Who’s ready to “Shop, Shop, Shop ‘til you Drop?”
A message from WPF President, Ashley Madden
Happy November to you all! Not only are we celebrating Thanksgiving and Veteran’s Day this month, but also “National Men Make Dinner Day” is coming up on November 4th. Seems like we have a “Day” for everything, but I thought that one was quite creative. And, of course, November brings us Black Friday. With supply chains backed up, you want to make sure you get an early start on that holiday shopping. Oh, and what a great segue. Because, you know what time it is! It’s time for our Annual Holiday Bazaar! We have a fabulous line up of twenty vendors coming just for you to shop, shop, shop ‘til you drop. I guarantee you that you will have options from our vendors that are more creative and thoughtful than what you will find in stores or online. Plus, you are supporting local women and keeping your dollars in our own community as an added bonus! As in years past, we are extending our meeting time in November to accommodate you for plenty of time to browse the goods, enjoy lunch and socialize with your fellow sisters. This year, we will also have raffle items and an expanded selection of live auction items at the event. You are encouraged to bring guests as well. There won’t be a Zoom option for November. So, don your spiffiest mask, put on something festive and come join us at Starmount on November 10th!
I want to give a special thank you to Cecelia Anderson, this year’s Bazaar Chair, and the Bazaar Committee. Planning the WPF Holiday Bazaar is always a big responsibility. But, this year has certainly presented additional challenges and complexity. Cecelia and her team have done a fabulous job this year. Please give them a personal thank you, if you get a chance!
Our Directors at Large, Dede Potter and Jody Susong, have also been very busy putting together a beautiful Fall Social and New Member Welcome in October while simultaneously getting our annual Small Group Dinners organized. As this newsletter is going out, we have already had several of the Small Group Dinners but there are more set for November. So, it’s not too late for you to sign up if you haven’t already. The Small Group Dinners are another great way for you to connect with other members for food, fun and fellowship. We also use the Dinners as an opportunity to get your feedback that is helpful for both WPF and our Foundation to continue to grow and evolve in ways that reflect the priorities of our membership. There are Dinner options available at people’s homes, restaurants and virtual. You just pick what works best for you. We will be adding more time slots for November as needed.
As always, you can stay on top on all things WPF through this newsletter, the WPF website and our Facebook page.
Warmly,
Ashley
at Starmount Forest Country Club from 11am to 2pm
RSVP by 11/4 at admin@wpforum.org let us know if you’re bringing a guest!
Holiday shopping while reconnecting with your WPF sisters – the best way to spend your lunch hour!
I am so happy that we are able to host our annual Holiday Bazaar once again this year. The Bazaar raises funds for the WPF Foundation and the participation of our members is what makes this event a success year after year. Come meet some of our new vendors and enjoy reconnecting with favorites from years past.
Our Holiday Bazaar would not be complete without our raffle and live auction! Raffle tickets will be on sale during the Bazaar. Buy your tickets and place them in the raffle for the basket you like best (you do not have to be present to win). We have a few surprises in store for the live auction that you will not want to miss! The live auction starts at 12:30pm. Bidding wars welcome!
I would like to thank the 2021 Bazaar Committee for all of their hard work and dedication: Amy Baradell, Jody Susong, Dede Potter, Anne Smith, Astrid Mesa, Debbie Barrow, Pat Vedder, Deanne Ebel, Corinne Auman, Janice Lanier, Kathi Dubel, Ashley Raper, Sue Polinsky, and Christie Soper. When we started working on plans for the Bazaar last February, we had no idea if we would be able to host the event due to the pandemic. I appreciate your dedication amongst all of the uncertainty (and your patience as we ironed out the Zoom kinks!)
I look forward to seeing everyone at the Bazaar on Wednesday, November 10th!
Cecelia Anderson, 2021 WPF Bazaar Committee Chair
LUNCH OPTIONS
Enjoy your choice of three box lunch options, available for take out or enjoy with friends in the dining room across from the Bazaar.
• Herb rubbed grilled beef tenderloin on a bed of arugula with horseradish dressing, orzo pasta, cucumber salad, watermelon and feta salad, grilled flatbread, and a double chunk chocolate chip cookie.
