Newsletter April 2021

Taking Time for Self-Care

A message from WPF President, Ashley Madden

I’m now in my 8th tax season as a CPA (time flies!) and this time of year is, without a doubt, my most rewarding but also the busiest time of my annual work calendar.   No matter how much I plan in January and jumpstart in February, by the beginning of April, I feel like Lucy Ricardo in that scene where she and Ethel are cramming chocolates in their mouths because the assembly line is faster than they can work.  When we give all we have to everyone else, we can be left weary and frustrated at the end of the day.  We can’t be Superwoman, all the time.   We need to remember that taking care of ourselves is just as important as taking care of everyone else in our lives and checking things off the never ending to do lists. 

I’ve worked with Elizabeth Barbour, a wonderful business coach on and off for the past twenty years.  She wrote an insightful book last year entitled “Smart Self-Care for Busy Women”.  In her book, Barbour points out that you don’t need a month in Bali to achieve self-care.  It is more about dedicating a little time for yourself every day, every week, every month, throughout the year.  And as you create these new healthy routines and habits, you will notice that you may become calmer, more loving, focused, creative, productive, et cetera. 

Self-care is more about an ongoing mindful practice than a one-time event.  As you tackle your day, try to find ways to “take advantage of small moments”.  It may be just taking a few minutes mid-morning to make a nice cup of tea, take a short walk or catch up with a co-worker or neighbor for a few minutes.  These little breathers don’t take much time and they will increase your energy and your focus for the rest of the day.  Another tip is to “ask for help”.  Gosh, is it just me, or is this a really hard one??  But the payoff can be huge.  Whether it is assigning household chores or recruiting help from co-workers or sharing tasks with other committee members on a Board, by asking for help, you may not only free up some time for your own self-care but also may gain more perspective and inclusion for allowing someone else to participate in a task. 

The key to remember is self-care means setting intention to rejuvenate yourself in small ways and short windows of time, day in and day out.  Give yourself permission to see YOU as a priority.  Be mindful to slow down, rest, play, say yes, say no, cultivate your tribe, create art or music and enjoy downtime.  Trust that taking care of YOU, will help you be happier, healthier and more productive in the long run. 

Maybe take a moment of self-care by getting yourself a nice piece of chocolate (or two!) and checking out this hilarious, classic clip of Lucy and the assembly line! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkQ58I53mj

APRIL MEETING: HOW I LEARNED TO BRING MY BEST SELF TO CORPORATE AMERICA

with Regan Forman, Vice President, Creative Strategy & Editorial for ViacomCBS Global Creative Group

Regan Forman is the Vice President, Creative Strategy & Editorial for the ViacomCBS Global Creative Group. In this role, Regan is responsible for leading the development and implementation of strategic plans across all properties within the company. ViacomCBS develops products from the top shows on Nickelodeon to Comedy Central, BET, MTV, Paramount Pictures and mostly recently CBS/Showtime.  Regan also oversees a creative team of writers and storytellers who provide editorial functions across the Creative and Franchise Marketing Teams.

Before returning to the east coast to join Nickelodeon in 2013, Regan had spent 13 years working for The Walt Disney Company in Burbank, California.  Regan was a key member of the team that oversaw the toy product development, creative execution and marketing strategies for all consumer products for Disney-Pixar films.

Originally from Greensboro, NC, Regan currently lives just outside NYC with her husband, two children and two rescue border collies. She is active in her community, specifically focusing on the MESH Café program. The mission of MESH (Montclair Emergency Services for the Homeless) is to provide overnight respite and evening meals for those experiencing homelessness and food insecurity within the Montclair, NJ community and surrounding areas.  Regan is an avid runner and a member of the New York Roadrunners, where she has run 5 marathons as well as volunteered for events throughout the 5 boroughs.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

UPDATE FROM SUE SCHWARTZ, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIR

Happy Spring!!  Just a few items from the Membership Committee.  The Board has decided that we will not be accepting applications for membership in 2021. We look forward to the fall when hopefully we can be together for our meetings and get to know guests and potential members.

There have been really great programs with our Zoom format but we know some sisters are having some issues joining us.  Just a gentle reminder that according to our Policies, Procedures and Guidelines that Active members need to attend 50% of regularly scheduled monthly meetings.  It further states “if an Active Member knows that she will not be able to attend 50% of the meetings, she should discuss her particular situation with the Membership Committee Chair. Here’s a link to the Policies and Procedures document for more information:

https://wpforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Policies-Procedures-and-Guidelines-Mar-2021.pdf

I can be contacted by email:  sue.schwartz29@gmail.com or cell phone 336.287.7759.  We all need to stay safe but I would also say we need our sisters more than ever.  I look forward to “seeing” you all in April.

FOUNDATION NEWS

Building a World of Understanding, A Message from Jean Pudlo, WPFF President

Dear WPFF Members – remember, that’s all WPF members –

Your Foundation board is committed to being good stewards of your donations, and so I want to give you an update.

We have committed to adding cash to the endowment fund each year. In 2020 and 2019 we added $10,000, and we have budgeted to add $15,000 this year.  We can do that because fundraising has allowed us to use available cash to make our grants – budgeted at $24,000 for 2021 – this year, without dipping into those funds.  Both the fund earnings and contributions then can increase the endowment and its ability to generate earnings for the future.

We are excited to report that our asset total is now over half a million, at $545,000!

Thank you to all of you who contributed to help with this growth. Our December contributions were larger than ever in a difficult year for many.  And more importantly, these contributions allow us to invest more this year than ever in programs in our community that aid in the growth of women and girls in their professional and personal growth as leaders.

You’ll be hearing from the Foundation in a few different ways in the next few weeks as we look to the May meeting hosted by the Foundation.  We want you to learn more about our grantees’ work made possible by your support.  So, keep an eye out for some emails and mail.  You’ll also get to meet – virtually – some of our grantees on May 12.