter T5WPF above the ORDER NOW button and click “apply” to reveal a WPF ticket just above (last option, just under Student Ticket). You can purchase 1-3 tickets in one order. This is just for WPF. A pre-event reception will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on the 25th at the Van Dyke Performance Space. Contact Denny Kelly if you are interested in attending the reception at dkelly@bouvierkelly.com.
BOOKS & ARTS
Sailing in the BVI ~ January 22-30, 2021
The window of opportunity to be involved in this trip is closing, due to our need to reserve boats while they are still available. If you want to join this trip, please contact Kris Landrum, klandrum@tuggleduggins.com or Christie Soper, christie@suncierge.com for details (previously provided in newsletters, on Facebook, and at monthly meetings) ASAP.
BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, April 7, 7:00pm
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, Hosted by Laura Burton, 4005 Whitford Ct. Browns Summit, NC
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is the debut novel by Vietnamese-American poet Ocean Vuong, published on June 4, 2019 by Penguin Press. An epistolary novel, it is written in the form of a letter from a Vietnamese American son to his illiterate mother. RSVP to Laura Burton 336-337-1942
WORKING MOMS
Tuesday, March 24, 12:30pm @ Saffron, 1500 Mill St #104, Greensboro
This lunch topic is “Picking your battles” – an expression that has me wondering if this is something my mom considered. I know, I was held to a high standard with manners, education, and extra activities, and most of all manners. How do you decide which battle to pick tonight? RSVP to Marlee Foster by noon Monday, March 23 at marleegfoster@gmail.com.
DINING OUT
Wednesday, March 25, 6:30pm @ Print Works Bistro, 702 Green Valley Rd, Greensboro
Join us for Dining Out at Print Works, with creative New American fare & an ample wine list in a refined setting with a leafy patio. Jennifer Mencarini will be our host. RSVP to Amy Meinecke at diningout@wpforum.org by Monday, March 23.
DEVOTED to DIVERSITY
New SIG! Our purpose is to promote inclusion and to wrestle with issues of diversity in order to engage WPF as a force for change in our communities.
Proposed Events:
• Just Mercy watch party with wine and dessert, followed by discussion
• Magnolia House Jazz Brunch and chat with the owner 2 pm on a Sunday
• Underground Railroad Tour with Max Carter
• Book Discussion on Waking Up White, by Debby Irving
Committee Chairs: Nicole Hayes, Terri Harris, Rebecca Ben-Gideon
WOMEN OF WALL STREET
Thursday, March 19, 6:00pm @ First Lutheran Church, 3600 W. Friendly Avenue, Greensboro
Move Over Marie Kondo! Our topic will be Downsizing and Uncluttering – Impact on Finances presented by our own Katrina Solomon, who is now semi-retired and a professional organizer and personal productivity consultant. Irene Apgar, who is a Branch Manager and Divisional Vice President with UBS Financial Services, will be speaking in conjunction with Katrina on the impact downsizing has on finances. Should be some interesting and useful information for all of us!
Please let Marcy McHenry know at marcemch@aol.com if you will be joining us. See you on March 19!