• Grilled pesto chicken breast with roasted red pepper, fresh mozzarella and balsamic dressing on a focaccia roll served with citrus orzo pasta salad and a gourmet dessert.
• Caprese sandwich (fresh mozzarella, roasted tomato, field greens, grilled onion, basil, tapenade, balsamic glaze) on ciabatta with a gourmet dessert.
November 4-Minute Special: Janet Ward Black
I grew up in Kannapolis, the only child of a high school English teacher and the owner of a small chain of drugstores.
I knew what I wanted to be from age four- a doctor! I went to Davidson College on a chemistry scholarship. I ended up in organic chemistry my freshman year and decided my dream of being a doctor was not going to materialize.
My father grew up in the Depression. He always said, “I want you to have a job where you don’t have to ask anybody for a job.” I knew doctors didn’t have to ask people for jobs. But who else? Lawyers! I will be a lawyer! That was the intellectual rigor with which I decided to go to law school. It ended up being exactly the right thing, but not as a result of some grand plan.
I attended Duke Law, which I chose based on the ample size of the parking lot. I had a hard time finding a job after graduating and ended up with a small business firm in Charlotte. I didn’t like it and became the first female assistant district attorney for Rowan and Cabarrus Counties in 1986. That position allowed me to try cases all day every day. I loved it.
In 1989 I was hired away by one of my adversaries in court to join her all-woman law firm in Salisbury to start their asbestos litigation practice. My time with that firm allowed me to realize how much I enjoyed representing injured people who needed someone to speak on their behalf. I still do.
Next year I will celebrate my 30th year at our firm at 208 West Wendover. I have the same office and the same desk since I arrived. I never planned to be a business owner or entrepreneur. In retrospect I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.
We have 25 employees. We represent clients for injuries from car wrecks, workers’ comp, and dangerous products. I also represent NC counties and school systems for their losses caused by the opioid and vaping epidemics.
Owning my own business has allowed us to do things that “normal” businesses would never do. One of our most important undertakings has been to give 10% of our gross revenue to non-profits each year. We ask the non-profits to keep our gifts confidential. This year is our 9th year tithing 10% of our gross revenue. It has been one of the great joys of my life. I love sharing our giving strategies with other business leaders. Just reach out if your business would like to know more. A dime on a dollar really can help change our community and our world.
I have a long-suffering lawyer husband, Gerard, two grown step-sons, and a shepherd puppy named Mercy. And yes, I was Miss North Carolina in 1980 and played Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude for my talent!
Membership Information
A message from Sue Schwartz, Membership Committee Chair
Happy Fall y’all! There have been many questions coming our way about new members, changing status, etc.
You may recall the Board decided early this year that 2021 would be a year of retaining and supporting our sisters so we weren’t accepting applications for new members. Well, get ready for 2022! We will be accepting applications. I have outlined the Membership Application Procedures below.
One of the requirements is that prospective members will attend a WPF luncheon meeting with each of her sponsors for a total of 3 meetings prior to her application. The Holiday Bazaar is a perfect time to invite a prospective member! Just a reminder our December meeting is our annual meeting and is for members only.
If you have any questions, please reach out to me sue.schwartz29@gmail.com.
Membership Application Procedures
1. New members are accepted once yearly. Completed applications must be received by the Membership Chair by April 15 for membership beginning July 1 of that same year.
2. An Active and Active Retired member may either sponsor or co-sponsor a total of no more than two new member applications in any fiscal year. An Emeritus member may co-sponsor no more than two new member applications in any fiscal year.
3. New members may be a sponsor after 24 months of membership. The waiting period to sponsor a new member does not apply to WPF members who have been reinstated as members after having left WPF in good standing.
4. The primary sponsor shall obtain the application for the prospective member from the Membership Chair, at which time the sponsor and the Membership Chair shall discuss the qualifications of the prospective member.
5. Prospective members will attend a WPF luncheon meeting with each of her sponsors, a total of three meetings, within the twelve months prior to application.
6. Sponsors will agree to provide any information about the prospective member as requested by the Membership Committee.
7. If an applicant is rejected for membership, the primary sponsor and co-sponsors will be notified prior to notifying the applicant.
8. Members of the Membership Committee, WPF President, and Supporting members cannot act as sponsor.
Small Group Dinners
We continue our Small Group Dinners this month. Click here to Sign Up for the dinner that fits your schedule.
We are excited to have members gather in smaller groups for an opportunity to get to know each other and provide feedback to the WPF and Foundation boards.
Contact Dede Potter dede@miboxtriad.com or Jody Susong jody.susong@fspcares.org if you have questions.
WPF Annual Business Meeting Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Each December, we hold our annual business meeting to review the year and elect our new Board of Directors. This member only annual business meeting will take place at Starmount Forest Country Club on Wednesday, December 8 from 12:30-1:30pm. A zoom option to attend will be available.
The WPF Nominating Committee is pleased to present the following slate of nominees. New Board and Committee members will begin service in January. Additional committee members will be appointed according to the Bylaws by the incoming President and Committee chairs.
President – Amy Baradell
President-Elect – Cecelia Anderson
1st Vice President – Dede Potter
2nd Vice President – Tamieka Howell
Treasurer – Kris Landrum
Secretary – Catena Bergevin
Director at Large – Christie Soper
Director at Large – Lorri Yaskiewicz
Membership Committee Chair – Jody Susong
Membership Committee Chair Elect – Meryl Mullane
Membership Committee Member – Keyshia Haithcock Gray
Programs Committee Chair – Ronnie Grabon
Programs Committee Chair Elect – Murphy Sullivan
Programs Committee Member – Maria Hanlin
Nominating Committee Member – Pam Barrett
Nominating Committee Member – Janice Lanier
Designated Board Positions ~ not elected
Past President & Nominating Committee Chair – Ashley Madden
Many thanks to this year’s nominating committee: Adrienne Jandler (Immediate Past President and Chair), Anne Smith, Valda Ford, Lisa Dames and Jennifer Mencarini.
A Note from Jean Pudlo, WPF Foundation President
We have been reviewing our grant processes to help ensure we choose strong partners to help us carry out our mission. Recently, our Grants Committee meeting was joined by Tara Sandercock, VP of the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, to help us with this review. Thank you, Tara!! We started with refreshing our purpose statement:
WPFF Grants empower Women and Girls by supporting:
• opportunities for women and girls to aspire to or further their careers;
• education and leadership development of women and girls;
• education of the public on the status and rights of women; and
• recognition of achievements and contributions of women.
A current trend among foundations is to base their practices on “Trust-Based Philanthropy,” i.e. trusting the nonprofit to know the needs they are serving and how to do it effectively, getting to know the organization and simplifying applying for and accounting for the funds, and staying in communication and offering support beyond the check. If you’d like to know more, visit trustbasedphilanthropy.com.
We’re also updating our timeline but it will remain similar – with applications due in mid-February to prepare for presentation at our May meeting.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts at Small Group Dinners about where our Foundation dollars can be put to good use! These grants only happen because of the current and past generosity of our members. If you haven’t made a 2021 contribution, please consider making one now at https://wpforum.org/donate/.
In service,
Jean
Year-End Donation to WPF Foundation
At the October WPF Board meeting, Directors approved a donation of $30,000 from WPF to our Foundation with the donation taking place in conjunction with our December annual business meeting. In addition to making this donation, we are prioritizing existing funds to support our monthly luncheon programming, first-class WPF social events, and ensuring dues will remain level for at least one year in lieu of increasing costs to hold the meetings at Starmount.
On behalf of the WPF Board, we are pleased to share this announcement.
Ashley Madden, 2021 WPF President
Special Interest Group Upcoming Events
DINING OUT
We’re taking a break for November & December see you in January!
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WhINE Divas
Thursday, Dec. 16 @ Reel Seafood
Our November Whine Divas has been cancelled as our presenter had a change of schedule. Our next gathering will be December 16th at Reel Seafood with an educational program. More details to come.
SERVICE TO OTHERS
Tuesday, November 2 – 6:30-8:00pm @ The Family Room
204 South Westgate Drive, Suite C, Greensboro NC 27407
Our new SIG will host it’s first opportunity on Tuesday, November 2, 6:30-8:00 at The Family Room. The mission of this nonprofit is to love, encourage and support families who foster and the children in their care. They provide resources include clothing, toys, beds, diapers, wipes, and formula. The goal is to never have a family have to say no to a placement because they don’t have what the kids need. Our time will be spent sorting and organizing some of these resources.
Their website is https://familyroomtriad.com/ if you would like more information.
We can’t wait! We will plan on getting a quick dessert/coffee at Mimi’s café or The Cheesecake Factory. RSVP by email to Jody Susong at jody.susong@fspcares.org or to Amy Baradell at amyb@windowworksstudio.com.
ADDITIONALLY…. Please send us ideas for other Service to Others opportunities. If you are part of another organization or know of one where we could volunteer, please let us know. Thank you!!
WORKING MOMS
Tuesday, November 16 12:00 PM
Embur – 107 Smyres Place
This group gathers to share the ups and downs of parenting as well as some great resources we have discovered in our area.
We look forward to connecting. RSVP to Marlee Foster at Marlee.foster@conehealth.com or text at 336-235-1596.
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WOMEN OF WALL STREET (WOW)
Thursday, November 18 @ 6pm – via Zoom
This will be our final business meeting of the year. We will review the companies in our portfolio and make any necessary changes for year end. The club is open to new members once a year, so please notify Peggy Ward at Peggy.ward8@icloud.com if you would like to join or want more information. The purpose of the club is to learn about the financial markets. If you are a current member and want to exit the club, please notify Peggy Ward by November 15.
BOOKS & ARTS
Friday, November 19 @
6-7:30pm at Captain White House in Graham
Join us for an early holiday shopping trip to the Mistletoe & Martinis event presented by Alamance Arts at the Captain White house in Graham. Those who have participated in this event in the past have been excited to combine holiday shopping with friends with enjoying specialty martinis and appetizers.
The event runs from 4 pm to 9:30 pm but tickets are sold for specific time periods to make this safer during COVID times. Only 25 tickets are sold for each time slot, and we’d like to go during the 6 to 7:30 pm slot assuming ticket availability. Tickets for that time period are $45 per person (earlier tickets are more expensive and later ones less) and are sold on the Alamance Arts website (www.AlamanceArts.com)
If you’d like to join us go online and purchase your ticket, then contact Kris Landrum at klandrum@tuggleduggins.com. If notified, Kris can help you coordinate travel to the event by putting participants in touch with each other (or gather your own group.). Obviously, you’re welcome to attend the event at any time during the 4 pm to 9:30 pm period, but it would be fun if many of us could be there at the same time. 25 time slots is not many, so if you’re interested, buy your ticket asap.
SIPPIN’ SISTERS
Tuesday, November 23 @ 6pm at Gia, 1941 New Garden Road, Suite 208
We are celebrating our 1st anniversary! Join us at Gia’s for a special dinner. We are renting a private back room that can accommodate 35 people.
Cost: $25 per person. RSVP/ASAP to Kim Trone at Kimberlyt0011@gmail.com or 336 -707-2136.
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BOOK CLUB
Tuesday, December 7 @ 7pm … Host: Kim Trone
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by the Dalai Lama XiV and Archbishop Desmond Tutu
In April 2015, Archbishop Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharamsala, India, to celebrate His Holiness’s eightieth birthday and to create what they hoped would be a gift for others. They looked back on their long lives to answer a single burning question: How do we find joy in the face of life’s inevitable suffering?
RSVP to Kim Trone at kimberlyt0011@gmail.com or 336-707-2136.
BOOKS & ARTS
Save the Date!
Chetola Symphony By the Lake Concert in Blowing Rock
July 21-24, 2022
Books and Arts annual July Blowing Rock trip (not to be confused with the always fantastic Wild Women in the Mountains spring trip) will be July 21st to 24th. Preliminarily, we think we will be able to book the Springhaven Inn on Main Street and a condo at Chetola. We have stayed in the Springhaven Inn before and it is a charming old house without updated amenities but it has a great location. The Chetola condo will give us an outpost for the Chetola symphony concert on the 22nd. Details as to whether the annual Blowing Rock home tour will take place are not yet available.
The weekend is always loads of fun with activities including shopping, hiking, socializing with friends, the concert and other possibilities to be determined. Current projected cost is $210/person for the 3- night stay. We anticipate having 14 spots initially available and might add a few more if there is demand. If you want to be part of this trip, contact Kris Landrum at klandrum@tuggleduggins.com to reserve your space ASAP.